Windows 7.0 marks an advance for touchscreens

The gesture-driven control interface used by Tom Cruise in Minority Report is still in the development labs, but vendors are finding ways to let us use our fingers to navigate and interact with growing numbers of applications.

Things will improve markedly with the launch of Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system this month.

With touch capabilities designed in from the beginning, the new OS will allow both hardware and software vendors to become more adventurous with the way they use it.

In Windows 7, for example, you will be able to flick between web pages using a single finger or make use of multitouch capabilities to resize photos and windows. You can expect other applications to make use of touch next year.

When you add touch to a home PC, it changes the way you perceive the device. Rather than the traditional box that sits in a home study, it becomes a tech centrepiece.

Photos can be viewed and shared easily, music collections reviewed and electronic notes left for other members of the family.

ExecTech looked at two all-in-one PCs with touchscreen capabilities.

Dell Studio One 19

WITH its curvy plastic case and fabric-trimmed screen, the Studio One is styled to suit the decor of just about any room.

Its tilt-adjustable 18.5in screen makes it comfortable to use while sitting or standing and the all-in-one design and wireless keyboard and mouse remove wire clutter.

Under the hood sits an Intel Core2 Duo processor and between 2GB and 4GB of RAM, depending on your chosen configuration. Dell has also crammed a DVD burner and a 320GB hard drive into the case.

The configuration provides sufficient grunt for pretty well all office and home-based tasks, including demanding activities such as video and photo editing. The Windows Vista-powered review unit was responsive and happily coped with simultaneously playing a DVD, word processing and running multiple web browsers.

Aside from its sleek looks and good performance, one of the biggest selling points of the Studio 19 is an optional multi-touchscreen interface. Once you get used to it, it changes the way you interact with the device.

Vista lacks the integrated touch capabilities built into the forthcoming Windows 7 operating system, but it gives a good indication of how the interface will evolve.

Dell has included a sliding row of icons that allow index-finger access to a variety of applications and functions. You can easily scroll through the options and tap the one you want to open.

Some applications, such as the included games and an onscreen drum kit, are designed specifically for touch. Others are more limited and still require the keyboard for input.

The multitouch feature allows you to do things such as resize photos by pinching or stretching them.

The drawing application also allows you to be creative and, while obviously aimed at children, can also be a fun way to leave onscreen notes for others.

HP TouchSmart IQ545a

HEWLETT-PACKARD has had its TouchSmart PCs on the market for a couple of years now, and the IQ545a is the latest in the range.

On first glance you could be forgiven for thinking the TouchSmart was just a flatscreen television, but hidden within its piano-black casing is a range of features that make it much more useful.

From its styling, it’s clear HP is pitching this as a home rather than corporate machine. Indeed, it’s easy to see it taking pride of place in any lounge or living area.

The PC is built around an Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile processor and has 4GM of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. There’s also a built-in DVD drive and a single digital television tuner.

An included wireless keyboard and mouse work well and there’s a host of ports to connect everything from USB devices and headphones to TV antennas and external displays.

Although the machine runs Windows Vista, HP has opted to overlay it with its own interface designed with a pointed finger in mind. It gives easy access to a range of applications, a photo gallery, music and games, RSS feeds and a help centre.

You can flick through the ribbon of options and make your choice by touching the associated icon. At first this interface feels a little clunky and there is sometimes a noticeable lag, but it quickly becomes a natural way to move around the PC.

A dedicated home button near the bottom right of the screen takes you back to the interface from wherever else you happen to end up. If you don’t like using touch, Vista’s front end is only a click away.

HP has managed to shoehorn some very respectable speakers into the unit. While you’re unlikely to be tempted to throw away your lounge room sound system, it allows the PC to double as a handy music player.

Conclusion

ONCE you use a touchscreen PC for a while, it’s hard to go back to a non-touch model.

The interfaces on both review units left a little to be desired, but they show the potential of the interface to streamline human-machine interaction. Both will benefit from Windows 7 when it ships this month.

The Dell Studio One offers solid performance and good build quality but, mostly thanks to Vista, its touch capabilities come up a little short.

HP’s TouchSmart has everything needed to make it a computing and entertainment centre for the home. Its proprietary interface works well and will allow even those with limited computing knowledge to access and use its many features. It comes out on top in this review.

DELL STUDIO ONE 19

Features: Truly tiny but usable, DLP with BrilliantColor technology, all-in-one cord

Price: $1999

More at: www.dell.com.au

Rating: 7/10

HP TOUCHSMART IQ545A

Features: Slick touch interface, piano black casing, great sound

Price: $2299

More at: www.hp.com.au

Rating: 8/10

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