HP TouchPad 4G pops up for pre-order on Amazon, asking $700 for your mobility privileges 44
Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:21 am EDT 
When HP announced the release date for the HP TouchPad, they also announced that they would make available this summer a 4G cellular version powered by AT&T’s HSPA network – the HP TouchPad 4G. While we’re inching closer to release with every day, we still didn’t know how close we were to that release, or how much the privilege of cellular mobility would cost us.
This morning, we have a better idea on the latter, thanks to the chaps at Amazon. They’ve put up a pre-order page for the TouchPad 4G, with the asking price of $699.99 (with free super save shipping!) for the cellular-enabled webOS tablet. That’s for the expected 32GB tablet with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, which is really just $100 more than its Wi-Fi-only counterpart. Comparatively, Apple tacks on $130 for the cellular iPad 2, but in their case they have to machine a different back for the iPad to accommodate the cellular antenna and SIM card. HP does not, since the TouchPad has a radio-friendly plastic case with the SIM card slot already in place even on the Wi-Fi tablet.
So is the TouchPad 4G worth it at $700, plus whatever you’ll end up paying AT&T for service? That depends on how much you value mobility. You could tether your phone to the tablet to provide data while on the lam, but you know that’s going to drain both your phone battery and your data allotment. Then again, it’s also not going to cost you extra every month. It really depends on how much you use your TouchPad while out of Wi-Fi signal area, and how much you need data connectivity when you do.
Source: Amazon; Via: Engadget, Netbook News
44 Comments
I would be surprised if they sold 100 of these at this price.
I know, HP makes the price really high then discounts it to make you think you are getting a deal....
You don't imagine how much I hate agreeing with you.
HP is soo late in the game now, that only a miracle will save webOS to become the Betamax or the Minidisc of this era.
I'm really frustrated, my Pre (original) is finally giving up, I had to stop the overclocking and battery life doesn't exist and at 500mhz is unbearable now to use.
I LOVE, LOVE webOS, I don't think there's a better OS out there, My pre does things better than the most used Os's out there, and is 2 years old, and with NO updates since September last year?? or something like that (Sprint Pre here)
I'll have to buy an Android phone, witt I'm convinced is the best option out there (webOS aside).
What big corporations can do with a great product, unbelievable.
Pre3 Single core.. really HP? get out of the time machine, what are you going to launch the dual core when everybody else is on quads????
Sorry I'm frustrated, and upset with HP.
somehow I feel obligated to ask about the Pre3.
When is the Pre3 coming out? I could care less about the TP 4G.
Forget the pre3, i dont want another big brick. Give me the Veer2..
Whats up with a specbumped veer?
I couldn't care less about the TP 4G... that's how low i care about it.
Indeed, so that means don't agree to that price, make'em wait by not purchasing the device until the price starts dropping.
Have they learned nothing from the regular TP launch?
Yes. The touchpad sells at staples when it's $200 off. I think that's all they learned. I'm curious to see how many get returned though.
I'lll wait for it to show up on Woot next month for $499. The real downside of early discounting is that nobody takes your retail price seriously anymore.
If there is one thing I've learned as a consumer of HP's webOS products, it's wait a month to save $200 off of their original asking price.
based on the craziness of this past weekend, it seems that people's price point is $400-500 for the 32gb. so you can tack on another $100 on that for the cell radio. i think that would be more realistic. priced at $700, i think people will just wait until Staples starts selling them :).
That's what carrier subsidies are for.
Carrier subsidies for 3G tablets have been paltry-to-non-existent thus far. They get substantial only when trying to clear inventory for the new kids on the block.
My TP is already overclocked and tethered to a 4G device. Thanks, but no-thanks.
Same here, Veer and Touchpad are a match made in heaven. Long battery life for tethering, good hspa speeds.
$700? ahahahahahahahahahahahhaahahahahah!!!
The downside of this past weekend's price craziness is that you'd have to be a zealot to buy an HP product at launch now given what discounts they have shown you can expect 15-30 days later.
Whatever they list a future Touchpad or Opal at going forward, you'd be a fool to pay that "asking" price.
Don't assume they'll apply the same rules to a cellular model that they apply to their WiFi model. You need to remember that the radio licensing and carriers enter into the equation for the cellular models.
HP must love folks like you. :)
Whether that's the case or not, the legions of Woot-ers and bargain hunters who snapped up Touchpads this weekend aren't going to know that and wouldn't care if they did.
This tablet is associated for the foreseeable future with crazy discounts after launch. That's what people are going to expect and wait on going forward.
I'm never paying $700 for a Tablet.
*sigh*
i must say i'm really getting tired of the pessimistic point of view of this website. You would think that a pro WebOS site would point out that this is BEFORE contract pricing. If we will remember, the original pre MSRP'd for $550, but was delivered at $199 with contract. A pretty reasonable subsidization if you ask me.
If you paid attention you would know that AT&T isn't subbing tablets.
I am honestly surprised that HP didn't copy the Apple $130 delta. But still, $700? I think HP has an OK expectation with adding $100 for 4G, but the wifi only price should have started about $100 lower.
BTW, with this last weekend's BS move of discounting $100, HP has officially "UN-MADE" it "right" for us poor early webOS adopters. The $50 MIR was nice when I thought the $600 price point would remain for at least 6 mos. But jeez, a week after the offer expires they knock ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS off the price? C'mon.
So HP, I ask once again, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO "MAKE IT RIGHT" FOR THOSE OF US THAT HAVE BEEN WITH webOS SINCE JUNE 09?
It it really going to be a monthly charge? I'd think that AT&T would have the same "buy it as you need it" plan that the iPad has...
That buy-as-you-go monthly plan was likely negotiated by Apple in exchange for the iPad's exclusivity on the AT&T network. There's no reason to believe that HP would be able to negotiate the same favorable terms for the TP.
Actually, I think they extended it to the original Galaxy Tab eventually as well, and will probably extend it to this.
The legal for all of the tablets on ATT Wireless' site is identical.
Everybody is complaining about the price that is $30 less than the iPad 2 which is only 3G & has a lower rated processor?
I guess you really do think the TouchPad w/webOS isn't nearly as good as the iPad. Interesting on a webOS/PreCentral site.
So, you think the market has not spoken yet regarding the value of the TP vs. the iPad at the same price?
I'm sure there were people who were enjoying the music while the Titanic went down, also.
Thanks for the insulting analogy to the Titanic. You are a very smart guy & I am sure it made your day.
I did not say the market has or has not spoken in the manner you insinuate. Actually, as I said, the TouchPad is priced $30 cheaper than the 32G iPad, it adds 4G (or HSPA+ at least) vs 3G and it has a better processor for that cheaper price.
HP may not be able to give it away, I don't know. BUT they are not the same product. When the iPad 3 comes out or the business version of the iPad 2, depending on their pricing, I may say something completely different.
You can insult me again then.
I don't see why you would use processor rating as a measure of worth when it is transparent to the vast majority of tablet buyers. Even tech reviews don't make a big deal out of it. The TP was deemed sluggish by most reviewers when compared to the iPad 2 despite the higher rated processor.
"Thanks for the insulting analogy to the Titanic."
How it is insulting, it is just the reality. You call it significant, $30 price difference, for $700 product (please hold me, I can't stand laughing anymore)?? The one, that has been largely ignored by public at $200 less, only equipped with functionality that you can otherwise have for free/less, on ANY carrier (MiFi/tethering...)???
Peh-leez...
Too bad one can not combined cell phone plan with TP wireless plan...
I actually wanted a cellular version of the TP to begin with but I, for one, will not buy the TP 4G until this is sorted out with AT&T. I win in either case since I already own the WiFi version.
I'll be surprised if the price stayed at $700 for a month before HP discounts it to $600 and every retailed adds another $100 discount to make an effective end-user price of $500 so that people in the shop, when they see it, will think: "whoa, $700 tablet must be really good, bummer it's so expensive. WAIT $200 discount? That's HOW many percent? I'll buy it right now before that discount runs out."
HP isn't the first company to run this strategy, and won't be the last. They may, however, be one of the first companies to have it interpreted as either blathering stupidity or evil conniving by the Internet.
3G/4G tablets aren't a particularly good value for most people on any carrier from any manufacturer, Apple included.
People realize that the product comes with a leash in the form of a monthly plan.
As long as the SIM card is removable and not carrier locked, I am willing to wait for the $150 - $200 discount - then it might just be a good value, assuming AT&T allows a shared data plan with tablets.
I purchased a mobile mifi card from Sprint and it works beautifully. This way I'm not limited to using it only with the TP. I guess if I'm going to have to pay for another data plan, I'd rather have the flexibility to use it however I wish, not just on one device.
....exactly, and I bet you haven't paid $100 for it... neither it cost $100 to equip the TP with 3G/faux 4G modem, nor it is worth it...
Here's a new slogan for you, to unenchant your enchanted reality, HP:
"In the world of MiFi access points, and smarphones & free tethering, WHO NEEDS ANOTHER DATA PLAN ON TOP OF $700 HARDWARE, worth $350?"
I'm imagining someone holding the tablet up to their ear to take a call.
Seriously, if you have a paired phone in your pocket, not sure why you need a radio in the TP.
"...if you have a paired phone in your pocket, not sure why you need a radio in the TP."
Maybe your phone is not in your pocket (I sometimes use my iPad 2 to watch a netflix movie while I'm on a machine at the gym but the phone is in a locker somewhere).
Maybe your phone's battery is low.
Maybe you don't have a phone that can be paired or that allows tethering.
Maybe it's not convenient to always need a second device just to use your tablet.
Maybe people have needs that are different from yours.
The buying public has to stop manufacturers and carriers from ripping us off by charging $100-130 for 3G/4G data radios that costs them a fraction of that price. You can buy a low-end 3G smartphone (Virgin Mobile LG Optimus V) for $150 unsubsidized. Fortunately many people, myself included, aren't falling for this by buying WiFi only tablets.