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SINGAPORE : Admit now, how many PCs do you have in the home, including laptops? At last count was it three, maybe five perhaps?
As technology grows and becomes entwined with the fabric of our lives, it's rare to find a home without a PC and more common to find each member of a household having one PC or laptop of their own. In addition, there will also be one other, most likely a desktop PC, which everyone will fight over to use and then simulatenously ignore.
Wouldn't it be nice to to get just one PC that everyone will like and use, even when they are not computing?
The answer to that has come from HP with its latest desktop, the TouchSmart IQ500.
This is one baby you are not going to take anywhere with you, try hiking it up a walkup flat if you need convincing.
The justification for weighing a ton (after carrying it a few hundred metres it starts to feel that way) is the fact that this HP has everything but the kitchen sink built into it.
The good part is, after huffing and puffing to get the HP to its ideal location and out of the box, all you really have to do is plug one end of the cable into the wall and the other into the PC. And Voila! It is as easy as that.
Pop out the super-slim keyboard from the box and see it slip neatly under the PC for the times when it's not in use, then turn on the matching wireless mouse and start discovering the HP.
There is a thick, glossy manual but keep that for bedtime reading just to confirm for yourself what you should have already discovered when playing around on the new TouchSmart.
It is much slimmer than its predecessor and way prettier in glossy black with mocca trim, and all the extra ports and extensions well hidden but still accessible.
The fact that the desktop runs on Windows Vista (home edition) is only part of the reason why you will find it is so user-friendly.
The real reason why you will be surfing and doing a dozen things at the same time on this desktop comes from the way it has been designed with the user in mind, drawing on what the user is most likely to want and do.
This makes the TouchSmart an ideal device for families as both the very youing and the seniors will be drawn to the PC without being intimidated, except maybe by its size.
The TouchSmart which is a 22 inch screen machine can seem overpowering in presence. But touch it gently and it will wake a smile.
Children will enjoy using the large virtual palette to draw, while older folks who will find things on the larger screen much easier on the eye, have to only use their fingers to touch an icon to get the programme up and running or maybe scribble a note.
As for young singles, the HP TouchSmart which is priced at S$2499 can be an attractive asset since it can sit in a small apartment and take care of everything .
Sleek and bold, the good-looker beckons the eye from whichever corner of the room it sits. It'll be a definite source of envy to those who drop by to find this well-defined stunner is a great entertainer, takes messages and helps with the office work such as process the email and documents. Now, remember we are talking about a PC, not a personal assistant.
As a TV, which requires an optional card to be inserted, this is as good as the LCD in the shop.
In fact, sitting in the middle of your home, it would probably be mistaken for the TV as it's capable of running High Definition shows as well record them.
There is a DVD player/burner which you can also use to store your favourite CDs onto the hard drive for endless playback.
To call up your music, just touch the screen, flip through the album covers, add up the tunes to a playlist and enjoy.
The seamless user experience requiring just the touch of your hand, comes from HP's own special software placed in the TouchSmart which can be launched from the desktop icon or the Home button on the front of the panel.
As you use your finger (or fingers) to scroll, flip and slide through programmes effortlessly, you will find that you won't want to use the lovely keyboard and mouse that have been included.
When installed in the office with instructions for anyone and everyone to touch the TouchSmart, there was no lack of interactivity by users even though the mouse and keyboard were noticeably (and purposely) missing.
Even writing a Word document doesn't require a keyboard as one could either use a stylus or a fingertip to write, or call up a virtual keyboard to tap away.
You'll also find that even though it is called the TouchSmart, users don't really have to poke and prod the screen. Just hover close over the screen and the application reacts.
The only drawback to the TouchSmart could be the proximity to a huge screen when computing.
Staring at a large screen just centimetres away was a strain on the eye.
The arm can also get a little tired when held up to write a long note.
It was much better sitting a distance away with the wireless keyboard tucked on the lap to type.
The TouchSmart is just the right thing though for a quick note, as you could just scribble with your finger or use the web camera discreetly sitting above the screen, to record a hard-to-miss message.
Although its size had me both attracted and averted at the same time, I couldn't help but be impressed by the TouchSmart.
As a PC it was so intuitive and fun to use. To top it off, it was also complete - I didn't need four essential devices in the home - a PC, TV, DVD player and music system - all I needed was one.
Even better, this device is an energy saver - not just from the fewer devices tapping on electricity, but from the fact that it draws as much power as three light bulbs in the home. Now, that's a smart touch!
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