Just a week after announcing a global price drop, HP has discontinued sales of its TouchPad tablet altogether, as part of a suspension of its webOS operating system.

HP made the announcement as it delivered its preliminary results for the third quarter of 2011, also revealing the company ‘has authorised the exploration of strategic alternatives’ for its PC division, Personal Systems Group (PSG).

The statement reads, "HP... plans to announce that it will discontinue operations for webOS devices, specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones.

"HP will continue to explore options to optimise the value of webOS software going forward.”

HP acquired the bones of webOS when it purchased Palm in April last year. The TouchPad was intended to be the operating system’s flagship device, but it has failed to make an impact on the market.

Commentators have been mixed on the move, saying the discontinuation will hurt the brand in the short term, but in the long run it may be better than continuing to push a poor performer.

HP New Zealand could not be reached for comment.