While I always thought the idea of a touchscreen computer for the family was cool, getting one wasn’t on my priority list. I had no idea what we were missing.
For the past few years, we’ve been using a regular desktop in our kitchen area. We use it for a variety of reasons — the biggest is probably games and web-surfing for the kids, but hubby and I also used it often for “driveby” check-ins: weather forecast look-ups, quick fantasy football scoring on Sunday afternoons, online banking. And the older my boys get, the more use the computer seems to be getting.
So I was excited to get a chance to test and review the Hp TouchSmart 310 All-in-One Desktop.
What the “TouchSmart” part means? It means that this is a touchscreen computer – you can use the mouse, or you can use your finger to touch the screen and move things around as you do with an iPhone or iPad.
For the first few days, I was shocked at how foreign it felt to use the touch screen. Heck, I’m a savvy iPhone user – wouldn’t this come naturally to me? It didn’t. I found myself reaching for the mouse more than I was touching the screen.
Who it did come naturally for: my kids. My kids took to the touch screen right away – and we’re not just talking in a kid curious kind of way. They are capable and savvy with the touch screen – touching and moving things around more efficiently than I could.
Now that a few weeks have passed, I am finding that using the touch aspect is coming more comfortably to me. I find I go back and forth depending on what application I’m using: if I’m playing Plants vs. Zombies with my kids, or using one of HP built in drawing programs (my kids love “Graffiti” where you paint all over the wallpaper on your desktop), I touch the screen. If I’m checking my email or messing around on Twitter – essentially doing something that requires a lot of typing, I use the mouse. But it’s awesome to have the choice between the two.
All-in-One. I never really understood what the phrase “All-in-One” meant in reference to a comptuer but what this means is that this computer does everything for you, and for a variety of people in one household. All of the applications you would ever need for a busy household are built into the software of this computer. Use the family calendar to keep up with your crazy schedule, post notes on the screen to let your hubby know you’ve headed out to the market, let the kids chat with Grandma & Grandpa on Skype via the built-in webcam.
Lastly, it’s a huge space saver. There is no big desktop unit that takes up space on my counter – everything that comes wtih this machine you see in the picture. The CD-ROM is on the side of the monitor, the hardware needed all built into the back of the monitor. There are speakers flanking either side of the monitor (and they sould fab!) Honestly, the lack of wires with this computer is one of the biggest selling points for me!
So this is just my Mom’s opinion and review of this machine. I could go on and on but I’m sure had you call convinced by the time I got to touchscreen Plants Vs. Zombies, right?
If you want the tech specs of this computer, visit the sale page on Amazon. The entire kit and caboodle sells for $679.99 on Amazon with free shipping.
Giveaway: Now, onto the awesome part of this post. I have one HP Touchsmart 310 unit to giveaway to one lucky Mommies with Style reader! Happy Thanksgiving! You can begin entering today and this contest will run until end of day Sunday, December 5th. One lucky winner will be selected at random after that date.
Please use a good email address – winners have 48 hours to claim their prize via email, after that, if they don’t respond, another winner gets selected.
Comment to enter below: W ho do you think will end up using this computer the most of you win? You? Your kids? Or will you gift it to someone else?
Bonus entries:
1.) Tweet about this contest if you are on Twitter. Be sure you are following @mommieswstyle and @HP_PC. A sample tweet could be: ” “I entered to win an HP TouchSmart All-in-One Desktop from @MommiesWStyle @HP_PC http://bit.ly/dHYr82″
2) Subscribe to the weekly Mommies with Style newsletter (be sure to comment and let us know you did!)
I believe I’d use this cool computer most myself. My current computer is slo-o-o-o-o-ow and crashes several times a day. Oh, for an HP Touchsmart upgrade!
Thanks for a generous giveaway.
I would give this to my father.
I think my kids will use this the most. Thank you!
Tweeted you!
http://twitter.com/Ida_Sessions/status/11637726088536064
Without a doubt, I’ll use it as my 7 year old HP desktop is just hanging on. Ready for a new HP. Win or lose Hey thank you for the giveaway too.
I’m an email subscriber.
I would probably end up using it the most which is definitely fine with me…My husband can take over the laptop.
Email subscriber.
If I won, I would end up using it the most and I would give mine to my daughter!
septemberbaby10 at gmail dot com
There is no doubt that I would be using this super fine computer most!
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
tweet
http://twitter.com/Ardy22/status/11639904123490305
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
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ardy22 at earthlink dot net
I’d probably have my family using it most of the time, but I’d use it for quick banking and checking on news as well.
Subscribed to newsletter as well; thanks for the contest
Me! Because I’m a SAHM, so it’s nice to write my hubby at work or catch up with friends!
My son Alec would use this computer the most if I won it because he has been wanting one forever and he is a computer nut! Awesome awesome!
I’m following both of you via twitter and i tweeted
http://twitter.com/ShesAnAngel417/status/11642179646652416
I subscribe to your weekly newsletter
I want to say I would but you know kids- so- we’d have to share. 😉
http://twitter.com/dddiva/status/11642547763937280
I am a newsletter subscriber.
This computer will definitely be mine. Right now, I share a laptop with my husband and three children and it’s hard for me to get on. Would be a great early Christmas present.
LuckyTJG@cs.com
http://twitter.com/tannawings/status/11643273663741952
tweeted contest
Well, by golly, if I won this, I would be using it. I have bought and finally paid off both my kids a laptop each. What a blessing if I could be so gosh darn lucky.
Thanks for the chance. I saw this on twitter.
geneveve2 at gmail dot com
It will definitely be me! I really need it! Thanks for the giveaway.
Me …I need one badly. I am a teacher and I am in college. Mine dies about a month ago and I am using the kids 🙂
giveawayswithgrace(at)yahoo(dot)com
I signed up for your newsletter.
Tweeted
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Subscribed to e-mail
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I think I’ll end up using it the most.
My husband would use the new computer the most. I’ll keep the old one.
I could see me using this the most!
I follow you and HP and tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/geneveve2/status/11644722086940672
@geneveve2
geneveve2 at gmail dot com
I am a new confirmed email subscriber.
Looking forward to it. Thanks.
geneveve2 at gmail dot com
Thanks for the giveaway…would love this for the kids, right now they have a somewhat ancient laptop that they share.
senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com
I would love to use it for my blog as my old computer is already very slow.
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http://twitter.com/momsfocus/status/11675039531270145
I would definitely be the one to use this the most being that I’m in need of this lol. Thank you for the giveaway!
-http://twitter.com/tannawings/status/11700443478499328
tweety
thanks for the chance!
Tweeted as @ropes
This would make a great gift!
http://twitter.com/zippy573/status/11922070606712832
I would be the one using this, but I just KNOW my my kids would be! lol
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follow and tweeting on Twitter
@neeners50
http://twitter.com/helyn4/status/11926922804072448
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I think my brother would get out great use of this computer because he is in college right now and needs a reliable computer instead of the family one which is old and used by everyone. We always take turns so i think this computer would be the best holiday gift for him!