Can Touch-Screen Make HP the Family PC?

I would buy it

I would buy it if it was stripped down with fewer features and much lower price. What I would be looking for would be...

TouchScreen 17-19" is fine (no bigger)

Integrated wireless

Barcode reader

USB ports

Top mounting bracket

Software:

Family Calendar

Food Inventory

Recipe

Task List

Shopping List

Easy network restore utility (for when the kids delete stuff)

Price under $400.

Web service to share task list, shopping list, and calendar with family members pda devices.

I want a pc in the kitchen without having to run additional wires. Push back the screen under the cupboard so it is out of the way. Scan barcodes when I throw things away to add them to a shopping list. Allow selecting recipies and add items not in inventory to shopping list. Manage a family task list with the ability to assign individuals to each task.

Most of the software requirements could be covered with an Outlook add-on and web service.

If you could accomplish the above requirements the units would fly off the shelves and they would soon find a place in every home.

Add a paid service to allow stores to advertise and home users to buy items off their shopping list and you would make residual income every week.

Nathan of WA @ Jan 20, 2009 19:21:05 PM

Moron

You don't have to touch the screen at all. What, did you think it didn't come with a keyboard or mouse. Put a little more thought into your posts...

of @ Dec 28, 2008 16:02:24 PM

some people are just idiots

"I don't want to spend 5 minutes prepping my mits so I can use my computer then wipe it all down again."

This guy requires five minutes just to wash his hands. With that in mind, I think we can safely dismiss everything this fool has said. As far as the touchsmart, I think it's just one more step in the evolution of the pc. It's likely every computer will have this added functionality in the near future, so what's the point in bashing ADDED functionality?

of IL @ Dec 19, 2008 20:44:02 PM

Touchscreen and obsessive/compulsive disorders don't mix?

I have been seriously considering buying a HP TouchSmart for a couple of months now; my old pc has been with me for eight, yes eight, years.

I already have an iphone and am very happy with it. The touch technology is something that just seems like the next logical step. It also gives me a thrill to use a device that is capable of doing that. A keyboard has been around for over a century. It's time for a leap. And it just gives me a thrill to use something that, had I seen it when I was a child, would have filled me with awe and wonder...("Did this just fall out of a UFO?") But I guess I'm showing my age.

I am responding to a previous comment left by someone and am rebutting the four points that they posed.

1: I am using my keyboard at the moment and can easily reach my monitor so I'm don't see a conflict in reaching the screen. The TouchSmart comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse so you are still able to kick back in your chair and type all you want.

2: If you are wanting to show someone a photo or play a song, or movie, or check a recipe while you are cooking, you don't have to sit down and start typing. Just touch the screen and voila. And it is very cool to be able to display this magic to those who have been stuck in previous century technology.

3. I have used window cleaner sprayed lightly on a paper towel while the pc is off to clean my monitor, keyboard and mouse; followed by drying with a fresh paper towel. I have been doing this for eight! years and have, to this date, not had a problem. Since I already have an iphone the smudged screen is not a trigger for a trip to the therapist. When the phone becomes smudged enough to bother me I wipe and clean it. I am sure it is the same with the TouchSmart. People with smudge-phobia would not be good candidates for purchasing an iphone or a new Blackberry either...?

4: You get to use your keyboard and mouse when you want to, or have to. There are obviously programs where that will be more efficient. And when you do use it both the keyboard and mouse are wireless. So you can sit across the room and type if your eyesight allows.

Just a few other pluses for this device: it has a TV tuner built in: it is all in one (so you can have it almost anywhere including a glass desk and not have unnecessary components): wireless keyboard and mouse: ambient lighting: built in Blue Ray drive.

So let your hair down. Go wild. Touch your screen with unwashed hands! Live a little! You can always wash your screen when your guilt has risen and then call your therapist.

Dominick Dombrowski of TN @ Nov 21, 2008 15:22:18 PM

Newt

$1300 is not too expensive for a high-end computer, monitor & accessories. I *put together my own* high end gaming rig, and it still cost $1000. Without a monitor. Let alone a fancy touch screen one.

This thing is going to be sweet. First real innovation in the PC world for 5 years or so.

of OH @ Nov 04, 2008 10:18:31 AM

wow

Some of you are idiots! I just bought the HP touch. It is simply amazing. This is the new standard. Every PC you buy 5 years from now will have this technology. You don't have to clean you monitor...nothing sticks.. you don't have to use the touch monitor, you have a wireless keyboard and mouse. It is fast as hell, and the programs blow anything apple or dell have put out to date. At 1299, this is a steal. When i took it out of the box, I thought i ripped Office Depot off! Anyway... don't get one... lol... i really don't care. I'll have fun with this and my iphone

jack of @ Oct 26, 2008 01:33:41 AM

hp touchscreen

it's a fantastic futuristic idea that in a few generations will be cheap enough and reliable enough to be a feasible investment. I don't think it's a giant floating river turd, but buying a keyboard to plug into the usb port would kind of make the touch screen thing a little redundant. It is not a stupid idea, it's a great idea- but It would be smarter to make it much larger and lay flat so it also serves as a kind of coffee table. That way you could type without zombie arms, and the larger screen would allow graphic designers, musicians, writers, etc... see the "big picture." It would probably make it like 4 thousand dollars more expensive too so i guess that's why I am in a completely different line of work.

sheldon of IL @ Oct 25, 2008 20:57:03 PM

Where will application possibilities limit be?

I'm a student in Media Arts with Video Production, Live Entertainment, Sound and Recording. I primarily use Mac with everything I do and learn. But this looks very promising for the future and the way we all work. I sort of expect something like what we saw in the movie "Minority Report". And we can do it with any type of application for this new work style. So the question I would like to ask everyone is CAN WE USE EDITING PROGRAMS LIKE PRO TOOLS, LOGIC, FINAL CUT PRO, AND ANYTHING THAT COULD USE THIS NEW WORK STYLE? And will we draw the line there? Or will this strike of genius lead us to programs and applications of fantastic efficiency and worth to businesses and people of the near "more" modern world?

CJN of NY @ Oct 10, 2008 00:02:32 AM