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Posted

I am looking around for a possible new desktop PC and have demo'ed the HP Touch-Smart touch-screen PCs. These have been out for a year or so in Thailand and they seem pretty cool. I really like the form-factor (design) and the touch-screen interface is really convenient. In terms of design, they are basically a Windows version of Apple's iMacs (except I don't think iMacs have a touch-screen interface)...where all computer's parts and connections are built into the PC's screen housing.

On question I have about them is if the touch-screen interface/functionaltiy is built into the Windows the OS or is a software layer on top of the OS designed by HP to work specifically with the Touch-Smart's screen? When using the Touch-Smart, your finger tap on the screen is the equilivent as a mouse-click so will other software recognize this functionaliry or would you have to revert to using a mouse-click in the appropriate box to have the program function. (Basically, are you limited to the software package that comes with the Touch-Smart and any other you can find the has touch-screen functionality or will any automatically work with a screen with touch-screen technology?)

The current Touch-Smart price range is B 45-70K, with screens from 22" to 25" and an assortment of Intel Core 2 Duo processors and the Vista Home Premium OS. I guess the main drawback to these "closed" systems is that you can't upgrade the components at a later date. Of course, you are also paying a premium for the design.

Does anyone have one of these Touch-Smart computers and if so, how have you found it?

Posted (edited)

one word: FINGERPRINTS

would drive me nuts. Played with one in NY store its nice concept. But it was the greasy blotched covered smeared display I have ever seen. Just ruined it

I would spend half the day cleaning the dam_n thing.

Edited by namoo
Posted
I am looking around for a possible new desktop PC and have demo'ed the HP Touch-Smart touch-screen PCs. These have been out for a year or so in Thailand and they seem pretty cool. I really like the form-factor (design) and the touch-screen interface is really convenient. In terms of design, they are basically a Windows version of Apple's iMacs (except I don't think iMacs have a touch-screen interface)...where all computer's parts and connections are built into the PC's screen housing.

On question I have about them is if the touch-screen interface/functionaltiy is built into the Windows the OS or is a software layer on top of the OS designed by HP to work specifically with the Touch-Smart's screen? When using the Touch-Smart, your finger tap on the screen is the equilivent as a mouse-click so will other software recognize this functionaliry or would you have to revert to using a mouse-click in the appropriate box to have the program function. (Basically, are you limited to the software package that comes with the Touch-Smart and any other you can find the has touch-screen functionality or will any automatically work with a screen with touch-screen technology?)

The current Touch-Smart price range is B 45-70K, with screens from 22" to 25" and an assortment of Intel Core 2 Duo processors and the Vista Home Premium OS. I guess the main drawback to these "closed" systems is that you can't upgrade the components at a later date. Of course, you are also paying a premium for the design.

Does anyone have one of these Touch-Smart computers and if so, how have you found it?

I have mixed feelings about these touch screen computers. On the one hand they're great for kiosk usage. On the other hand, using them as a normal computer will result in your hands being on the mouse and keyboard just like any other desktop. So unless you're planning on standing in front of them using them or only using the touch screen you're paying too much for what you're getting.

I installed a touch screen in my 1000HE. Bad decision (other than it included a spiffy USB hub that got put to use) because I rarely use it. When I was tending bar the POS touch screens are a godsend, but only because the programme was designed for them.

AFAIK Macs don't have touch screens.

The touch screen presents itself as an HID (Human Interface Device). So basically you need to install a driver for it, just like you have to do for a Wacom tablet, mouse, or touchpad. The driver package may have some spiffy enhancements such as multi-touch, calibration, etc. But a mouse click is a mouse click so techincally you should be able to install Doom and play it with your finger or a stylus instead of a mouse.

Really, how much would you need to upgrade? Shouldn't a Core2 Duo processor last you quite some time? Granted you'll want to up the memory and maybe the hdd, but I don't see why such a system shouldn't last you at least 3 years, meaning that you're only have paid 25 000 THB per annum for the top end model.

As stated, I haven't used the specific model that you're looking at, but I have had to use other models in my workdays; they're fairly intuitive, and work really well (probably even better now that they're not using Win98). They have laptop components inside, so the thermals are not an issue. Biggest thing is keeping the darn things clean; even washed hands have significant amounts of skin oil on them and it shows.

Posted

I think the touchscreen is useless unless for certain applications.

I have touch screens on my POS units in business, and its brilliant for that. Ease of use for the Thai staff etc.

But having to navigate through windows or whatever you're doing, by having to lift your arm and hand up to the screen instead of resting it on desk/mouse gets tremendous tiresome.

I plug in a usb mouse every time I have to do some maintenance on the POS PC's as I can't be bothered "touching" my way through all the stuff I have to do!

Posted (edited)

Thanks for the input...I have done some more research and it seems the "touch screen" functionality is a software over Windows and 3rd party software has to be specially modified to used via the touch-screen (and at present, there is little 64consumer software available). Also, apparently, it is only sold with the64 bit version of Vista (and again, lots of my consumer software is not available in 54 bit versions).

Will probably go with a traditional HP desktop...40K gets you a pretty good package:

2.666 gig Intel Core 2 Quad Core

Vista OS (wish I could wait for Win7 but need something before end of year - plus version 1.0 likely to have teething problems...at least Vista is at SP 2 level now so should be stable)

4 Gig DDR2 (this is only downside...not DDR3 @ 1333 MHz

NVidea GeForce GT 120 1 gig V-RAM

1 TB HD 7500 RPM

DVD burner

23" Monitor (w/integrated speakers)

Edited by MeetJohnDoe

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