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.
Ohhh, I would literally love to get my hands on that touch-screen! SO cool!! I would probably put mine in my kitchen since there is no big tower to take up a lot of space, yay!
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I probably put it in the corner of my dining room…very central location and if I let my kids touch it I can see what they are up to!
rhondarush@centurytel.net
Wow! Love this! I’d put it at my desk near the kitchen…I’d also LOVE the recipe feature. :)
Well, until we move it would prob go in my bedroom… Too much work to move this one considering we have to then anyway lol. I think I’d want that one more accessible after the move, so prob in the living room.
Well I suppose I could put it on the “office” area of my apartment…but realistically I would probably just carry it around close to my heart. Forever.
Honestly? I would totally redo a computer room for this. With the money I save from not having to buy it. Dude! How space-age!
Awesome give away! I would put it right in my bedroom where only I can touch it!!!!!! Especially since its a touch screen! Thanks!
I would love this computer in my first grade classroom!
This thing just looks too unbelievable for words! Would i love to see it sitting on my desk in my bedroom? You bet your socks i would! thank you
i would def. put this in my room:)
It would be in our kitchen at a desk…right in the hub of all the kids chaos and acitivities!!
would put this close to the kitchen of course!
Though I might be tempted to hang it along with the family pictures because it really looks better than so many of the hairdos on that wall, I would realistically put it in our homeschool room (which is conveniently located near the laundry room, which seems to be where I live).
I would put this in our computer/sewing room. The computer we currently have is not sounding so good lol
I’d put it on my lovely desk in my room that overlooks the jungle behind our apartment. So far, it’s just been used for me to pile stuff on.
Well I was just saying today that we could use a new computer…but it’s not going to happen any other way than this. I’d put it right smack in the living room for all the kids to enjoy, do their homework, and stare at in awe that their mother is such a genius!
WOW what a give away!!
I would put it in my guest bedroom/craft room!
Thanks!!
My beloved Dell is 6+ years old and sooooo slow! I would love a new Dell to put right in the family room for my hubby and I to use.
I would totally be using this in therapy with my little ones — the touch screen would enable me to use soooo many great therapy programs with them that right now they just don’t have the motor skills to do anything with. Awesome!
If this beauty was mine it would have to go in the master bedroom,it is the only place big enough to house such a pretty piece of art. Would love to win it…can’t wait for the drawing !! Elizabeth
I love this computer already! I would keep it under the bed and slide it out when I need it! With 3 little ones under age 5, there’s a high possibility that someone will accidentally murder this computer!
Love always,
Heather
I would put it in our bedroom where our current computer is now — then my husband could take this one to his office, which would be great for him.
Though I must say, I kind of hope the commenter above me wins — therapy for little ones? Come on now!:)
cjcrisostomo23@gmail.com
Hmm, I think I would put this lovely computer in my living room!
In the family room where everyone can use it.
Please, please, please!! I NEED this computer. We don’t own a computer. Sad, huh? My husband brings his home every day from school. This would change my life! :)
I would put it on my desk, or maybe on my coffee table, or next to my bed. Decisions, decisions….
I’d put it in my kitchen. I’d love to have one in there for pulling up recipes, accessing iTunes or Twittering!!
Goodness sakes alive! What a sweet giveaway! I would have to have this in my kitchen area. Reading me recipes had me at hello.
I would put this lovely computer on the kitchen counter!
I’d love to have this awesome computer in my office!!
My little netbook just turned pea green with envy, then out of spite shut down. Oh, sure it SAID the battery was low, but a woman just knows, doesn’t she? Where would I put it? In one of my very, very favorite places: the kitchen. Where could possibly be better to watch Food Network, research recipes, etc.? And my netbook has no cause for concern because the one place the TouchSmart wouldn’t go is my purse. Come on, Santa! I’ve been so good this year…
I want this so bad! If you don’t pick me I might have to buy it.
We could use this for our small business !!! Would look good in the office at home
I would place this PC on the desk in my bedroom.
Thanks.
I would put it in my office and keep it selfishly for me.
This is such an awesome computer…I’d love to give it to my fiance. He deserves something fun =)
This would make a perfect gift for someone one on Santa’s list :)
Oh my gosh that is huge. I would love to have it for photo editing.
WOW! How fun it would be to win on of these computers! So glad you are enjoying yours!
I’d put the shiny new HP TouchSmart 600 in our family room! My husband and I have old laptops that are slow and frustrating. We want a new computer so much, but really can’t get one for a while. Winning would be a dream come true!
We could both use the beautiful machine if it’s in our family room. We can also watch movies on it. :)
Amazing! I would put it in our family room for everyone to enjoy! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I THINK THIS COMPUTER WOULD GO ON MY SON’S DESK IN THE SCHOOLROOM.
Love this giveaway:) It looks great where you have it!
Posted this giveaway- http://theespyfamily.wordpress.com/2009/12/09/chocolate-milk-a-computer/
This would be the best sitting in my office:)
I would put this in our kitchen! This is perfect since we are in need of a new tv in there and so awesome that it reads the recipe, with 2 girls under 2, who has time to read!!! HA
Thanks for the chance to win!
Krista
kjp_twp@hotmail.com
I follow on Twitter as @catsee & tweeted!
http://twitter.com/catsee/status/6523392888
what fun! Found your site through Ree…lucky me!!
If I won that computer I would put it up in my sewing/magic room and play and play and play! You see, I am computer challanged and always afraid to try new things on our main computer, because my husband and son make MUCH fun of my lack of skills and often have to get me out of a jam! If I had my own, they’d never have to know! I’d become proficiant,better than them and could surprise the heck out of them…in a year or two!!
Have a Merry Christmas!
Holly
Oh the things I could do with a SASSY new computer :) I would keep it in a “computer sling” under my shirt at all times so that no one could touch or hurt my new baby….okay, in all seriousness, I would set up a desk in our bedroom, next to my side of the bed for it…I’m even diggin’ the turquoise desk. I think I will head on over to my local thrift store to get my desk ready for my new computer :) Thank you!!!
Love love love it!! I think the skinny is so cute!! Mine too has been doing alot of wheezing so a new one would be a great gift!
http://onmypaperheart.blogspot.com/2009/12/go-on-over-to-kellys-korner-reviews.html
Blog entry!
I’d be tempted to put this computer in my bedroom but I’d probably put it in the family room where it would be utilized for very important applications like Nick Jr and Peep and the Big Wide World games.
OH MY GOSH! I would love to win this, our computer is on it’s way out and it’s too expensive to fix it again. I’d like to buy a new one but all of our extra money is going towards having my stillborn son Hayden moved from Salt Lake City where he is buried to San Diego where we are living now. Winning this computer would certainly help relieve some stress from our family. Thanks for the chance to win!
I’d put it in my kitchen. Could really use a new computer!!
I would put this in our office to replace the ancient one that is currently there!
Absolutely love what this has done for children with Autism. I am going to grad school for speech language pathology, and this would be an amazing benefit to one of my clients. Thanks!!
I love your blog. I would love love love to win this computer for my family :)))
love it….
Our desktop is SUPER ancient, my husband has had it since he was a freshman in College and since it does run so slow we fight over the laptop when we are at home, I would love a new PC so that I wouldn’t have to wait until late hours of the night to read blogs :)
I would put this marvelous technological masterpiece on my brand new kitchen desk. I cook a lot, it’s a stress relief when I get home from working by day as a pediatric intensive care nurse. I come home to knead bread, whip up cookies,saute you name it, all to push out the intense aggravation over the sadness, the unfairness at the hospital and lets be honest a computer with a recipe box that talks dang life couldn’t be any better!
I would put it in the office or maybe the family room or just keep it with me always.
I would put this in our teeny, tiny living room! It would replace the one in our basement that is a huge dinosaur, circa 1997. The basement is being converted to a bedroom for my 10yo daughter, so the computer has to be moved upstairs. This one would be a perfect fit!
hmmmm…..
It would live in our downstairs everything room! It is warm and cozy down here and would be the perfect place to watch movies, hulu, and find new things online!
I would love to win this for my mom!!! She does so much for my famil and her computer just crashed… She is so deserving…Thank you so much and Merry Christmas!!!
Jami Hart
I would like to say it would go hidden in my closet, but I won’t be that selfish. It’ll go on my computer desk in the living room, right in the middle of daily activity.
I would put the computer in my living room, right next to me on the couch!
http://www.twitter.com/KyriaRae
Would so so SO love to win this! Our computer is so old and slow and outdated! What a wonderful giveaway, and right before Christmas!!
We want/need this! Our computer just crashed and we cant afford a new one:( This thing is soooo awesome! This blog is amazing too
Wowee. I would love this for my family. I would put it in a central room of our house (living room or kitchen) so the whole fam could use it, AKA- fight over it. ;)
I blogged! http://crossyr.blogspot.com/2009/12/last-time-i-promise.html
the computer would look lovely on my desk in my laundry room
I would love to win!
I would super duper love this computer! A touch screen? Seriously? I didn’t even know they had those for home computers. I love HP products. They never let me down through all 4 years of undergrad.
twitter.com/neennicole
I’d put this in my kitchen for my wife. She could put all her recipes and cooking videos on it and it may even encourage her to blog/publish her recipes or even make her own cooking video. She could even watch her favorite cooking shows!
I tweeted about this giveaway here’s the link: http://twitter.com/AdrianSlew/statuses/6523944713
I even posted a link on my blog about the HP TouchSmart giveaways at http://tweetmag.blogspot.com/2009/12/hp-touchsmart-600-giveaway.html
This computer will go in my bedroom/workroom on my corner desk that doubles as my sewing table. It will be a welcome addition since my current monitor takes up two thirds of my desk.
Office for sure!
I would put it in my office/craft room…I may have to even attempt at giving it a face lift with a rattle can. I didn’t even take into consideration using that kind of paint on furniture but I really loved how your desk turned out.
Love it. Need it.
I tweeted about this: http://twitter.com/burford_designs
I would put the hp in our playroom…which doubles as daddy’s study room while he’s back in school. It would be awesome to have an additional computer for him to use out there!! Thanks!
It looks amazing!! We’d love one, and probably have it in our… who knows where yet. Our office is now being made into a nursery for the new baby on the way, so I’m not sure yet, but we’d love to use it!
I would put it out in the living room so the whole family can enjoy it. My Son who is 6 is very good with a comp and use to get on it alot but now mine is not working really good so i can not let him use it right now which makes him not so happy with Mom.
wow this is so great..I know two other people that received one too and get to give one away! I would love to have one…our new computer we had was eaten up by a virus so now we’re using my husbands ancient work computer at home!! I’d love love love to add this one to our home..thanks for the chance!! I’m not sure where I’d put it..I could maybe move my sewing machine to a new spot and put it there!!
Anne Koste
On the desk in my kitchen!
I would put this computer on my dresser in my bedroom! Boring, but it just makes the most sense!
I told my family I didn’t want anything for Christmas. I have officially changed my mind. Although I would be tempted to keep it all to myself, if I got this lovely gift I would put it in our family room for all to enjoy.
I would put this in my kitchen to help with recipes for my youngest with food allergies!
I would put it in my kitchen so I could listen to music while I am cooking!
rachelbalee@hotmail.com
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/chelsea_mac
what a dream! where would i put it? can you say “family of FIVE living in a 2-bedroom house”?! i’d love to dump our clunky computer desk and big ol’ desktop for this more space-economical one! that would give us crazy space in the living room!
WE could really use a new computer baddly, My husbamd cannot do any work from home at this point and he is a programmer. We would put ours in the office.
I would put it in the living room so the whole family can have access to it.
I would love to win one of theses computers. My Dh and Families Computer has just called it quits and we cannot afford a new one at this point.
Thanks for the chance to win one!!!!
I almost forgot to leave my blog post link about this… thanks again for the chance to win.
http://melissaburford.typepad.com/burford_designs/2009/12/hp-touchsmart-600-giveaway-from-boomama.html
I just Facebooked about your blog and Giveaway. I really hope I win.
Here is the link,
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527725813&ref=profile
Thanks!!!
I blogged!
http://chelsea-mac.blogspot.com/2009/12/simply-madness.html
I just Blogged about your blog and giveaway.
Here is a link to my blog,
http://when-it-is-raining-cats-and-dogs.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-last-great-chance-to-win-hp.html
Thanks again!!!
What a beauty! The screen is about 500 times larger than my tiny very old laptop screen. And probably about 500 faster as well. That would have to go in the kitchen so that I could pull up Ree’s recipes and make something delicious while doing laundry and watching the kiddos.