HP TouchSmart 310z

HP TouchSmart 310z

You can say that every all-in-one PC owes a debt to Apple for its long-time support of the iMac, but HP's new TouchSmart 310z is a bit more blatant in paying homage to the iMac's screen-and-pedestal design. It wouldn't be the first time a PC vendor copied Apple, and there's no particular harm in HP's tribute. The new design even makes it easier to tilt the touch-screen display to a usable angle. While we like the makeover, we're mixed about this system's overall value. Our $1,109 review unit is a terrible deal for its small screen, slow performance, and relatively subpar features. Stay near the $699 baseline configuration, and you'll find the TouchSmart 310z a far more reasonably-priced kitchen PC or home media kiosk. We liked HP's earlier TouchSmart design well enough, but the new look feels both sturdier and more user-friendly than the original. You can tilt the screen up to make it easier to use the touch interface while you're standing, and you don't need to use two hands or be overly gentle to adjust it. The system comes with a wireless mouse and keyboard, and between the cord-free input devices and the simple, glossy, black bezel around the display, the TouchSmart 310z cuts a clean profile.