HP Slowing PC Orders

HP is expecting troubled sales for at least some of its computers late this year, according to a recent study from Goldman Sachs. Financial analysts at the group noted that the PC maker was reportedly scaling back part orders for its systems during the late summer and fall, particularly in the company's home market of the US and for desktops. Notebooks were also affected, Goldman Sachs said. Researchers suggested that the company may have optimistically ordered more than it could anticipate selling; the company may also be anticipating lower sales due to the perilous US economic situation, the report adds.

Representatives from HP could not confirm the drop but noted that the notebook division was unaffected and should be on track to do well towards the end of the year.

"There really has not been a slowdown in our order rate [for notebooks]," said HP's worldwide mobile business general manager, Ted Clark. He declined comment on desktop figures as it was outside the scope of his department.

If true, the figure would represent a sudden downturn for the company, which has so far rode the crest of a surge in PC sales in 2007 and has typically placed first or second in American sales throughout the course of the year. Reports have yet to surface from Dell or other companies indicating whether the HP move is reflective of the industry as a whole or problems within the company itself, which would give other resurgent companies such as Apple and Toshiba an opportunity to gain marketshare.

By Electronista Staff