Now, I found the Psystar software easier to use than Chameleon, but the same systems that previously rejected OS X using Chameleon, did the same with Psystar. One is an Core 2 Solo U3500 1.4GHz with a ATI Radeon HD 4330 GPU. This computer will not get past the gray screen with a spinning beach ball in the top left, which means the graphics card probably isn’t compatable according to the updated Rebel EFI FAQ page. The other is an Z520 Atom 1.33GHz netbook with an Intel GMA950 GPU. This guy won’t get past the Apple logo. I had the same results using Chameleon a few weeks ago.

John managed to install OS X using the Rebel EFI bootloader on an HP Touchsmart computer yesterday. I’ve not had any luck so far though. In fact, we got an email a few minutes ago stating that while someone managed to install OS X and purchase the software, the activation key will not work, rendering the machine almost useless. Psystar’s phone tech support just told him to email the company but so far nothing has been resolved.

The Psystar Rebel EFI might be a terrific piece of software, but it doesn’t seem ready for retail consumption yet. In the mean time, let me point you towards the rich development community behind the OSX86 project and Chameleon. Chances are that if they say your hardware isn’t compatible and their solutions won’t work, Psystar’s Rebel EFI installer probably won’t either.

UPDATE – Video after the jump.

The video is arguably pretty boring but it’s essentially proof of life.

First, download the software. MIRROR Burn the ISO to a CD ROM, boot it in the CD ROM drive, and select verbose in the set-up so you can watch it run. Just let it churn away and assume that it’s crashed if it takes longer than an hour to enter into the OS X install screen. We’ll report back on how our new Hackintosh(ii) run as we try this trick on multiple machines.

Here are the instructions again:

1. Download the Rebel EFI file, available here.
2. Burn the file to a CD.
3. Insert the Rebel EFI disc into your CD drive.
4. Start or restart your computer.
5. As computer boots up select, Boot Options or Boot Menu Key
**Boot Options or Boot Menu Key differ by motherboard manufacturer.
6. Select CD ROM
7. After CD loads press enter to run the CD
8. When prompted, Eject the CD and it will ask for the Snow Leopard DVD
9. Insert the Snow Leopard DVD
10. Select Main Language
11. Click Continue, if you want to continue with the installation of Snow Leopard.
12. Click Agree, if you agree.
13. Select the disk that you want to install Snow Leopard on.
a. If no disk shows, Click on Utilities on the tool bar, then select Disk Utilities.
b. On the left you should see your hard drive.
c. If not, a disk is not connected or cannot be read by your computer.
d. After selecting your hard drive click on Partition.
e. Under Volume Scheme, click current and select 1 partition.
f. Under Volume Information, name your hard drive.
g. Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
h. At the bottom of the window Click on the Options Button.
i. Select the GUID Partition Table
j. Click OK
k. Click Apply
l. Click Partition
m. Quit Disk Utilities
14. Select the disk that you want to install Snow Leopard on.
15. Click Install.
16. When Installation completes. restart the computer
17. As the computer starts up, insert the Rebel EFI CD
18. As computer boots up select Boot Options or Boot Menu Key
**Boot Options or Boot Menu Key differ by motherboard manufacturer.
19. Select CD ROM
20. Once CD loads you will see both the Hard Disk and the Rebel EFI CD
21. Use the arrow keys to highlight the Hard Drive
22. Press Enter to boot Hard drive.
23. Launch the Rebel EFI application from the CD.
24. Follow the on-screen authentication procedure.
25. Click Continue
26. Select your Keyboard
27. Click Continue
28. Select, Do not transfer my information now.
29. Click Continue
30. If, you have and Apple ID enter it now
31. If not, Click Continue
32. Enter your Registration Information
33. Click Continue
34. Create your Account Information
35. Click Continue
36. Select Time Zone
37. Click Continue
38. Click Done

But why now? Why touch?

This push for touch points to two things. First, we have the Windows 7 launch with some touch capability built-in. Like a proud parent, Microsoft wants to show off what its little baby can do and, as a result, rumor has it that it has forced OEMs to add touch to almost everything in their line. By pushing touch into the pipeline, Microsoft essentially ensures that it won’t face a repeat of the 2001 tablet PC debacle.

This push also comes from fear. If the Apple Tablet hits the streets this year, Windows 7 wants to be in the forefront of touch technology. By adding touch now, they can say they did it first and all of those laptop hunters can add one more bullet point to their arbitrary laptop wishlist (”I want good graphics, ummm, a keyboard, and ummm… lots of room for photos and a touchscreen.”)

Microsoft lost the mobile touchscreen war. They don’t want to lose the coming “desktop” war. While I have my own opinions on that, I will hand it to HP and Sony: their interfaces are gorgeous. The HP interface I saw last week has a number of simple tools – a recipe box, for example, that can take recipes from the web and import them into a private database – as well as the standard stretch’n'drag photo and note-taking applications that make touch actually compelling. Will you ever double-tap on “My Documents” with your finger? Probably not, but perhaps it’s nice to know you have that ability.

In the end, multi-touch will probably rule the day. Future-proofing is fine and more power to Microsoft for being pre-emptive this time. However, the fanboy in me says that Apple will redefine the space shortly and leave these experiments in the dust.

Until September 16, HP is giving away six HP Photosmart Premium TouchSmart printers as part of their HP PRINT 09 Innovation Sweepstakes. All you have to do is send a Tweet on Twitter for your chance to win!

HP is giving away six HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web printers between September 11 and September 16. All you need to do is tweet about the innovation that you think will change printing or publishing forever and incorporate the #hpprint09 hashtag. Participants can be creative with their tweets, or retweet the sample tweet below from HP, but the important thing to remember is to tag it with #hpprint09 and then follow @HP_IPG to find out if they’ve won.

If you have a spare $849 laying around and need a good family computer, this could fit the bill. That is, of course, if you don’t mind paying the premium price for a refurbished rig.

Tiger Direct via DealNews

HP has done a pretty good job with their line of convertible tablets thus far and today they announced the latest addition that incorporates multi-touch two-finger control, the TouchSmart tx2. The only caveat, however, is that the multi-touch functionality works within the HP MediaSmart suite of applications (like on the TouchSmart desktops), which isn’t really a caveat now that I think about it. It’s not like Apple is doing anything with their multi-touch technology on a notebook form factor, yet.

The TouchSmart tx2’s multi-touch screen can be attributed to an embedded N-trig digitizer (video after the jump). With a WXGA 12.1-inch screen the tx2 can handle up to 8GB or RAM with storage ranging from 160 to a 500GB 5400 RPM SATA drive and an AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core proc (2.0GHz up to 2.4GHz). What I really liked about the tx2 other than the multi-touch stuff was the textured trackpad. I don’t know why but I did.

Full specs after the jump.

Editor’s Note: This is not the ‘first’ multi-touch notebook as Captain Fantastic points out. The Dell Latitude XT was the first to be announced with the N-trig digitizer, but the tx2 is aimed at the general consumer whereas the LXT is a business oriented notebook. Apologies for the confusion.

This is not the tx2, but it gives you an idea of what it actually does.

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 19, 2008 – HP today announced the industry’s first convertible notebook PC with multi-touch technology designed specifically for consumers.

Building upon the touch innovation HP developed for its TouchSmart desktop PCs, the HP TouchSmart tx2 Notebook PC was developed for people on the go who value having their digital content at their fingertips – literally.

The enhanced HP MediaSmart digital entertainment software suite on the tx2 allows users to more naturally select, organize and manipulate digital files such as photos, music, video and web content by simply touching the screen.

“Breezing through websites and enjoying photos or video at the tap, whisk or flick of a finger is an entirely new way to enjoy digital content on a notebook PC,” said Ted Clark, senior vice president and general manager, Notebook Global Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP. “With the introduction of the TouchSmart tx2, HP is providing users an easier, more natural way to interact with their PCs, and furthering touch innovation.”

The tx2 is the latest result of HP’s 25 years of touch technology experience, which began with the introduction of the HP-150, a touch screen PC that was well ahead of its time, in 1983.

Digital media powerhouse
The tx2 gives customers the choice to set aside the keyboard and mouse in favor of a more natural user interface – the fingertip.

HP’s multi-touch display delivers quick and easy access to information, entertainment and other social media. The tx2 recognizes simultaneous input from more than one finger using “capacitive multi-touch technology,” which enables the use of gestures such as pinch, rotate, arc, flick, press and drag, and single and double tap.

The convertible design with a twist hinge allows consumers to enjoy the TouchSmart in three modes: PC, display and tablet. With a rechargeable digital ink pen, users can turn the tx2 into a tablet PC to write, sketch, draw, take notes or graph right onto the screen – and then automatically convert handwriting into typed text.

Starting at less than 4.5 pounds, the tx2 possesses a 12.1-inch diagonal BrightView LED display and an HP Imprint “Reaction” design.

The tx2 notebook’s HP MediaSmart software lets customers enjoy photos, listen to music and watch Internet(1) TV or movies in high-definition.(2) The software is optimized for multi-touch input while also making it simple to search digital content.

In an effort to provide consumers with rich content through the Internet, HP has expanded its partnership with MTV Networks (MTVN) by offering video content from 10 television channels and online brands within MediaSmart’s TV module.

Beginning in December, users can enjoy all the best content from Nickelodeon, the No. 1 entertainment brand for kids; MTV, the premier destination for music and youth culture programming; and COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network and the No. 1 network in primetime for men ages 18 to 24. MTVN also plans to make content from Atom, CMT, GameTrailers, Logo, Spike, The N and VH1 available within MediaSmart’s TV module.

The MediaSmart software was first brought to HP HDX notebook PCs in September, using the interface first popularized on HP TouchSmart PCs. HP plans to include the software in the tx2 and all future HP consumer notebook PCs.

Powered by the AMD Turion™ X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile Processor or AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor(3) and built on Windows® Vista Home Premium, the tx2 will be made available worldwide in an array of configure-to-order options.

Additional features, accessories and service
The HP TouchSmart tx2 series is ENERGY STAR® qualified and EPEAT™ Silver registered. Mercury-free LED display panels are included on the tx2 as part of HP’s ongoing commitment to reduce its impact on the environment.

The HP tx Series Notebook Stand elevates the tx2, enhancing its usability while stationary, including making it possible to put the PC in an upright position for full interactivity with the touch screen.

HP Webcam with Integrated Microphones allows users to see brighter, cleaner images when chatting over an Internet(1) connection.

The tx2 offers access to a variety of self-help tools built in and online. It also is supported by HP Total Care, which enables consumers to reach support agents 24/7 by phone, email or real-time chat.

Pricing and availability
The HP TouchSmart tx2 is available for ordering today in the United States at www.hpdirect.com with a starting U.S. price of $1,149. (4) More information about the tx2 is available at www.hp.com/go/touchsmarttx2.

You know the HP TouchSmart? It’s a neat bit of work—that is, it has to potential to be. That potential is now one step closer to reality given that HP has just opened it up to third-party development. Would-be developers need to sashay over to the TouchSmart Community. There you’ll find the necessary software to develop your fancy application.

I think it’s fairly obvious from the above few sentences that I don’t have a developer bone on my body.

via Slashdot

Netbooks have been slowing down over the last year and for the most part, each one is about the same thing with a different logo on the lid. HP’s offerings seem refreshing and polished even though they sport the standard netbook specs of 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 8.9-inch or 10.2-inch display, up to 2 GB of RAM, and either a 60GB HDD or 16GB SSD. The solid-state drive can be complimented by a standard USB thumb drive in a special slot for extra storage. The specs are only half the story as the OS is where it gets interesting.

HP gives you the choice of either Windows XP or an Ubuntu-powered “experience” MIE operating system. This Mobile Internet Experience streamlines most common uses into a custom built homescreen that screams of HP’s Touchsmart interface – that’s a good thing.

A 8.9-inch Mini 1000 XP option launches today for $399 with 512GB of RAM and a 8GB SSD – or $50 more for the 10.2-inch screen. The linux flavor will drop after the New Year and will start at $379 for the 8.9-inch model. A mobile broadband version should be available in select markets by December, along with a docking station by January. 

The Vivienne Tam edition will also launch in December for $699.

So every other netbook manufacturer, take note at HP’s netbooks, but don’t copy ‘em. Instead, hire a design firm and actually produce something that is innovative instead of another EEE clone. Deal?

The coupon code will last until its been redeemed 900 times, so keep that in mind if you’re the type of person who tends to either dawdle, dilly-dally, or both. Not a bad deal if you’re looking to load up on a new desktop.

HP Shopping [via dealnews]

Hit the jump for specs on both.

Before you go humping down to Best Buy to pick up a PC, let’s ask ourselves a few questions. The rise of desktop replacement laptops – laptops with full-sized processors, hard drives, and lots of memory – have essentially supplanted the desktop PC in dorm rooms every where. Why pay $500 for a big, noisy box when you can potentially drag your $700 laptop down the hall to watch a DVD in another room or even take it to class?

Then, we have to think about Mac vs. PC. We’re a bunch of Mactards here at CrunchGear, so we’re going to recommend seriously looking into Macs to folks on campus or in school. There’s something I like to call the “Day of Shame” when it comes to Windows machines. The “Day of Shame” starts out fairly normally – you install a new peripheral or try to format a disk drive and you end up trying various installations, reboots, and incantations in order to get the PC working again. This can happen to anyone – it used to happen to me pretty regularly – and it basically wastes a full day of troubleshooting before the PC miraculously fixes itself. I’ve never had that problem with OS X.

That said, here are our desktop picks for 2008. All pricing and specs are based on base configurations without add-ons. What are you looking for? Power and price. Most PCs are over 2-gigahertz right now and 2 gigabytes of memory is about right for the average user. The real draw is a bigger hard drive for movies and music.

20-inch iMac – $1,199 – www.apple.com

Just to get things out of the way we’ve decided to bring the 20-inch iMac front and center. This thing is beautiful and you might be able to get a student discount so don’t count it out just yet. In this configuration Apple includes only 1 gigabyte of memory and a 250 gigabyte hard drive – not much, but enough – but the screen is great and you get excellent reliability. If you’re buying one PC for the next four years – be it high school or college – you can’t really go wrong.

Acer Aspire X1200 – $450 w/o monitor – www.acer.com/us

I’ve been recommending Acer recently simply because they’re offering cheaper desktop PCs with quite a bit of power. At $450 for a model with a monitor – the monitor is about $200 more – you get a 2.5GHz processor and 4 gigabytes of memory.

Dell Studio Hybrid – $699 – www.dell.com

Dell had students in mind when it designed the Studio Hybrid. This ultra-small PC comes in bright colors and contains a 1.86GHz processor and 250GB of memory. What you lose in power you make up for in style and Dell even offers a matching 19-inch monitor with the $699 package, ensuring your PC will match your accessories.

HP TouchSmart IQ504t – $1,299 – www.hp.com

I stuck this 2-GHz PC in here for those who might be considering forgoing a TV entirely. The TouchSmart has a 22-inch touch display with a few sexy features like gesture based controls and a special video mode. It’s great for watching movies and it’s compact enough to fit on a desk without requiring a fat CPU buzzing away at your feet. This is a niche product, but it might work well for some students.

eMachines S3649 – $499.99 – www.emachines.com

If you’re paying your own way or use the PCs on campus more than your PC at home then feel free to pick up this $500 gem. It comes with a 19-inch monitor and 160GB of hard drive space… and not much else. eMachines makes great, cheap machines without many add-ons. This is a solid machine that will last maybe two years without an upgrade.

I’ve tried to run the gamut from low to high with this round up. What kind of PCs have you guys enjoyed working with at school? Do you even still use desktops?

When HP first introduced its TouchSmart PC line of desktop computers in 2007, it was a novel idea, but it also had enough flaws to keep many away from buying it. The TouchSmart was primarily meant for the kitchen, mainly because of the interactivity behind it, but also because it’s probably where the family interacts most in the home.
This new iteration of HP’s TouchSmart series (the IQ 504 & IQ 506) is better out of the box, not because it has more power and 64-bit processing, but also because HP has streamlined things a little with its own software interface. I tried out the IQ 506 ($1,399) and noticed a couple of significant changes. For one, the hardware itself is less obtrusive by taking up less room, despite the screen being bigger.

Read more…

Guest Writer Ted Kritsonis is a writer at DemystifyingDigital.com. For more product news and reviews, visit DemystifyingDigital.com.

“We’re focused on recognizing the potential of touch now,” said Phil McKinney, the chief technology officer for the company’s laptop-making Personal Systems Group. “We see touch as the almost preferred method for nontechnical users.”

According to iSuppli, in 2013 there will be 800 million touchscreen devices and spending on touchscreen components will be around $6.4 billion. Do you guys want a touchscreen notebook?

Announced last month at HP’s Connecting Your World conference in Berlin (Peter was there), the HP TouchSmart iQ504 and iQ506 PCs are now available for purchase.

Suggested retail pricing is $1,299 for the iQ504 and $1,499 for the iQ506, but you can find them for about a hundred bucks less on Amazon.com and they’re also available at plenty of other retailers.

Some quick specs:

TouchSmart iQ504

• Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 (2.0GHZ)
• 4GB RAM
• Intel X3100 Graphics
• 320GB Hard Drive (7,200 RPM)
• LightScribe DVD burner

TouchSmart iQ506

• Intel Core 2 Duo T5850 (2.16GHZ)
• 4GB RAM
• 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS HD Graphics
• 500GB Hard Drive (7,200 RPM)
• LightScribe DVD burner

Full press release:

HP Brings TouchSmart PC Within Reach for the Masses

PALO ALTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced that the latest HP TouchSmart PCs – the only touch-enabled, all-in-one PCs in the marketplace – are now available through consumer electronics retailers nationwide.

Debuted at last month’s HP Connecting Your World (http://www.hp.com/personal) event in Berlin, the new TouchSmart family of PCs has earned accolades for its transformative effect on the way people engage with computers and their photos, music, movies and other digital content.

Consumers simply touch, tap or sweep a finger across the screen of the TouchSmart PC to access information, entertainment and social networks in a natural, intuitive way. Without using a keyboard or mouse, consumers can play music and create playlists; crop, edit and share photos; and easily check the weather or watch TV.⁽¹⁾

Reviewers have praised the new HP TouchSmart PC for its breakthrough touch-enabled software and the all-in-one design that allows the PC to fit wherever life happens. The PC’s piano-black finish and sleek design makes it an elegant addition to any room.

“The new TouchSmart PCs turn digital entertainment into a compelling, hands-on experience and can create a social media hub within a den, living room or home office,” said John Cook, vice president, Marketing, Worldwide Consumer PC Business, HP. “No other PC on the market offers this type of fun, engaging and simple touch experience or this level of interaction with digital media. The TouchSmart re-invents the personal computing experience for the home.”

Digital entertainment at your fingertips

Requiring only a power cord for set up, HP TouchSmart PCs combine a 22-inch diagonal, high-definition⁽²⁾ widescreen display with a powerful, energy-efficient Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor⁽³⁾ in a single, integrated design.

While providing all the capabilities of a traditional PC, select models also offer an array of entertainment features, including a TV tuner for watching and recording TV shows,⁽⁴⁾ a built-in DVD burner⁽⁵⁾ and integrated premium stereo speakers. A built-in webcam and microphone help users keep in touch with friends and family over the Internet through video chat and conference.⁽⁶⁾

A low-profile wireless keyboard, wireless mouse and integrated WLAN⁽⁷⁾ offer a truly clutter-free, wireless experience; and the PC’s adjustable screen tilts up and down for maximum viewing comfort. The HP Ambient Light lets people set mood lighting and see the keyboard in the dark.

“The HP All-in-One TouchSmart is set to revolutionize the desktop PC market,” said Jeff McCrea, vice president and general manager, Consumer PC Platform Group, Intel Corporation. “With its new touch screen capability, sleek design and the powerful, energy-efficient Intel Core 2 duo processor, your digital world is truly now at your fingertips.”

Environmentally responsible

HP works to reduce the environmental impact of its products by reducing the amount of materials used in both the products and packaging. HP TouchSmart PCs are ENERGY STAR® qualified and use a new all-cardboard packaging design that reduces the use of plastic-foam cushioning materials.⁽⁸⁾ The next-generation chassis design uses 55 percent less metal and 37 percent less plastic than standard PCs and monitors.⁽⁹⁾ HP also offers responsible and convenient reuse and recycling services globally.

Delivering energy efficiency with advanced power management features, HP technology can help users reduce PC energy use up to 45 percent by saving up to 86 kilowatt hours⁽¹⁰⁾ per year.

Unparalleled service and support

HP provides award-winning service and support for its products, available around the clock by phone or email and online. Every TouchSmart PC comes with toll-free telephone support at +1 866 408 5408, a number dedicated to premium products like the TouchSmart PC for quick access to support agents specifically trained on the product.

In addition, the TouchSmart PC offers a desktop icon with one-click access to troubleshooting tools, downloads and online technical support options such as email and real-time chat.

Pricing and availability

The HP TouchSmart IQ504 PC and the TV-tuner equipped HP TouchSmart IQ506 PC are available starting at $1,299 and $1,499, respectively.⁽¹¹⁾ Customers can shop for the new TouchSmart PCs by calling +1 800 230 5752, via chat, online or at retail outlets nationwide.

More information is available at www.hp.com/touchsmart.

HP’s new TouchSmart 2 is an all-in-one with a full touchscreen that is completely portable and includes a DVD burner and optional TV tuner. It’s essentially a kitchen or den media PC with a bit of a twist – the touchscreen.

Prices for the base model HP TouchSmart IQ504 PC and the TV-tuner equipped IQ506 PC are expected to start at $1,299 and $1499, respectively.

Both models should be available next month and you can read the entire press release after the jump. Sorry, multi-touch fans: it’s not in here yet.

HP Redefines Home Computing, Putting the Digital Lifestyle at People’s Fingertips with New TouchSmart PCs
BERLIN, June 10, 2008

Related Links
» TouchSmart PC
» View the press kit

HP today unveiled a new generation of all-in-one PCs that change the way people interact with their computers by making digital entertainment a truly compelling, hands-on experience.

The new HP TouchSmart family of PCs features HP software designed specifically for touch. A finger tapped or swept across the high-resolution screen delivers quick access to information, entertainment and social networks. Without using a keyboard or mouse, consumers can play music and create playlists, zoom in or out of photos, and quickly check the weather or watch TV.

HP TouchSmart PCs are designed to resemble the lines of a messenger bag and to fit wherever life happens, whether in the living room to entertain friends, in the den as a social hub, or in the home office. The simple yet sleek design and natural user interface adds style and elegance anywhere it is placed.

“Our engineers have created a fun, engaging and simple touch experience for the home that nobody else offers today,” said John Cook, vice president of marketing, Worldwide Consumer PC Business, HP. “We’re changing personal computing from just feeds and speeds to an experience influenced by consumer trends and design that anticipates customer’s needs. The HP TouchSmart PC is all about reinventing the personal computer experience.”

Digital entertainment at the touch of a finger

HP TouchSmart IQ500 series PC software brings a new level of enjoyment to photos, videos and music by making it easier for people to access and interact with their media. For example, consumers can browse a music collection by album art in a tiled fashion or fan view. People can crop, edit and share photos as well as upload them directly to Snapfish from HP without the need to use a keyboard or mouse.

Consumers also can watch and record their favorite TV shows,(1) burn personal videos with the built-in DVD burner,(2) upload videos they create directly to YouTube,(3) and enjoy high-quality sound with the integrated premium stereo speakers. The built-in webcam and microphone help users keep in touch with friends and family anywhere they have Internet access through video chat and conference.(3)

“The introduction of a touch computer with such a strong focus on digital entertainment opens the door to an entirely new way for consumers to engage with their content,” said Stephen Baker, vice president, industry analysis, The NPD Group. “HP TouchSmart PCs will allow people to interact with their photos, videos, music and games in unique ways, plus they do everything that you’d expect from a traditional PC.”

The stylish next-generation PC

Requiring only one cord to set up and power the system, HP TouchSmart PCs combine a 22-inch diagonal, high-definition,(4) widescreen display with a powerful, energy-efficient Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor(5) in a single, integrated design. The sleek, piano-black finish with elegant espresso side-panel highlights makes a TouchSmart PC an attractive addition to any room in the home.

The low-profile wireless keyboard and integrated WLAN(6) offer a truly wireless experience, and the adjustable screen tilts up and down for maximum viewing comfort. The HP Ambient Light lets consumers set a mood and see the keyboard in the dark.

In addition, the HP TouchSmart PCs are ENERGY STAR® qualified and come in new packaging that greatly reduces plastic foam cushioning materials. Other features include 4 gigabytes of memory,(7) a media card reader and a large-capacity, high-speed hard drive.

HP’s touch heritage

The HP TouchSmart PC is a culmination of 25 years of HP touch technology design and development, which was first brought to market in 1983 with the introduction of the HP 150 PC, a touchscreen computer that was well ahead of its time.

Today, HP uses touch technology in a variety of products, including the HP iPAQ rx5900 Travel Companion, HP Pavilion tx2500 Tablet Notebook PC, select HP Photosmart printers and HP business monitors.

The first-generation HP TouchSmart PC was delivered more than 17 months ago as the industry’s first touch-based, all-in-one consumer PC. Today’s announcement of the HP TouchSmart IQ504 and IQ506 PCs delivers fun and exciting ways for consumers to use touch as never before seen in an all-in-one consumer PC.

Pricing and availability

Prices for the base model HP TouchSmart IQ504 PC and the TV-tuner equipped IQ506 PC are expected to start at $1,299 and $1499, respectively.(8) Customers can shop for the new TouchSmart PCs by calling +1 800 230 5752, via chat, online or at retail outlets nationwide. Models are expected to be available in retail outlets on July 13. More information is available at www.hp.com/touchsmart.