HP TouchSmart 320 PC Review and Giveaway

Our house is full of all types of gadgets but only one desktop computer. The kids are getting to the age where they need to use the computer more for homework, not to mention that they would like to use it more for games, so my husband and I recently started discussing purchasing a second desktop. Secretly I think my husband only agreed because he was tired of hearing me say, "I am going to need the computer" every time he sat down to use it.

Because a new computer would be primarily for the kids, we knew for sure that we wanted it in a common area of the house where we could monitor the games they were playing and, more importantly, the sites they were visiting. The only problem is that in our current home there isn't a lot of extra space in those rooms.

We knew we needed an all-in-one type computer, so that we didn't have to carve out space for a tower, and that we would prefer not to have cords hanging all over the place. It was about that time that I was contacted about reviewing the HP TouchSmart 320 with AMD Vision Technology.  After checking out the computer online, we knew it fit all of our requirements and more.

The HP TouchSmart 320 also had a touch display. I wasn't sure it would impress the kids, since they already have handheld devices of one sort or another with touch screens, but I personally I feel that activities that take advantage of a touch screen encourage more creativity and provide a better opportunity for interactive learning.

A few days later when the kids got home from school they were surprised to find a new desktop waiting for them.

Wow, was I wrong at how impressed they would be with the touch screen! I wish I would have caught my three year old daughter on video when she exclaimed, "You can click it with your finger? That is so COOL!"

They have had free range for the past week to explore all of the fun features. They have used the webcam to talk to their dad, who travels for work, experienced games on their favorite sites in a new way, played a little too much Angry Birds, created slideshows with their pictures, and doodled masterpieces on the magic canvas.

On the magic canvas you can draw pictures and write notes right on the desktop of the computer. The kids love using it to create their own backgrounds from their works of art, and I love that I can write notes for them that they can't miss.

The computer is eventually going to make it onto the little island on my side of the kitchen where I stack all the kids' paperwork and the mail. I will be able to help them with homework, monitor their computer time, and even look up a recipe while cooking.

Plus, since it already has a TV tuner, I can hook it up to our cable television service and watch TV on the 20 inch HD display or listen to music with Beats Audio. The video playback is really crisp and smooth with AMD's VISION technology. Now if only it would wash the dishes!

You can check out the HP TouchSmart 320 for yourself, and once you decide that it needs to make its way onto your Christmas list, they are available at HP Direct for $599.99. And if you leave a comment on this post telling me how you think the HP TouchSmart 320 would change your life, you will be entered in a random drawing for a chance to win a new HP TouchSmart of your own, provided by HP.

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries between 11/14/11 and 12/16/11 by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

****Disclaimer****
Each comment posted in response to the prompt garners an automatic entry into a random drawing for a new HP TouchSmart 320 provided by HP. Comments will be pooled from all blogs, as only one TouchSmart will be given away, click here to check out the other reivews. Prize and promotional support provided by HP.


I was given a HP Touchsmart 320 for the purpose of reviewing and sharing my thoughts with you. All opinions are my own.