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 would put the computer in my kitchen on my old sewing machine table that I converted to a desk!
Oh, gosh…I believe I would put it on the desk near the front door.Then it could serve it’s purpose as a PC, but also be a delightful part of our home decor. Because I tend to decorate with electronics. :-)
OMG This would be the perfect Christmas Gift
I would put it in my office/guestroom/storage room! And I would love it with my whole heart!
kitchen FO SHO. Love the reading the recipe outloud idea…genius!
I would put it on my black desk from IKEA in the kitchen :) Love your turquoise desk!!!! merry Christmas and thanks for the give-away opportunity
I’d put the computer in my bedroom/office. I’d still let the kiddos use it though!
My e-mail addy is conley730@comcast.net
I would put this computer in the schoolroom — no room right now for my bulky desktop!
what an amazing computer! I had no idea technology had taken such a turn… makes my 8yo desktop Dell seem pitiful. But hey — my Dell works… even tho with a power supply that is on the blitz. Prayer keeps it going right now! Had hoped for a laptop in the future — this TouchSmart has changed my mind on that — it takes desktop to a whole new level!
I dont have a blog… my current Dell cant handle the graphics it would require. Please email if I am randomly chosen! dockensd at bellsouth dot net
I would put this wonderful computer in my kitchen so I cook away, update my blog and check emails all at the same time! Email address: astephens@umcsed.org
In the kitchen for all to see and use! What an exciting give away!
torinkevATnetzeroDOTnet
i can’t find my comment so i’m doing it again to make sure its on here. i am not very good at this yet:) twinkie111@msn.com
Wow, my oldest daughter has been asking for a computer and we have been putting her off. This would tickle her to death. I would put it in the playroom. Thanks!!!
In the study that we’ve really never used as a study. Yes you guessed it never had a new computer..hand me downs only work a few weeks. So we just gave up.
This is soo awesome!! I would definately put it in my kitchen so that the receipe feature could be used daily!!
Guest Room!
I would put it in my office!
If I won I would put this in my in-laws house. :) Their computer recently broke and they are not financially able to buy a new one. They live so very far away and would be so blessed to have a computer to check pictures of their grandbabies and talk with us via the webcam. Thanks for doing this!
I would love this and would put it in my office/laundry room.
My husband and I would love this for our home office!! Our current computer is (gasp) 11 years old.
The HP would live in our kitchen. It’s the hub of our home, and having the HP there would be fantabulous!
I would put it on the desk in the living room. Thanks for the opportunity to win this!
chrisnabby@ameritech.net
I would put it in my family room! This is great!! Thanks Boo Mama!
I can put it in my new studio apartment in NYC… I’m going to need that as I start my graduate studies :)
Pick Me, Pick Me!
I would totally put this in my family room. I could move out the old computer table (and dinosaur on it) and get a cute one like yours. It would make me so happy! My family would have a ball with this.
Well, since our office is about to be converted into a nursery, the computer would go into our room. The fact that the screen could be mounted on the wall would help with space, so it would be great!!!
I would display it and use it in the kitchen. That’s where we all like to be anyway and would be oh so awesome for the recipe feature!
I would put this on our new computer desk, of course. It would look adorable there!
This new HP computer is amazing! Would love to have one!!
In the kitchen so I may keep an eye on the little one.
Oh I would put it in my room where me baby girl cant reach it!
I would looooove to have this. We’d put it into the room we are converting into an office. It would be a great “family computer” for us to use with our sons. Love the recipe feature it has too.
Turquoise is my favorite color and this is the most awesome computer i have ever seen!
I could really use this computer in my family room. I use it for desktop publishing, recipes, my 11-year-old son, iTunes…you name it!
I would put it in my kitchen, where I do most of my projects!!!!
I would put it in my bedroom! Awesome!
We would put it on the desk in our living room to replace the one my husband let his brother borrow (and we haven’t seen since!)
I would put this beautiful machine on top of my daddy’s old antique desk that he gave me when my hubs and I moved into our house. I would love it as much as I love his desk and it would be supported by strong legs just like my dad supported me while I was growing up!
Forgot my email above! lynn@sefcoelectric.com
I am hoping to start my MBA in the Spring and this would be so wonderful to have in my home office!
I would put this computer in the kitchen…and then my husband would carry it to his office to play games. But I would keep it in the kitchen so I can use it all the time!
I would love a computer that doesnt randomly shut down like my laptop and this one looks amazing!
jutras0322@sbcglobal.net
Oh My….this would be a great gift for anyone!!! I love the touch screen feature & since we are using an ancient Dell, this would be such a great upgrade. My hubby would be thrilled if we were to get a new computer since we can’t afford to upgrade right now but need to really bad. Let’s just say that I could probably clean my whole house & still have to wait for my computer to finish bringing up a page…
I blogged about this giveaway
http://djw209.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/another-exciting-giveaway/
Gee you go right for the difficult question. Where would I put it? I might put it where my current ‘puter is – next to the couch on the end table, but I’m pretty sure the touch screen would be a little too tempting for the 1yr old. I’d love to hang it in the kitchen so it can read my recipes to me PLUS no kids allowed in kitchen ! Or I may just put it in my bedroom so I can hide there when the kids are being crazy! So many options.. Maybe I’ll just move it from room to room with me?
I tweeted about this!!!
http://twitter.com/DJW209/statuses/6534261549
Tweeted it? Twittered it? Oh well you know what I mean!
http://twitter.com/MommaChaos
Yay giveaways! Thanks!
Pretty! I would put it right smack in the middle of the dining room table. Or maybe not…
The kitchen! The kitchen! The kitchen!!!!!!
With that recipe box feature…sigh…so heavenly to have it in the kitchen when my hands are full with a recipe gone awry…
I would put this in my dinningroom. All six of my kids do their homework at the table and this way the computer would be right where they need it.
I would love to put this in my soon to be redone office!
Wow, perfect spot for it in my office to replace my big clunky monitor. Did I mention it’s old? Old, old, old. I love HP, by the way.
Nice! This would be awesome. My husband has one in his office so I think this one would go in the family room!
I would put it in the kitchen: my husband works full-time and spends his nights in the kitchen as he is going to school online. As much as our preacher says if we feel that we “deserve” anything on this earth we should be spiritually slapped- I have to say that my husband may not deserve but he is worthy of it.
I love my good Godly man!!
Wow!!! I would put this in my kitchen. When I find a recipe online, I always copy/paste and print off. How cool to use the recipe feature!….great time saver!
Great giveaway!
Jen in Indiana
Would love to have one of these awesome touchscreen computers! How cool that y’all get to give them away!!
I think this computer would be a great addition to my kitchen!
I would probably put it in the family room.. replace the television, DVD player, etc. Hey, and I bet my boys would even let me get rid of their XBox when they see all the awesome features. :) What a neat givaway, Thanks!
~Amy
I would put it on my lovely desk…it would be much more lovely painted like yours :)
i would put the computer in my kitchen!!
I really need a new computer to replace my very old one, and I would LOVE to win this one for my office!
We moved into a new house the day before Thanksgiving and our new office is just screaming for one of those beauties!! Love, love, love it!!
I would put it in my little tiny space that is my share of the office!
Great Contest. Would love to win it.
Oooh, I would mount this on the wall in my bedroom, so that I could lay in bed, and read blogs, watch TV, etc. :)
I would put this computer in my kitchen. My kitchen’s not large, so this would work well without losing too much valuable counter space. And since it reads recipes to me, I might even be inspired to cook more! LOL
I would put this computer in our kitchen just because that would be cool.
Oh, my stars! What an amazing giveaway! I would definately be putting it on an old desk in a nook in the kitchen. My older son is just starting to use the computer more for social networking and I’m really dreaming of having a computer where I can keep a close eye on what’s going on… I may even paint the desk a lovely shade of blue after your inspiration!
I would put it in my living room!
I would replace my ancient Dell in my bedroom with this beautiful machine!!!
I would really really love to win this as my computer is about to crash! I just wanna throw it out the door!!!!
Anyhoo, I attend college and I’m on the computer quite often! I would love to put this in my own kitchen but we currently living with family! So, I will use it in my bedroom on MY Desk that noone goes near ;)
I would put it on an old, antique desk in my bedroom where little grubby fingers couldn’t reach it.
I would have mine in my kitchen where my desk is! This is an awesome giveaway! Thanks!
I would put it in our office / playroom space! We need a new desktop, this looks fabulous!
Oh, how fantastic! I totally understand about ancient, wheezing computers…we have one sitting in our office right now. I would put a new computer in the office (after possibly pitching the old one out of the window).
In my son’s room.
That computer would be a Godsend. I would put it in the family room for my kids to use for their homework, it’s endless!!!
I would put mine in my bedroom, so I would probably have to have a new desk. My husband has his own laptop, but he doesn’t like to share, so if I won this, I could return the favor. Thanks!!!
I think in Mommy’s closet is the best place :)
Wowiee!! What a great giveaway!!
If we were so lucky as to win an HP touchsmart 600, I would put it in our family room so we could all share it and just wonder at it’s beauty :)
Thanks for the chance!!
I would put it in my kitchen and use it as a family computer. With the touch screen even my 3 yr old can use it with ease.
Oh and on a side note the screen is as big as Alex!!!
Raquel
scrappindaisy@gmail.com
This computer is awesome! I am about to start graphic design school and this would help with all of my school work!
This would be great in our sunroom/playroom and replace this old emachine. Heard it helps autistic kids…awesome!
Love it! I would put it on my flea market turned gorgeous red desk in my kitchen! Thanks for the opportunity!
I would so……..LOVE to win this new computer! I would put it in my playroom, so I could BLOG while my kids play!!!!
i would put this doll in my kitchen!
Hi, I would love to be in this contest. Sandi
I would put it in the family room!
I would put it in my office, and the
children would have to actually knock on the door and wait to be invited in. (a girl can dream!)
um, yes please! I would love to upgrade my netbook…and the recepie function, WOWEE!
I just tweeted about it (and I would put it in my den!)
It’d go in my office, of course! No turquoise desk; instead it would sit on a mid century modern metal desk. Something like Lois Lane would have typed from.
I would put it in the study in the exact spot where my old college laptop currently resides…the laptop that I would happily get rid of.
I am a mom-to-be (baby on the way), a teacher, and a graduate student. Would LOVE this computer to help me with my daily duties! :) Lbjohnson3@gmail.com
i’m pretty sure i’d make room for this in my bedroom so that i could actually have a place to write my theology papers that wasn’t Grand Central Station. Thanks for the opportunity!
I would put a new computer in my family room so that my grandchildren can have access to it.
I would put it on top of my REALLY old desk. I guess that would be considered a facelift?!
Hey Boo Mama!
WOW!! What a giveaway. I would LOVE to win this computer. If I were to win this computer, I would keep it on my desk in my room, with the door triple bolted for its safety. ;)
I would put it in our office. I would love that recipe box feature. It sounds amazing I want to win just for that alone.
I would put it in the living room which is the heart of this home. What a great giveaway! Thank you!