HP TouchSmart 520-1047c

HP TouchSmart 520-1047c

The HP TouchSmart 520-1047c ($999.99 list, at Costco) is a midrange touch-enabled all-in-one desktop PC with a 23-inch screen. It's a fast system with a huge hard drive and class-leading touch interface. It's a larger version of the Editors' Choice HP TouchSmart 320-1030 ($749.99, 4 stars), but it fails to add necessary components to justify its larger price tag, aside from the larger screen. The 520-1047c's touch screen houses the system's components and floats above the base, with two arms holding the screen vertically. Like other all-in-one PCs, the 520-1047c uses a single hinge to tilt the system (housed in the base), but unlike some other systems, the 520-1047c is rock solid when you tap the touch screen. The Intel Core i5-2400S processor, 6GB of memory, 1.5TB hard drive, and DVD burner are all built into the screen enclosure. This gives the system a solid feel: the screen is thicker than competitors that build the components into the base like the Samsung Series 7 (DP700A38-01) ($999.99 list, 4 stars), and the fact that the screen is thicker helps to minimize screen bounce when it's tapped.