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VoodooPC

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This article is about the system hardware manufacturer. For the Voodoo brand of video card, see 3dfx.
VoodooPC
Company typeSubsidiary of HP
Founded1991
HeadquartersPalo Alto, California
Key people
Rahul Sood (Founder and CTO Voodoo Brand, HP)
Todd Bradley (VP, of HP PSG)
ProductsEnthusiast Personal Computers
ParentHP
Websitewww.voodoopc.com

Voodoo Computers Inc. or VoodooPC was a luxury personal computer brand owned by Hewlett Packard. Voodoo was originally started as a niche PC maker in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It was founded in 1991, and in September 2006 Hewlett Packard announced they would acquire Voodoo. Voodoo specialized in high performance computing. As of June 28, 2011, VoodooPC offered only two models: the Envy 133 (laptop) and the HP Firebird (desktop), although both are no longer available for purchase. It is unknown at this time if any new products are in production.[1] Through November 2012, the VoodooPC website remained online, although no products are currently available for purchase from HP under the VoodooPC or VoodooDNA brands, and the Next Bench community has been disbanded. As of February 2013, however, the website is completely offline.

Desktop offering

Voodoo PC is most well known for its desktops and offers one desktop brand, the Omen. On June 10, 2008, the computer's complete redesign was revealed, showing a new brushed metal case and mounted 7" auxiliary screen.[2]

Management

The company was founded in 1991 by Rahul Sood, and in 1999 Ravi Sood (brother to Rahul) joined the board of operations. Prior to the acquisition Voodoo employed roughly 40 people between their Canadian headquarters and their web development office in Bangalore. Since the acquisition the expansion continues, and HP employs over 150,000 people.

Acquisition by HP

On September 28, 2006, Rahul Sood announced on his blog that HP would be acquiring VoodooPC for an undisclosed amount. Rahul Sood will be assuming the position of Chief Technology Officer for HP's Global Voodoo Business Unit.[3]

In August 2007, HP announced the HP Blackbird 002 gaming PC with the label VoodooDNA inside the case. The HP Blackbird can have its hard drive replaced in just 12 seconds[citation needed] due to the tools-free entrance design, and was released on September 15, 2007.

New direction

Since the acquisition of Voodoo in 2006, the business has been re-developing the brand of Voodoo. This was culminated on the 10th June 2008 with the revelation that Voodoo will focus on high-end, top spec computers rather than gaming machines. Voodoo will also continue with Voodoo DNA machines with HP.

For the launch of their new brand direction they used the tag line of 'Blending Art, Innovation and Performance;' confirming the businesses future as a HP brand.

The Envy 133 laptop has been announced as generally available, while the Omen will (initially) be purchasable by invitation only.[4]

Current products

Whereas previously HP had preserved the Voodoo brand with references to the "VooDoo legacy" or "VooDooDNA", the Voodoo brand was retired some time before HP's Black Friday (shopping) advertisements in November 2014. The tribal mask logo used by VoodooPC is still featured as a Windows wallpaper image on the HP Omen line of products. In 2016, the VoodooPC's tribal mask logo is the official logo for HP OMEN line. The OMEN line is the same as what VoodooPC once was but it is now run exclusively by parent company HP they essentially absorbed VoodooPC. They offer a full line of Desktops, Notebooks, and Accessories just the same as VoodooPC used to.

Other available products:

Discontinued products

  • Rage (gaming desktop)
  • Aria (media center)
  • Hexx (gaming desktop, small form factor)
  • Vibe (media center/Xbox combination)
  • Eden (fanless/silent gaming desktop)
  • Omega (canceled)
  • Omen (gaming desktop)
  • HP Blackbird 002 (high end gaming desktop with VoodooDNA)
  • HP Firebird (lower end compact gaming desktop with VoodooDNA)
  • HP Firefly (dual screen laptop/cancelled)
  • Envy 133 (premium ultraportable notebook) with Splashtop instant-on OS.
  • F Class
  • Fury
  • EGAD
  • DOLL
  • Idol
  • Epic

See also

References

  1. ^ "HP Press Release: HP Delivers Stunning Design, Personalization and World-Class Engineering in New Voodoo Portfolio". HP. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  2. ^ "Voodoo Omen: Voodoo Omen Gaming Desktop Is Most Beautiful Ever, Only $6500-$20,000". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  3. ^ "Hewlett-Packard acquires VoodooPC". Techtaxi.blogspot.com. 2006-10-08. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  4. ^ "Electronista – New Voodoo Envy, Omen chase after Apple". Electronista. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
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