debcook

2008-09-04 20:55:26 

HP has come up with an idea to save on packaging. Messenger bags in place of boxes? As a gadget enthusiast I want to believe that this will be a great benefit to us consumers but the jury is out as far as I can see.

Packaging is incredibly expensive both for the manufacturer and for the consumer. Unfortunately the cost is a necessary one. Whether it is a box or a messenger bag the consumer will pay for it in the end.

I assume that costs will be reduced if three laptops can be shipped in one box instead of three. That would be good for HP. I assume that wrapping components in bubble wrap is faster than boxing each piece separately. That would be good for HP. I assume that anyone selling to Wal-Mart has to be frugal and that is good for Wal-Mart. Up to this point I am onboard.

I am interested to know how this exclusive Wal-Mart and HP experiment will turn out. You may think that I sound negative but I prefer to say that I am skeptical (but open minded) instead.

As a consumer I am most interested in a fair price for the best electronic gadget possible. It would be depressing to get home with a new laptop and find that it is damaged in some way.

One thing is for sure, we will see fewer black computer bags once these new HP messenger bags hit the scene. Now how will we disguise them so no one will know what is inside?