Hacking?? are these easy for others to hack into on you??? I don't know much about these...
No hacking is a poorly used phrase in this case. Much like how people can "hack" into their iPhone or Android phones, in this case it means you are able to override the software that came with the device and install something new.
This is an action you have to take, and is impossible to have this done by someone else. The reason you would do it, and I have done this to my Droid, is to install new software after the original manufacture stops supporting it. Keep in mind the HP Touchpad works fine now. The new game everyone is playing on their iPad a year from now won't be available, but the core functionality of email, web, music, video, photos, etc. will continue to work as it does today.
Nobody is able to hack onto the device and steal your information. As with any of these devices, if someone wants your info they will just take the tablet out of your hands.
For those who don't know, the Touchpad runs WebOS. Like the iPhone or Android, it is an operating system for phones and tablets. HP bought the company Palm last year, who all but invented the smartphone. Unfortunately for HP, the WebOS didn't catch on like Android and iPhones did. 1 year after paying over a billion dollars for Palm, HP has decided to eliminate the WebOS product line. Bad news for HP stockholders, good news for us as a very capable device is now being sold at fire sale prices.
Just remember what you are getting. There are apps you can download and there are no plans to close the app store. But there won't be new apps. The cool app your friend has next year won't work on this. Buy this device is you want a tablet to browse the web, check email, watch videos, do video conferencing, take pictures, read books, listen to music, check facebook, and play the occasional game.