Jan 9th Update: Here are instructions on installing Windows 7 on a TouchSmart. Should work for all 4 models of the 2nd generation TouchSmart PCs.

I just bought a HP TouchSmart IQ506 – it’s a refurbished model and after taxes it’s for $1,150 Canadian dollars. I really love it, and am eagerly looking forward to it. It should get here sometime next week – hopefully before New Year’s Day.

First, here’s a picture and the model details (HP TouchSmart IQ506 22 inch screen multi-touch PC) so you can read reviews, and get more of an idea -

HP TouchSmart PC IQ506 at Amazon - Perfect for Windows 7

Here are my top reasons to buy an HP TouchSmart PC -

1. Multi-Touch – It makes me feel like a kid again to be so excited about a feature.  
2. A large 22 inch screen, and all the components are built into the Screen Unit itself.  
3. The wireless mouse and keyboard are a good touch.  
4. I was going to buy a touchsmart laptop – however the refurbished IQ506 at such a low price point really made the decision veer towards the IQ506.  
5. Having a Multi-Touch screen enabled HP TouchSmart with the Windows 7 Beta (which hopefully comes out first week January) would just make me much better at writing good Windows 7 articles for this blog.  
6. I’m a very visual and touch based person – so being able to touch and feel/interact with the screen will really improve my experience with computers.
7. It’ll look beautiful in my home.

There are basically 4 HP TouchSmart computers (not counting laptops) -

1. HP touchsmart IQ506 - 22 inch screen, tv tuner, priced at $1,399 dollars approximately. 
2. IQ504 - Same as the above model with no tv tuner.
3. IQ804 - 25.5 inch screen, no Blu-Ray drive, wall mountable, tv tuner. For $1,739 approx.
4. HP TouchSmart IQ816- Comes with a Blu-Ray Drive, has a 25.5 inch screen, is wall mountable, and in general is the top of the line model. Priced at $1,972 approximately.  

I think they are a good option, and one of only a couple of viable options to try Windows 7 multi-touch. There are confirmed reports on the internet of people getting Windows 7 pre-release builds working on HP TouchSmarts. As soon as the Beta for Windows 7 is released I’m going to test it out myself and let you know.

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• Installing Windows 7 on HP TouchSmart IQ506

Filed under: Multi Touch