- Brand origin
- United States
- Main production
- Several countries, incl. China
HP is an American technology brand known for personal computers, printers, printing supplies, and related software and services. HP is ultimately owned by HP Inc., a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States.
hp.comAbout HP
What is HP?
HP is a technology brand whose products include personal computers, laptops, desktop computers, printers, monitors, accessories, ink, toner, and printing services. HP Inc. operates the personal systems and printing businesses associated with the HP name. HP is not the same company as Dell or Samsung. Dell is a separate technology company, and Samsung is a separate South Korean conglomerate. HP products are sold under several product families. HP laptops and desktop computers form the personal-systems business. HP printers include inkjet and laser models for home, office, and business use. HP also provides software and cloud-connected tools for device setup, printing, scanning, support, and supply management. HP is an American brand. The original Hewlett-Packard company was founded in Palo Alto, California, and HP Inc. retained the personal-computer and printer businesses after the 2015 separation of Hewlett-Packard into two companies. The name HP can also refer to unrelated products and organizations. HP Lovecraft was an American author and has no corporate connection with HP Inc. HP Sauce is a British brown sauce brand and is separate from HP computers and printers. HP Tuners is a separate automotive software and hardware company. HP Hood LLC is a separate dairy company. These organizations do not own HP computers or HP printers.
Who owns HP?
HP is ultimately owned by HP Inc., according to Made O'Meter's ownership data verified on 13 September 2026. HP Inc. is headquartered in the United States and is a publicly listed company. HP Inc. is the legal successor to the pre-2015 Hewlett-Packard company for the personal-computer and printer businesses. On 1 November 2015, Hewlett-Packard separated into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. HP Inc. retained the personal systems and printing businesses, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise became the separate enterprise-products and services business. The separation did not make Hewlett Packard Enterprise the owner of HP computers or HP printers. HP Inc. continued to trade under the HP name and retained the HP personal-computer and printing operations. Hewlett Packard Enterprise operates separately under the HPE name. HP Inc. is not privately owned by one individual or one family. Because HP Inc. is publicly listed, ownership is distributed among shareholders who own its publicly traded shares. The ultimate owner listed for the HP brand is therefore HP Inc., rather than Dell, Samsung, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, or a person.
Where does HP come from?
HP originated in the United States. Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard founded Hewlett-Packard on 1 January 1939 in Palo Alto, California. The founders were Stanford electrical-engineering graduates who formalized their partnership with $538 in working capital. The founders developed Hewlett-Packard's first product in a Palo Alto garage. The Model 200A audio oscillator was developed there in 1938. The garage functioned as a research laboratory, development workshop, and manufacturing facility. The Walt Disney Company bought eight HP oscillators in 1938. The oscillators helped prepare theaters for the release of Fantasia. This early sale established a connection between Hewlett-Packard's first product and motion-picture exhibition technology. Hewlett-Packard's name was selected in 1939. Hewlett and Packard flipped a coin to decide whether the company would be called Hewlett-Packard or Packard-Hewlett. The coin toss resulted in Hewlett-Packard. Hewlett-Packard moved beyond the garage in 1940. The company rented facilities on Page Mill Road and El Camino Real in Palo Alto. Palo Alto remained central to the company's identity and history. The original Hewlett-Packard company was an American multinational information-technology company headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Its later separation created HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. HP Inc. retained the businesses most closely associated with consumer HP products, including personal computers and printers.
What products does HP make?
HP makes personal computers, printers, monitors, accessories, ink, toner, and related software and services. HP Inc.'s principal product areas are personal systems and printing. HP laptops include consumer and business computers sold under HP product families. HP also makes desktop computers, monitors, and technology accessories. These products are designed for home users, students, professionals, and organizations. HP printers include inkjet and laser printers. Product categories include home printers, office printers, multifunction printers, and business printing systems. Many models can print, scan, copy, or fax, depending on the model. HP sells original ink and toner for compatible printers. HP Instant Ink is an optional ink-subscription service that delivers replacement ink based on a customer's selected printing plan. HP states that Instant Ink is based on pages rather than cartridges. Availability and plan terms vary by country. HP+ is a cloud-based printing solution available with selected printers. HP describes HP+ as a free upgrade that adds connected features, automatic updates, enhanced security, and related app functions. HP+ requires an HP account and an internet connection. Some HP+ printers also include an Instant Ink promotion during setup. HP also makes software for managing its devices. The HP app combines functions previously associated with HP Smart and myHP. The app supports tasks such as device setup, settings, printing, scanning, support, and management of compatible HP products.
Are Dell and HP the same company?
Dell and HP are not the same company. HP is owned by HP Inc., while Dell operates as a separate technology company. HP and Dell both sell personal computers, laptops, monitors, accessories, and business technology. Similar product categories do not mean that the companies share ownership. HP's computer and printer businesses belong to HP Inc. Dell's products belong to Dell Technologies and its related businesses. HP and Dell also have different corporate histories. HP traces its origin to Hewlett-Packard, founded by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard in Palo Alto in 1939. Dell was created separately and is not part of HP Inc.
Are Samsung and HP the same company?
Samsung and HP are not the same company. HP is owned by HP Inc., while Samsung is a separate South Korean business group. HP and Samsung can appear in the same technology markets, including computers, displays, electronics, and business products. Their overlapping products do not indicate common ownership. HP Inc. owns the HP personal-computer and printing businesses, while Samsung operates its own electronics businesses. HP is an American brand that originated in Palo Alto, California. Samsung originated in South Korea. The two companies have separate founders, corporate structures, and ownership.
Who is CEO of HP company?
Enrique Lores is the chief executive officer of HP Inc. HP Inc. is the company that owns the HP personal-computer and printing brand. The CEO question can be confused by the 2015 separation of Hewlett-Packard. Hewlett Packard Enterprise became a separate company, so its chief executive and leadership are distinct from HP Inc.'s leadership. A reference to the CEO of HP generally means the CEO of HP Inc. when the subject is HP laptops, computers, printers, or ink services.
Is HP an American company?
HP is an American brand, and HP Inc. is a United States company headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Hewlett-Packard was founded in Palo Alto by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard on 1 January 1939. The company later became a multinational information-technology company. In 2015, its personal-computer and printer businesses continued under HP Inc., while its enterprise business became Hewlett Packard Enterprise. The HP brand is used in international markets, but its historical origin and corporate ownership are American. HP products are sold in multiple countries, with availability, product names, services, and subscription terms varying by market.
What is HP Smart and what is the HP app?
HP Smart was HP's application for setting up and managing compatible printers, while the newer HP app combines HP Smart and myHP functions for HP printers, laptops, and accessories. The HP app supports device setup, printer settings, printing, scanning, troubleshooting, technical support, and certain service-management tasks. HP states that the HP app is available for Windows 10 or 11 PCs, macOS computers, and Apple and Android mobile devices, subject to regional and platform availability. The HP app is not the same name as HP Smart, although it replaces or incorporates functions associated with HP Smart in markets where the newer application is available. Users may encounter different app names during the transition because availability depends on device, operating system, printer model, and country.
What is HP Instant Ink?
HP Instant Ink is an optional subscription service that sends replacement ink or toner when a compatible printer needs supplies, with billing based on a selected page plan rather than the number of cartridges used. HP describes Instant Ink as a page-based service. A compatible printer uses an internet connection to communicate information needed for supply management. Customers select a monthly plan, and the service sends replacement supplies according to the plan and printer usage. Instant Ink is not available in every country. HP states that availability depends on the customer's location, printer compatibility, and service terms. Some HP+ printer promotions include a limited Instant Ink period, after which the applicable subscription fee can apply unless the service is cancelled under the promotion's terms. HP Instant Ink is different from HP+ even though the services can appear together during printer setup. HP+ is a cloud-connected printer solution. Instant Ink is a supply-subscription service that customers can choose where available.
Is HP Windows?
HP is not Windows. HP makes computers and devices, while Windows is an operating system developed by Microsoft. An HP laptop or desktop may run Windows, depending on the model and configuration. HP hardware and Microsoft software are separate products. An HP computer can therefore be described as an HP device running Windows, rather than as Windows itself. HP also provides applications for Windows computers. The HP app can support printing, scanning, device management, and support on compatible Windows 10 or Windows 11 PCs. The availability of specific functions depends on the device, application version, printer, and region.
What is the difference between HP laptops and HP printers?
HP laptops are personal computers, while HP printers are devices that produce paper or digital scans from documents and images. HP laptops can run applications, store files, connect to networks, and perform general computing tasks. HP printers can print documents and images, and many multifunction models can also scan, copy, or fax. The products can work together through the HP app and other compatible software. An HP laptop can send print jobs to an HP printer over a supported connection. The exact connection method and available functions depend on the model and operating system. HP laptops and HP printers belong to the personal-systems and printing businesses retained by HP Inc. after the 2015 Hewlett-Packard separation.
Frequently asked questions about HP
Who owns HP computers?
- HP computers are owned and sold by HP Inc. HP Inc. is the publicly listed United States company that retained Hewlett-Packard's personal-computer business after the 2015 separation.
Who owns HP printers?
- HP Inc. owns the HP printer business. HP Inc. retained Hewlett-Packard's printing business when Hewlett-Packard separated into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise in 2015.
Who owns HP now?
- HP is ultimately owned by HP Inc., according to Made O'Meter's ownership data verified on 13 September 2026. HP Inc. is publicly listed, so its shares are held by public shareholders rather than one private owner.
Who owns HP Sauce?
- HP Sauce is separate from HP Inc. and HP computers. The HP Sauce name refers to a food brand, not the American technology company that makes HP laptops and printers.
Who owns HP Tuners?
- HP Tuners is separate from HP Inc. and is not the owner of HP computers or HP printers. The shared initials do not indicate a corporate connection.
What is HP Sauce in England?
- HP Sauce is a brown sauce associated with the United Kingdom, especially England. It is a food product and has no connection with HP Inc.'s computers, printers, ink, or software.
What is HP One Agent?
- HP One Agent is an HP software component associated with managing or supporting HP devices and services. Its functions can vary by device, software version, and configuration, so users should identify the installed component through the HP support or device-management information for their specific system.
Can HP Instant Ink be used with every HP printer?
- HP Instant Ink cannot be used with every HP printer. Compatibility depends on the printer model, an internet connection, the customer's country, and the applicable service terms.
Sources: hp.com: hp plus.html, hp.com: airprint=HP AI enabled, hp.com: learn more.html, hp.com: feat=hp instant ink eligible, investor.hp.com, hp.com: hp plus.html, hp.com: faq.html, hp.com: instant ink.html, hpe.com, hp.com: history of hp.html, hp.com: history of hp.html, hp.com: history of hp, hp.com: history of hp.html, hp.com: history of hp.html, hp.com: innovation.pdf, en.wikipedia.org: Hewlett Packard, en.wikipedia.org: HP Inc., hp.com: timeline.html, hpmemoryproject.org, foxnews.com, hp.com: hist 40s.html, ebsco.com, britannica.com
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Ownership data is compiled from public sources and verified where possible. Spotted an error? Suggest a correction below.
Products from HP
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