HP's decision to drop the price to as low as $US99 touched off a weekend buying rush that the company called "overwhelming."
The sudden interest came after HP said it was discontinuing its tablet and smartphone efforts, after disappointing sales and unfavourable reviews.
The sudden interest came after HP said it was discontinuing its tablet and smartphone efforts, after disappointing sales and unfavourable reviews.
HP cut the price of its least-expensive 16 Gigabyte TouchPad to $99.99 from $499.99. The price on a 32 Gigabyte version was reduced to $149.99 from $599.99.
The Palo Alto company said it is still exploring alternatives for webOS, the well-regarded software that powered the TouchPad.
HP's decision to jettison remaining inventory at rock-bottom prices instantly became the talk of the technology press in the US on the weekend.
The Palo Alto company said it is still exploring alternatives for webOS, the well-regarded software that powered the TouchPad.
HP's decision to jettison remaining inventory at rock-bottom prices instantly became the talk of the technology press in the US on the weekend.
Blog posts were quickly published with rolling updates containing lists of stores and online sites where the device was still available.
Demand was so heavy that by Sunday, the website slickdeals.com was filled with "sold out" notices in red next to such popular retailers as Amazon.com, B&H Foto, Fry's Electronics, Target and Walmart.
A saleswoman at a Best Buy store in San Francisco said all the TouchPads in the Bay Area were sold out by Saturday night.
Eager customers scouring retailers turned their attention to stores that hadn't yet dropped the TouchPad's price, and reported multiple calls with sales representatives and methods for getting the price reduced.
Demand was so heavy that by Sunday, the website slickdeals.com was filled with "sold out" notices in red next to such popular retailers as Amazon.com, B&H Foto, Fry's Electronics, Target and Walmart.
A saleswoman at a Best Buy store in San Francisco said all the TouchPads in the Bay Area were sold out by Saturday night.
Eager customers scouring retailers turned their attention to stores that hadn't yet dropped the TouchPad's price, and reported multiple calls with sales representatives and methods for getting the price reduced.
"If you buy at full price, they will price match in 10 days to their own store if price drops," a person wrote about Barnes & Noble Inc.
The retailer still was charging $407.95 for the TouchPad, of which slickdeals estimated there were 14,000 in stock. Barnes & Noble wasn't available for comment.
Other consumers debated whether the device was good value even at the lower price.
Other consumers debated whether the device was good value even at the lower price.
"They are utterly worthless now," a person commented on a cnet.com article about the sale. "Amen," responded another.
Others disagreed, starting a Twitter campaign called "#saveWebOS" with pleas to keep the platform going and tweets from customers who had been awaiting H-P's next generation smartphones and tablets.
Others disagreed, starting a Twitter campaign called "#saveWebOS" with pleas to keep the platform going and tweets from customers who had been awaiting H-P's next generation smartphones and tablets.
"My dreams are dashed," said a Twitter user who called herself Cheryl. "Thanks (for nothing) @HP."
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