I, personally, have never seen the value of these outside of kiosk environment but God bless HP for trying.

UPDATE – I didn’t realize it, but our own Dear Leader foretold the addition of a sliding screen way back in 2009. That post was in response to one of HP’s earlier Touchsmart models, a device that was hot garbage.

The new HP Pavilion All-in-One 200 consumer desktop features a compact design with wires. The base unit comes with a 21.5 inch LED monitor, an Intel E5400 CPU, 4GB of ram, and a 500GB hard drive. HP really intends this system to be a less expensive version of the TouchSmart, bringing the “computer as an appliance” functionality without the touch screen. The All-in-One is available now, with the MSRP starting at $699.

HP also updated the TouchSmart line. It’s now available with either a Core i3 or Core i5 processor, 4GB of ram, and a 1TB hard drive. It still features that custom touch screen interface, but the new CPU should eliminate the lag that we saw before. HP also worked with Dr. Dre to improve the sound quality by adding Beats Audio to the TouchSmart 600. HP brought in Corel to create a new touch screen specific version of Paint It Studio for graphic editing. The TouchSmart 300 is currently available on HP’s website for $799, the TouchSmart 600 (with the Core i3 and i5 processors and the Beats Audio) will be available on April 28th with an MSRP starting at $1099.

Finally, HP announced the Compaq 6005 Pro series, their latest business desktop machine. The new line features AMD processors, ATI Radeon 4200 graphics, and is customizable based on customer need. The 6005 machines also use a highly efficient power supply, and are produced without the use of BFR or PVC chemicals. The Compaq 6005 Pro Ultra Slim starts at $599, and should be available on April 26th from HP.

Features:

• 23-inch touchscreen
• Blu-ray playback
• Multiple inputs for video devices
• Wireless keyboard, mouse, and Media Center remote
• MSRP $1479.99 as reviewed

Pros:

• TouchSmart interface is fun to use
• Perfect for a media appliance
• Clean design keeps clutter to a minimum

Cons:

• Integrated graphics lack processing power
• Appliance style case could hamper repairs
• Fingerprints on the touchscreen can be distracting

Full review:

The TouchSmart 600 is one of the next generation of touch screen computer appliances developed by HP. While it’s not the ideal computer for a business or gamer user, it is ideal for a casual user or someone who wants easy access to media, or has a limited amount of space and needs something that can fulfill multiple roles.

The system I reviewed came in a fairly decent configuration, sporting an Intel Core 2 Duo 9600, 4GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GT230. This makes the TouchSmart a fairly capable machine, albeit mainly useful from a media and internet appliance standpoint. It is worth noting, however, that HP recently came out with an upgraded version of the hardware, including a option to select a Core i7 720QM or Core i7 820QM processor.

The part that makes it stand out from other systems is, of course, the touchscreen. HP built a custom interface over the top of Windows 7, and it works really well. The interface allows you to access Hulu, Twitter, Netflix, and a really nice recipe program. For the most part, the Hulu and Netflix interfaces are customized and optimized to work with the touch screen. The Netflix interface is particularly well done, and scrolls by nicely with the flick of a finger. I also (being a photographer) enjoyed the Canvas program. It really takes advantage of the multi-touch functionality, allowing you to shrink, enlarge, drag, and otherwise manipulate your images on the touchscreen. If you move at a slower pace, the screen is about 98% accurate. If you move too fast though, you do lose a bit of accuracy. The screen is responsive, but you do have to be careful not to flick too fast. Running programs in the background will definitely have an impact on the responsiveness.

Cosmetically, the TouchSmart looks good. The black plastic shell fits in well no matter where you want to put it, and the 23 inch screen doesn’t have too much glare, though as you may be able to see in the pictures, it is extremely glossy and reflective. When I first took this machine out of the box, I immediately thought it would be ideal for in a den, dorm room, and even potentially in the kitchen. The TouchSmart comes with a low profile wireless keyboard and a standard wireless mouse. You technically don’t have to use the keyboard or mouse, due to the touchscreen having a keyboard, but don’t expect to be able to type with any speed using the on-screen keyboard. I supposed it’d be fine for Tweets or Facebook updates, but I’d be reluctant to use it for anything more strenuous.

It’s worth noting that the TouchSmart 600 also came with some Microsoft Surface programs, which, while pointless, are quite fun as technical demos. The Globe in particular is nicely executed, using multi-touch to rotate, zoom, and generally manipulate the world.

The bottom line: The TouchSmart 600 is a cool computer. The touchscreen is fun to play with, if not entirely practical for everyone. The custom interface makes it an ideal media platform, and I’d recommend for pretty much everyone except a power user. Casual games work great, but the TouchSmart lacks the computing power needed to run anything too graphically intensive. Prices start at $1049 directly from HP, but you can get it from other retailers at better prices.

Click here for HP’s TouchSmart 600 website and for more information.

Until September 16, HP is giving away six HP Photosmart Premium TouchSmart printers as part of their HP PRINT 09 Innovation Sweepstakes. All you have to do is send a Tweet on Twitter for your chance to win!

HP is giving away six HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web printers between September 11 and September 16. All you need to do is tweet about the innovation that you think will change printing or publishing forever and incorporate the #hpprint09 hashtag. Participants can be creative with their tweets, or retweet the sample tweet below from HP, but the important thing to remember is to tag it with #hpprint09 and then follow @HP_IPG to find out if they’ve won.

If you have a spare $849 laying around and need a good family computer, this could fit the bill. That is, of course, if you don’t mind paying the premium price for a refurbished rig.

Tiger Direct via DealNews

You know the HP TouchSmart? It’s a neat bit of work—that is, it has to potential to be. That potential is now one step closer to reality given that HP has just opened it up to third-party development. Would-be developers need to sashay over to the TouchSmart Community. There you’ll find the necessary software to develop your fancy application.

I think it’s fairly obvious from the above few sentences that I don’t have a developer bone on my body.

via Slashdot

Hit the jump for specs on both.

When HP first introduced its TouchSmart PC line of desktop computers in 2007, it was a novel idea, but it also had enough flaws to keep many away from buying it. The TouchSmart was primarily meant for the kitchen, mainly because of the interactivity behind it, but also because it’s probably where the family interacts most in the home.
This new iteration of HP’s TouchSmart series (the IQ 504 & IQ 506) is better out of the box, not because it has more power and 64-bit processing, but also because HP has streamlined things a little with its own software interface. I tried out the IQ 506 ($1,399) and noticed a couple of significant changes. For one, the hardware itself is less obtrusive by taking up less room, despite the screen being bigger.

Read more…

Guest Writer Ted Kritsonis is a writer at DemystifyingDigital.com. For more product news and reviews, visit DemystifyingDigital.com.

Announced last month at HP’s Connecting Your World conference in Berlin (Peter was there), the HP TouchSmart iQ504 and iQ506 PCs are now available for purchase.

Suggested retail pricing is $1,299 for the iQ504 and $1,499 for the iQ506, but you can find them for about a hundred bucks less on Amazon.com and they’re also available at plenty of other retailers.

Some quick specs:

TouchSmart iQ504

• Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 (2.0GHZ)
• 4GB RAM
• Intel X3100 Graphics
• 320GB Hard Drive (7,200 RPM)
• LightScribe DVD burner

TouchSmart iQ506

• Intel Core 2 Duo T5850 (2.16GHZ)
• 4GB RAM
• 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS HD Graphics
• 500GB Hard Drive (7,200 RPM)
• LightScribe DVD burner

Full press release:

HP Brings TouchSmart PC Within Reach for the Masses

PALO ALTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced that the latest HP TouchSmart PCs – the only touch-enabled, all-in-one PCs in the marketplace – are now available through consumer electronics retailers nationwide.

Debuted at last month’s HP Connecting Your World (http://www.hp.com/personal) event in Berlin, the new TouchSmart family of PCs has earned accolades for its transformative effect on the way people engage with computers and their photos, music, movies and other digital content.

Consumers simply touch, tap or sweep a finger across the screen of the TouchSmart PC to access information, entertainment and social networks in a natural, intuitive way. Without using a keyboard or mouse, consumers can play music and create playlists; crop, edit and share photos; and easily check the weather or watch TV.⁽¹⁾

Reviewers have praised the new HP TouchSmart PC for its breakthrough touch-enabled software and the all-in-one design that allows the PC to fit wherever life happens. The PC’s piano-black finish and sleek design makes it an elegant addition to any room.

“The new TouchSmart PCs turn digital entertainment into a compelling, hands-on experience and can create a social media hub within a den, living room or home office,” said John Cook, vice president, Marketing, Worldwide Consumer PC Business, HP. “No other PC on the market offers this type of fun, engaging and simple touch experience or this level of interaction with digital media. The TouchSmart re-invents the personal computing experience for the home.”

Digital entertainment at your fingertips

Requiring only a power cord for set up, HP TouchSmart PCs combine a 22-inch diagonal, high-definition⁽²⁾ widescreen display with a powerful, energy-efficient Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor⁽³⁾ in a single, integrated design.

While providing all the capabilities of a traditional PC, select models also offer an array of entertainment features, including a TV tuner for watching and recording TV shows,⁽⁴⁾ a built-in DVD burner⁽⁵⁾ and integrated premium stereo speakers. A built-in webcam and microphone help users keep in touch with friends and family over the Internet through video chat and conference.⁽⁶⁾

A low-profile wireless keyboard, wireless mouse and integrated WLAN⁽⁷⁾ offer a truly clutter-free, wireless experience; and the PC’s adjustable screen tilts up and down for maximum viewing comfort. The HP Ambient Light lets people set mood lighting and see the keyboard in the dark.

“The HP All-in-One TouchSmart is set to revolutionize the desktop PC market,” said Jeff McCrea, vice president and general manager, Consumer PC Platform Group, Intel Corporation. “With its new touch screen capability, sleek design and the powerful, energy-efficient Intel Core 2 duo processor, your digital world is truly now at your fingertips.”

Environmentally responsible

HP works to reduce the environmental impact of its products by reducing the amount of materials used in both the products and packaging. HP TouchSmart PCs are ENERGY STAR® qualified and use a new all-cardboard packaging design that reduces the use of plastic-foam cushioning materials.⁽⁸⁾ The next-generation chassis design uses 55 percent less metal and 37 percent less plastic than standard PCs and monitors.⁽⁹⁾ HP also offers responsible and convenient reuse and recycling services globally.

Delivering energy efficiency with advanced power management features, HP technology can help users reduce PC energy use up to 45 percent by saving up to 86 kilowatt hours⁽¹⁰⁾ per year.

Unparalleled service and support

HP provides award-winning service and support for its products, available around the clock by phone or email and online. Every TouchSmart PC comes with toll-free telephone support at +1 866 408 5408, a number dedicated to premium products like the TouchSmart PC for quick access to support agents specifically trained on the product.

In addition, the TouchSmart PC offers a desktop icon with one-click access to troubleshooting tools, downloads and online technical support options such as email and real-time chat.

Pricing and availability

The HP TouchSmart IQ504 PC and the TV-tuner equipped HP TouchSmart IQ506 PC are available starting at $1,299 and $1,499, respectively.⁽¹¹⁾ Customers can shop for the new TouchSmart PCs by calling +1 800 230 5752, via chat, online or at retail outlets nationwide.

More information is available at www.hp.com/touchsmart.