Samsung Denies It's Taking Over HP's PC Biz

Samsung Electronics denied a published report that it plans to acquire Hewlett-Packard's PC business.

The Web site Digitimes earlier this week reported that Samsung was preparing to take over HP's PC business, citing unnamed sources.

"The recent rumors that Samsung Electronics will be taking over Hewlett-Packard Co.'s personal computer business are not true," Samsung said in a two-sentence blog post today. "We hope this clarifies any confusion that may have occurred."

The future of HP's PC business is very much up in the air, following last week's bombshell announcement that the company was exploring various options for the $41 billion unit, including a possible spinoff or sale.

HP initially said the process could take 12 to 18 months, but Todd Bradley, executive VP of the company's Personal Systems Group, told CNBC, Bloomberg and others that the company hopes to resolve the matter within 8 to 12 weeks.

Meanwhile, it seems HP's PC unit has suddenly become a lame duck business. Rivals including Acer, Dell and Lenovo are already anticipating that they will gain share from HP.

Partners, meanwhile, are left holding the bag. HP's value proposition was its ability to bundle PCs, printers, servers, storage and networking gear for small and medium businesses. But with the current uncertainty surrounding HP's PC business, that advantage is suddenly in limbo, especially considering Dell can also bundle the same gear.

If you're a partner that sells HP PCs, what impact is the company's announcement having on your business plans? Is it business as usual or are you moving toward other vendors? Drop me a line at jschwartz@rcpmag.com.

Posted by Jeffrey Schwartz on August 24, 2011 at 11:59 AM