Why the HP TouchPad Failed—and Why We’ve Moved On
HP's TouchPad tablet never sold much in the few months that it was out. But, when HP announced that it was ceasing production of the device, that changed.
Consumers have cleaned out the market's $99-$150 per-unit inventory of TouchPads.
At a time when Apple is selling all the iPads it can make and companies are launching new Android tablets that are increasing in market share every day, why did the TouchPad crash and burn?
1. Management Missteps
The Touchpad was built on Palm’s webOS, which HP acquired under then CEO Mark Hurd. But Hurd’s departure amid scandal left the project adrift. HP’s leadership seemed more interested in pivoting away from consumer hardware altogether. The Touchpad became a corporate orphan, an “Ugly Duckling” in a company unsure of its direction.
2. A Starved App Ecosystem
Apps are the lifeblood of any tablet. Apple had tens of thousands of iPad apps. The Touchpad? Around 300. Worse, HP made it difficult for developers to build for webOS. Without a vibrant app store, the Touchpad was a sleek device with little to do.
3. Fierce Competition
The Touchpad launched four months after the iPad 2—a lifetime in tech. Apple’s momentum was unstoppable, and Android tablets were gaining ground. HP’s marketing didn’t help either. Glitzy celebrity ads failed to communicate why the Touchpad was different—or better.
4. No Patience for the Long Game
Could the Touchpad have succeeded with more time and support? Possibly. But HP pulled the plug early, unwilling to weather a slow start. In today’s market, that kind of short-term thinking is a recipe for failure.
Why We Switched to Lenovo
At Kotori Technologies, we’ve learned from stories like the TouchPad’s. That’s why we’ve transitioned to Lenovo for our hardware needs. Lenovo’s ThinkPad and IdeaPad lines offer the reliability, support, and innovation we need to serve our clients, especially in fast-moving sectors like healthcare and small to midsize businesses.
Our recent collaboration with Lenovo has already proven fruitful. We’re actively quoting Lenovo’s laptops and working closely with their team to ensure seamless procurement and support.
How Kotori Technologies Can Help You
Whether you're a healthcare provider, a small business, or an enterprise, Kotori Technologies offers managed IT services that go beyond just hardware. We specialize in:
- 24/7 IT support and rapid incident response
- Cybersecurity solutions tailored to your industry
- Cloud and network infrastructure management
- Strategic consulting to future-proof your tech stack
Ready to Upgrade?
If you're still relying on outdated systems or just want to avoid the next TouchPad-style misstep. Let’s talk. Visit https://www.kotoritechnologies.com or contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you find the right solutions for your business, backed by the power of Lenovo and the expertise of Kotori.
