This is a compensated review by BlogHer and HP.
A few weeks ago I got an email asking if I’d be interested in reviewing a new HP TouchSmart 600 computer. And yes, I was interested, because I am a nerd and always terribly entertained by anything that plugs in and has a screen, but since I’d never seen the TouchSmart before, I had a mental image of a big, clunky desktop coming into the house. Besides that, we haven’t owned a PC in about ten years, and part of me wondered if accepting the HP was some unforgivable act of Mac betrayal.
But then I remembered the 10 year-old Mac desktop in my office (that, bless its heart, can’t run more than two applications at a time before it starts to wheeze), and I got over my reservations. BRING ON THE HP.
The new TouchSmart arrived a few days later, and y’all, I cannot tell you how impressed we have been by this computer. We love it. It looks great (do you see how skinny it is?), and when David was setting it up, I actually asked him where the rest of it was. It’s essentially the same size as a flat-screen TV. In fact, it can work as a TV – you just plug in your cable and you’re good to go. It can also work as a DVR (CAN I GET AN AMEN?) or a BluRay movie player. There’s even a remote. Be still my heart.
And I wish y’all could have seen my husband’s reaction when he realized that you can mount the TouchSmart on the wall. Suffice it to say that his eyes lit up and then glazed over and I thought for a brief moment that he might need to sit down and put his head between his knees.
We started using the TouchSmart approximately 53 seconds after we set it up, and while I didn’t know how much I’d use all the bells and whistles in our day-to-day routine, I have to say that the touchscreen features are actually my very favorite part. Besides the fact that it makes me feel like Tom Cruise in “Minority Report” when I move my finger around the screen and resize pictures and create collages and pretend like I’m some sort of technological wizard, it’s just so EASY. I can write notes, save recipes, browse the web, play a movie via our Netflix account, laugh at something on Hulu, listen to my Pandora playlist, edit photos and so much more – all without touching a keyboard or a mouse. The computer HAS a keyboard and a mouse, of course (they’re wireless!), and you can use them with any of the TouchSmart applications – but once you get the hang of the touchscreen, it’s oh-so-convenient and fun.
I really could go on and on – about how Alex loves it, about how the touchscreen is COMPLETELY intuitive for a child, about how I adore the Recipe Box feature that lets me add any recipe I happen to run across on the web and will even READ THE RECIPE OUT LOUD TO ME while I cook. But I’m going to quit talking now because we need to get this giveaway started. I think it’s time.
So.
If you’d like to win an HP TouchSmart 600 computer, leave a comment below and tell me where you’d put the computer if you won. Family room? Office? Playroom? Kitchen? Inside Mama’s closet where NO ONE ELSE CAN TOUCH IT? On top of a thrift store desk that you overhauled with turquoise spray paint?
Or, if you’d like, you can leave a comment with a link to a post about the HP on your blog.
And whatever you do, please make sure that your email address is correct.
This contest will begin December 9th and end December 24th.
Before I forget:
1) If you’d like more information about this computer, just click on over to HP’s official site.
2) Rules!
• No duplicate comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by linking on Twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
• This giveaway is open to US Residents, aged 18 and older (I’m so sorry, Canada).
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
• You have 48 hours to get back to me; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
• Please see the official rules here: Official Rules.
The winner will be selected using random.org.
Also, there are four other bloggers giving away the HP TouchSmart 600 (that means there are five free computers up for grabs, people), so check out the BlogHer.com special offers page for links to their sites. You can enter to win on all five blogs.
Happy TouchSmarting, everybody!
Thursday 12/10 at 8:40pm – comments seem to be working just fine again. Thanks for your patience!
This giveaway is now closed.
I’d put it on my desk! So fun!
I think we’d put it in the living room. Actually, we’d probably have to repurpose something to put it on- but who cares! Maybe the kitchen bar- that would be fun, huh???
Ooh! I’d love to put this in my kitchen! The recipe box feature sounds heavenly!
Oooo…I have the perfect spot. A little workstation set up in the kitchen/family room.
I’d love to put this in my sewing room, so that I could update my Etsy shop as I complete projects
i want to win to give this to my parents! they don’t have very much space in their home, so i’m pretty sure the computer would go in their living room.
i would put this in my sons college dorm room he would use it so much hppv50@yahoo.com
Kitchen or office…kitchen or office??
I’m sure I can decide by the 24th!
I would put it in our family room where we have our desk (and current ancient computer!).
I have this computer and LOVE it. I’d love to win one to send to my mom so she can SKYPE with my kids!
I would put it in my room…no kids allowed. They can have the public computer all to themselves, It’s so pretty!
I would put it on my desk in my bedroom!
My fiancee is in Iraq right now and I think this computer would be a fantastic gift for his parents and siblings to be able to keep in touch with him. It would also help with some of their college courses.
I would send it to my Mom because she needs a new computer and this seems like it’ll do!
In my living room!
That looks great! I love the idea of sorting my pictures with a touch screen.
Wow, what a great review. I think I might just get me one of these bad boys….haha…like I can just go out and buy one…but it sure would be nice to win one!
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this computer. My son is 3 years old and is autistic. He uses a touchscreen as school and has made so much progress with it. I would love to carry this over to our home but they are pretty expensive so this would be awesome!!
I would keep this bad boy right in my office – where I can work quietly (HA!) on my online scrapbooking and digital photo editing!
Oh WOW! I would LOVE to win this giveaway! What a great new computer!!! I would put it in our office!
Wow! It sounds amazing. I have been reading about all the special features I love the recipe box feature. Oh and all the wireless stuff. Oh and the DVR…and Netflix? I’m so excited about it and I don’t even own one…YET!
That is great! What an AWESOME giveaway! would love love love to win it!
I will put this in our kitchen “when” I win! :)
I think your idea of Mama’s closet is delightful, but I would probably have to put it on my desk.
well, the odds aren’t in my favor – but I believe in a Sovereign God, so here goes: :-)
We would put this in our TV cabinet in the family room and it would be the answer to much prayer.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this computer for so many different reasons but deciding where to put it is just as important! :) I would put it on my computer desk that I found off Craigslist and bought for only 20 bucks!!!! It’s the best desk and is just begging for a beautiful computer to be placed on top of it! THanks for the opportunity!
This would be going into the kitchen!! Where I work and where I play. I might even have to get it a leash so I can take it to the park with me… :)
I will put this in our office/den!
It would be remarkable for our study…yay!
We’d put this baby in our classroom for our homeschool!!!! And use it for sure :D
With 4 kids, another computer would be great! I would keep it in my room.
I am about to start grad school online so a new computer would be really nice.
I’d love a new computer! My old one is on the fritz and I’m taking online classes…this would be a HUGE help!
I Tweeted about it too!!
http://twitter.com/crysm/statuses/6509912343
I would put this in our living room as my husband has decided that the office is “his” room. Guess that would mean if I won this, it would be “my” computer! :)
I would put it in the living room for now. My son will leave for college next year and then I would let him take it with him.
Well maybe not. I am not sure which I would miss most. *grins*
Would love to win one of these to put in our classroom here at home. I homeschool my 3 boys and there is always something to be done on a computer. Thanks for the chance to win!
Oh, I soooo need this. Pick me! Pick me!
Want it!
We are moving to a new house in two weeks and I’ve yet to figure out where the office will be. However, if I win this, you bet I’ll find a great place!!
I must have this. As a mom of two small kids who just started a buisness this is a must have!!! I can just imagine how this would help simplifiy my life.
i would put in our office near the kitchen, so from the kitchen i could hear it reading the recipes out loud. That is the neatest feature!!
Underneath the Christmas tree!! (Until the 25th of course). I would so love to wrap this up and give to my hubby since we have both agreed NO presents this year. The few moments were he gets really uncomfortable thinking I got him something fab and he “thought we had agreed…no gifts!!” would be more fun that I would like to admit.
i would put this fabulous computer in my bedroom. i always do my online shopping and picture editing in my room.
I need this savvy computer and all of its features. Would love to edit pics on this baby!!
Wow! We would love to upgrade to a new HP. And for free, to boot! Santa, are you listening?
chelsealalla@gmail.com
This would have to live in my kitchen, on the bar, because I cook off of the computer all the time!
I;ll put it in our “front room” which is a combo of our dining room/office/sitting area:)
I would LOVE to win. What a great giveaway
LURVE THIS!!! I would put it here on the hallway desk. It’s a fabulous location and I can see what’s going on at all times.
I would put this computer in my kids’ playroom!
YES ALL CAPS IS IN DEED NEEDED FOR THIS!
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS FOR MY HUSBAND WHO IS IN SCHOOL ONLINE AND HE USES A ANCIENT DELL COMPUTER!
I would LOVE to have this computer to use in our small embroidery business!
I’d put this computer in our gameroom. My kids would LOVE to play games with it and would make a great addition. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!!!!
http://sarahjordanbutler.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-want-this-computer.html
I would put it in my bedroom on my table next to my bed!!!!
My laptop just died. :( I could use a new computer about now!
I would station it in the family room. From your discription it sounds like every member of my family would be able to put it to good use! :~) Thank you.
Blessings,
Kath
I would put it on my hubby’s desk – as a complete surprise for him!
Tweeted here!
This would be wonderful to have for my son with Down syndrome! He would be able to navigate learning programs much easier! And the recipe function? HELLO?? How awesome is that?!! What a wonderful giveaway! Keeping my fingers crossed!
Oh this would work perfectly on my tiny desk that is overflowing with a nonflat screen computer screen! LOL! This would be amazing to win!!!!!!!!
Oh my goodness – what an AMAZING giveaway. I’m totally trying to supress my desire to caps lock all over this. Pick me!!!
I tweeted about this giveaway! http://twitter.com/osubuckeye906
hilary.keegan@gmail.com
I would put this in the living room so the entire family could use it. My kids are always wanting to google or youtube stuff (like tarantulas molting), so a central location for something like this would be a MUST! :-)
Thanks for the chance!
I’d put it in our home office/bedroom. My 3 y/o is (frighteningly) computer savvy, so I’d let him use our old one for his computer games.
My hubby’s computer is on it’s last leg, and we both use ours ALL the time. Mine for school and his for work. What an amazing giveaway!
This would go in my kitchen nook. Between working full-time, a very active 16 month old and my husband I find it very hard to get to our computer upstairs to work on my online college course but we have limited space downstairs. This looks perfect for the kitchen and would allow me to be with the family more.
I would love to do my photo editing on that screen!
Lori Jones
ajsahm@gmail.com
I would put this in my bedroom where I would write my blog, check my email, watch TV and lounge in my bed all at the same time!
http://reneetbouchard.blogspot.com
My kitchen!
Blogged about it
http://amosfoxfamily.blogspot.com/
In my kitchen!!! Wait, maybe this would inspire me to really setup an office. Can’t wait!
My jaw literally hit the ground when I saw this computer! I think it’s the most amazing thing ever! I would put it in our office space in the loft of our condo. It would be perfect!
I would love to win this amazing computer! I would put it in our computer cupboard where our kids use the computer for homeschooling. They would love this! I might sneak it into my room at night to watch a movie or two, also.
Wow – I would LOVE to win this!!!
Holy Moly! In my living room on the desk because we view what our kiddo plays. Hmmm! Noggin (Nick jr.) Imagine the size of Dora the Explorers head on that thing! This would be amazing!
In my family room!! With four kids one computer is not enough. Maybe I wouldn’t have to referee fights anymore. I can only dream!
OH MY WORD I would LOVE to win this computer!!!! My husband and I are using the same computer we purchased 7 years ago and are in desparate need of a new one!! We’re expecting our first child in 7 weeks and a computer is not on the top of the finiancial list at the moment. :) I would love to have this to edit all the photos of our sweet little boy! What a lucky winner this will be :)
I would put it in the Kitchen. I have heard such great things about the Recipe feature, and it would look great hanging on our wall!! AHHH!!
Oh, yeah! I’d put it on our desk and relegate our laptop to another room.
I would love one of these!! I would put it in my kitchen
i am thinking i would put it on the wall of my scrapbooking room…or maybe the kids playroom…i might just pitch the tv in the living room! i love love…love ..love this
Just blogged about it here.
http://kelliandherfamily.blogspot.com/2009/12/one-more-try.html
I would LOVE a new HP computer and I would put it in my office!!
Where would I put it? I like your idea of hiding it somewhere so no one else can get their cute little fingerprints on it, and I might even hide it from the children too (I have a computer geek for a hubby also!) Merry Christmas!
I tweeted! @CydneyW http://twitter.com/cydneyw/status/6510095521
http://twitter.com/heather2405
Tweeted about it!
My new husband and I just bought a new (to us) house, with a real-life grown-up office, and this little baby would be perfect in there! Thanks for giving us all a shot to win it.
This is fabulous!
It would have to be in a little nook between the kitchen and family room.
Put me down for two entries!
1) I’d put it in my office and put it to very good use.
2) I blogged about the contest with a link at my blog, http://ellestraussbooks.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
Would LOVE to win it for my boys, it will truly be a wonderful blessing to someone!!! Thanks for the chance!!
I WOULD PUT THE COMPUTER ON THE DESK THAT CURRENTLY SEATS MY DINOSAUR. I WOULD EVEN LET THE GIRLS USE IT FOR SCHOOL. SOMETIMES. (you did say all caps were required, didn’t you?)
I would love this computer for me b/c it would help me continue my studies in Education. I know this computer would help me become a very organized Elementary Teacher.
I would love it! I’m trying to go back to school and it would be perfect to have a good running computer. Good luck to everyone!
Christie @ http://www.junebugkubin.blogspot.com or chris91381@yahoo.com
Ohhhhh how my girls would love to play on this computer!!! I would put it in our ‘play room’ which is very open… and I could easily hear the recipe reader from the kitchen….
I could really use this for my new photography business!!
This would go in the family room where we could all fight over it!!
it would go right in my kithcen for all of us to use. . .