HP UK's Final Shipment of TouchPads Reserved for Staff

The UK is getting more TouchPads but they're not for consumers.

The HP TouchPad fire sale was over far too soon. The new, low price was just too attractive to last and the tablets were sold out across the country within just a few hours. While the U.S. eagerly awaits a new shipment from HP, UK shoppers have only eBay and Craigslist to rely on, as HP has no plans to bring any more TouchPads to the United Kingdom. At least, that's what we were told.

HP said recently that the last production run of HP tablets was only for customers in the United States. To really drive the point home, HP said it would not be selling any additional TouchPads beyond what it is already in the European distribution channel. However, it seems the UK is getting an additional shipment of TouchPads. Sadly, you're not going to get a glimpse of the 6,000-odd units unless you work for HP.

PSG UK and Ireland boss Paul Hunter this week told the Register that yes, HP was "looking to secure some TouchPads for employees."

"We have got other partners that will want units as well but we need to prioritise HP employees," he said, reiterating the fact that there would be no more TouchPads entering retail channels.

"No, there are no more Touchpads coming for the channel, there may be small pockets in one distributor but no additional stock is coming for the channel."

HP's final production of TouchPads will hit the United States at some point in the coming weeks. The company plans to wind down production and webOS device development in the run up to the end of its fourth fiscal quarter 2011, which ends October 31.