HP to stop reselling iPod

I thought the iPod deal between HP and Apple was doing really well.

I wonder, if in the next M$ anti-trust case (yes, I do think it will happen sooner or later) we'll find memos from M$ to Dell and HP saying stop selling the iPod or else (insert threat here)...

Shrug.

My local Radio Shack just brought in a bunch of HP iPods/accessories last week, lol. I don't think this will go over very well with chains that carry HP goods. Tho I wonder if any deals will be able to be found...

I thought Radioshack was going to start selling NON-HP branded iPods??

Also wouldn't part of the reason be because of the upcoming "Intel inside" the mac machines? HP uses Intel....maybe it feels too competitive for them to stay in that relationship.....

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for the discussion at HP about this one. I suppose we are just going to have to wait and see what their 'digital media strategy' turns out to be.

I'm a Mac user who bought my iPod from HP. I just had to send my iPod back in for exchange after 9 months when I got a "sad iPod" icon on the screen. Anyways, totally pleasurable interaction with HP...got to a real person at midnight after only 1 computerized prompt. From the time they asked me for the serial number to the time I hung up after they assured that they would send a shipping box with a new replacement iPod in it, was probably 5 minutes. Great service. When I compare to the only90 day telephone support from Apple, that sucks. ALSO, i think there was a stipulation in the Apple warranty that after 6 months, i would be responsible for shipping costs. Sucks.

Apple offers no price protection to HP, which means they can't reduce their prices when Apple reduces theirs without losing money. Second, Apple is moving more and more into HP distribution channels, namely Radioshack. No one will buy a more expensive HP iPod when there is a chaper Apple iPod right next to it.

Selling the iPod didn't fit with HP's strategy of being a computer boxmaker, laying off tons of people, and not admitting that their printers are the only things they have left that have any value.

HP has a new boss, and this deal was made with the old one. I'm not surprised.

I agree with OkieDoc, HP's warranties are much better than apple's. I bought an HP 23" display (same screen as the apple) because it had a 3 year rather than apple's 1 year warranty. I may love apple, but I'm not that crazy.

I never understood this relationship anyway. I know...distribution channel. This deal might have made sense if the ipod didn't have such a strong brand value. HP doesn't add value anymore. Apple can sell the ipod ANYWHERE they want now. They don't need HP to get into e.g. Radio Shacks or Target.

Watch for a flood of HP Ipods at Costco,Sams Club,etc...

... about that big stack of HP iPods at Costco on Monday..

Were any of them ever color iPods?