HP Testing Windows 8 on TouchPads

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HP may build an entirely new tablet using Microsoft's upcoming ARM-friendly OS, Windows 8.

Clayton Morris from FOX News reports that HP is currently doing "proof of concept work" testing the Preview Edition of Windows 8 on TouchPad tablets without webOS installed.

According to unnamed sources within HP, the company is having internal discussions about reviving the defunct webOS-based version after the supposed second fire sale wave takes place on an unspecified date. The company is also considering building an entirely new device instead with Windows 8 in mind.

The TouchPad was a brief glimmer on the market before HP pulled the device not two months after its debut. Yet despite the talk about selling off its PC division and putting webOS on hold, HP firmly stated that it had no plans to exit the tablet sector.

HP seemingly backed up its commitment by resurrecting the TouchPad for a brief fire sale back in August, offering the device for $99. The tablets were consumed in a matter of hours, prompting HP to promise another wave at an undetermined date.

It's quite possible that HP is testing Windows 8 on the current hardware set to see if any slight modifications are needed to the TouchPad before Microsoft reportedly launches Windows 8 in August 2012. The company could switch to Nvidia's quad-core Tegra 3 and add more RAM to possibly put it in the same league as the Android 4-powered Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime.

Morris also reports that layoff notices in the PC division have been put on hold while HP determines its outcome. On the webOS front, the company is reportedly meeting with a number of interested buyers including HTC, LG, Nikon, and Amazon.

Kevin Parrish
21 Comments Comment from the forums
  • southernshark
    Who would buy anything from HP?

    What a crap company. You don't even know if they will still support your product in a year (or in 2 months), given their poor decision making and horrible management team. For that matter who knows if they will even be involved with electronics. They may decide that the real money is in paperclips.
    Reply
  • jwcalla
    I just got my HP TouchPad and it's pretty fancy. To me, webOS seems like a really nice design. I've given the Windows 8 DP a try and I just came away from the experience feeling "meh". It doesn't seem as advanced as webOS, aside from the switch-back-to-desktop functionality.

    This report surprises me a bit. There will undoubtedly be a lot of people interested in a Windows tablet so this might be a good move for HP.
    Reply
  • GreaseMonkey_62
    Once they got rid of CEO Leo Apotheker I knew it would only be a matter of time before they brought the TouchPad back. There is a lot of investment into that device. It would be completely foolish to just let it die. Making a second run of tablets was a pretty good tip off that they plan on keeping it in some manner.
    Reply
  • neonspark
    the problem with the touchpad is the software. windows 8 fixes that. why would anybody buy a tablet that doesn't replace a pc in the future? the artificial world google/apple created where you need two devices is the past. the future is one and sure as hell nobobdy is going to give up their pcs mice and keyboard ever so making a tablet that replaces a pc can only be done with windows 8.

    if HP can be out the door with a win8 story, they will sell like hotcakes.
    Reply
  • something you guys gotta remember, everyone seems to call an OS "advanced" or not according to how it FEELS, rather than it's inner workings. the main reason i'd like to see full windows 8 on hp touchpad is simply the full windows functionality coming into play, rather than just a tablet version of windows. (windows mobile anyone?)
    Reply
  • vaughn2k
    ... And Nokia's Lumia with Windows Phone 7...
    Reply
  • cptnjarhead
    WebOS really shines on the Touchpad.
    Once you use WebOS, you will realize how stupid hp is.
    Reply
  • igot1forya
    southernsharkWho would buy anything from HP?HP's enterprise products are actually pretty good. I work with multiple venders on a daily basis and I have no complaints about their quality or service - on the enterprise level anyway.
    Reply
  • alyoshka
    LOL!! LMAO!!! At the enterprise level, they still charge a bomb, and of course you'll not be having the problem, it's the end user who suffers, you're just a vendor. Try replacing immediately every faulty piece that you get back. And no crap of that is not company policy.
    See the amount of faulty stuff that stacks up.
    Reply
  • cookoy
    Upping the hw specs is a good start. But with all those fire sales, people expect very low prices again. No can do with better hw and windows installed.
    Reply