VoodooPC
| Company type | Private (before acquisition) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | 1991 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Founder | Rahul Sood |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Fate | Acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 2006; brand phased out by 2013 |
| Successor | HP Omen |
| Headquarters | Calgary , Canada |
Area served | Global |
Key people | Rahul Sood (Founder, CTO post-acquisition), Ravi Sood (Board member from 1999) |
| Products | High-performance desktop computers, gaming desktops (e.g., Rage, Hexx), media center PCs (Aria, Vibe), HP Blackbird 002, HP Firebird |
Number of employees | 40 (Before 2006 acquisition) |
| Parent | Hewlett-Packard (from 2006) |
Voodoo Computers Inc.—commonly known as VoodooPC—was established in 1991 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, as a premium personal computer manufacturer focusing on high-performance desktop systems. The brand was acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 2006 and ultimately phased out by 2013, succeeded by the Omen line, which maintained the original emblem until 2020.
Desktop offering
The company gained recognition primarily for its desktop computers, which featured cutting-edge technology such as liquid cooling solutions developed in collaboration with CoolIT Systems. On June 10, 2008, VoodooPC introduced a revamped Omen desktop characterized by a brushed metal chassis and an integrated 7-inch secondary display, designed to appeal to gaming enthusiasts and the premium market segment.
History
Founded in 1991 by Rahul Sood, with his brother Ravi Sood joining the board in 1999, VoodooPC operated with a workforce of roughly 40 employees distributed between its Canadian headquarters and its Bangalore-based web development center prior to being acquired.
Acquisition by HP
HP purchased VoodooPC on September 28, 2006, for an undisclosed amount. Following the acquisition, Rahul Sood assumed the role of Chief Technology Officer for HP’s Global Voodoo Business Unit. Subsequently, in August 2007, HP released the HP Blackbird 002 gaming system featuring VoodooDNA branding, which became available on September 15, 2007.
New direction
After acquiring VoodooPC in 2006, HP shifted the brand’s focus from gaming-specific machines to high-end, top-tier computing devices. It was announced on June 10, 2008, that Voodoo would concentrate on luxury computer systems while maintaining collaborative efforts under the Voodoo DNA initiative with HP.
In 2009, HP introduced the Envy series as a high-performance line without incorporating Voodoo branding or DNA elements. By 2014, HP revived the Omen brand as a slim and lightweight gaming laptop and further expanded it in 2016 to include desktop computers and monitors under the HP inc. umbrella.
Discontinued
- Rage (gaming desktop)
- Aria (media center)
- Hexx (compact gaming desktop)
- Vibe (media center/Xbox hybrid)
- Eden (silent/fanless gaming desktop)
- Omega (project canceled)
- HP Blackbird 002 (premium gaming desktop with Voodoo DNA)
- HP Firebird (small form factor gaming desktop carrying Voodoo DNA)
- HP Firefly (dual-screen laptop; canceled project)
- Envy 133 (high-end ultraportable notebook featuring Splashtop instant-on operating system)
- F Class
- Fury
- EGAD
- DOLL
- Idol
- Epic
See also
- HP Omen
- Maingear, redirected from VoodooPC
- List of computer system manufacturers
- Hewlett-Packard
- Alienware