Two new HP PCs will allow Microsoft"s Windows Vista OS to be controlled with a touch-screen interface. The TouchSmart IQ770 PC (available for $1799 end of January, February in UK) is a desktop computer with a 19-inch screen while the Pavilion tx1000 (available online for $1299 February 28 ) with a 12.1-inch screen is a notebook computer. This marks the first time HP has used touch screens in desktops or notebooks.
First off, let"s start with the notebook. It has a hinged screen; the display can rotate all the way around to face away from the keyboard and can fold overtop the keyboard for complete touch-screen control. Spec-wise, it comes with 1GB of RAM, is powered by a dual-core Turion 64 X2 processor from AMD but has a limited battery life. The tx1000 can play DVDs for 2.5 hours on a single battery charge, said Kevin Wentzel, technical mobility marketing manager for HP. Future generations will include an integrated wireless WAN card and a Sling Media player for accesing content remotely through a Slingbox device at home.
Secondly, the family PC desktop. Just like the laptop, it is powered by AMD"s Turion 64 X2 processor as well. This one runs HP"s SmartCenter software as the primary interface for Windows Vista. It is aimed as a PC for family activities: large icons, an integrated TV tuner and shortcuts to other media keep it in constant use. Virtual sticky notes can be written and dragged onto a calendar or bulletin board. Pictures can be cropped and manipulated on screen. Remember, all this is done without a mouse.