debcook

2008-09-07 20:12:56 

HP has unveiled an all-in-one desktop computer. That may not sound like big news but what if I told you that it has a 22″ widescreen - touchscreen? Yea - I know this is actually the second HP touchscreen but this is a new and improved model.

The IQ5000 has an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. This not only makes this all-in-one more energy efficient but it allows it to be thinner. To help with the thinness the tray CD drive has been replaced with a CD slot.

I was surprised to find out that the touchscreen is not the whole story. The core Vista Operating system is not touch sensitive. HP has layered what they call the HP TouchSmart UI on top of the OS. This layer is touch sensitive. Several functions can be controlled with your fingers but not all functions. 

Just as a side story - I was at Home Depot last weekend and while I waited in line there was a customer returning an HP Touchscreen computer. He said that this was the second one that he had purchased and it had the same problem as the first one. I wonder if either the customer or the store manager understood this TouchSmart feature?  

The less than $1500 price tag is low enough that an early adopter will feel comfortable buying it. Aside from the most exciting feature - the touchscreen - there are still a couple more great features.

There is a light strip that adjusts to light in the room so that the lights can be dimmed while watching a movie. It is located at the bottom of the monitor and illuminates the keyboard.

• There is a remote control so you don’t need to use the keyboard while watching a movie.

The base (IQ504t) model is pretty impressive.

• Processor - Intel 2 GHz Core 2 Duo
• Graphics Card - Integrated Intel Media Accelerator X3100
• Memory - 4 GB RAM
• Hard drive - 320GB (7200 rpm)

An upgraded model (IQ506t) is available and is even more impressive.

• Processor - Intel 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo

• Graphics Card - GeForce 9300M GS
• Memory - 4GB
• Hard drive - 500GB (7200 rpm)
• Entertainment - Digital TV tuners with PVR
• Remote 

I love the idea of an all-in-one desktop due to the size. I love the idea of a touchscreen because I just do. At the same time I am leery of an all-in-one because I do not know how to fix what breaks. I expect that with my laptops but not with my desktops. I will wait for the 3^rd or 4^th generation before making up my mind.