HP webOS tablet prices slashed at Best Buy and elsewhere, availability is scarce

By Adam Rosenberg August 21, 2011

hp-touchpad — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The technology world is still reeling after the news emerged last week that Hewlett-Packard would be discontinuing development on its webOS platform. The announcement came on August 18, slightly more than a month after the company released its first webOS-powered tablet, the TouchPad. The end of support for the platform means that prices are being marked down, if you can still find a retailer with the tablet in stock.

Best Buy posted a fact sheet on its website detailing the TouchPad situation. A look at the company’s online store shows that the device is already sold out online, and is unavailable for in-store pickup. If you can find the tablet in a BB store near you, you’ll be able to pick up a 16 GB model for just $99.99, or a 32 GB model for $149.99, a savings of more than $400 on each device. Staples has an even bigger deal on the 16 GB model, with a $49.99 price after an instant $50 savings, but the TouchPad is sold out there as well (online, that is).

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Of course, just because the tablet is sold out online, that doesn’t mean it can’t be gotten. If you really want a tablet on the cheap and don’t mind the fact that you’re buying a piece of tech that won’t be getting anymore official software updates, ever, it might be worth a trip into your nearby electronics retailer. Note that there is a one item per customer limit, and that all sales on TouchPad tablets are final since it’s a clearance item.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Previously, Adam worked in the games press as a freelance writer and critic for a range of outlets, including Digital Trends…

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