HP Unveils More Windows 8-Enabled PCs (DELL) (HPQ) (MSFT)

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Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ) unveiled new Windows 8-enabled offerings including consumer PCs, business desktops and notebooks, and accessories. HP has been winning deals recently, but that has not stopped the tech bellwether from wooing additional customers.

The company is constantly rolling out new products to grab additional market share. The consumer and business PCs contain Intel Core and AMD processors, respectively, and assure improved performance and visuals.

The new products offered include HP Pavilion Sleekbook 14, Pavilion Sleekbook 15 PCs, and the HP ENVY m4 notebook PC. These new product launches follow a slew of new PCs that the world’s largest PC-maker unveiled this very month.

Earlier this month, HP unveiled three new PCs (one hybrid and two Ultrabooks). Soon after that, HP announced that it would launch four multi-touch PCs — all-in-one (central processing unit and speaker embedded into the monitor) PC models namely ENVY 23, ENVY 20 TouchSmart, SpectreONE and Pavilion 20. These new entrants will run on Microsoft Corp.’s (MSFT) Windows 8 operating system.

Thus, we note that this is yet another attempt made by the company to renew the interest of the end users in the PC segment and to win new orders. Also, industry experts believe that the PC market would benefit from the Windows 8 OS.

They also believe that customers have withheld purchases ahead of the Win 8 launch. Microsoft plans to launch Windows 8 some time in October. We believe that the timing for HP’s new releases is perfect.

Moreover, HP’s new products are not limited to PCs alone, as it very recently launched a web-enabled viewer aimed at publishing houses to help them add zest to their publications. The page can only be viewed through HP MagCloud, which is a web-service dedicated to publishers that can upload and distribute content over the web on their own. The publishers can also choose to make their content free or paid.

Apart from this, HP also extended the scope of its customer communications management (CCM) solution, HP Exstreme. In order to deliver ultimate customer streaming experience, the company has added features like SmartVideo and digital mailbox. With SmartVideo, users will be able to share video-content through emails.

On the other hand, the digital mailbox will help firms offer their customers personalized email accounts, with facilities such as printing files, and receiving alerts and reminders.

We believe that these new offerings could act as catalysts and lend some support to the dwindling PC business. The company has high hopes for its new PC offerings, featuring the yet-to-be released Microsoft (MSFT) Windows 8. But similar offerings from the likes of Dell Inc. (DELL) and ASUS, an upcoming tablet from Microsoft and soft demand from the consumer vertical could put a lid on H-P’s product momentum.

Currently, HP has a Zacks #3 Rank, implying a short-term Hold rating.

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