HP messed up, they're punishment should be to suck it up.

I can't belive they want everybody to pay up for the mistake they made. If they offered it for $199 and sold it willingly to customers at that price then the deal is done.

You don't get a computer from HP then call them and say, "my friend bought a different brand and it's faster than mine, I want you to pay me $250 for convincing me to buy a inferior product."