Hands-on with HP's new HDX laptops and TouchSmart IQ800

We got a look at HP's latest and greatest, and it's a mixed bag. For starters, we just can't stand HP's consumer laptops (not to be confused with the company's rapidly improving business lineup), and the HDX16 and HDX18 seem to revel in all that's wrong about HP's consumer approach -- no matter how many million units they move. The glossy trackpad is difficult to use, the overly-glossy screen is bad enough in press shots, and a downright pain in real life, and the glossy, chrome-ish exterior is gaudy and over the top -- did we mention glossy? It's one of those love-it-or-leave-it affairs, and we really could leave it. The new, larger TouchSmart IQ800 (pictured) has a lot more going for it, and the hardware is quite elegant, but it seems to share many of the problems its touchphone brethren face: the software isn't quite there, and therefore almost might as well not be there at all. Everything seems half-baked, and not ready for full-time use. The display felt a little "dull" to the touch, with a somewhat laggy response, web browsing is difficult and pointless, and the music app puts manual labor back into playlist creation. It's a decent "home screen" for a living room PC, there are some neat, beautiful gimmicks that would be fun to show off to house guests, and all the elements are in place for a really great touchable desktop experience -- we really do want to love this thing -- but HP needs to devote a little more cash and QA time to this side project to get it over the "hump."

Gallery: Hands-on with HP's new HDX laptops and TouchSmart IQ800

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[Elijah @ Sep 16th 2008 12:09AM]

At least HP's trying to push the computer industry forward. Gotta give them props for attempting to change the game.

And gloss? Get ready for the next line of Apple notebooks. They like their glossy displays.

[Flashpoint @ Sep 16th 2008 12:19AM]

APPLE should have been the first to do this. I give HP props for beating them to the punch.

The only thing missing now is a good HP touchscreen DAP and a touchscreen phone....hmmmmmmmmmm

I think its time for the "Jornada Touch"

[GON @ Sep 16th 2008 12:22AM]

Any reason why Apple should have been the first?

[fred @ Sep 16th 2008 12:27AM]

Any reason why Apple should have been the first?"

So that Engadget wouldnt have pretend to be pissed off when Apple's touchscreen computer would have been exactly like this one.

[Heshmati4 @ Sep 16th 2008 12:32AM]

It doesn't matter who does it first, it's who does it RIGHT....

[boss-hogg @ Sep 16th 2008 1:06AM]

finally someone understands! about damn time

[Liam @ Sep 16th 2008 4:41AM]

I bet apple have not cut 24,600 jobs this morning. x

[Keff @ Sep 18th 2008 1:13PM]

Yeah, HP laptops really reflect latest improvements in computing... provided that latest Vaio Z-series stand on the other side of well lit room :).

[Conor Kirkpatrick @ Sep 16th 2008 1:24AM]

wow, a lot of hp stuff, you hp fanboys lol

[Stephen @ Sep 16th 2008 12:13AM]

HP SPAM!!!!!!!!

[Adam @ Sep 16th 2008 12:13AM]

Why does all the companies use gloss?

We need to move away from that ASAP.

[maveric101 @ Sep 16th 2008 12:24AM]

better colors, deeper blacks, and better saturation, they are sharper, and they are more readable in bright conditions (as long as there is no glare). and possibly better viewing angles?

but in general i agree. i like matte displays, but both have their advantages. i just wish manufacturers would give consumers the choice.

[Josh @ Sep 20th 2008 12:19AM]

Because contrary to what some online say, CUSTOMERS actually like it.
When you compare a matte screen to a glossy screen, the glossy screen looks better, has better definition, and looks more stylish.

How do I know this? Because I work with those customers.

[GON @ Sep 16th 2008 12:13AM]

Excellent. hp has become the new HTC. This is what you gotta love about the Windows family: If you don't like something, change it, and that's what hp and HTC to name a few, have been doing for a while. It's great seeing a manufactorer's take on an OS.

[Aarondeep @ Sep 16th 2008 12:19AM]

This totally looks like the HTC. TouchFlow UI on the diamond.

[Fernando @ Sep 16th 2008 8:30AM]

Oh yeah lets bloat this thing with more crap that will make it slower and more unresponsive that's the key to selling great PC's and devices.

[collegekid13 @ Sep 16th 2008 12:19AM]

i must say the gloss and carbon fiberesq look of the hp consumer lines is good . . .. until you use it for more than a minute.

mines impossible to clean, even with the supplied cleaning cloth

[Caleb @ Sep 16th 2008 1:09PM]

I have one to and that is one complaint I do have. Keeping it clean and the glare. Other then that it's nice fast machine even with the touch interface.

[maveric101 @ Sep 16th 2008 12:20AM]

i actually don't find my glossy trackpad to be that bad. it's no worse than using my iphone.

[Flashpoint @ Sep 16th 2008 12:21AM]

I'm typing this on a dv6835nr

The only problem I have with the glossy trackpad is that its hard to keep clean.

[Josh @ Sep 20th 2008 12:20AM]

Why would anyone really care if the trackpad had fingerprints? IT'S A TRACK PAD!

[chickenator @ Sep 16th 2008 12:25AM]

*yawn*

[italiansm0ke @ Sep 16th 2008 12:30AM]

I like that keyboard underneath that picture of the TouchSmart IQ800. Can't really see the whole thing in that pic, but I'm in the market for a sturdy, thin, quality keyboard.

[nak @ Sep 16th 2008 12:54AM]

Is this thing on a bar counter?

[Mobius_1 @ Sep 16th 2008 1:41AM]

OMG Even the clock is saying Cupertino, you damn Apple fanboys!

(Yes I know HP is also at Cupertino, just a joke)

[a redneck local @ Sep 16th 2008 1:45AM]

really cupertino? i thought HP was in sunnyvale? Then again, wolf is probably on the edge of sunnyvale and cupertino. Sorry, I just saw cupertino in the picture.

[loosely_coupled @ Sep 16th 2008 2:15AM]

Oh look --- HP is the new HTC.

Step 1) Start with a Windows operating system.
Step 2) Attempt to hide operating systems software deficiencies by creating a gaudy, half-baked and barely responsive interface overlay, forgetting of course that the fundamental goal of a user interface is simplicity, usability and intuitiveness -- not just aesthetically pleasing graphics.

This is what these companies aren't understanding. The appeal of the iPhone (and OSX for that matter) lies in Apple's focus on software usability, simplicity, and intuitiveness --- NOT just the eye-candy on top. Without the fundamentals in place, all the nice graphics and slick animation in the world won't help (read: TouchFlo).

I sure hope RIM has spent a lot of effort on the Thunder/Storm's touchscreen interface. I really want them to be able to compete with the iPhone, which will in turn force Apple's hand a bit.

[Andrea @ Sep 16th 2008 3:43AM]

Ditto.

[RE: @ Sep 16th 2008 5:02AM]

Oh look, what a surprise, criticism from someone who has NEVER USED IT. I like TouchFlo, i'm guessing you've never used that either. Not that i actually give a toss whether you like it or not, just had to get that out, it's like therapy.

[Ken @ Sep 16th 2008 9:07AM]

yeah I wouldn't be calling the iPhone "responsive". They're just as bloated as anything else and yes it does show.

[Caleb @ Sep 16th 2008 1:13PM]

Try using one. The interface is not slow in the slightest. Very fast responce and very smothe durring daily use. I use mine both for games (great for stratagy games) and for Photoshop and it's quite fast.

[Josh @ Sep 20th 2008 12:23AM]

And how many problems is Apple having with the Iphone now? And will they ever get MobileMe to work? Doubt it. Seems few ever bring that fact up. MobileMe is the supreme example that even the great second coming Apple can screw things up.

[Zoltan Baly @ Sep 16th 2008 3:04AM]

- Amen.

[lars @ Sep 16th 2008 5:57AM]

Guys, hire a new photographer.

[Silvio @ Sep 20th 2008 10:20AM]

Yes. Please do!

[Jonyah @ Sep 16th 2008 9:26AM]

This machines are crap. I bought one for my wife. They have 4gb of ram because they need every bit of it. There is so much crap installed. Even after removing all the crap, if you want to run the touchsmart software it consumes a minimum of 2 gb of ram, taking your total minimum usage to 3 gb. You can wipe it and install a new OS or clean version of Vista, but HP won't give you the touchsmart software to install on it. I spend a day on the phone with HP arguing with them before returning the oversized laptop.

[happy_penguin @ Sep 16th 2008 10:39AM]

How could the Touchsmart not be included with the restore disc? Is the restore image on the hard drive? I hate that shit! I also hate crapware. On my old Toshiba notebooks I had the option to install OS only and then I could go back and install anything from the original configuration I wanted. I haven't bought a PC in years because I build my own so I don't know what they're doing these days.

[Molly C @ Sep 16th 2008 11:35PM]

There's a simple way to fix the "flaws" engadget cites for the Touchsmart. Simply apply an Apple decal, and all the flaws will vanish (or, at least not be noticeable by engadget staff).

[davy @ Sep 17th 2008 2:27PM]

Fortunately, I didn't experience most of the issues the Engadget did on a unit I demo'd recently.

First off, the appearance. It's nice. Really nice. The touchscreen interface software is wonderful to work with and is very iphone'esque. While it's not as smooth as the iPhone, it's a good 2nd place in regards to elegant touchscreen interfaces. I'm loving it.

The tile system. It's awesome There's a couple stacks of tiles from what I remember which represent your desktop icons, music, photo's etc and is executed really well. Simply press or drag where and what you want it...extremely easy to use.

The screen, from what the rep told me, isn't touch based. Instead, there are lasers that follow the movement of your finger around the inner panel of the lcd display. It works nicely. Yes, there were a couple 1/2 second delays here and there, but nothing that ruined the experience. Screen feels nice and smooth to the touch. If I didn't know about the lasers, I would have assumed it was a touchscreen...cant really tell the difference.

To be honest, I wasnt expecting much at all other than something than pretty and glossy, but now I'm actually considering buying one to put in the kitchen as a media console because of what it offers.

Here's why I like it and what I plan on using it for:

-watch hdtv while eating at the table...yes, it has an hdtv tuner and tv recorder
-listen to music while cooking - it has great sounding speakers...I wonder how they did that. Also, it can play your itunes music from the hp touch music interface....awesomeness.
-no keyboard! It's ALL touch based
-me and my gf always jot down what we need to buy from the store and stick it on the fridge...theres an app included that is a sticky note and you can jot down what you need with your finger...pretty sweet. Especially since my gf doesnt want to stick anything on our new stainless fridge..she's a neat freak
-wireless, obviously

s
Well, I'm pretty excited about it. I really didn't expect anything much at all but Microsoft really put more thought into the touchsmart software, cleaned it up and made it simple to use. It's really that good...

For those of you considering it, try it out at your local Fry's or Best Buy...you may change your mind.

[Kai @ Sep 18th 2008 5:35AM]

You know, about the lasers thing, I just thought that this would make the screen capable of being waterproofed. Now HP should just make the exterior "splashproof" so that, if we place it in the kitchen, we can wipe it if it gets dirty, oily, etc.

[Cassini @ Sep 17th 2008 9:44PM]

A couple computers aside, why would Engadget not like what HP's doing with their consumer laptops overall? I may not love a ton of surface gloss, but that aside, HP's laptops are good - they're solid, fast, nice looking, feature rich, and reasonably priced (as opposed to the unreasonable pricing of those glossy "boutique computers" you get from Alienware for $5000). So what's the problem?

[John @ Sep 18th 2008 6:59PM]

I lomy shiny-glossy HDX9494nr.. 20.1 inches of awesome "laptop".. tho, I admit, it is a bit on the super-heavy side..

[John @ Sep 18th 2008 7:01PM]

obviously I cant spell tho.. :(

[Mahapralaya @ Sep 22nd 2008 12:05AM]

They STILL omit the HDMI-In on the Touchsmart, sweet jebus get with it HP. At least Sony picked up the slack with their latest all-in-one revision, but style-wise the touchsmart has them beat.