HP knocks $100 off TouchPad tablets for this weekend only

Update: HP has made the $100 TouchPad price drop permanent.

Sitting on the fence about which tablet computer to buy? HP wants to give you $100 if you choose its TouchPad this weekend over rivals such as Apple iPads and various Android-powered offerings, such as the popular Samsung Galaxy Tab.

HP's discount on the TouchPad knocks the price of the tablet down to $400 for the 16GB version and $500 for 32GB, making both models cheaper than their respective Apple iPad 2 competitors. Still, would such instant savings—available on HP's web store or participating Staples retail outlets—be enough to boost sales of the HP TouchPad?

Consumer Reports' tests and evaluation of the TouchPad for our recently updated Tablet computer Ratings (available to subscribers) found the device to have an excellent display and an adequate battery life of 7.4 hours. Still, there were several short-comings that kept HP's tablet from joining iPad 2, Motorola Xoom and other models listed in the ranks of Consumer Reports' Recommended tablets.

As we noted in our First Look review of the HP TouchPad, it is a bit bulkier and heavier than the iPad 2. More concerning: The quantity and quality of other apps on the WebOS-based TouchPad don't live up to those from Apple's or Google's online stores. (Watch Consumer Reports video review of the TouchPad for more details.)

What do you think? Is HP's instant $100 savings on the month-old TouchPad tablets enough to sway you from an Apple or Google Android tablet? Or are you waiting for even deeper price cuts? Weigh in below.

HP slashes TouchPad price for the weekend [Washington Post]
HP TouchPad Official Site [HP]

—Paul Eng