We have a dying Sony laptop on the kitchen desk that I'd like to replace with something better as a Christmas present for my wife. I don't want a workstation PC in that location because of the box, so a laptop has been the choice 'til now. What I don't like about the laptop is how much desk space it takes up..... the desk is no longer useable as a desk when the laptop is sitting there. Also, every laptop I've had has become problematic in a short time - usually hard-to-find internal conflicts of some kind that slow down the hard drive and gobble up processing overhead. We only use this location for internet surfing and email, so it's not like we're doing video editing or other memory intensive things.

I've always tried to stay away from the all-in-one appliances - particularly computers, but I saw one yesterday that I really like and I'm wondering what some of you computer folks think about it. I like the screen size - and the option of using the TV tuner as a substitute for another TV appliance in the kitchen, but I'm aware that a conflict can arise when one person wants to use the PC when another is watching TV or vice/versa. I like the cordless keyboard and mouse.... and particularly like the fact that the keyboard can be stored under the display, leaving the front portion of the desk to be used as a desk.

What do the specs look like for internet, email and TV use?
HP 300-1025

Frank

I don't think you can go wrong with that! It has good specs, almost beats my work PC! It would be sweet if it had a video out other than S-Video.. then you could just put another LCD on the counter dual monitor for watching TV.

The HP computers work really well with providing a TV tuner interface with a Remote, it even works well with Sattelite/Cable boxes. It does get annoying at times, because it isn't as simple as turning a TV on and off when you have to boot the computer up to watch TV. If it's already on, the remote will do one click access to TV.

Just talked to a buddy that runs the Geek Squad at the local Best Buy. He said that since they started selling them, he's not had any come thru with needed repairs. Other than dumb users, of course. HP asked a few of the Geek Squads to run them and give feedback. So far, it's been positive for the most part. He didn't elaborate. HTH.

Thanks, Brendan. The PC in the kitchen will probably be always on, so bootup isn't an issue. We do have a cable box in the den, but it's only providing service as a DVR and HDTV interface for that room. This will only have the incoming cable, so any HDTV stations will be the frequency format and not the designated channels - probably won't even be used on HDTV channels - only regular channels.

I'm guessing the screen can be split to use the TV and internet at the same time, but I'm not sure it is.... and it's not so important, anyway.

You can buy this unit without the TV tuner for $100 less, but then you don't get the keyboard and mouse, so I might as well get the tuner. If using it as a TV gets to be a hassle, I'll replace the small Sony CRT that's already there with an LCD. But - if it can be used as a PC/TV combo without inconvenience, it sure does reduce clutter in the room.

Since it's a touch screen and an all-in-one, I'm tempted to buy the extended warranty ($200 for 3 more years), but I sure hate paying for those things - and usually don't.

Frank <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks, Larry. Best Buy is where I first saw it..... went in looking for a $25 hand mixer and found this instead. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Frank <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Yes, it can be placed in a small, size adjustable window, or full screen.

You might notice that the channels may seem 'grainy' though, and that will be because the TV channels coming in will be in lower resolution than the screen will be stretching it to. I just noticed also that it has the HDTV tuner in it, so if your cable company updated their system, you might get some of your major network channels in HD or low def digital, which is a major improvement.

I have never had any real problems with the newer HP hardware. I have a laptop that is running on a year and a half old and not a single issue or lockup now running Window7 Ultimate . <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Are you planning to have the old laptop recycled? If so, I'd be more than happy to pay the shipping to California instead.

Clay, I have 2 more laptops in the garage - one (650Mhz IBM) I use for FSM lookups and one (older 450 Mhz P3 Sony) that I use for MegaSquirt software. I'll probably retire one of the garage laptops and replace it with the kitchen Sony, since at least on paper, the newer Sony is a better computer.

If I buy this HP, one of the older laptops will not be needed. You're welcome to it if/when I make the change, but both of the older ones are slow and limited in HDD size and memory. I think the older Sony, while a nice basic PC, only has a 6Gb HDD and 384Mb RAM. The IBM, while spec-wise looks slightly better, has never been worth a durn.

Frank

Those laptops don't sound too bad, I made it through my first year of college in 2003-04 on a Pentium 2 - 366mhz laptop with 192 MB ram. They should run windows XP pretty decent.