- Wall Mountable Touch Screen Display
- Excellent Touch Screen Interface Software
- Strong Multimedia Features
- No PocketMedia Expansion Bay Like IQ800 Models
- LCD Panel Just Short Of Full 1080p HD Video Support
- Stand Mount Isn't Very Adjustable
- Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Dual Core Mobile Processor
- 4GB PC2-6400 DDR2 Memory
- 640GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
- 8x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner With LightScribe
- 22" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) Wide LCD Touch Screen Display With 1.3 Megapizel Webcam
- NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS Graphics Processor With 256MB Memory
- Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n Wireless and Bluetooth
- Five USB 2.0, FireWire, 5-in-1 Card Reader, Digital/Analog TV Tuner
- 21" x 17.4" x 2.6"
- Vista Home Premium 64-bit, TouchSmart Suite, Works, muvee Reveal Premium, CyberLink DVD Suite, Norton Internet Security
1/23/2009 - The HP TouchSmart IQ526 is the smaller version of HP's TouchSmart IQ800 series. The IQ526 uses a 22-inch panel to provide a more compact unit suitable for a desktop instead of a media center. The smaller screen also provides the benefit of a lower price tag compared to the IQ800 models but there are some drawbacks.
First, the 22-inch screen uses a lower 1680x1050 resolution. While this isn't uncommon for a desktop display of this size, it does fall short of the 1080p high definition resolution. This only is a problem for those looking to use the unit as a TV with its built-in digital tuner. The reduced size of the unit also means that HP had to remove the Pocket Media Bay that allows for easy storage upgrades and transfers with optional external drives.
Performance in the IQ526 has been upgraded from the first generations. The system now comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 that gives it a boost over the older T5850's. This still doesn't match the default processor found in the Apple iMac, but it does a very good job at most tasks. Much of this comes from the fact that HP includes 4GB of memory with the systems.
The big feature that sets apart HP from other all-in-one PCs is the touchscreen interface. HP has improved the TouchSmart software to provide a much smoother and functional experience. It is a breeze to get the software up and running and using a fingertip to navigate through programs and web sites. The drawback to this is that the system will end up with lots of fingerprints that need frequent cleaning. Since this is a pressure based screen, it is advisable to use a stylus to avoid such cleaning.
Overall, the TouchSmart IQ526 is a solid overall choice for an all-in-one desktop that can also double as a media center without taking up too much space.
