HP and Compaq to merge

[Michael (Australia)]

Whilst not specifically a topic for this forum, this may be of interest. It does raise some questions i.e. What will happen to HP’s Calculator Division.

See:

http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/04sep01a.htm

http://www.compaq.com/newsroom/pr/2001/pr2001090402.html

[Glynn]

Since the particular market focii (servers, "enterprise" business and consumer computers, mobile internet appliances) of HP and Compaq have been SO similar of late, look at this more as a buying-up of a rival, rather than HP picking up any new strengths or moving into any new areas. The whole reason for this is to sew up market share.

Server buyers, for instance, need not wonder which of the two will offer better service... only IBM remains as "the alternative" (geez, did *I* say THAT?)

I see this relegating calcs further into the background of the company... more accent on the PDA maybe, but HP calcs are only one more consumer product generating a revenue stream for this company, and whether they live or die only depends on their profitability. HP will have no more or less feeling about this than they do the fate of their illustrious Barbie(tm) printer.

Sigh...

[Joe Panico]

Actually, this is a long planned merger. And, just like the code names for calculators, HP has dropped hints by way of the calculator suffix:

C series - Compaq

S series - Saturn, but cars didn't fit HP image

B series - IBM merger (fell through)

X series - Xerox merger to make calc/copier combo

E series - Exxon. Backed out after Alaskan oil spill

e series - soon to reappear after eBAy takeover

D series - Dell, but regulators wouldn't approve

G series - Gateway, calcs with black and white shift keys

As a condition of the takeover, HP was to drop all RPN devices, in particular the well loved 42S. We'll see which suffix is next and guess the next corporate target!

Joe

[Vieira, Luiz C. (Brazil)]

Sorry asking, but what is this suffix matter about? I know which suffix you are talking about (HP41C'X', HP10'B', and so), I just didn't get to the point.

Did I miss something? I´m a foreigner, as you can see (Brazil), but now I am much curious about it.