HP will install both Windows and WebOS on same desktops in future

Hewlett-Packard chief executive Leo Apotheker said today that HP will install both Microsoft Windows and its own WebOS operating system on desktop and laptop computers in the future.

Apotheker said that HP plans to install a version of WebOS on its computers that are shipping after the end of the year. But that operating system will not replace Microsoft Windows, as some have speculated. Rather, Apotheker said the two operating systems will work seamlessly and you will be able to switch from one to the other in the future.

“Our relationship with Microsoft was strong, is strong, and will remain strong,” Apotheker said.

But Apotheker said that only one operating system will ship on tablet computers in the future. As HP said on Feb. 9, it’s planning to ship its HP Touch Pad tablet computers with WebOS. HP will also ship a Microsoft Windows-based tablet in the future, once Microsoft makes that software available. He said that HP’s WebOS will offer a “user experience that is world class” and that it is intuitive, easy to learn, does multitasking perfectly well, and devices will have a seamless experience.”