HP fires up expanded notebook strategy

At a press conference, the company said that it is going after a top spot in the notebook market. Rich Archuleta, general manager for mobile products, said that "we set a goal of being in the top five worldwide notebook PC market before the year 2000. To grow our business we need to move beyond the second and third-tier and be able to win share against the top three [Toshiba, Compaq and IBM]."

HP (HWP) said it will look to its new technology, announced Monday, as aggressive pricing and support and service to achieve that goal.

The company introduced three new systems in its OmniBook line: the 2100, which starts at $1,525; the 3100, which starts at $3,249; and the 4100, starting at $3,499. All three systems work with a new line of universal docking products, including a port replicator, a miniature docking station and a full docking station. The new line also works with the existing 7100 model.

In other announcements, HP said it is adding to its extended solutions partnership program, including a channel assembly deal with 10 resellers. HP has been working with some resellers in a build-to-order program, and has extended the program to additional companies, and to include a configure-to-order program as well.

Jacques Clay, vice president and general manager of the extended desktop business unit, said HP will expand the channel assembly program to workstations and OmniBook notebooks during the next few months.

Along with the channel program, HP introduced new desktop systems in its Vectra and Brio lines, including a Vectra based on Intel Corp.'s (INTC) new Celeron processor. The Vectra VE features a 266MHz processor, 32MB of SRDAM and a 3.2GB hard drive, and starts at $999.

The new Brio 8300 series also includes systems based on the Celeron processor, including one that starts at $799. The Brio 8500 series, also introduced today, features the Pentium II processor. Both lines include networking software and are aimed at the small business market.

NEW YORK -- Hewlett-Packard Co. unveiled Monday a slew of products and programs aimed at furthering the company's reach in the notebook and business markets.

At a press conference, the company said that it is going after a top spot in the notebook market. Rich Archuleta, general manager for mobile products, said that "we set a goal of being in the top five worldwide notebook PC market before the year 2000. To grow our business we need to move beyond the second and third-tier and be able to win share against the top three [Toshiba, Compaq and IBM]."

HP (HWP) said it will look to its new technology, announced Monday, as aggressive pricing and support and service to achieve that goal.

The company introduced three new systems in its OmniBook line: the 2100, which starts at $1,525; the 3100, which starts at $3,249; and the 4100, starting at $3,499. All three systems work with a new line of universal docking products, including a port replicator, a miniature docking station and a full docking station. The new line also works with the existing 7100 model.

In other announcements, HP said it is adding to its extended solutions partnership program, including a channel assembly deal with 10 resellers. HP has been working with some resellers in a build-to-order program, and has extended the program to additional companies, and to include a configure-to-order program as well.

Jacques Clay, vice president and general manager of the extended desktop business unit, said HP will expand the channel assembly program to workstations and OmniBook notebooks during the next few months.

Along with the channel program, HP introduced new desktop systems in its Vectra and Brio lines, including a Vectra based on Intel Corp.'s (INTC) new Celeron processor. The Vectra VE features a 266MHz processor, 32MB of SRDAM and a 3.2GB hard drive, and starts at $999.

The new Brio 8300 series also includes systems based on the Celeron processor, including one that starts at $799. The Brio 8500 series, also introduced today, features the Pentium II processor. Both lines include networking software and are aimed at the small business market.