Mid-Feburary isn’t exactly a season for big sales, but the Stream 7 tablet from HP (NYSE: HPQ) is literally being given away at Microsoft’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) online store.

For $79 (a 20% price drop from the original price of $99) you get the 7-inch slate plus a one-year subscription to Office 365 Personal (a $69.99 value) and a Windows Store gift card worth $25.

While the sub-$80 price is eye-catching, the Stream 7’s specs aren’t exactly top of the line. The tablet runs Windows 8.1 with Bing and is powered by an Intel Atom Z3735G SoC. For storage the tablet comes with a 32GB eMMC, 1GB of RAM, 802.11n Wi-Fi with Miracast, Bluetooth, 0.3MP front-facing camera, and 2MP rear-facing camera.

Granted, the tablet is nothing special from a hardware point of view. However, considering the device’s low price it has been given rave reviews — much better than some tablets in a slightly higher price point. If you’re in need of a tablet it would be foolish to miss out this chance to get one at such a great price.

Head to the Microsoft Store now to buy one before they are sold out.

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On Monday, the CEO of Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) Meg Whitman announced that her company was splitting in two: one of the new companies will focus on the tried-and-true printing and personal computing divisions while the other will spin off HP’s enterprise division.

While Wall Street has been often fond of companies making this split into two more focused selves, the big question on everyone’s mind is whether HP’s personal computing division can compete. It’s printer division is a cash cow, and its enterprise division might eventually find its footing in the services role, but because of massive cutbacks to R&D HP is no Lenovo in the personal computing space (HKG: 0992).

Read the full story on VR World’s sister site, Bright Side of News*.  

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The once mighty titan of the personal computing business Hewlett Packard (NYSE: HPQ) said Monday that it will split itself into two companies, separating its PC and profitable printer business from its enterprise services division.

Both companies will retain some of the HP branding. The PC and printer business will be known as HP Inc. while the enterprise services arm of the company will have the name Hewlett-Packard Enterprise.

By announcing a plan to half the company into two, CEO Meg Whitman effectively follows the position of the company’s former controversial CEO Leo Apotheker who, during his reign, advocated for spinning off of the company’s enterprise half.

In a statement, Whitman said “flexibility they need to adapt quickly to market and customer dynamics”.

“We can now more aggressively go after the opportunities created by a rapidly changing market,” she added, further stating that this splitting of the companies “underscores our commitment to the turnaround plan.”

For the 2013 fiscal year, which ended in October, HP’s Printer and Personal Systems Group,which is home to the company’s printer and PC operations, brought in just under half of HP’s total revenue — $55.9 billion — and earnings of $4.9 billion. The company’s enterprise business, generated about $60 billion in revenue and $6 billion in net earnings.

The plan is expected to finalize in October 2015.

What can turn around the sinking ship?

Lenovo (HKG: 0992) took the crown as the world’s biggest PC maker by volume for one reason: it simply manufacturers better, more innovative, products. HP hasn’t had a compelling notebook for a long time, while Lenovo has stellar offerings such as the Yoga series.

For HP to right itself in its PC division it needs to make some serious investments in  producing compelling products. In comparison to what Lenovo or Dell might be offering, HP’s lineup seems clunky and uninspiring. While the ultra-profitable printer division will buoy the ship for some time, the PC arm will remain a drag until it has its Yoga moment.

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