HP intros 'lay it flat' all-in-one touchscreen PC
Rather like Apple 2009 patent application...
HP has revamped its touchscreen all-in-one desktop PCs with the ability to lay them almost flat, tablet style.
The new TouchSmart 610, announced today but not set to ship until later this week, is built around a 23in, 1920 x 1080 display. Usually mounted up right, monitor fashion, the new TouchSmart can also "recline from upright to almost flat".
The reason? To give users "increased comfort for longer-term use".
In short, HP seems to have realised, as Apple's Steve Jobs and other touchscreen PC sceptics - many of them Reg Hardware readers - have pointed out in the past, that upright touchscreens quickly become tiring if you use them for more than the occasional tap and swipe.
What HP's TouchSmart 610 does
Indeed, Apple has attempted to patent the idea of a touchscreen computer that can be set to face upward rather than forward, the better for usage over long periods.
Apple applied for the patent in July 2009.
HP, meanwhile, said the TouchSmart 610 will feature Intel's second-gen Core i processors, up to 16GB of memory and can be spec'd up with a 160GB SSD if you wish.
The TouchSmart 610 is expected to become available in April at a starting price of £999. ®
COMMENTS
Apple has attempted to patent the idea ...
Apart from the fact that Jobs sticks his name on anything Apple patents screens supplied to certain industries, including the airlines, have had this ability for positioning built-in for years. Adjustable, yet!
Of course, since Jobs only flies corporate jets he wouldn't recognise a check-in counter if he saw one.
The U.S. Patent office ... a standing joke.
When is soemone...
...going to stop the US patent office from publishing these stupid, stupid patents?
disgusting
It’s disgusting to the point of offensive that anyone could consider a patent application for a computer monitor that is used flat...
What if i make a computer desk, with a built in pc, a touch screen monitor that is flat into the desktop. Do i have to pay apple for the pleasure?
Fair enough, patent the stand that you can use to switch the display from one position to another,,, so long as it is truly unique and innovative...
Ahhh, patents....
Stifling innovation for every man!!! (or woman)
"Increased comfort"?
What. by making the user hunch over even more than they would using a conventional PC? By making the angle of the screen such that ceiling lighting reflects off it better? By taking up more room on the desktop, so making the keyboard harder to get to and use?
