HP Touchsmart IQ770 Desktop PC

Back in the old days, when technology advanced at a pace that an amateur could keep up with, I had a clear preference for each type of device: desktops and servers were Compaq; printers were HP, portables were Toshiba and Mac's were strange but beautiful objects that wouldn't run any of the software I needed.

I did experiment with other equipment - Compaq portables were not robust enough, HP desktops were chronically slow, other printer brands were slower and less reliable.

How things have changed! HP killed off the Compaq brand unceremoniously, doing away with the website in a matter of weeks and never really getting up to speed on supporting Compaq's huge installed user base. (I never again bought Compaq/HP desktops or servers - unbranded are fine). Mac's now run Windows! Toshiba continues to rule to roost for me in portables though.

So here is a challenge from HP. A media centre PC which looks good enough to challenge the Mac's, has a 320MB disc, 19" touch screen, cordless mouse and keyboard. It's a shame it doesn't seem to be available in Portugal.