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 this in my living room. So everyone in the family could use it. Tammy Edwards tjesmile@yahoo.com
I wouldn’t be using this on the Kitchen counter if I got it, that’s for sure. More so as my main PC. I can’t imaginge touching this baby with any edible stuff lying nearby. Multi-touch is definitely the “in” thing these days and I feel it would be very useful for viewing my (huge) collection of photos. I have this habit of clicking even silly stuff like strange or misspelled sign boards.
I blog plenty and besides that I browse the net a lot, so I’d employ the PC for these purposes too, apart from watching and recording TV (now that’s an important feature).
I would put this in our “computer” room/ book room/toy room/the place where my dog eats his treats and pig ears.
jfrog17@hotmail.com
I would put it in the ‘office’ which is the code word for Mom’s room!
Tweeted it too – http://twitter.com/grajasekar/status/6974145026
This beautiful computer would go in our home office!
I would put it on my kitchen counter and use all of the fun cooking options. It sounds wonderful. Thank you for the chance to win!
We could really use a new computer. The desktop we currently have is on it’s last leg.
Oh, how I would love to win this! It would just make my day!!! I think I’d put it on my hutch where I keep my current laptop!! Keeping my fingers crossed!!!
Well, if I won the computer, I’d put it on my boyfriend’s desk!
His old machine goes into cardiac arrest every day now! It’s quite old (in computer years) and we probably should have replaced it when I replaced mine about a year ago.
Thank you for a chance to win one!
Pam Hoffman at cox dot net
http://mycre8tivelife.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/PamHoffman
I put your blog post up on my most popular twitter account…
http://twitter.com/ScrpbookRoyalty/status/6974860476
Thank you for a chance to win!
Pam Hoffman at cox dot net
http://mycre8tivelife.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/PamHoffman
We NEED it – new job, at last!
I wrote a blog post about your contest too!
http://mycre8tivelife.blogspot.com/2009/12/omg-chance-to-win-computer.html
Thank you SO MUCH!
Pam Hoffman at cox dot net
http://mycre8tivelife.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/PamHoffman
Love the review! Would totally put it in my sewing room. The fact that it takes up less space, means more room for sewing goodies. More room for sewing goodies, means that I’ll need the computer more for downloading designs and posting pic of finished projects.
Oh my… Definately could see us using this in the play room/family room/office (its a three in one room) at our house…
I would put it in my kitchen, it is where all the action is in my house.
I would love to win this HP Touchsmart PC so that my hubby and I and the 5 kids could stop fighting over the old, dinousaur of a desktop computer that we share! This would be a blessing!
Twincere(at)gmail(dot)com
I tweeted my heart out!
http://twitter.com/Twincere/status/6975969897
I also blogged about this fab review & giveaway
http://mommysmultiplemayhem.blogspot.com/2009/12/hp-touchsmart-600-pc-reviews-with-5.html
This would so go into the office to make everything look cool!
I would put this computer in my son’s dorm room..
Thanks for the giveaway!!
I would put it in my office/book room to entice me to finish writing novel #2.
I would put it in the living room where I spend most of my waking hours so I could multi-task!
I would put it in the ‘cat guest room’, where I board other people’s kitties. Most of the cats like it when I’m in there with them, keeping them company. Of course, I do go in frequently, to feed them, clean the litter box, and for play time… but that’s not enough for really sociable cats. They want MORE. So, I’ll take a book in and read, or go in with my iPod and listen to something in there.
Now, though, I’m imagining how VERY cool it would be to have a computer in there! Especially a super cool one like the HP TouchSmart 600. I would hang the monitor on the wall, and it would take up so little space, it would be PERFECT. I also like to photograph some of the cats that stay with me, and with the HP TouchSmart 600 right there in the cat guest room, I could do all the photo editing there, and get feedback from the cats themselves. Fantastic!!
So, from myself, and from numerous cats of Taos, New Mexico, I say thank-you, thank-you, thank-you, and a thousand purrs, if I am chosen to win this great computer.
http://twitter.com/SBCrispell/status/6976051788
I tweeted about the giveaway!
http://twitter.com/GeezersBox/status/6976221228
ooo, this would live in the Living Room aka the mom and dad and no kids room!
This would go into the kitchen, the kids homework zone. I check email and do some work their during the day as well. They can take it to their dads for homework every other weekend. We sure could use this!
On second thought… maybe they get my old, refurbished Dell Latitude and I get to use the new one for work… my bedroom office! Kids use for special occasions!
Thanks for the chance to win.
tweeting just lately,just found you…
@clulisa
Oh my gosh, I’ve always wanted one of these touch screen desktops!! So awesome!!! I would put mine in my office. I need a new computer for the office!!! This is awesome! Thanks for doing this! Happy Holidays!
I would put it in the office and move the other one to my scrap and craft room! This rocks!
In the office but I don’t suppose I will win!
i blogged about it here
http://rebeccajune.blogspot.com/2009/12/amazing-giveaway.html
i thought i saw somewhere that facebook was valid to so here is my link
http://www.facebook.com/becky.yoder?ref=profile
I would put this in the family room which is near the kitchen and dining room to help with recipes and cooking.
tammiego@comcast.net
thanks
It would go in our hall where the computer desk is.. This would be for our 14 yo DS who is so deserving of a new computer. The one he uses runs XP and is a stripped down model! This would be a great thing to reward him with since he made honor roll for the first time ever!!
I tweeted!! http://twitter.com/knitpurlgurl/status/6977950008
knitpurlgurl@gmail.com
I would put it in the family room for everyone to use!!
I will put use this in the kitchen so I can have a computer and be able to watch my three kids!
This computer looks so awesome! If we had this computer, we would put it in the kitchen, so we could access recipes easily while cooking! The whole family likes to cook, so it would be a very welcome addition!
cutecrochetATgmailDOTcom
I would put it in the office and then I could run two screens for my business plus watch tv, plus play games on it. I have been wishing for a computer like this for a long time.
Oooh, I’d put it in my bedroom. Sounds devine!
I would put it on my desk in the family room.
Family room to be shared & blogged here:
http://lifeisasandcastle.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-computer-anyone.html
I would put it in my new craft room!
My laptop keyboard just stopped working, I’d love to replace it with this in our family room!
I will put in on my bar in the kitchen/livingroom so it can be seen by all and used by the grandkids.
I’d put it under my bed so nobody could use it..lol Just kidding. I’d put it in my room.
Thanks for the chance!!
sarahjd766 at yahoo dot com
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/miss_moneymaker/status/6978731572
sarahjd766 at yahoo dot com
Love your site, and your humor. “Read by tens of people every single day”. Hahaha. Love it. I like your review of the computer. Pick me Pick me Pick me!!!
What an amazing product. We would love to win it!
I would put this in the kitchen for quick access to all my wonderful online recipes.
I would put it in the living room, in front of the fireplace where I could sit and be warm while the snow falls outside!!
Would absolutely use this computer – ours is so old!
And I just tweeted about it:
http://www.twitter.com/unxperiencedmom
I would put this on my desk (used to be a kitchen table) in my dining room-turned-home office. (I am into repurposing too!)
It would replace my old computer, and I’d be in heaven!! Thanks for the chance to win this :)
I would put it right in the kitchen. For us, like many its our command post. With three boys I can guarantee they will breeze through at least once a day! :)
Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year!
I would put this in our family room. This is where we spend a lot of time at home. Pick me, pick me!!
I would definitely put this in my dining room where my old computer is taking up way too much space! My desk is small like yours and I am just loving the space saving features of this computer! Thank you for the offer!
veryvintagepatterns@gmail.com
It would look so lovely in my office. A great motivator to clean it up!!
I need this computer in my life. It’s gonna go in my office. the computer we have is not well.
thanks for the giveway
I have been looking for someone to donate one of these to me. My daughter is attending a school for autistic children and I am developing custom software for the students. The touchscreen would be a great addition, as it would allow some of the more severe students to access the games more easily. Rather than having to develop the hand eye coordination first.
I really hope I win for the kids.
i would put it in my bedroom, so no one else can play with it. =)
I would love to win this computer!!
I tweeted it…
http://twitter.com/katylink
I would put it in my newly painted kitchen so I can check it frequently as I’m moving about the house. Have a Very Merry Christmas!
I blogged about it…
http://thelinkhome.blogspot.com/2009/12/another-sweet-giveaway.html
Blogged about it @ http://katemercer.blogspot.com/2009/12/hp-touchsmart-600-giveaway.html
I would definitely put it in the family room/office.
I would put this in the kitchen where everyone could use it!!
I currently work from home and really need a second computer to help. I am trying to start a 2nd home business, so this would be AWESOME!!!
It will be great on my desk…my 1950’s vanity!
Firstly I would hug it and love it and then put it in my kitchen!
Oh my word – my room, my room, my room. My sewing machine will have to squash up to make room for the pretty!!
I would put this computer in my office. I would love to be able to use the recipe feature!
My three-quarters dead Macbook would like to say thanks in advance…
I would love to win a computer with so many nifty features!
Thank you this opportunity!!! I would put the Hp Touchsmart in our kitchen we have a little nook and that way I can get recipes in a flash and it would be accessible for the rest of the family as well. Thank you so much…
I’ll be honest, I have to say that I’d love to be able to have this little wonder for myself. We have a PC and a laptop and it always seems like we are always fighting for time on the computer. I’d like to have this is in my own personal space in my room. A place no one can touch but me. Selfish I know, but sometimes Moms have to have a little time for themselves.
OH. MY. WORD. A computer for just The Mama? What a deal! I shall put it in MY office and call it Smarty. And it shall be mine and only mine. ‘Til death do us part. ;0)
I would put it in my tiny little office!
Krista
I would put this computer on my son’s desk. He has been working on creating my blog and has done such an amazing job. Really, he is only 16 year old and completely amazes me with his computer and technical knowledge my jaw hits the floor quite often. Now being that I don’t have the $$ to pay him for all his amazing work I would love to surprise him with this new amazing computer. It will just blow him away! He deserves it – and it just my get my blog completed quicker so I can go “live”.
I twittered about the giveaway
http://www.twitter.com/hglearning
In the kitchen, so it can be used by the whole family while being overseen by mother hen!
I would have this computer in our family room for the family to enjoy!
I would love to win this computer! I would put it in my office but promise to share it with the family!
it would make my year to win this computer!! such a great asset to the family!
I would keep it in my computer room. MY printer. MY computer room.
I just might share!
I would it in my office/playroom combo! Merry Christmas!
This would either go in my kitchen or the spare bedroom.
hmmmm…office or kitchen. this is awesome!
It’s going in the office on Mom’s desk. Not Dad’s. Not the kids’. Mom’s. (Can you see it?? Doesn’t it look GOOD!
Thanks! Ursula
Oh my! Thank you for this opportuity! I would put this beautiful computer in my office~
I’d put this in our “computer room” to replace our old computer that takes at least 20 minutes just to warm up and connect to the internet.
I just blogged about this awesome opportunity here
http://meganleighb.blogspot.com/2009/12/computer-giveaway.html
I would put it in our living room, right where the old hand-me-down good for nothing tv is now. That way we could work on it, and watch tv or movies on it!
I would love to have this in my room. Erin
I love to blog, plus I am a college student.
What an awesome computer. I would give it to my husband since I may or may not have spilled iced tea on his laptop and killed it. He would keep it, I assume, far far away from his wife. Actually he would still let me play because he is a good man.
I would put this spiffy new computer in the new office I am GOING to get organized after the holidays!!