HP Middle East said pricing for the new HP TouchSmart IQ500, with a super-slim touchscreen is expected to start around Dh7599 ($2,068).

The IQ 500 heralds a new generation of all-in-one PCs that changes the way people interact with their computers by making digital entertainment a truly compelling, hands-on experience.

Powered by HP-developed software designed specifically for touch, the IQ 500 recognises the movements of a finger as it sweeps across the touchscreen, giving users quick access to information, entertainment and social networks.

Without a keyboard or mouse, consumers can play their favourite music, easily move songs around to create new playlists, drag corners of a photo to zoom in, and quickly check the weather or watch TV.
 
The PC is designed to resemble the lines of a messenger bag and fits anywhere in the home, whether in the living room to entertain friends or in the kitchen as a family hub.

Its simple, yet sleek, design adds style and elegance wherever it is placed.

"The HP TouchSmart PC is all about reinventing the personal computer experience," said Alisa Matuskina, consumer desktops category manager, PSG, HP Middle East.

"We're changing personal computing from just feeds and speeds to an experience based on a customer's needs and influenced by consumer trends and design."

HP TouchSmart software brings a new level of fun interaction with photos, videos and music by making it easier for users to fully enjoy their media.

For example, the TouchSmart music application allows consumers to smoothly browse their music collection by album art.

With the TouchSmart photo application, users can crop, edit and share photos as well as upload them to HP's Snapfish online service directly from within the application.

Consumers can also watch and record their favourite TV shows, burn personal videos with the built-in DVD burner, upload videos they create directly to YouTube, and enjoy high-quality sound with the integrated premium stereo speakers.

The built-in webcam and microphone let users easily keep in touch with friends and family anywhere they have Internet access through video chat and conference.

"The introduction of a touch computer with such a strong focus on digital entertainment opens the door to an entirely new way for consumers to engage with their content," said Stephen Baker, vice president, industry analysis, The NPD Group.

"HP TouchSmart PCs will allow people to interact with their photos, videos, music and games in unique ways, plus it does everything that you'd expect from a traditional PC."
 
Requiring only one power cord to set up, the HP TouchSmart IQ500 PC combines a 22-inch diagonal high-definition widescreen display with a powerful, energy-efficient Intel Core 2 Duo processor in a single, integrated design.

The sleek, piano-black finish with elegant espresso side-panel highlights makes the TouchSmart PC an attractive addition to any room in the home.
 
The low-profile wireless keyboard and integrated WLAN offer a truly wireless experience, and the adjustable screen tilts up and down for maximum comfort.

The HP Ambient Light lets consumers set a mood and see the keyboard in the dark.
 
In addition, the HP TouchSmart IQ500 PC is Energy Star qualified and comes in new packaging that greatly reduces plastic foam cushioning materials.

Other features include 4 gigabytes of memory, a media card reader and a large-capacity high-speed hard drive.
 
HP said the TouchSmart IQ500 PC is a culmination of 25 years of HP touch technology design and development, which was first brought to the market in 1983 with the introduction of the HP 150 PC, a touchscreen computer that was well ahead of its time.

More recently, the successful launch of the HP TouchSmart IQ700 in the UK ushered in an exciting revolution in consumer<