HP touchscreen notebook due by year's end
updated 10:05 am EDT, Thu October 16, 2008
HP Touch Notebook Due Soon
HP's promised touchscreen notebooks could be available by the end of this year, say sources of the Wall Street Journal. Similar to the company's recent TouchSmart desktops, at least one unnamed portable will come with HP software specifically made to use a touchscreen interface. The system will join what HP hopes will be a whole family of touchscreen devices, the newspaper says.
HP is unwilling to comment on the notebook but does acknowledge that it plans to significantly expand its range of touch devices.
The touchscreen computer is nonetheless expected to be marketed much more strongly than the tx2000-series convertible tablets and will be considered important for spurring sales amidst a poor US economy and heightened competition in notebooks, where the similarity in features has forced many to try and offer distinct features. An HP touch notebook would arrive just as Apple's new MacBooks gain extensive multi-touch features but continue to use normal displays.
Additionally, the news outlet corroborates previous leaks, including plans for a 10-inch Mini-Note by the end of the year as well as a launch for the Oak Windows Mobile smartphone by the end of the year in Europe. The QWERTY slider is also expected on an American carrier, likely AT&T, within a year's time.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Problem with touch screen
There is one major problem with touch screens that has yet to be resolved. Fingerprints. I always hate when people stick their fingers on my screen and a big ole smudge mark is there. I have a small hammer on my desk, and when someone asks, I tell them that I use it to smash fingers that touch my screen.
The iPhone is small enough that you can rub the prints off by rubbing it on your leg. Get to big screens and it's not so easy.