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Planned to iMac i5 but the HP Touchsmart is tempting...

D

donster28

macrumors Corgi
Original poster
Oct 5, 2006
1,726
811
Great White North
Since the announcement of the Quad iMac's, I set aside my hard earned bucks to get at least the i5 this month. Thinking that Apple will have resolved the initial batch problems at this point.

Unfortunately, one problem still exist on newer batches: the dreaded yellow screen. I don't intend this thread to be another yellowing screen complaint but I just want to voice out my disappointment to the reality of things: Apple will probably let this issue slip until the next re-design/update.

I am not in a desperate situation to get a new iMac right now, but I know I will be needing it's Quad Core prowess for my video encodings in the middle of this year.

During boxing week here in Canada, I had a chance to play around with the latest Windows 7 offerings from HP and I was totally engrossed with the Touchsmart all-in-ones. Don't get me wrong, I have mainly used OSX as my main OS and when Windows 7 came out, I wasn't all that excited about it. Until I installed it on my unibody MBP 13"...and you know what, it's not all that bad.

Being able to control the screen much like my iPhone, coupled with the near OSX feel of Windows 7, I really really am considering getting a Touchsmart. I know, it doesn't have a Quad (but a Core 2 Duo), but I like the abilty to use it like how an all-in-one computer is meant to be: a blu-ray playing, HDTV tuning/recording, touchy-feeling computer.

The iMac can probably wait, until it's properly fixed.

What do you guys think? :)
 
Ultimately it all boils down to the following: It is your decision and, more importantly, your money.

You are welcome to spend them as you see fit.

Are you looking for arguments as to why you should buy the iMac over the HP or vice versa?
 
Pressure said:
Ultimately it all boils down to the following: It is your decision and, more importantly, your money.

You are welcome to spend them as you see fit.

Are you looking for arguments as to why you should buy the iMac over the HP or vice versa?
Click to expand...

One purpose of a thread is to attract constructive opinions from other people. I'm not at all trying to create an argument.

Your response is appreciated but I do not need a lecture from a parent. Of course, it all boils down to my decision and I am not asking people to decide for me. This is also not to put down the Mac. I have purchased 5 Mac computers in the past 2 years (coming from a PC background).

I am simply trying to draw opinions from people who have tried alernatives, in this case, the Touchsmart.
 
got my i5 two days ago and so far it's great. I believe it's a week 47 or around there. I noticed some yellow tinge on the store's display model I way playing with, but no problems with mine so far. It sounds like the most current models are having less problems, so I'm confident that apple will take care of me should any problems develop.
 
I wouldn't get the Touchsmart. You are paying for the touch which you you probably use for the first week and feel very impressed of it but then you realize how slow and heavy it is to use and you go back to mouse and keyboard combination. The touch isn't very good as the OS wasn't designed to be controlled with touch so some things don't work well with touch. It's also slower and price wisely bad choice. If you like Windows 7, you can install it to iMac as well or run both, OS X and W7 at the same time
 
Touch works in Windows 7 but your arm will get tired. You end up back at the mouse and keyboard or remote if you get the tuner. HP does include a variety of Touch applications so you won't be spending too long finding what you want. The screen resists fingerprints as well.

If I had the money to spare I would get one for the kitchen.
 
Great feedback so far

Thanks guys for your feedback.

I really didn't realize I am missing some negatives to a touch enabled comp., like my arm getting tired in the process. Trying it out in the store doesn't really give me an idea on it's effect on me in the long run.

I wonder how those people working at McDonald's find working with the touch screen terminals the whole day.

Nevertheless, the feedbacks are greatly welcomed.
 
Eidorian said:
Touch works in Windows 7 but your arm will get tired. You end up back at the mouse and keyboard or remote if you get the tuner. HP does include a variety of Touch applications so you won't be spending too long finding what you want. The screen resists fingerprints as well.

If I had the money to spare I would get one for the kitchen.
Click to expand...

I think the Touchsmart is more of a conversational piece. It would be great to have one in the living room on a rotating table so my guests can get entertained by it...hehe...
 
donster28 said:
Thanks guys for your feedback.

I really didn't realize I am missing some negatives to a touch enabled comp., like my arm getting tired in the process. Trying it out in the store doesn't really give me an idea on how it going to affect me in the long run.

I wonder how those people working at McDonald's find working with the touch screen terminals the whole day.

Nevertheless, the feedbacks are greatly welcomed.
Click to expand...
You don't get as tired if you're standing up and the touch display is below you. If it's on a computer desk you can rest your arm on the desk itself. It's just keeping your arms lifted for long periods that tires you out.

If your hands stay about waist high it's not that bad.
 
I don't think touchscreens on a desktop really provide much advantage.
 
Eidorian said:
You don't get as tired if you're standing up and the touch display is below you. If it's on a computer desk you can rest your arm on the desk itself. It's just keeping your arms lifted for long periods that tires you out.

If your hands stay about waist high it's not that bad.
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I agree. :)
 
Along the lines of getting tired... the HP are fun to mess with in the stores but the ones I have been able to play around on were all on a end cap display, more counter height so I was standing up and using it. I think once I put it on a desk and sat down I would rarely bother using the touchscreen at all. Plus, although others say different, the ones I have used in stores had finger prints all over them and looked horrible. Granted that's a ton of people's grubby little hands on em lol but still, las thing I want to do with a nice big desktop diplay is put my finger prints on it.

The HP does look nice and from differnt all-in-one designs, I guess it would be my 2nd choice behind the iMac. Bottom line for me is the OS, not the case it comes in, although Apple does a pretty nice job of that as well.

Good Luck with your choice :)
 
Windows 7 makes the HP the winner IMO... plus it'll probably be built better and last longer...;)
 
bossxii said:
Along the lines of getting tired... the HP are fun to mess with in the stores but the ones I have been able to play around on were all on a end cap display, more counter height so I was standing up and using it. I think once I put it on a desk and sat down I would rarely bother using the touchscreen at all. Plus, although others say different, the ones I have used in stores had finger prints all over them and looked horrible. Granted that's a ton of people's grubby little hands on em lol but still, las thing I want to do with a nice big desktop diplay is put my finger prints on it.

The HP does look nice and from differnt all-in-one designs, I guess it would be my 2nd choice behind the iMac. Bottom line for me is the OS, not the case it comes in, although Apple does a pretty nice job of that as well.

Good Luck with your choice :)
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It's interesting to note that even though the screen is touchable on these computers, we still feel the urge to use the keyboard and mouse.

Thanks for your view. :)
 
if you are prepared to wait for the iMac 27" anyway , why not getting a reconditioned 24ich imac , its also core 2 duo like the hp , you can install windows on it if you wish and sell it in summer and get the imac 27"

but one sec you said you need a quad core for your video stuff
so you need something FAST , get a recon 8core Macpro and get 2 hp 25" displays (both cost less then one cinema display and are not bad monitors)
serious you would be better of and would safe all the waiting if or if not apple sorts out the 27"imac
 
Well, I think that HP do make some great computers.
Actually, they're one of the best PC makers out there. However, they do have a pretty high failure rate. But then again, as of right now, so do iMacs. Personally, I have played around with Windows 7, and I'm not really digging it all that much. I mean, yeah it's cool and all, but I still prefer OS X over Windows.

Also, one thing to consider about those all-in-ones is that the whole touch screen thing will eventually not mean that much to you. I'm not a big fan of touch screen computers in general. I find it to be awesome on phones, like the iPhone, but it's just too much on a computer.

But then again, if it's Windows 7 you like so much, you can put that on your Mac.
But the question you gotta ask yourself is, will you REALLY be using that touch screen a lot? And is it worth sacrificing a faster processor, bigger screen, AppleCare, and being able to work on OS X.

Hope this helped OP :)
 
Touch works in Windows 7 but your arm will get tired.
Click to expand...

This

Windows 7 makes the HP the winner IMO... plus it'll probably be built better and last longer...
Click to expand...

Not this

I think you should go with something that will fit your needs, not just something gimmick.
 
If the OP is still viewing this thread I would like to add one more consideration. You've focused on the issues with the new 27" iMacs. You might want to visit HP forums and see if the latest version of the HP Touchsmart has any issues that need to be ironed out first. Too many people focus only on the issues with Apple's products when considering buying them against another computer but nobody ever mentions the issues with the other computer that's being considered, nothing is perfect, there are issues with everything.
 
Remember that you can install Windows 7 to iMac as well or use an app like Parallels to run OS X and W7 at the same time. iMac has better specs and OS X which HP doesn't
 
and another thing , more and more people who gone through several exchanges got now working ones without issues
so it seems apple is working hard to get good ones out now


always keep the pro's in mind , the Mac's gives you the best of both worlds
osx and windows , and apple care

ok you could argue that apple care cost money , but so do the extended warranties of other manufacturers , but carefully read the smallprint in these extended warranties , its not all that fun , they exclude certain things

but if your harddrive fails (example )within the apple care period you will just get it replaced
that does not always happen with the extended warranties others are offering (i dont know hp's warranty offers and what they include or exclude )

its just a general warning to read the small print as sometimes they just say everything is under warranty , but if you get into a problem they refer to as wear and tear and therefore not covered
 
Touch screens also show your fingerprints. After a lot of use, you have to wip out a cleaning cloth and clean the screen. I think it's messy. Also trying to touch type on a touch screen is very slow, especially if it's on your monitor.
 
Eidorian said:
I've seen quite a few nearly spotless HP Touchsmarts even after hours of touching. I was surprised.
Click to expand...

I agree. We sell Touchsmarts as well and they are quite clean although dozens of people touches them everyday with dirty hands. Fingerprints are almost invisible unless you have greasy hands.
 
OP here...

So sorry for my lateness...been a very busy weekend for me, but I want to thank all who chimed in to help me out in my decision.

I finally decided to wait until the iMac 27" defects are sorted out. I had another chance to play around with the Touchsmart again and although it's a good comp and all, the touch does seem to wear out at some point. And plus I get sweaty hands often and that just makes the whole experience worse.

Windows 7 is really a better Windows experince now and I think it's the best Windows ever. I can always install it on the iMac, which really helped me to decide. I just need to be reminded so thanks for all who mentioned it.

Apple seem to be releasing better iMacs now (from week 53 I recon). And if I see a few more people posting good experiences with their purchases, I might be convinced to get mine within the next couple of weeks or so, so please keep those good reviews coming.

And oh yeah, the tablet is just around the corner to satisfy my "touchy-feely urge". :)
 
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