Get a 22-inch touch-screen PC for $699 shipped
Looking for a new desktop? Why not choose one that dispenses with a big case in favor of a sleek, all-in-one design? That's the HP TouchSmart in a nutshell.
I'm a sucker for all-in-one PCs. There's just something appealing about getting the full "desktop experience" without a big, bulky tower.
Right now, J&R has a doozy of an all-in-one deal: the HP IQ524 TouchSmart Desktop PC for $699 shipped. It's a refurb, so there's a 90-day warranty.
This is no ordinary all-in-one. The IQ524's 22-inch LCD is actually a touch screen, meaning you can interact with it using a finger instead of a mouse. (Don't worry: a wireless mouse comes with the system, as does a wireless keyboard.)
Consequently, I envision this as a pretty ideal "kitchen PC," one that allows you to leave the mouse in a drawer while still pulling up Web pages, checking e-mail, and the like.
The rest of the TouchSmart's specs are solid, including a 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and a DVD burner.
The system also sports a Webcam and microphone (Skype away), 802.11n Wi-Fi, and integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics--too weak for heavy-duty gaming, but sufficient for everyday operations.
I haven't found many reviews of the IQ524, but scattered user ratings lead me to believe this is a terrific system. The only real disappointment is that it comes with Vista Home Premium 64-bit, not Windows 7. On the other hand, it regularly sells for $900 or more, so I can't ding it too much for the OS.
I have no idea when this deal will expire or sell out, so if you're interested, act fast!