HP planning "Crossfire" iMac rival

HP is developing an all-in-one PC to coincide with the official release of Windows Vista, documents obtained by Engadget reveal. Nicknamed "Crossfire," the IQ770 is expected to represent both a showcase for Vista's features as well as a direct challenger to Apple's emblematic iMac. The design will be the first widely available touchscreen desktop and will ship with a stylus to let owners draw directly on the adjustable 19-inch widescreen LCD. Vista Home Premium's Media Center software will also be a core focus of the design, using an integrated ATSC tuner for HDTV broadcasts. An integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam will also take advantage of video chat in Windows Live Messenger.

Details and photos of HP-specific features, such as a Dashboard-style interface and the hardware specifications, follow after the jump.

While a demonstration of Microsoft's OS features, the IQ770 will also revolve around proprietary hardware and software, Engadget claims. At its heart will be a touch-activated utility that lets owners view and control widget-like applets for calendars, weather, and other narrowly focused information. HP further plans to ship the computer with PhotoSmart Touch, an image editor that will let users edit images directly onscreen. Proprietary hardware features such as a slot for HP's removable Pocket Media Drives and a dual-layer DVD rewriter with LightScribe disc labeling are also standard.



These features are to be supported by a fast system capable of running Vista smoothly in every aspect, according to HP. The IQ770 will echo Apple's use of mobile processors by depending upon a minimum 1.6GHz Turion 64 X2 dual-core processor and will use a GeForce Go 7600 graphics chipset for accelerating Vista's Aero Glass interface as well as HD video streams. A 320GB hard drive and 2GB of RAM will also appear in the stock model. The connections will be extensive with co-ax inputs for cable TV and FM radio, S-video, and six USB ports with one reserving a Y-cable for supplying power to an HP printer.

The company will officially unveil the IQ770 in January at a price of $1,799, releasing it in time for Vista's January 30th launch.