News release

HP and Sony Joint Statement on Recent Battery Issues

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HP and Sony today issued the following joint statement:

HP has worked with Sony to review Sony battery cells used in HP notebooks.

Based on this review, the companies are confident that because of HP’s PC system configuration, HP notebooks using Sony battery cells are not prone to overheating issues that have recently been observed.

HP and Sony have studied and agreed that there are currently no safety issues with regard to HP battery packs using 2.4Ah or 2.6Ah Sony cells, although no battery is immune to failure or overheating. As a result, HP determined that it is not necessary for HP to join the global battery replacement program that Sony has announced to address end-user concern related to recent overheating incidents.

To date, HP has received no reports of overheating in any HP notebook using Sony cells currently included in the global replacement program announced by Sony on Sept. 28, 2006.

Commenting on the statement, Ted Clark, senior vice president and general manager of the Notebook Business Unit at HP, said: “Customer service and safety are a top priority for HP. After discussing the issues with Sony, we believe that we have the proper charging and circuit protections in place to prevent an overheating episode. While no battery is immune to failure or overheating, battery solutions provided by HP are unique and are designed with a number of HP engineered safety features that are in addition to what is typical in the industry.”

To minimize risk and help ensure long-term battery performance, battery cells are carefully selected and are stringently tested. HP battery packs are robustly constructed, include multiple redundant safety circuits, and are individually tested both stand-alone and in the system before reaching the customer. Charging technologies strictly adhere to cell manufacturer recommendations so as not to exceed safe maximum charging rates.

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 July 31, 2006, HP revenue totaled $90.0 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 statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements 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 July 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.

© 2006 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.