Digital Home Thoughts: HP Launches New TouchSmart IQ500 Series PC

"HP today unveiled a new generation of all-in-one PCs that change the way people interact with their computers by making digital entertainment a truly compelling, hands-on experience. The new HP TouchSmart family of PCs features HP software designed specifically for touch. A finger tapped or swept across the high-resolution screen delivers quick access to information, entertainment and social networks. Without using a keyboard or mouse, consumers can play music and create playlists, zoom in or out of photos, and quickly check the weather or watch TV. HP TouchSmart PCs are designed to resemble the lines of a messenger bag and to fit wherever life happens, whether in the living room to entertain friends, in the den as a social hub, or in the home office. The simple yet sleek design and natural user interface adds style and elegance anywhere it is placed."



Is HP the only PC OEM innovating on the Windows side of the fence? It sure seems that way sometimes. This new series of TouchSmart PCs looks quite compelling. I like the full-screen, finger-tip friendly software layer that HP has put on the TouchSmart PC. I used to feel all-in-one computers were more of a liability than a benefit, but for a "kitchen computer" like this one, having everything in a single piece of hardware makes a lot of sense. Priced between $1299 and $1499, this is a premium computer compared to the $499 computers on the market, but if your family needs a central computing hub in a high-traffic area of your home, this looks like it could fit the bill nicely. Want to see more? Gear Live has a few unboxing photos for you to check out.