As if there was any doubt left that Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) is sick of Wintel, the top PC vendor in the world has just announced a new device that further diversifies Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) away from Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC).
The Slate 21 is an all-in-one desktop that runs Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and sports an NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) Tegra 4 processor inside instead of the usual Wintel combination. The PC is a 21.5-inch touchscreen device that can even be used as an enormous tablet if one is so inclined. The news comes on the heels of Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) unveiling its Slatebook x2 last month, an Android/Tegra-powered convertible laptop.
The new all-in-one, whose pricing and availability are yet to be announced, marks the third Android device that Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) has introduced in just a few short months. Two of these are powered by Tegra 4 processors, as NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) begins to score design wins with its newest mobile chip and expand into PCs. The first was the Slate 7, which carries a more generic processor in order to hit a lower price point. Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) appears to be repurposing its Slate brand into an Android offering.
Much to Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s glee, Android is starting to infiltrate PCs. The search giant may also be pleased that Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) is going with a relatively stock version of Android, adding minor tweaks. That’s in stark contrast to how smartphone and tablet OEMs approach Android, who tend to overlay as much software modification as possible. Using stock Android saves on development resources, but also increases the speed of commoditization.
Rival Acer is similarly betting big on Android PCs, recently showing off a prototype Android all-in-one desktop as well at the Computex trade show. Windows 8 has driven PC OEMs to desperation, because the new platform hasn’t resonated with consumers thus far. The upcoming Windows 8.1 may address some important shortfalls, but significant damage has already been done to the PC market.
Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ)’s turnaround is being built on a multiplatform strategy. Investors can expect the PC giant to continue expanding its Android arsenal.
The article HP Continues to Expand Its Android Arsenal originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Evan Niu, CFA, has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Google, Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), and NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA). The Motley Fool owns shares of Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), Intel, and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT). Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
