HP TouchSmart IQ506

The good: Svelte new design; large, touch-sensitive display; easy to use, touch-friendly software, a lot of wireless connectivity options; underbody keyboard light.

The bad: Single-point, Windows-based touch looks dated next to multitouch iPhone; slower than other all-in-ones in its price class.

The bottom line: HP's new-and-improved TouchSmart all-in-one PC refines the touch-based concept it introduced last year. Faster all-in-ones, and Apple's iPhone, make the TouchSmart seem a bit behind the times, but the convenient software and its kitchen-friendly design offer functionality that's unavailable elsewhere.

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Description: The HP TouchSmart IQ506 is a Core 2 Duo-based, consumer level computer. Compared to other general-purpose desktop computers on the market, it is expensive at around $1,420. This system comes with 4 GB RAM, and a 500GB hard disk. This desktop also comes with a 22-inch flat panel display.

Pros: Has a nVidia GeForce 9300M GS graphics chip, which is better performing than some similarly priced desktop computers. The roomy 500GB hard disk installed on this machine will give you oodles of room for storing thousands of applications and files. The Core 2 Duo based processor installed on this machine is fast enough to handle demanding applications, such as graphics and multimedia.

Cons: None noted, given available product data.

Suitability: Suited for those who want to balance price with performance. The nVidia GeForce 9300M GS graphics installed on this computer is reasonably fast when it comes to handling 3-D graphics. Comes with a DVD writer, allowing you to convert home movies from your digital camcorder onto DVD's. This computer also has a CD writer, allowing you to compile your own audio CDs or video CDs.

Value: Overall, this desktop computer's features are in line with its price. This PC manages to combine class-leading processing power with ample storage. If you were to judge strictly by CPU speed, however, the price of a consumer level desktops with similar speed is about 20% lower. Also, note that the purchase price also includes a 22-inch flat panel display. ( Click here to see current prices and the latest reviews.)

Suggestions: (1) Using this PC's Firewire (1394) port, you can connect to many digital camcorders and other equipment and rapidly upload data to the computer's hard drive. (2) If you plan to be playing the latest 3-D games, you may want to invest in a more powerful video card from NVidia or ATI, which are popular with the gaming community (requires an open AGP or PCIe slot).