HP TouchSmart Reviewer's Comments
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Forget every experience you have ever had with a multimedia PC and welcome the HP TouchSmart. HP really has tried to imagine every possible use when they designed this system, it has a touch screen monitor, a built in camera, a saluted 2 GBs of RAM and it is ready for wireless everything. This distinctive PC easily takes our “TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award.”
We have never seen a system like this one. It has the PC integrated into the monitor like the Apple iMac and the Sony but this is the only one we have seen with a touch screen and like the Apple this PC is Bluetooth enabled for increased wireless abilities. With the TouchSmart you can forget about wires, not only does it have a wireless keyboard and mouse, but also can connect to the Internet through a wireless connection and comes with a multimedia remote control.
Processor:
This system comes with an AMD Turion 64 X 2 Dual Core RL52 with AMD PowerNow and AMD LIVE! Technology. We would like to see a faster option, but this processor is a popular choice for systems where economy of space is a consideration, like in laptops and systems that are integrated into the monitor like this one.
Memory:
We were really pleased to see this PC come with 2 GBs of RAM, this is realistic amount to run the full versions of Vista well, especially if you want to run other demanding applications like video editors. Its hard drive is a 320GB 7200RPM SATA, which is enough memory for most uses.
Video/Audio:
The TouchSmart has a NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 graphics with 256MB video memory and is configured for 5.1 surround sound. We would like to see a better graphic card, but like the processor, this model is intended to economize on space while still performing well.
I/O Devices:
For burning DVDs and CDs it has a SuperMulti Drive DVD burner with LightScribe Technology. It also has an 8–in–1 media card reader and wireless keyboard and mouse. Everything is easily accessible through ports located right under the front of the monitor, so you can easily connect your camera, headphones or thumb drives.
As mentioned above, the 19–inch widescreen monitor included with this system is touch enabled, so you can interact with the PC through the keyboard or mouse, through the screen or through a remote control. It also has a built in web cam with an array microphone for video chatting.
Multimedia Features:
This HP has just about everything. It comes preinstalled with Windows Vista Home Premium which has tools for organizing and editing video, music and photos. For television it has a TV tuner that is NTSC and ATSC over–the–air compatible. It also has an FM tuner and small speakers integrated into the monitor.
The only thing this system is missing is a subwoofer, but this type of speaker is rarely included.
Price/Value:
For everything you get, this system is well priced. For example, the Alienware costs more but only has a GB of RAM and the Dell is less but only has a GB of RAM and an analog monitor.
Support/Warranty:
The HP TouchSmart comes with a one year parts and labor warranty and 24/7 toll–free telephone, email and chat support. You can also visit their site to download manuals, drivers and software. The only thing they do not support is a user forum.
Summary:
This system only comes as configured. If you would like a configurable HP try the Pavilion.
©2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc.
