Product Description
The next generation, touch-enabled PC combines a 22 inch diagonal
hi-def widescreen with a powerful energy efficient Intel Core 2 Duo
processor in a single, integrated design. Includes HP TouchSmart
software, webcam, media card reader, and premium speakers for fast,
easy access to photos, videos, music and applications. The IQ526 ships
with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition with Service
Pack, 2.20GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6600 with 2MB L2 Cache,
NVIDIA GeForce 9300 M GS HD graphics module with 256MB dedicated video
memory and support for Blu-ray, and Microsoft DirectX 10, 4GB PC2-6400
DDR2 SDRAM memory (2x2048 for ultimate performance), 640GB 7200RPM
Serial ATA hard drive, TV Tuner: Dual-format NTSC or over-the-air ATSC
high-definition TV tuner, and Wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n) with built-in
WLAN antenna. Dimensions: 26.18 (W) x 4.33 (L/D) x 19.45 (H) approx.,
35.82 lbs.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #190 in Personal Computers
- Brand: Hewlett-Packard
- Model: IQ526
- Dimensions: 19.45" h x
26.18" w x
4.33" l,
36.60 pounds
Features
- All-in-one multimedia PC with integrated 22-inch touchscreen for living room or kitchen
- 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 processor, 640 GB hard drive, 4 GB RAM (max), dual-layer DVD-R drive
- Draft-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth, Gigabit Ethernet; Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS graphics (up to 2010 MB available memory)
- Connectivity: 5 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 ExpressCard, 5-in-1 memory card reader, SPDIF digital audio output
- Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit version); includes wireless keyboard and optical mouse
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Product Description
Redesigned with a next-generation, touch-enabled 22-inch
high-definition LCD screen, the HP TouchSmart IQ526 all-in-one desktop
PC is designed to fit wherever life happens: in the kitchen, family
room, or living room. With one touch you can check the weather,
download your e-mail, or watch your favorite TV show. It's also
designed to maximize energy, with a power-saving Intel Core 2 Duo
processor and advanced power management technology, as well as material
efficiency--right down to the packaging. It has a sleek piano black
design with elegant espresso side-panel highlights, and the HP Ambient
Light lets you set a mood--or see your keyboard in the dark.
The
next-generation, touch-enabled PC combines a 22-inch high-def screen
with a powerful, energy efficient Intel Core 2 Duo processor in a
single, sleek integrated design. |
The TouchSmart IQ526 comes with a bevy of special software features to
make your computing life a breeze, including TouchSmart Video and Photo
for quickly sharing your snapshots and videos to the web, TouchSmart
Calendar for helping your family manage its busy, overlapping schedule,
and TouchSmart Notes for both text and voice notes right at your
fingertips. And it comes with a wireless keyboard and wireless optical
mouse to help you keep clutter to a minimum. It's powered by
the 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 processor, which boosts speed,
reduces power requirements, and saves on battery life. It also offers a
fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed and 2 MB L2 cache It has a built-in
webcam and microphone for video chats with family and friends, and it
includes integrated stereo speakers that produce crisp, clear audio
from DVD movies and downloaded video purchases. Other features include
a 500 GB hard drive, 4 GB of RAM (8 GB maximum), a dual-layer DVD±RW
drive, the latest in Wi-Fi networking (802.11n as well as backward
compatibility with 802.11b/g), Bluetooth wireless technology, Gigabit
Ethernet, and an Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS graphics with up to 2010 MB of
total available memory.
The pre-installed 64-bit version of
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (Service Pack 1) includes all of
the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an
all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing
your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able
to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also
integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes
new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you
of impending hardware failures.
HP and the Environment
HP is committed to providing products that are designed with the
environment in mind, and all HP TouchSmart IQ 500 series PCs have
earned Energy Star and EPEAT Silver designations. They also use HP
power management technology can reduce PC energy use up to 45 percent,
and their chassis design uses 55 percent less metal and 37 percent less
plastic than standard PCs and monitors. To top it off, the new
packaging design greatly reduces plastic foam cushioning materials.
The Basics
- Processor:
The Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 processor has a 2.2 GHz processor speed,
fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or
secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can
help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between
the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better
overall performance.) With two computational execution cores in a
single processor, it provides greater system response when running
multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase
in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to
support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can
simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as
graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business
productivity applications--while downloading music or running
virus-scanning security programs in the background. Some of the
advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:
- Smart
Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency,
thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide
data to the processor when and where it is needed.
- Advanced
Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for
instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
- Dynamic
Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and
idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per
core to help save power.
- Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache
Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during
periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.
 |
Spec Check
- 22-inch LCD screen
- 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 processor
- 640 GB hard drive
- 4 GB RAM (8 GB maximum)
- Dual-layer DVD±R drive
- Draft-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) and Bluetooth
- Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS graphics (up to 2010 MB)
- Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)
|
 |
|
- Hard Drive:
The 640 GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 RPM) provides more than enough
space for storing all your photos and home movies, your digital audio
library, and downloaded movies and TV shows. This SATA hard drive also
quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to
Firewire and USB 2.0.
- Memory: The 4 GB of
installed RAM (PC6400, 2 x 2 GB) helps boost the amount of available
video RAM that's shared with this desktop's video card. It also offers
a fast 800 MHz speed and an amazing 8 GB maximum RAM capacity (4 x 2
GB). To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel
DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and
clockspeed.
- DVD/CD Drive: This multiformat
DVD/CD drive is compatible with writing both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats
as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB
of data. It features 6x DVD±R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 8x
DVD-R, 6x DVD-RW, 16x DVD-ROM, 24x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM
speeds.
- Keyboard & Mouse: This TouchSmart PC comes with an HP low-profile Wireless Keyboard with numeric keypad as well as an HP Wireless laser mouse.
The low-profile wireless keyboard stows away when not in use, freeing up valuable desk space. |
Screen, Video & Audio
The touch-enabled 22-inch widescreen BrightView LCD offers height/tilt
adjustment for optimal viewing. It offers a native resolution of 1440 x
900 pixels. Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS
graphics/video card, which provides 256 MB of dedicated video RAM and
offers up to 2010 MB of total available graphics memory as allocated by
Windows Vista. Enabled by PureVideo HD, movies come to life with
outstanding picture clarity, ultra-smooth video and vivid color. The
lifelike images have up to six times the detail of standard DVD movies.
Delivering state-of-the-art graphics performance, GeForce 9300M GS
graphics card is sure to give you the power and performance you crave
to play the hottest DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 titles. Its 16x
full-screen antialiasing technology delivers superior quality along
with astounding performance and since it's optimized for Windows Vista.
The integrated audio card is configurable to 6-speaker surround sound,
and it can provide two-channel audio via its integrated 4W speakers.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the
integrated tri-mode Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi
specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the
wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward
compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in older home
routers). You'll enjoy wireless connectivity to a wide range of
peripherals with the built-in Bluetooth. This TouchSmart PC also offers
ultra-fast Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000). It comes with the following
external connectors:
- 5 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (2 front, 3 rear)
- 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
- 2 headphone jack (front
- 1 line-in and 1 line-out jack (back)
- 1 IR receiver
- 10/100/1000 Ethernet
- 5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)
Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit version) is the operating system for
users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows
Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home
entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital
audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and
watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of
online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home
Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you
to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier
than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to
manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via
Wi-Fi.
Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential
tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the
Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All
editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of
impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important
personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control
features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of
games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.
Preloaded Software
- HP
MediaSmart Software Suite: Your one-stop multimedia and entertainment
center to create photo slideshows, share personal videos, listen to
your favorite music playlists and watch DVD movies.
- muvee Reveal Premium: Automatically create professional looking home videos and burn to DVD.
- Cyberlink DVD Suite: Automatically fix and edit videos and create CDs and DVDs. Edit, burn and archive data to discs.
- Microsoft Works 9: Includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database and calendar.
- Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 (60-day trial version).
- Adobe Reader 8: Read and print PDF files.
- Norton
Internet Security 2009 protects your PC and your identity when you
email, bank and shop online; 60 days of protection updates included.
Dimensions & Weight
This desktop measures 21 x 17.4 x 2.6 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 24 pounds.
What's in the Box
This package contains the HP TouchSmart IQ526 desktop PC, wireless
keyboard, wireless mouse, and power cord. Every HP TouchSmart PC comes
with special HP Total Care, which includes 24/7 service and support for
the first year via HP's North America call center and dedicated
toll-free telephone support in English and Spanish in the United
States.
Customer Reviews
touchsmart 
I would like first to commend Amazon for great customer service.
The computer itself is a great computer. I enjoy especially the touch
screen.
However, the windows vista 64 bit is a bit inconvenient with the fact that their is several softwares it is uncompatible with.
Lemon?
I realize once in a blue moon, a lemon comes off the line. Perhaps
this is one of the Lemons of the 524 series. I've had nothing but
problems with it. 1st...it will not eject the disk loaded...unless I
remove the back panel (something HP Tech told me to do the night I
brought it home...a brand new machine and I'm taking it apart already!)
It will NOT burn CDs...perhaps one if 5 is playable again...the other
four are junk.
And although HP on line has been of some help, I'm returning this for the first time....and I hope the last time.
This cost nearly $1300....and I believe right now I could have found a much better machine for much less cost.
so far, so good
This computer is working well. I was skeptical about buying it,
since my laptop was not even a year old, but I'm glad I made the
change. It's very fast - almost instant on. The Touchsmart feature is
not too practical. The 22" screen is more comfortable several feet
away. Can't reach the screen, so I optimized it for the mouse. I did
look at the Touchsmart software and found it of little interest. The
large screen is very practical for my needs, though. I have plenty of
table space right in front of me, rather than filling it with computer.
The cordless keyboard works very well. Lot of times the cordless
equipment doesn't keep up with my typing. Love the larger delete key.
The mouse is a bit stiff, but it operates mouse-intensive games fine.
All my software and wireless printer set up easily, as did internet
connections. The little cover on the ports is a bit difficult to remove
and replace. The shiny finish is quite a dust enhancer. Somewhere the
black frame got scratched at the bottom of the screen right in the
middle.
I like the HP Pocket Media plug-in backup drives. The HP website
shows the drive as an accessory to the 500 series Touchsmart. I phoned
their sales people twice to ask about drive capacity and where the
drive was inserted into this unit, and both confirmed the PC had a slot
in the top, so I ordered the 500gb drive from HP at the same time I
ordered the PC from Amz. PC arrived, and there is no slot. Another call
to HP revealed that only the 800 series accommodates this drive. So I
have to attach it via USB. The whole idea of the Pocket Media is that
they slide right into their own slots in the PCs for which they are
made. I found it interesting that both the people and the website at HP
were sloppy about this accessory. HP is very generous about returns,
but I wanted the larger capacity drive, so I kept it. By the way, this
is the second HP computer I've had for which these plug-in drives were
misrepresented on their website. First time it happened, a couple
computers ago, I could not get anybody to acknowledge the error and
correct the site.
