HP TouchSmart 600-1055 23-Inch Black Desktop PC

I have owned the HP 600-1055 for about a month now. It is full of suprizes. The touch screen is more responsive than I thought and very fun. I find myself using both the mouse and the touch screen equally. I’m not going to give you all the specs, you can look those up yourself but there is one that I need to mention. It comes with a Bluray player. The screen is only 60 hz, so even though the picture is good, the blur you get with fast motion is distracting. Also it’s not for gamers. I tried to run “Bass Pro Shop The Strike” and it did not meet the min. requirments for the game. The fun things are the picture and music touch programs. Live TV was easy to set up. My favorite is using a paint program with the touch screen. It’s advanced finger painting. And depending upon the program, you can do some wonderous things.

Bottom line for me: A fun computer with enjoyable features for media and browsing, but not hard core for gaming or serious movie watching.

Rating: 4 / 5

HP TouchSmart (HP-TS) 600-1055 Pros:

Pleasing design; lots of features (lots of “bang for your buck”) ; fast; powerful graphics setup. Courteous, fairly quick tech help via email and chat sessions. Eco-friendly packaging. Large, bright screen with customizable bottom glow light that glows over the keyboard or platform it sits on. Many helpful ports with just a few missing that would be nice. Nice keyboard and mouse (mouse can be turned off to save battery power)

HP TouchSmart (HP-TS) 600-1055 Cons: Recall the phrase: “All that is gold, does not glitter!”

Big problems with many updates; updates sometimes need manual checking (problem became evident when Help section didn’t work (showed text files instead of intended link destinations) and HP Support Assistant couldn’t connect with HP Advisor and get computer info; the long list of updates/fixes on HP webpage near impossible to determine if your machine has them!); I eventually downloaded (5 )files with slightly different creation dates and version “stamps” although they are all called the same version for HP Support Assistant. Many different errors and “failed” responses. My search showed files from Aug. and possible July and before…but many of the fixes were released in Oct., Nov., Dec. but we bought the machine in Jan. so, in my opinion, it was “rushed out” before proper testing and “bug” fixes.

Spent two weeks of tremendous number of hours to attempt to fix and update properly (unsuccessful; was told incorrect steps by tech). Long waits for phone support. Techs don’t take time or are not allowed time to review details of situation; quick to offer solutions and sometimes wrong information that requires returning machine to “Factory Settings”; I had to do this three times and still did not resolve problems. Techs don’t answer questions (just don’t respond) when they don’t know or are not permitted to respond to like “bugs” with Windows 7 64 bit, HP software, other software. Tech used phrases like ” (a fix will be released) in due course of time” (after my warranty runs out?)

After I told HP I was “giving up, sad, tired, and exhausted” and sending the machine back, they finally said a case manager could be contacted. Tech asking for information that is already in database (email, chat, registration, SN, PN, Model #) if “(I) wanted to `escalate’” problem. Tech said they passed the info. to the appropriate individuals, but no one else contacted me.

Some problems on HT-TS did something thru the wireless connection to my other computers (within minutes of it happening on the HP-TS, the same behavior started on others on network) . I had to uninstall and reinstall programs…no viruses or worms, etc. Mystery to me.. Security software of HP w/Windows did not properly recognize the computer was protected by both a firewall and antivirus software

TouchScreen program doesn’t allow notifications from Internet Security software to show thru so you can reply; you have to minimize TS program to answer so that TS will work. Stray static while playing CD music

Touch screen seems more of a “novelty” (needed to clean screen often) that didn’t often work unless you went out of program to changes settings, access web, etc. (not seamless). Mouse and keyboard still needed for detailed or small items

Must be vigilant of incompatible programs with Windows 7, 64-bit.

Minimum RAM installed for Win 7, 64 bit (as I read), and memory upgrade is really expensive and must replace existing two modules. Cable port is of the old fashioned, difficult-to-attach design…no “easy connect” adaptor. No fire wire port; No HDMI output. The power adapter gives off lots of heat…and that means energy consumption…

Rating: 1 / 5

I love the touch screen but I did have to adjust it because it wasn’t registering right. My biggest problem is in the A/V the audio pops, crackles and generally has static and slow down several times a minute with my mp3. The DVD I played had inappropriate frame slow down also as well as the video problem. I am downloading all the updates from Windows and HP, if that doesn’t work, I may have to send it back as bad from the box.HP TouchSmart 600-1055 23-Inch Black Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium)
Rating: 3 / 5

Ok So I was ready to return it on day 2 LOL So much to figure out and so little time… I have zero patience for tech stuff.I use this puter for my business which is on line requiring pic downloads and lots of copy and paste to web site. Now it is day 5 and I am seriously loving it!Once you figure it out, the time saved doing these tasks is beyond belief! Having all the windows open at once is fantastic.I can copy text into a sticky note , then copy to my web page in seconds. I thought the speed of the puter was much slower than my old Gateway, not so, it turned out to be AOL. I can probably stop paying for AOL( which has recently been a real drag) now that I can open lots of windows at once with Explorer and so much more! I have yet to figure out the TV set up, set up my speakers and woofer wrong evidently as I only get sound with the radio on.Minor adjustment I am sure. I was more interested in getting my biz up and running. I am looking forward to playing with all the other toys, there are many. I have been a Gateway fan for many years. Loved their site and personal touch with phone access especially when purchasing. Now that they did away with all that, I researched All In Ones and this seemed to be the most favored although the Gateway was rated faster.Please beware however, Amazon does not refund full amount on returns! 85%. I saw a HP ALL IN one on QVC today and it was cheaper, 30 day full return, support, 3 yr McAfee, payment plan etc. Today only, check it out!

UPDATE Jan 26 2010. Ok, The HP keyboard and mouse drove me nuts.The mouse was far to sensitive.Like driving a car with too much play in the steering wheel.The keyboard was too small and not a comfortable placement for your wrists. I went back to my beloved wireless Logitech keyboard and mouse and am quite happy
Rating: 5 / 5

I am not disappointed so far with this computer. It was very easy to set up. I think Windows 7 has some kinks to work out and any problems I am experiencing now is due to Windows 7 and not to the computer. It has some very nice features, very few cords. One of the neat features is a light which shines down onto your keyboard. The light has some different power settings and can even be turned off. The touch screen can be helpful but so far I have not found a good way to tap into the upper right corner of the screen to exit out of a program. Have not read all of the instructions yet, so there may be an easy way.
Rating: 5 / 5