[SamAtt]

I think he has some flawed assumptions. IBM is still in business today because there are a lot of lazy IT managers who DO want a one stop shop. So that gives the current HP an advantage.

He also misses the point of Hurd's financial dealings which was to prop up HP's existing business. The reason for all the acquisitions is because the PC and Printer businesses aren't doing so great (HP's Printer Market Share has fallen 19% since 2003 and while its PC market share is up 3% since 2002 it is lower than the combined share that HP and Compaq had pre-merger). Meaning a split of the company would only serve to produce a failing PC company, a failing Printer company and a succeeding IT services firm. A move that would destroy investor value not increase it.