Another day, and yet another iMac wannabe copy cat computer emerges. This time its from one of the world's most leading and successful high tech companies, HP, who recently unveiled it's second version of their Touch Smart PC.
The first Touch Smart PC was, in comparison, an ugly duckling. The second version, however, has matured into a very elegant and beautiful swan and it now joins a crowded and ever growing list of all-in-one machines that have been inspired to mimic and kill off Apple's hugely successful iMac.
The HP stands out, however, in one particular and noticeable area - touch screen technology! Not even the iMac itself can presently boast of such capabilities.
I've played with the new Touch Smart and I must say that it is, without a doubt, probably the best all-in-one, iMac inspired, PC that I have yet seen to date. It's high-definition 22" inch screen is big, bright, colorful and pleasant to work with. Unfortunately, what really helps to make the screen so beautiful - the glass - is also extremely reflective. All such glass screens, the iMac's included, have this same problem, but for some reason, for me at least, the HP model seems to be even more reflective than most of the others.
In addition to that big, bright screen, the Touch Smart comes with an impressive 4 GB of ram, a Dual Core processor and integrated graphics. The black body is certainly sexy, but, again, it is, as I earlier stated, the touch screen capabilities that really set the Touch Smart apart from the rest of the pack.
But is the HP Touch Smart PC, with it's touch screen, really good enough to kill off the iMac? Is this finally the iMac killer that some have long hoped for?
Nope! It comes close and it's certainly a very nice attempt, but it's most unique feature - it's touch screen - seems to be somewhat rather limited in scope and functionality, at least for the moment. However, I must admit, that it is certainly very fun and cool to be able to simply swipe your fingers and presto... you can see your photos, music, videos, etc., go spinning across the screen, as it does in the Touch Smart's 'fan' mode. It's nice to watch, but I found when actually using it for some time, it didn't take me too long before my arms and wrists, not only got tired, but actually started to ache as I repeatedly swiped the large expanse of the screen. Clearly, this is not the machine for you if you suffer from arthritis. Clearly too, as some have said, touch screens, for the most part, are probably better off being utilized on smaller devices like the iPhone, laptops, or tablet pc's where there are less risks of repetitive injury of some kind. Sore arms and wrists were not something that I was expecting!
In the performance department, some have reported that the Touch Smart is just a tad bit too slow, which is not surprising considering it's integrated graphic support. Personally, I found the Touch Smart to be quite spiffy, but then again, I didn't run any intensive apps, such as high end games, on the machine. As far as I'm concerned, integrated graphics are ok for a secondary machine, like a laptop, but if your going to use it as your primary machine than your going to be much better served with a machine with a dedicated graphic card - even one of the cheaper ones. For surfing the net, email, etc. the Touch Smart should handle most of your needs effortlessly. Video, on the other hand, is something I didn't really get a chance to explore much, but with an integrated graphic chip, this might be a real concern for you if your into video.
Over all, even though the HP Touch Smart was clearly inspired by the iMac, it clearly isn't the iMac killer some would like it to be. I really love the design of this machine however. I especially loved the big, colorful and bright HD screen, other than the fact that it's a tad too reflective for my taste. The iMac inspired keyboard was also a very nice touch. The touch capabilities, even though it wore off for me rather quickly, is still very cool and fun and it clearly sets the Touch Smart apart from all of the other iMac inspired clones, and, for that matter - the iMac itself.
Sadly, what would have really made the Touch Smart PC the iMac killer that HP would have hoped for, would have been if Apple itself licensed OS X to HP! Yes, the missing ingredient that all of the would be iMac killers, including the Touch Smart, really need inorder to topple the iMac is the iMac's software itself - OS X! HP and others might be able to match or even exceed the iMac in hardware offerings, but without OS X and it's ease of use, I think that it will be hard for anyone to build an iMac killer. I'm not saying that it can't ever happen, but even with the novelity of a touch screen, without OS X, all other all-in-one PC's will hard time killing off the iMac. Besides, when it comes to touch screens, Apple already has a much better version running on OS X via the iPhone, and one that could be easily added to the iMac. As impressive as the Touch Smart is, and even without a multi-touch screen on the iMac itself, the OS X factor is what, for me, still makes the iMac a much better offering than HP's new touch baby.
When it comes to computer touch capabilities, I believe that the iMac should soon surpass HP's new wonder, simply because not only are Apple's multi-touch capabilities more powerful than the Touch Smart, but I believe that instead, or in addition to touch screens, Apple will be incorporating it's multi-touch track pad capabilities into future Macs.
Multi-touch track pads not only would allow you do everything a large touch screen can, but also do it without the risk of repetitive wrist or arm injury, something that prolong use with a large screen can pose, and as I can personally attest to. And, in addition, multi-touch track pads, unlike touch screens, can do everything without the nuisance of getting all of those greasy finger prints all over your screen! Yuck... like who needs that?
Even though I don't think that the Touch Smart quite measures up to the iMac, I do, none-the-less, think that it's a great and worthy machine. The Touch Smart is sexy and unique and, if your in the market for a Windows alternative to the iMac, then, by all means, the HP Smart Touch is probably one of the very best - if not the best, Windows all-in-one's that you will find anywhere.
Even though I don't think that the Touch Smart quite measures up to the iMac, I do, none-the-less, think that it's a great and worthy machine. The Touch Smart is sexy and unique and, if your in the market for a Windows alternative to the iMac, then, by all means, the HP Smart Touch is probably one of the very best - if not the best, Windows all-in-one's that you will find anywhere.
So, in conclusion, if your basic Windows and computer needs don't require high-end computer graphics, then the HP Touch Smart should suite your needs for casual computing very nicely and I highly recommend this machine. Though I would prefer a Mac, this is one Windows based machine that actually impressed me to lust over and want to buy- a very rare case for me indeed!
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2 comments:
there's something you csn i buy to allow the imac to have touch screen
Thanks for the comment anonymous. I fyou mean is there anything that you can buy to turn a iMac into a touch screen computer than the answer is yes. Troll systems has several options as I pointed out in my post:
http://my2cents4theday.blogspot.com/2008/08/touch-screen-macs-available-now.html
Check them out. They are expensive, but seem to do the trick very nicely!
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