1 EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements on Form S-8 of our report dated November 18, 1996 which appears on page 52 of the 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders of Hewlett-Packard Company which is incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Registration No. 2-66780 through Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 Registration No. 2-90239 Registration No. 2-92331 through Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 Registration No. 2-96361 through Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 Registration No. 33-30769 Registration No. 33-31496 Registration No. 33-31500 Registration No. 33-38579 Registration No. 33-50699 Registration No. 33-52291 Registration No. 33-58447 Registration No. 33-65179 /s/ Price Waterhouse LLP - ------------------------ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP San Jose, California January 24, 1997