re: HP to kill its PC business and also WebOS based tablets, phones

Do you know the cost of the parts going into each tablet?

Is it even possible for OEMs to turn a profit if they sell at $200?

Still selling for about $230-250 on eBay. I am shocked they are going that high.

If I was more certain a fully working Ice Cream Sandwichport was coming soon, I would be much more willing to buy one. The price is only going to come down as the bubble pops and half of the people who bought one realize they aren't making shite re-selling them, that they aren't laptop replacements, that they don't want to learn a new interface, that the whole android port thing isn't as quick/easy/simple as any of them expect, etc. I predict heavy buyer's remorse on the OT contingent.

ETA: Unless demand<supply indefinitely. As it stands right now, we see an only slightly inflated fair value because that's the case, but I don't think that will last. Just hope what we said in the other thread turns out to be the case and companies take notice of the current pricing mechanics before it falls apart.

Most people would be inclined to say that that $250 price point on ebay disproves EMH. I think its proof that it exists. Unsophisticated market particpants create irrational market, which creates irrational prices, which gets rationalized as sophisticated market participants enter market and deflate irrational expectations. Reminds me a lot of some other markets that get pumped up around here a lot.

It would be funny as hell if it was, unfortunately, you and I both know its just because your upper management is rudderless and a complete mess. It is awe-inspiring and positively hilarious to see them dump it and it literally sell like hotcakes. People might be generally technologically non-savvy, but they're not idiots. They know tablets don't cost $600, only Apple can convince its cult following that such things are worth such prices (and before someone jumps in, as I've said since I was 16, they do this better than any company aside from maybe a few high end liquor companies).

I will add another "IMO" comment here. I am amazed and excited about the level of early adopters that are coming on board with this. Granted, 90% of those people are unknowningly early adopters, but I really think this could be a watershed moment in the tablet market. I have no clue what kind of inventory HP has (maybe you can hook us up???), but there's no way this doesn't depress the sales of ipads, and it is probably going to obliterate the sales of android tablets for the next two or three months. I reallyreallyreally hope companies pull their heads out of their asses and realize if they change the revenue structure they can sell these very easily. Otherwise, its going to continue to be overvalued ipads and every one else.

I'm with you, kfizzle, I think if a tablet company could hit the $200 price target they could finally start taking market share from the iPad. They will never compete at $600

Its moving down the chain though. A quick google shopping search shows the Acer Iconia selling for $300 flat (without any liquidation discount). Its not an ipad, but its also a first gen product. IF they can shrink the form factor and (more importantly) get the battery life to something more in-line with the other tabs, it will do well at $300 if it gets just a smidgen of marketing dollars behind it.

Got an email 30 minutes ago. It is official.

Meg Whitman's letter to HP employees:

it's hard to wrap yourself around the massive amount of failure through the years...Compaq buying a dying DEC, buying Tandem and nearly killing it, a struggling HP buying a crumbling Compaq. Automony would be wise to run like hell.

At least Agilent still looks somewhat like the old HP.