HP emphasizes touchscreen in Windows 7 range
Touch technology is one of the main selling points of Windows 7, but it had been questionable how widely it would actually be used. It appears that touch will at least stand a chance of catching on with the announcement that HP is releasing a range of machines based on the feature.
The computers, to be released on the Windows 7 launch date of Oct. 22, include a laptop/tablet, three desktops and a large-screen display, all using the technology. All the models include a range of applications specifically built for touchscreens, including special editions of video service Hulu, Netflix, Twitter and music services Pandora and Rhapsody. While these all sound neat enough, they aren’t what you’d call killer apps being that most people using the original versions of the services don’t find operating them with a mouse to be a major hassle.
The new models are:
TouchSmart tx2: A laptop which a special hinge which means the screen can twist round to convert the machine into a tablet computer, operated with a digital ink pen which comes with the package.
TouchSmart 300 and 600: All in one machines where the computer is built into the back of the screen (20” and 23” respectively), with control either via a keyboard and mouse of the screen itself.
TouchSmart 9100: A higher-spec edition of the 900 aimed at business users, including an option for wall mounting to use as an interactive display.
LD4200tm: A 42” touchscreen designed to be viewable from wide angles and to use power more efficiently, making 24/7 operation more feasible.
It’s certainly a boost for Windows 7 touch to have a major manufacturer basing computers around the technology, particularly with some models aimed at consumers. However, marketing touch still appears a tricky task, with HP even suggesting the machines might be useful in a kitchen where keyboard operation would be inconvenient. As handy as an interactive recipe book might be, it’s hardly a selling point to take touch from niche to mainstream.
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