HP TouchSmart IQ816 review: HP TouchSmart IQ816

Above all else, we have to credit HP for taking a risk with its TouchSmart all-in-one PCs. No other Windows desktop vendor has ventured into the relatively uncharted touch-based waters, and any future developments in touch on the desktop will likely use the TouchSmart series as a reference point. As much as we admire HP's pioneering spirit, it's still fair to ask whether you should spend money on one of these PCs, in this case the $2,099 25.5-inch TouchSmart IQ816. If either touch- or large-screen all-in-ones are important to you, this pricey TouchSmart will deliver on both accounts. If you're instead looking for either a complete digital entertainment PC or a self-contained computer for productivity purposes, other all-in-ones have more to offer.

We weren't overwhelmed by the practicality of HP's custom TouchSmart software when we reviewed a smaller model earlier this year. With no new software included on the TouchSmart IQ816, that largely hasn't changed. The good news is that HP has opened up its TouchSmart development kit to the software community at large, which means that a lot of new touch-capable programs could be forthcoming.

We're certainly glad that HP has invited third-party developers to contribute to the TouchSmart platform. Considering that only one application has made it to the TouchSmart Community Download site since its October launch (making three overall, counting the two launch programs), we can't exactly say that software developers have embraced the TouchSmart as much as say, the iPhone. Perhaps they need more time. Aside from those three extras, the core HP TouchSmart software is aimed squarely at families.

A menu screen anchors the TouchSmart software. The full screen, icon-based display lets you scroll through shortcuts to the various bundled TouchSmart applications. A note taking/painting tool, a calendar, a photo viewer, a weather application, and music and video players form the core of the TouchSmart software suite. Each is easy enough to use, but also very basic in functionality. We don't mind the simplicity, as these applications are designed for you to walk up and spend only a few seconds writing a note, building a slide show, or cueing a playlist.

The idea behind the TouchSmart is that a connected family will put it in a central location, and either store media on it directly or stream media to it from other PCs on a home network. The large 25.5-inch display also makes the TouchSmart IQ816 the largest mainstream all-in-one PC available. A built-in slot loading Blu-ray player and a TV tuner round out this system's digital entertainment capabilities, which provide a reasonable degree of functionality for the price. Our biggest complaint here is the built-in audio output, which barely gets loud enough. Fortunately it comes with a variety of analog and digital audio outputs, which we recommend putting to use.

While we can see using the TouchSmart as digital media hub, it's not the best-designed all-in-one for the task. Sony's Vaio LV180J features VESA-compatible wall mounting, as well as an HDMI input, complete with an input signal toggle button to go from the Windows desktop to the video from a connected component. You might give the TouchSmart credit for its larger hard drive, and it technically has a wall mount bracket, although it's nonstandard. You can also purchase a VESA-compatible mount from HP for $50. The HDMI input is a bigger coup for Sony, and HP has no similar capability. The Sony lets you connect game consoles, DV cameras, and other HDMI-equipped devices with little to no hassle, making it a truly useful feature.

Technically the HP TouchSmart has a mounting bracket on the back panel, but you'll need to pay $50 for a VESA-standard mount adapter.

We also have trouble with the TouchSmart for productivity, and this seems to be where HP pays a price for choosing a slow 2.1GHz laptop CPU. We don't suggest that performance is the primary purchase factor for this system, and it handles most common tasks well enough. Yet among two other recent all-in-ones, a $1,250 Dell midtower as well as Apple's 24-inch iMac, the HP TouchSmart IQ816 is the slowest on every one of our benchmarks. Touch-functionality notwithstanding, its performance is more like that of a $600 budget desktop than a $2,000 all-in-one.

Cinebench
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Rendering multiple CPUs

Rendering single CPU

Dell Studio XPS

16028

3922

Dell XPS One

8719

2500

Sony Vaio LV180J

6870

3614

Apple iMac

6180

3244

HP TouchSmart IQ816

4350

2279

Even though it trades primarily on its large screen and its touch capabilities, the TouchSmart IQ816 has a few extras you might find useful. An LED light with three different brightness settings shines down from the bottom edge to illuminate the wireless keyboard in the dark. HP also included a slot on the top of one of its proprietary removable Pocket Media hard drives. Given the lack of upgradeability in all-in-ones, the spare drive bay is especially handy. It also comes with the ubiquitous Webcam located front and center on the top edge, but it lacks a separate screen power button as found on the recent 24-inch Dell and Sony all-in-ones.

Otherwise, this PC is relatively basic. A media card reader, a handful of USB 2.0 ports, and a single FireWire mini jack account for the majority of input, on top of the analog and digital audio ports mentioned above. You'll also find an Ethernet adapter input, and the system also comes with 802.11n wireless networking, Bluetooth and the receiver for the IR remote built-in.

The ports on the back of the TouchSmart give you a basic amount of connectivity. You'll find a few more on the sides as well.

As with all of its PCs, HP backs the TouchSmart IQ816 with a one year parts and labor warranty and 24-7 toll-free phone service. Expanded support options are also available online, as are several other resources, along the lines of driver downloads, online support chat and other help.

Find out more about how we test desktop systems.

System configurations:
Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)
Apple OS X 10.5.2; 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo; 2GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 256MB ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro graphics chip; 320GB 7,200rpm hard drive.

Dell Studio XPS
Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 (64-bit); 2.67GHz Intel Core i7 920; 6GB 1,066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; 512MB ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics card; 500GB 7,200rpm Western Digital hard drive.

Dell XPS One 24 (Product) Red
Windows Vista Home Premium; 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200; 4GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 512MB Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics card; 750GB 7,200rpm Samsung hard drive

HP TouchSmart IQ816
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8100; 4GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 512MB Nvidia GeForce 9600 GS graphics card; 750GB 7,200rpm hard drive.

Sony Vaio LV180J
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 3.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E8400; 4GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 256MB Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS; 320GB 7,200rpm Hitachi hard drive.