HP Smartphone and Tablet Buying Guide

This article is part of my Smartphone and Tablet Buying Guide. Make sure to read that article first for an overview of my recommendations.

When I first started writing my guide, HP had just launched their TouchPad tablet device. So I wanted to include them in the roundup. However, the answer is now very simple. HP is out of the game. Finished. Kaput. They gave up 6 weeks after launching the TouchPad. However, for the near future, you may find “bargain-basement” pricing on HP TouchPads and their smartphone lineup. However tempting it may be, that $99 tablet that sort of looks like an iPad is a dead product. Dead as a doornail. No updates will be released and no more apps will be developed for it. You’re buying this device as is, which isn’t saying much for the ill-fated, poorly-received product. Same for the HP/Palm phones. Please, just be careful and advise any of your friends and family the same. I’ve seen reports of people spending $300 on eBay for these virtually worthless devices now.