$99 HP TouchPad Sale: Thousands of Tablets Expected in Upcoming Weeks

By Ravelle Mohammed, Christian Post Reporter Monday, October 17, 2011

HP Inc. will deliver up to 200,000 TouchPad tablets in a late October production run to satisfy “unfulfilled demand” of the discontinued device.

According to a DigiTimes report, HP will produce 100,000 to 200,000 TouchPad units to help suppliers clear out inventories, including touch panels, batteries, and chassis, while maintaining good relationships with companies involved.

The limited supply of HP tablets, which have been selling at the extremely cheap price of $99 for the 16GB and $149 for the 32GB, are set to become available by the end of October.

After the surprising success of the TouchPad fire sale that ignited the tablet buying frenzy and concluded in a sellout of the device across the nation and in Canada, HP said, "Despite announcing an end to manufacturing webOS hardware, we have decided to produce one last run of TouchPads to meet unfulfilled demand."

However the company added, "We can’t promise we’ll have enough for everyone."

HP has said it could not guarantee the price reduction at every retailer. On the company’s blog it stated:

“Each retailer will manage their own policy and process regarding pricing and price matching. Please contact the local retailer of your choice to see what their current position is.”

Consumers also have the chance to snag the $99 tablets, which are being raffled off in a promotional contest for Hugh Jackman’s newest film, “Real Steel,” for free.

HP is giving away 20 Touchpads, five of which are signed by Jackman, to randomly selected winners who “like” the “Real Steel” banner on HP’s Facebook page. According to CNET, HP is using the Jackman sweepstake to promote its touch-screen PC.

The contest’s promotional period closes Oct. 21 and all entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. PDT. Winners will be randomly selected Oct. 26.

HP’s final shipment of the TouchPad tablets is also expected to hit stores around the time of the drawing – if not earlier.

For the latest updates on sales of the last stock of HP TouchPad tablets follow Bryna Corcoran’s Twitter account @BrynaAtHP