November 16th, 2009

HP announces TouchSmart software development program, SDK

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 8:14 am

Categories: Desktops, HP

Tags: Software, Hewlett-Packard Co., ISV, SDK, Software Development, Development Tools, Portals, Tools & Techniques, Software/Web Development, Internet

HP on Monday announced a software development program for its latest TouchSmart touchscreen all-in-one desktop PCs, allowing developers to create applications for the line of PCs and digital signage displays.

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November 4th, 2009

Walmart unveils 15.6" HP Pavilion G60 laptop for $298

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 2:11 pm

Categories: Computers, Consumerism, HP, Laptops

Tags: Hewlett-Packard Co., Wal-Mart Stores Inc., HP Pavilion, Laptop Computer, Notebooks, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, Andrew Nusca

To heck with netbooks. Walmart’s got plenty of retail weight to swing around, and that’s manifesting itself in the form of a $298 HP Pavilion G60 laptop.

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November 4th, 2009

HP prepping Envy 14 premium thin-and-light laptop

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 12:56 pm

Categories: Computers, HP, Laptops

Tags: Hewlett-Packard Co., Laptop Computer, Notebooks, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, Andrew Nusca

HP may soon add a third notebook to its MacBook-targeting Envy premium thin-and-light laptop family, which currently includes 13-inch and 15-inch models.

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October 13th, 2009

HP TouchSmart tx2 laptop brings upgraded multitouch to tablet PC; $799

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 8:38 am

Categories: Computers, HP, Laptops

Tags: Hewlett-Packard Co., PC, Tablet PC, Laptop Computer, Tx2, Tablets, Notebooks, Microsoft Windows 7, Keyboards, Processors

Rounding out Tuesday’s announcements, HP unveiled its updated TouchSmart tx2 laptop, a 12.1-inch model that sports Windows 7 multitouch and starts at $799.

The tx2’s capacitive touchscreen display rotates 180 degrees for use as a tablet, and the multitouch capabilities also support the use of a stylus.

Inside, the model is a mild refresh: memory is doubled to 4GB and the hard drive upgraded to 320GB and a higher 7,200RPM spin speed. It keeps the 2.2GHz AMD Turion X2 processor and ATi Radeon HD 3200 graphics, as well as its 4.65 lb. weight.

The tx2 is preloaded with TouchSmart software suite, which is similar to the one that ships with the company’s newly-announced all-in-one TouchSmart PCs and includes the same partner apps, including Hulu, Netflix, Twitter, Pandora and Rhapsody.

The HP TouchSmart tx2 will be available Oct. 22.

October 12th, 2009

Compaq offers 15.6-in. Windows 7 laptop for $399; mini-tower desktop, $309

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 9:01 pm

Categories: Computers, Desktops, HP, Laptops

Tags: Desktop, Laptop Computer, Compaq Computer Corp., Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Keyboards, Operating Systems, Software, Hardware

The new Compaq Presario CQ61 will offer Windows 7 Home Premium on a 15.6-inch “piano black” body for just $399.

The new laptop, available now, sports the following:

• AMD Sempron 2.0GHz processor
• 15.6-inch (1366×768) display
• ATi Radeon HD 4200 graphics
• 2GB DDR2 memory
• 160GB 5,400RPM HDD
• SuperMulti DVD/RW drive
• 802.11 b/g wireless
• six-cell battery (12-cell battery optional)

It’s got an integrated microphone, a 5-in-1 media card reader, Altec Lansing audio, a full-size keyboard with numeric keypad, three USB 2.0 ports, line in and out, VGA and RJ-45 port.

The system weighs in at 5.90 lbs. and it’s 1.38 inches at its thinnest. It’s available on Oct. 22 for $399.

On the desktop front, Compaq also introduced the CQ4010F mini-tower desktop PC, also running Windows 7.

Inside, you’ll find the following:

• Windows 7 Home Premium
• AMD Sempron (2.30GHz) processor
• 2GB DDR2 SDRAM (expands to 4GB)
• 250GB 7,200RPM HDD
• SuperMulti DVD burner
• Nvidia GeForce 6150 SE graphics
• 6 USB 2.0 ports (4 front, 2 back), headphone, microphone, VGA, line in/out
• USB keyboard and mouse
• 4.43 in. wide, 12.24 in. tall, 15.91 in. deep
• 9.20 lbs.

It’s available Oct. 22 for $309.

October 12th, 2009

Compaq offers 500B, 505B budget desktop PCs; start at $359

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 9:01 pm

Categories: Computers, Desktops, HP

Tags: Intel Celeron, PC, Nvidia GeForce, NVidia Corp., Compaq Computer Corp., Desktop Computer, Desktops, Processors, Serial ATA, Microsoft Windows 7

HP on Tuesday announced its Compaq 500B and 505B microtower business desktop PCs, intended for small businesses on a budget.

The 500B (pictured at top) starts at $359 and nets you Windows 7 Professional (or XP Pro, or Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11), Intel Pentium dual-core or Celeron processors, up to 4GB of DDR3 SDRAM (1333Mhz), 160GB SATA 7,200 RPM hard drive (up to 500GB), a DVD-ROM drive (writer optional), Intel GMA 3100 graphics (Nvidia GeForce G210 or ATi Radeon HD 4350 optional) and 802.11 b/g/n.

In addition to one 5.25 in. and one 3.5 in. drive bays, the 500B offers eight USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 4 rear, 2 on motherboard), RJ-45 port, VGA port, audio in and out on front and back and a microphone port.

The 505B (pictured at right) distinguishes itself with AMD Athlon II dual, triple or quad core processors and integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150SE graphics by default.

The 500B will start at $359 and the 505B will start at $409. Both will be available Oct. 22.

October 12th, 2009

HP's new ProBook Windows 7 business laptops have drain in keyboard that saves PC, not pants, from spills

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 9:01 pm

Categories: Computers, HP, Laptops

Tags: Dual-core, Hewlett-Packard Co., PC, Laptop Computer, Business Laptop, Microsoft Windows 7, Keyboards, Notebooks, Processors, Hardware

HP on Tuesday unveiled two new Windows 7 business laptops intended to shake out what’s left of the IT budget and convince businesses that Windows 7 migration doesn’t have to be (too) expensive.

The HP ProBook 6445b and ProBook 6545b are targeted at corporate customers “who want an affordable combination of business-critical and innovative features in a full-function notebook PC.” That translates to up to 8 hours and 15 minutes of battery life, as well as a wealth of wireless connectivity options.

But the coolest darn feature of these laptops is a spill-resistant keyboard with a drain underneath the laptop. I was able to witness this work in person, and it’s a frightening visual: a steady stream of water running right into the keyboard of an active ProBook and coming right out a drain hole in the bottom.

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October 12th, 2009

HP Elite 7000 business desktop PC offers Core i5 and i7; clad in metal, black

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 9:01 pm

Categories: Computers, Desktops, HP

Tags: Desktop, Card Reader, Hewlett-Packard Co., PC, Desktop Computer, Serial ATA, Storage, Hardware, Andrew Nusca

HP says its new Elite 7000 Business Desktop PC is the company’s highest performance small business desktop to date.

The machine sports an exterior clad in metal and glossy black, and offers several business-centric security features, including a 22-in-1 card reader, a second hard drive to utilize RAID data mirroring capabilities and a Blu-ray writer.

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October 12th, 2009

HP revamps TouchSmart PCs with Windows 7; starts $899; will you ditch your desktop PC, HDTV?

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 9:01 pm

Categories: Computers, Desktops, HP

Tags: Hewlett-Packard Co., PC, HDTV, Microsoft Windows, Desktop Computer, TVs, Microsoft Windows 7, Tv & Home Theater, Desktops, Personal Technology

HP made a big splash with its TouchSmart all-in-one PCs three years ago, and now that Microsoft has finally caught up in the multitouch arena with Windows 7, the company is revamping the systems.

The HP TouchSmart 300 and 600 are 20- and 23-inch 16:9 systems, respectively, and have been optimized for HD support with new application partners, including Hulu, Netflix, Twitter, Rhapsody and Pandora.

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October 12th, 2009

HP reveals 'Beats Limited Edition' Envy 15 laptop

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 12:19 pm

Categories: Computers, HP, Laptops

Tags: Headphone, Hewlett-Packard Co., Laptop Computer, Edition System, Notebooks, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, Andrew Nusca

With Voodoo heritage and Apple MacBook lines, HP’s Envy 15 laptop is a force to be reckoned with (as is its price tag). But a new “Beats Limited Edition” model sheathes the otherwise silver laptop in a matte black with red trim number.

It’s a good look.

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