News release

HP Appoints Industry Veteran to Lead Software Business in Asia Pacific

HP has named Steve McWhirter as vice president of Software for Asia Pacific and Japan.

McWhirter's appointment is effective on May 2 and he will be based in Singapore. His responsibilities include all facets of the software business, including sales, pre-sales, support and marketing.

HP's Software organization delivers two distinct solution offerings to enterprises and service providers. The HP OpenView management software portfolio enables IT organizations to align IT to business requirements, to automate IT processes and workflows, and to optimize the use of infrastructure resources. The HP OpenCall software portfolio enables service providers (wireless, fixed, broadband and cable) to deliver subscriber-centric and cost-effective revenue-generating services.

"We are delighted to have Steve lead this critical business for HP in Asia Pacific and Japan," said Chia Wee Boon, senior vice president, Technology Solutions Group Sales - Asia Pacific and Japan, HP. "In addition to his tremendous software experience in the region, Steve will bring a strong understanding of and support for our channel partner community. We are confident that Steve's leadership will build on our strong momentum in this high-growth region."

McWhirter comes to HP with 21 years of experience in the IT industry, including an extensive background in software and sales in the Asia Pacific region with IBM Software. Most recently, he was vice president of Red Hat Asia Pacific, which he joined in 2004 to establish Red Hat's Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore.

Prior to Red Hat, McWhirter had various software leadership and executive roles at IBM and Lotus Development. He also worked for Olivetti Systems and Networks; SPSS, a statistical software application vendor; and SCO, an operating systems vendor.

"I am very excited to join HP as this appointment offers me the opportunity to leverage my experience to drive the next wave of growth for HP Software in the region," said McWhirter. "Together with the outstanding software team, I am confident that we will continue to grow the business in the region by consistently exceeding customer expectations."

About HP

HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company’s offerings span IT infrastructure, global services, business and home computing, and imaging and printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended Jan. 31, 2006, HP revenue totaled $87.9 billion. More information about HP (NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to anticipated operational and financial results; statements of expectation or belief; and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the achievement of expected results and other risks that are described from time to time in HP's Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including but not limited to the risks described in HP's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended Jan. 31, 2006, and other reports filed after HP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2005. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.