Hewlett-Packard cannot make up its mind as to what they really plan to do with their PC business.  They have released vague statements and products over the past week or so, and people are only getting more confused.  After they announced their intent to separate their PC business, they launched a new all-in-one desktop and after they announced that they will stop production of webOS devices, they now announced a possible tablet resurrection,which may or may not run on webOS as the tablet is deemed as a relevant segment of the market.

In a recent statement made by a spokeswoman for HP, she stated that, “We prefer a spin-off as a separate company and the working hypotheses is that a spin-off will be in the best interests of HP’s shareholders, customers and employees.  However, we have to complete the diligence process and validate this assumption, including fully understanding the dis-synergies in separating the PSG business from HP.”

What do they really mean by “spinning-off” their PC business?  Does this mean that they would just separate PSG’s operation but will still be under HP, or the PSG will become an independent PC company but will be kind of like a “sister company?”  And with the spin-off, will PSG get to carry HP’s name in the event they really separate and become a stand-alone company?

Todd Bradley, HP’s VP for personal systems group (PSG) or the PC business and former Palm chief executive, is pining for HP to spin-off the PSG as a stand-alone company and is campaigning to be the one to lead PSG if ever this does happen.

“My intention would be to lead it through this transaction…and if it’s a standalone public company, to lead that,” Bradley said.

As of now, nothing is officially planned for PSG, and we all have to wait until December to find out what will ultimately happen to it.  As for webOS, since this is under PSG, nothing concrete is planned for the platform, but there are hints made by Bradley that they are still aiming for the availability of the software in other devices, as companies have shown interest in integrating webOS to other devices not necessarily a smartphone or a tablet.

But the most confusing statement they’ve made so far is this:

“Regardless of what happens, we’re the largest PC company in the world. We need everybody energized, and while this isn’t business as usual, we need people to go out and sell products every day,” as stated by Bradley.