Hewlett-Packard Co. will launch a line of laptops that use Microsoft Corp.'s new Windows 8 operating system and feature touch screens, Bloomberg reports.
The new devices should be available late in the holiday season and will start at $1,400.
HP (NYSE: HPQ) and other computer makers are looking for ways to persuade consumers to stick with Windows machines rather than moving to tablets such as Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPad, which has been eroding the PC and laptop markets.
At the same time, both HP and Microsoft are looking to get into tablets as well, with HP taking a second stab at the market with a Windows 8 tablet for businesses early next year and Microsoft planning a Windows 8 tablet with an attachable keyboard.