It has been a difficult period for computer giants Dell and Hewlett-Packard – with the latter announcing some significant job losses, and the former pinning its hopes on new technology in an effort to spark a revival in sales.
Game over for HP?
The world’s largest personal computer manufacturer, HP, has announced that it will cut 27,000 jobs over the next year and a half. This will mean reducing around eight per cent of its workforce as it aims to cut its costs by £2.2billion a year.
According to HP the move is part of a product initiative, with the money to be reinvested in the company. With the likes of the Apple iPad eating into its sales, HP is eager to reshuffle its deck: and the job losses are likely to impact just about every business and region, including the 20,000 people it employs in the UK.
The news comes despite the fact that HP released relatively positive quarterly results – with profits and revenues both exceeding expectations. Its profits fell by 31 per cent in the second quarter to $1.6billion, with revenues dropping three per cent year-on-year to $30.7billion. The numbers actually exceeded the company’s previous outlook, even though chief executive Meg Whitman commented that there is still a lot of work to be done.
What’s new at Dell?
Elsewhere, Dell is taking a proactive approach to growing competition in the market by launching a host of new touchscreen products as part of Window 8’s launch.
With sales of its notebook computers and mobile devices dropping by 10 per cent over the last three months compared to the same period last year, Dell is pinning its hopes on an upsurge in demand when Microsoft releases its new system software later this year. The upgrade will include a Metro user interface, which is designed for touch screen controls, and may prompt users to upgrade their computers. Unlike other Windows upgrades, this transition will require a new PC or notebook that features touch technology or a derivative hybrid.
If you don’t want to wait for the new technology however, then you should act quickly to capitalise on some enticing Dell voucher codes. The company is currently offering: 15 per cent off selected 22” monitors; and 10 per cent off all EnA at its Dell Ireland online store. There are other great deals available at Moneysaver.ie in its computer and internet voucher codes section – so why not see what’s available now?