Digital Home Thoughts: HP Launches New HDX Laptops, New TouchSmart PCs, and Lots More

I was just about to crawl into bed, but HP's PR people sent me a press release with gobs of new products, and so I forsake sleep to deliver the news to you, the good readers of Digital Home Thoughts. :-) I just love it when these companies release products late at night...and my wife really appreciates it as well. Hah!

That sexy looking beast above is the HP HDX18: a brand new Centrino 2-based notebook that has some seriously sweet features. It boasts a 16:9 aspect ratio 18.4 inch screen at 1920 x 1080 resolution, driven by an NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with 512 MB of RAM. There's 4 GB of DDR2 system RAM, two 250 GB 5400 RPM hard drives (really? not 7200 RPM?) for a total of 500 GB of storage, a LightScribe super-multi DVD burner, Bluetooth 2.0, and Intel 802.11 a/g/n WiFi. It also has an HDMI port, a "triple bass sub-woofer", an eSATA port, gigabit Ethernet, a 5 in 1 media card reader, an ExpressCard 54 slot, a 4-pin Firewire connection, and at the heart of it all is an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU running at 2.26 Ghz with 3 MB of cache, and 64-bit Windows Vista Home Premium SP1. It weighs in at a hefty 8.9 pounds, and has an 8-cell battery. The full specs are in this PDF file.

The smaller brother of the HDX18, above we have the HDX16. It's very similar in overall design to its big brother, but smaller: it has a 16" screen, also in 16:9 aspect ratio, and the resolution is 1366 x 768. The same NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT drives the screen, so if you're into gaming, you'll get better frame rates from this lower-resolution screen. The HDX16 has a single hard drive, 320 GB in size, but still boasts 4 GB of RAM, the same CPU, same wireless features, same DVD drive, etc. It has a smaller 6-cell battery instead of the 8-cell battery in the HDX18. The full specs are in this PDF file.

The full press release is after the break, along with more images I've interwoven into the release. It's a bit late for me to summerize all the new products, but the most noteworthy beyond these two laptops is probably the HP TouchSmart IQ816 (pictured above). It has a massive 25.5 inch screen running at 1920 x 1200 resolution, powered by an NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GS HD CPU with 512 MB RAM. The CPU is an Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 running at 2.10 Ghz, and there's 4 GB of RAM and a 750 GB 7200 RPM hard drive to round out the offering. The usual gigabit Ethernet, 802.1 b/g/n WiFi, webcam, NTSC tuner (with OTA HD), and built-in microphone are included. The full specs are in this PDF file.

Consumers Connect to a World of Entertainment at Home or On the Go with New HP PCs and Accessories

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 16, 2008 - HP today announced new consumer notebook and desktop PCs and accessories that push the boundaries of personal computing design and experience while making it even easier for people to enjoy their photos, music and other content with anyone, anywhere.

Striking new designs and innovative features distinguish the entertainment-rich HP HDX16 and HDX18 Notebook PCs, which deliver high-definition photos, videos and music on the go.(1)

The HP TouchSmart IQ800 series PC with a 25.5-inch diagonal screen is a versatile entertainment system that puts the digital lives of consumers right at their fingertips.

Additionally, an array of PC accessories, such as HP Digital Picture Frames and HP SimpleSave backup for music and data, help protect and enhance the digital entertainment experience.

"HP's new consumer notebooks and TouchSmart PC deliver smart and creative ways to engage the wealth of photos, videos, music and entertainment that was previously stuck on our PCs gathering digital dust," said Stephen DeWitt, senior vice president, Personal Systems Group, HP. "HP is developing new products and solutions that help make connecting to people and information simple and fun and create a truly personalized computing experience."

Notebooks offer premium design and high-definition experience

For people who want access - wherever they are - to friends and family, TV, photos, movies, music, games and online information, HP has introduced the powerful HP HDX16 and HDX18 Notebook PCs.

These notebooks provide a truly mobile, high-definition(1) experience while featuring striking designs, vividly bright 1,080-pixel displays, built-in TV tuners(2) and Blu-ray(3) disk capabilities. Both notebooks include built-in Wi-Fi(4) networking, along with home-theater-quality audio/video options that include Altec Lansing speakers, an HP Triple Bass subwoofer and Dolby Home Theater software.

The HDX16 is a midsize notebook with a 16-inch diagonal widescreen with 720- or 1,080-pixel resolution display. The HDX18 is a powerful and visually captivating full-size notebook with an 18.4-inch diagonal Ultra BrightView 1,080-pixel screen and enthusiast-class graphics capabilities.

Additionally, the HP HDX notebook PCs feature HP MediaSmart, which allows consumers to enjoy photos, listen to music and watch movies in high definition.(1)

A stunning new high-definition, touch-enabled screen for the ultimate user experience

The new HP TouchSmart IQ800 series PC is a sleek all-in-one touchscreen desktop that can double as a TV with a huge 25.5-inch diagonal high-definition(1) widescreen. With the natural user touch interface of the HP TouchSmart, users can quickly check the weather; play music and create playlists; crop, edit and share photos; or watch TV(2) - with only a tap or swipe of a finger. The wall mountable TouchSmart PC includes an image resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels and a slot-load Blu-ray(3) player, providing a stunning high-definition experience.(1)

The IQ800 series also features a powerful, energy-efficient Intel® Core(tm) 2 Duo processor(5) and uses HP power management technology to provide up to 45 percent energy savings compared to PCs without power management enabled. Other features built into the sleek IQ800 series include a webcam(6); colored HP Ambient Light; media card reader; large-capacity, high-speed hard drive; an HP Pocket Media Drive Bay for adding an additional hard drive; and premium speakers.

New accessories personalize and protect the digital experience

HP also introduced a wide variety of accessories, including digital picture frames, SimpleSave solutions, mice, keyboards and flash storage that enhance the PC experience.

HP has expanded its easy-to-use digital picture frame portfolio to help consumers show off photos, create slide shows and play videos - with no computer needed. The picture frames come in a variety of sizes, including a portable, 3.5-inch pocket frame and an attractive 10-inch cherry wood-finish frame. The frames feature clock and calendar options, support MP3 and other audio formats, and play music through stereo speakers.

A variety of interchangeable, double-matting options give HP frames a more professional look and allow easy personalization. PictBridge functionality allows consumers to print photos right from the digital picture frame.

HP SimpleSave for music and data provides an easy way to back up digital music or important documents in three steps. Simply insert the SimpleSave disk into the DVD drive and the solution finds all music or documents and saves them to the DVD. In the event of a hard drive crash, the HP SimpleSave restore process is as quick and easy as the original backup process. The solution is compatible with hundreds of music, music video, document and file formats.

Designed for expert gamers, HP's new gaming mice - the HDX Laser Mouse and Laser Gaming Mouse with VoodooDNA - offer up to five levels of on-the-fly sensitivity, allowing gamers to adjust dots-per-inch (dpi) settings up to 3,200 dpi in-game. Using the five programmable buttons and VoodooDNA GUI software, gamers can preset five different macros with five unique profiles for up to 25 different combinations of ultimate game-playing flexibility.

The spill-resistant HP Wireless Comfort Keyboard and Mouse combo provides wave-shaped keyboard design, cushioned wrist rest and three different adjustable heights designed for better comfort while typing. The keyboard features 31 hotkeys - including instant access to the Web; enhanced Windows Vista® experience; and programmable buttons for multimedia controls. The mouse features a four-way-tilt scroll wheel and two programmable buttons along with an asymmetric design for better ergonomics and comfort.

Pricing and availability(7)
* The HP HDX16 starts at $1,299, while the HP HDX18 starts at $1,549. Both are expected to be available starting later this month.
* The HP TouchSmart IQ804 PC starts at $1,899 and is expected to be available Sept. 21, while the HP TouchSmart IQ816 PC starts at $2,099 and is expected to be available Oct. 12.
* Available now, HP Digital Picture Frames come in 3.5-inch, 7-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch sizes and range in price from $59 to $219.
* HP SimpleSave is available in a five-pack for $14.99 from major electronics retailers.
* The HP HDX Laser Mouse and Laser Gaming Mouse with VoodooDNA mice are priced at $39.99 and $59.99, respectively.
* HP Wireless Comfort Keyboard and mouse combo are available now and are priced at $79.99.

About HP
HP, the world's largest technology company, provides printing and personal computing products and IT services, software and solutions that simplify the technology experience for consumers and businesses. HP completed its acquisition of EDS on Aug. 26, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com/.

Note to editors: More news from HP, including links to RSS feeds, is available at www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/.

(1) HD content required to view HD images.
(2) Availability of signals limited by the strength and accessibility of the originating TV signal, location and other factors. Performance issues may arise, and do not constitute defects in the product.
(3) As Blu-Ray is a new format containing new technologies, certain disc, digital connection, compatibility and/or performance issues may arise, and do not constitute defects in the product. Flawless playback on all systems is not guaranteed. In order for some Blu-ray titles to play, they may require a DVI or HDMI digital connection and a display with HDCP support. This Blu-ray drive does not support writing to ultra-high-speed CDRW media (16X to 32X advertised performance). HD-DVD movies cannot be played on this Desktop PC.
(4) Wireless Internet service and access point required and is not included. Availability of public wireless access points is limited.
(5) Dual Core is a new technology designed to improve performance of multi-threaded software products and hardware-aware multitasking operating systems and may require appropriate operating system software for full benefit. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology. 64-bit computing on Intel architecture requires a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, operating system, device drivers and applications enabled for Intel 64 architecture. Processors will not operate (including 32-bit operation) without an Intel 64 architecture-enabled BIOS. Performance will vary depending on hardware and software configurations.
(6) Internet access required; sold separately.
(7) Estimated U.S. street prices. Actual prices may vary.

Intel and Intel Core are trademarks of Intel Corp. in the United States and other countries. Windows Vista is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected results; and other risks that are described in HP's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2008 and HP's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

© 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.