Hewlett-Packard (HP) is reportedly planning to launch eight new desktop computers in the next couple of months as the company mulls various options to spinoff its PC unit by next year.
According to a Bloomberg report, new launches are likely to include four touch-screen models.
The company said that it will launch three TouchSmart models, priced between $600 and $900, targeting consumers this month. The company will also launch TouchSmart Elite for small businesses, priced at $850 on 21 September.
HP also plans to unveil two PCs for consumers and two more aimed at businesses. In addition, the company will announce a new notebook computer soon..
Last month, HP had announced plans to spinoff its $41 billion PC unit, which generated sales of $40.7bn last year.
However, HP’s head of Personal Systems Group (PSG) for the UK and Ireland released a statement denying that the firm has said it will exit the PC hardware business.
"I’d like to firstly clear up any misunderstanding that has arisen from the earnings announcement around the future of the Personal Systems Group. There have been a number of incorrect stories saying that HP is quitting the PC business," he said.
"Let me be absolutely clear in saying that at no stage has HP said it is quitting the PC business. Three options are being investigated, and whether the company is spun off, sold or kept in the HP portfolio, the team in the UK remains committed to creating and supporting great products and services."
While Hunter might be right in that HP is yet to confirm the future for PSG it seems clear that Apotheker wants to get rid of it; two of the three options for PSG involve HP getting out of the PC hardware business. The company is looking to move towards higher margin software and services, like rival IBM did a number of years ago.
"HP is the world’s largest PC manufacturer. We are the number one PC manufacturer in UK and Ireland. HP PSG UK is only going in one direction, forwards and that means customers can have confidence that existing HP products will be supported under the terms of their warranties as will any future purchases," Hunter had added.
