HP expects to have more $99 Touchpads by 31 October

MAKER OF EXPENSIVE PRINTER INK HP has confirmed that it will sell more cut price Touchpad tablets this Autumn.

HP caused a sensation first by announcing it would discontinue its WebOS hardware operations and then deciding to clear out its Touchpad stock at the fire sale price of $99. In a matter of hours the Touchpad tablets sold out all over the US and when the device had its price cut in the UK, queues expected only for Apple products were seen at some stores.

Now HP has said that it will prepare one more batch of $99 Touchpads, though it looks like only US punters will have the chance to take part in the melee to get one. HP's Mark Budgell updated a post he made last week saying, "We don't know exactly when these units will be available or how many we'll get, and we can't promise we'll have enough for everyone. We do know that it will be at least a few weeks before you can purchase."

Budgell gave no figures and no information on which outlets would be receiving Touchpad devices, but did say that HP will manufacture them during the firm's fourth quarter, which ends on 31 October. So it should be safe to assume that Touchpads will be back on the shelves, albeit in very limited quantities, by about that time.

Those wanting to scoop up a few bargain tablets and turn them around on auction web sites for a healthy profit will be disappointed. Budgell said that there will be a limit on the number of Touchpad tablets a person can order.

Regarding HP's decision to ship the last batch of Touchpad tablets outside of the US, Budgell said, "At this time, other regions have limited to no inventory available. Please check with your chosen retailer or your local hp.com web site for more information."

HP must know that even if it restricts Touchpad device sales to the US, slapping a $99 price tag on them will guarantee that it will take all of two hours before its stock is depleted. µ