HP touch-screen PC takes on the family calendar

HP's TouchSmart PC allows users to operate the computer with one hand while standing up

HP is attempting to bring the personal computer closer to home with its new TouchSmart PC. 

The device stands out through its 19in widescreen monitor that tilts up and down, and a touch screen capability that allows consumers to operate the computer with one hand while standing up. It also ships with a mouse and keyboard.

In some ways, the TouchSmart computer parts with the PC's business legacy as a productivity tool.

But to appeal to consumers, it essentially has to compete with the paper family calendar, according to Julie McDonald, a product manager for industrial and product design at HP.

"People have PCs all through their homes, but they still have a paper calendar because it is in a common space where they can access it instantly. The TouchSmart PC is just as accessible as the paper calendar," McDonald told vnunet.com.

Running Windows Vista Premium, the computer features relatively short boot times. The tilting touch screen means that users do not have to sit down and operate a keyboard and mouse.

The PC features an AMD Turion 64 X2 dual-core processor, 2Gb Ram, a 320GB hard drive and TV tuner.

It has a built-in camera and a microphone array that allows it to record high quality audio. It is slated for release on 30 January in the US starting at $1,799.

Although the computer is running the regular Windows Vista Premium desktop operating system, the HP SmartCenter software provides a special interface to operate the unit through the touch screen.

The software offers a calendar and lets users leave written or audio notes that can be tied to upcoming events.

HP is targeting the computer at "common spaces" such as a large kitchen, the living room or some other space in the home where people gather.

In addition to scheduling, major design goals included email, entertainment and photo viewing and printing, according to McDonald.

"We wanted to provide simple access to the things that you want the most," she said.

• A video demonstration of the TouchSmart PC is available on the Silicon Valley Sleuth blog.