Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Cloud
  • 5G
  • Big Data
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Cloud
  • 5G
  • Big Data
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
Hardware

Close Up: HP Touchsmart PC IQ770

By mateoconner@gmail January 23, 2007, 1:55 AM PST

Image
1
of 8

Close Up: HP Touchsmart PC IQ770

Zooming in on TouchSmart PC IQ770

Zooming in on TouchSmart PC IQ770

HP’s Touchsmart system (see blog) has such a unique profile that it made us think of the distinctive look of the old AMC Gremlin (or maybe the boxier looking Saabs) and how that stood out in an odd sort of way amongst cars. The system would look just as slick in a lobby or a conference room (as sort of a kiosk device) as it would in a kitchen. Note that the front of the system is not black and silver as it looks in this photo. It is actually all black and that silver part is simply a reflection of light. At 1440×900, the 16:10 aspect ratio display’s resolution is well equipped to support the system’s various multimedia features (described in subsequent images).

Close Up: HP Touchsmart PC IQ770

Camera and Stereo Microphones

Camera and Stereo Microphones

The HP TouchSmart has HP’s 1.3 megapixel Web cam built into it (handy for video conferencing over VoIP connections). The camera is surrounded by a stereo microphone setup.

Close Up: HP Touchsmart PC IQ770

Connectivity Center Door

Connectivity Center Door

On the right side of the front panel of the HP TouchSmart system is a door to its “Connectivity Center.” Behind it are inputs for S-video, left/right audio, two USB ports, and one FireWire (1394) port. This particular FireWire port is a four-pin port which means it’s incapble of providing power to a FireWire device (like the 6-pin 1394 ports). If you need a 6-pin port, there’s one on the back of the IQ770. There’s also another set of S-Video L/R audio inputs on the left side of the IQ770. Also on the back of the system are four more USB ports.

Close Up: HP Touchsmart PC IQ770

DVD Slot and Controls

DVD Slot and Controls

Because of its touch sensitive display, you might think the TouchSmart isn’t a multimedia workhorse. But it is. Shown here is the slot for HP’s SuperMulti CD/DVD drive which, for burning, supports pretty much every conceivable CD and DVD burning format. Sadly, neither of the prevailing Hi-Definition formats (HD-DVD or Blu-Ray, the latter of which HP supports in its recently-released home media server) are supported for burning or playback. So, even though the display is HD capable, the only HD source for the IQ770 is the ATSC (HDTV) tuner. This, in our estimation, is an oversight in system design.

Below the slot are hardware based controls so that you can play, stop, fast foward, rewind, or eject the media (something that not every system has). The DVD drive also supports HP’s proprietary LightScribe technology which allows you to flip the media over, and inscribe something meaningful onto it (for example, something about its contents).

Close Up: HP Touchsmart PC IQ770

Slide-out Keyboard

Slide-out Keyboard

The idea behind the TouchSmart is that you should be able to do a lot of what you might normally do with a keyboard through the touchscreen. But for those times when you need the keyboard, it slides out from under the system unit. Both the keyboard and mouse are wireless (Bluetooth-based) which means you can work from a distance (what might happen in a conference room if you let someone else across the conference table “drive”). When you’re done, the keyboard can then be neatly tucked away under the system as show here.

One shortcoming of the keyboard is that it doesn’t have a built-in pointing device. So, if you’re sitting with the keyboard in your lap and you need to move the mouse, you’ll either need to cozy up to a flat surface (where the system’s mouse is hopefully sitting) or you can grab the remote control that comes with the system (We don’t have a photo of it, but the remote is pretty cool… it’s designed to work with Windows).

Close Up: HP Touchsmart PC IQ770

Audio and Video Outputs (NTSC ATSC)

Audio and Video Outputs (NTSC ATSC)

On the left side of the HP TouchSmart system towards the back are some more multimedia ins and outs. The TouchSmart has a built-in TV Tuner that’s compatible with NTSC and ATSC (Hi-Def) video. Not only can you watch TV on the IQ770, the SmartCenter software that HP bundles with the unit turns the system into a Personal Video Recorder).

Unfortunately, the tuner is not CableCard-compatible. CableCard is a specification that most cable operators are migrating to. Once your local cable provider makes that switch, the IQ770’s tuner will cease to work with your cable connection. rnrnNot shown from this angle (or not as easily visible) are additional S-Video and left/right audio inputs (a set of these is also hidden behind the “Connectivty Center” door on the front of the system). Where as one coax connector is for the NTSC/ATSC connection, the other is an antenna connection for the system’s FM tuner (an option that’s only available in the US).

Quite honestly, we wish these ports were on the back. Who wants a gawky looking fat black cable hanging off the side of a system that, with its tuck-away keyboard and nicely hidden ports (on the front) is clearly designed with somewhat of a Zen philosophy in mind.

Close Up: HP Touchsmart PC IQ770

CF and SD Slots

CF and SD Slots

The TouchSmart is a jack of all memory types. On the front of the system are two slots that will take a wide variety of removable memory cards. The CF slot on the left supports Compact Flash I & I as well as IBM’s Microdrive technology. The Secure Digital slot on the right supports SD, Multimedia Card (MMC), Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro. The idea here is that no matter what memory card is coming out of that still or video camera, it’ll plug right into the HP TouchSmart.

Close Up: HP Touchsmart PC IQ770

Printer Paper Slot

Printer Paper Slot

At first we thought the open air slot was included so that you could slide a magazine or some mail underneath the monitor (to help declutter the area where-ever the TouchSmart sits). But then, we found out the HP TouchSmart is designed specifically to work with an HP A617 PhotoPrinter that you’d sit on the system unit, behind the display. When the two are used together like that, the photos you print are spit out the front, through this open air slot. HP’s engineers were clearly thinking ahead when they provided a power port on the back of the IQ770 to which the PhotoPrinter can be directly connected.

  • Hardware
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Close Up: HP Touchsmart PC IQ770

    Your email has been sent

Share: Close Up: HP Touchsmart PC IQ770
Image of mateoconner@gmail
By mateoconner@gmail
  • Account Information

    Contact mateoconner@gmail

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of mateoconner@gmail's content

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Diversity and inclusion policy

    The importance of diversity and inclusion in any given organization cannot be overstated. It establishes a level playing field, brings together people with different backgrounds, perspectives, traditions and ideas and enriches company culture by ensuring fairness and tolerance. This helps build a more effective and collaborative workforce which enables the business to run in a ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 5, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 6, 2023, 9:27 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Development lifecycle policy

    Software development is a complex process that involves a specific series of steps (known as the development lifecycle) to transform a concept into a deliverable product. The steps involved with creating the finished product must be carefully adhered to yield the best results, reduce inefficiencies and maximize customer satisfaction. The purpose of this policy from ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 5, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 6, 2023, 9:15 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Checklist: Network and systems security

    Cybersecurity demands and the stakes of failing to properly secure systems and networks are high. While every organization’s specific security needs form a unique and complex blend of interconnected requirements, numerous security fundamentals almost always apply to each of these groups. It stands to reason that cybersecurity pros who effectively identify network and systems risks ...

    Published:  June 1, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 2, 2023, 7:48 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    How to host multiple websites on Linux with Apache

    In this guide from TechRepublic Premium we’re going to explore the various things you can do with a Linux server. We won’t leave out any steps, so you won’t have to refer to another tutorial to complete the process. The only step we will leave out is the installation of Linux, as we’ll assume you ...

    Downloads
    Published:  May 31, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 1, 2023, 7:45 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice