(*See giveaway info on bottom of this post)
UPDATE : CONTEST CLOSED 1/4/2013 Winner is shopgurl Thanks to everyone who entered!
When I was contacted to participate in the #HPFamilyTime campaign I was excited for the opportunity to use the HP Envy 23 TouchSmart All in One for many reasons. First of all, now that my kids use touch screen tablets, they demand a higher level of interaction that “non touch” computers don’t offer. Second, after covering the Windows 8 launch, I could not wait to try it out at home (other then the many times I played with Windows 8 at the Microsoft store). Third, I had a desk in our family room that I set up with the plan of putting a PC with a big screen that could be used for entertainment and for schoolwork. I already decided that an all in one would be the best form factor because it would be compact enough to move into the living room if one of my kids needed a quiet place to work. So does the HP Envy Touchsmart All in One fit my needs?
Yes, not only did it fit in as the perfect family room computer, but the new Windows 8 operating system combined with the beautiful and intuitive touch screen made it also a family favorite. After I set up the security and Microsoft accounts for each user, I installed Microsoft Office. The only challenge we had is that I had to activate the security software I installed on each account on the computer separately (but it was quick). Our kids that are not easily impressed by tech were not only impressed – but quickly learned how to use the new Windows 8 interface (using a Touchscreen as well as a keyboard/mouse).
Here is a video I made of the HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart All In One unboxing. The set up was so easy (unwrap and a “one plug” in!).
The HP Envy 23 Touchsmart All in One is packed with premium features for great price (currently starting at $1,099! ):
- 3rd Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3330S quad-core processor and 6 GB RAM (upgradable to 16GB) means fast processing and multitasking.
- 1TB hard drive so it has lots of space for programs, photos and video.
- 6-in-1 card reader, 2 USB3.0 (fast transfer speed), 4 USB 2.0 (to plug in more accessories) and audio (micrphone and earphones) inputs. HDMI input to connect to TV or external screen.
- Optional TV to broadcast live TV from your computer. The full HD display enables viewing of HD content.
- DVD burner that can write data to blank DVD – so Grandparents can get a DVD copy of their grandkids on video.
- HP wireless keyboard and mouse with Win 8 keyboard (with raised keys for easy typing).
- All in one form factor with edge to edge sleek and modern design that can be mounted on the wall with just one wire.
- HP Quick Launch that has a fast boot up.and access to shortcuts.
- Optional Solid State Drive.
- HP Connected Photo allows you to sync photos across your PC, smartphone, and tablet.
- HP TrueVision HD Webcam that works even in low light because of the “adaptive lighting to automatically adjust to changing light”.
- Beats Audio offers premium sound. Just add some bluetooth speakers to extend the sound even further.
- HP Connected Music to manage music downloads, streaming services and Internet Radio.
- Windows 8 operating system (built for touch) perfectly matched with a intuitive touch with 10-point multitouch technology that enables swipe and tap using all 10 fingers.
More information and configuration options for the HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart AiO is available at the HP Store.
Here is a picture of what the Windows 8 start screen with “tiles” looks like after I installed Microsoft Office. The Microsoft Windows 8 site explained “Each tile on the Start screen is connected to a person, app, website, playlist, or whatever else is important to you. Tiles light up with the latest info, so you’re instantly up to date. In one glance, you’ll see that photo you were just tagged in, tomorrow’s weather, and messages from your friends“. Next – I can’t wait to configure what Windows 8 apps/live tiles appear on the start screen. There are ones that are pre-configured so I had a great start.
Searching for apps is easy, I just swipe from right to left and the bar below comes up. What was once “programs” are now apps that I can add as live tiles on my Windows 8 start screen:
I will be looking for family management apps while my kids can’t wait to try the paint apps and the Xbox apps.
One of the tiles on the start screen is called “Desktop” which allows me to easily switch to the standard (Windows 7) start screen view.
I can search for files the same way I did on Windows 7 if I want, but also switch back to the Windows 8 start screen by swiping on bottom left or right of the screen.
My kids enjoy using the bright, crisp and intuitive screen for the HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart AiO:
They immediately found the Fresh Paint program and with a “touch” started creating a digital art project.
Of course – a smile face was the first work of art that was created!
I will be posting next week with my test drive of the other features of the HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart AiO and Windows 8. For now – how about a GIVEAWAY that will enable ONE winner to have one for their own family. To Enter – use the widget below with all the details!
***Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a program on behalf of HP and received an ENVY 23 TouchSmart AiO as a thank you for participation.
This looks pretty great!
Great post and information. Thank you for sharing! You are always a wealth of information.
Thanks for the great giveaway! Fingers crossed…
Surprisingly, we don’t have a family computer. We only have my laptop- we don’t even have an iPad! I love that his would take the place of all of that!! With my boys getting older I’d love to have a way for them to explore the web safely on their own (they are ages 7, 10, and 11). The entertainment and games would be a nice perk! I have had ENVY over the Touchsmart ever since I first saw it!
I would use the HP Envy 23 Touchsmart All In One for everything I currently split between a my husband’s big desktop and my noisy, aging laptop: video editing, photo editing, blogging… and maybe some game playing, too. 🙂
I would use the HP Envy as a family computer. I’d put it in our kitchen where everyone tends to gather and put it on the side where I currently have an HP laptop. It’s time we refreshed our hardware and this is state of the art technology. It would go well with the HP printer I just purchased!
I would use it as the family computer so that my 8 y.o. can stop asking me to use my laptop.
the ‘kid’ computer is getting VERY old latley… as much as I’d like to say this baby would be MINE MINE MINE. It will not… it will be theirs theirs theirs! 🙂
I use it for skype and web.
OMG OMG OMG! This is exactly what I have dreamed about–I love that this device can act as not only the family computer, but a ‘family hub’ of activity! I love the ‘smart board’ feel that it has, and I think it’s perfect for tech-savvy, digital kids. My 9, 7, and 5 yo–and my elementary school administrator husband–and I would LOVE this! Thanks, Beth, for the comprehensive review, photos, and info. You ROCK.
I look at the Touch Smart and my first thoughts are about what a powerful tool this would be for a child with special needs. The tiles on the main screen activated with a simple ‘swoosh!’. Sweet success!
I love the art program too. Netflix at a simple touch? Yes, please. Right now holding a pencil correctly is hard for Parker. But he CAN use his forefinger to ‘write’ and draw with!
I won’t lie, I tend to look at everything from an educational view point for Parker. The TouchSmart looks to be able to open all kinds of exciting windows for a kid like mine!
Tammy and Parker
http://www.prayingforparker.com
http://www.simplypreparing.com
My poor kids are using my old beat up HP laptop and they’re all getting old enough to notice how slow and kludgy it is! I’d love to give them one that actually works like it isn’t 2002.
This looks so great. I would love to win it.
for the internet, pinterest, photos, and emails
We would use this as a family computer, that we could share and use together with our two daughters. They’re just learning how to use computers and would love the chance to have something like this to learn with, side-by-side with us.
I would use it for EVERYTHING! 🙂
I’d use it for blogging and also for letting my daughter have fun! 🙂 My PC is lagging and takes up so much space!
I would use the HP Envy 23 Touchsmart All In One for starting my own business.
I would use it for everything from homework, to play, anything!!!
Nice review, thanks!
Id use it for blogging and school work
I would use this for everything from watching movies to prepping for my next day of work (and everything in between)
Thanks for the review. As my son gets older, currently in 3rd grade, he needs the computer more and another computer in the house would really help!
I would use it as our main family computer. So the whole family can see calendar events and such.
I would use it for my work and keeping in contact with my family, and my kids could use for projects
Our family computer of 10 years died last month. Winning this computer would be a real blessing.
I’m going to start going back to school for Spring semester, and would love a fresh computer for my classes!
My daughter would use it for school.
This would be the new family computer where the kids can do homework and play games while hubby updates his fantasy football team.
Having this in my household would mean my kids could do their homework and research quicker and more efficiently. Saying a prayer and crossing my fingers! Big money — no whammies!
we are looking for our son’s first computer.. this one looks great!
I would use it for facebook and twitter shopping schoolwork for my nephew .
I would use it to study because i never had a computer so it would mean alot to me
Never had hp before,looks great! well i would defintley use it for studying and online investigating.Good luck to all and Merry Christmas!
I would use it for work but it would be used mainly by my kids so they can study and explore the world of tech online
Wow this looks so amazing! And our desk top is on it’s last old fashioned towered leg.
I would use is for blogging and school!
As I homeschool my daughter, this would be her primary workstation. We only have Macs in the house but many educational programs we use require the Windows platform. Also, I want her to have the experience of easily working with both to better prepare her in whatever job she may end up in.
I would use it for blogging and research!
Love it!! Seems to capture the best of Windows 8. This would be perfect for all of the video and animation production and editing my daughters create! (and homework too)
This would be a family computer. I would use it for work and gaming, my wife would use it for the touchscreen design, and my kids would love the touch screen for painting and kids games.
I’d use it for social media, and for the kids to play games.
Definitely the family computer. My kids are at the age where we’re starting to… maybe… thinking about … getting them their own computer for both entertainment and learning. My husband and I don’t really want them on our work computers for obvious reasons 🙂 But having a separate “family” computer would be ideal!
And let’s be honest. I can’t simply cannot pass on a sexy new device!
i would use it for works, graphics, watching movies, and skyping!
My high school junior shares a computer with his freshman brother that is dying by the day. They would LOVE to have a brand new touch screen to do their school work and create so much more. Thanks for offering such a great giveaway just in time for the holidays!
I would use it to do online schooling!
I would use this to THRILL my tech CRAZY high schooler. I’d use it, too, when he let me.
We could SO use this as a main family computer in the kitchen (so I don’t have to share mine w/ the kiddo anymore too!)
This would be great to have for my kids to do their homework on. right now we share one laptop between the three of us. I would love to have a family computer!
I’m a personal finance blogger at Thriftability and am developing several other lifestyle blogs. I also own a small marketing agency. My current laptop can barely keep up with me… and since we recently relocated, buying a new laptop isn’t in the budget until 2014. This device looks awesome – I would use it for absolutely everything I do – business, blogging, entertainment, and leisure. Really excited to find out who wins!!!
It would be the computer for the family.
my son’s homeschooling!! Thanks so much for the chance to win this would be a huge blessing!
I would use it to keep in contact with my friends and family through email.
I’ use it to give it to my daughter and I am pretty sure she’ll love it and it will be very useful for her 🙂
thanks
I would give it to my grown daughter for school! She is taking college courses!
I would use it for homeschooling my daughter, she loves painting and this would be awesome to own.
I’d use it for organizing our volunteer list, print greeting card and doing genealogy research.
Thank you.
I’d use it for my online classes
I would use this for everything!! As mine computer so wants to die and I just won’t let it.
Use it to stream music, look up stuff online and accessing media blogs!
Beats audio,love that!
It be a perfect family computer. we would do business, homework, social media. everything you could think of on it.
I would use it for everything, but mostly for emails and watching videos.
I would use t mainly for my daughter to do homework on. She is an art student and our current computer’s processor is too slow.
it would be the family computer for everyone to use
I plan to start homeschooling and this would make a huge difference!
What My family would use this computer is for is having it as the home computer so that everyone could use it.
Photo editing and my graphic design work.
I would use it for everyday use – email, internet, skype, picture editing, etc. I would also use the dvd burner feature to back up some photo files!
I would use it for our homeschool. I could plan and organize lessons and the kids could use it to complete assignments.
I would use this as a family computer, my kids would love doing their homework and just simply have fun on this. ericka082 at gmail dot com
This would be for my daughter to take online classes
I would use it for editing pictures, searching for information, social networking etc.
I’d use it for my work
I would use it as a family computer–the touchscreen would be great for my kids.
I would use the HP Envy 23 Touchsmart All In One for both business and pleasure. I would do all of my husbands carpentry business books on it and also use it to tweet/facebook and have a great time!
I would use this for my sons’ to do their homework on as well as their speech programs
I’d use it for blogging!
I would use it mostly for email and one chat program I have 🙂
It would be the family computer, so to skype with out of town family, shop online, upload/edit/print pictures etc. Pretty much everything!
I would use it for emails, FB, twitter, photography editing, researching, etc. What I wouldn’t use it for is a better question. 🙂
Enter sweeps on it and blog on it.
I would use it for everything! Browsing, email, shopping, using skype to stay in touch with family.. keeping track of my finances.
I would use it for the wee ones to do their online learning (COMPASS) from school. Love it!
I would love to have it in my kitchen for recipes and cooking tutorials.
I would use it for school and work. I think its important that kids have an interactive computer.
I would use it for my work and for fun.
I would use it for work and fun games with my son
I would use this to help with home organization, as well as to game with my husband!
I would use it for work on the go and for skyping with my family.
I would put it in the kitchen for easy access to recipes and managing grocery lists, checking email, etc.
I would love to use it to check emails, check my social network, and enter giveaways.
I’d use it for school!
I would share this with my son. We use my computer now, but it’s old. LOL – This would be a great gift for the both of us!
Thank you for the chance!
I would use the HP Envy 23 TouchSmart All In One to get a home-based business going so I can be available for my kids when they need me but still provide for them financially!
It would be used for everyday use. Mostly school work for my son and myself!
Thank you for the opportunity(:
I would use this for as my kids computer. My daughter is taking computer classes in preschool & just learning how to navigate a computer! My son loves to create storybooks on the computer & he would love this!
Since I have not had a computer in two years because mine bit the dust and I’ve been using a phone to get online, U would be using it for EVERYTHING
This would be a huge upgrade! I would use the Envy as my media center as well as the main computer for my small business.
We would use it for my son’s homework! He needs his own computer for his gifted program.
It would replace my computer that gets a blue screen and shuts down.
I absolutely am in love… AMAZING!!
school work
I would use this HP Envy 23 TouchSmart for my school work, it would be nice to have a newer computer that has many awesome capabilities. My laptop has went on the fritz since my dog knocked it from its spot the screen is more black than computer screen…don’t worry I still love my puppy 🙂 My daughters also would use this to complete their homework, which seems like way more than I had back in highschool.
@classy_mommie
I fwould use the computer to keep in touch with my children (they both live in different states). I hear more of what’s going on thru facebook than anywhere else. Thank you for the opportunity! 🙂
I would do everything on this computer. I’ve been wanting to get a computer that the whole family can use.
I would use it for both. My computer takes forever. I need an upgrade, thanks!
I would use for the internet Skype with my children email and watching netflix.
I’d use it to enter contests & Sweepstakes… and WIn more!
Looks pretty good. Thanks!
I’d probably use it in the living room while watching TV.
This would be my wife’s desktop.
I would use it for work.
I would use it for email/personal use & for my college school work as well.
Thank you for the giveaway:)
I would use it for my everyday connection to the world. My interactions and any shopping I do.
I would use it for my online classes & to keep in touch with friends!!
I would give this to my husband – he only has a small netbook that is dieing
I would set it up so my kids have something to use for homework.
I would use it as part of homeschooling my boys.
Oh it would be so wonderful to use it for school work!
would love to win this and have my own laptop
Would use it for work and school. During relaxation times watch movies on netflix.
i would use it for everything from school to movies to music im always on the computer so this would be the most awesome gift ever! Thanks for the chance
It would replace our existing computer that is old and slow. This would also be easy enough for my son (4) to use.
I would use it for my kids to do educational games
My laptop doesn’t have a camera but with the HP Envy23 TouchSmart we could Skype with our Grandson who just started in the Marine Boot Camp in San Diego the week before Christmas.
We would use it to stay in touch with our family back on the East Coast!
My husband would use this to edit his photos!
I work from home and would use this for work. This looks like an awesome computer.
I would use it for my new job. I had a laptop, but after college it died. Thanks!
Diana C
I would make this our family computer and use it for work and school projects.
I would use this for everything – email, skype, blogs, photos, keeping up to date with friends, twitter, facebook, pinterest – everything!
I would use it for my kiddos and their artistic abilities
I would definitely use it for Skype! We live thousands of miles away from my family, and we try Skype, but our desktop is just too old and slow to use the video chat. Voice chat is great, but it would really be awesome to use Skype to its fullest potential with the HP Envy 23!
Thanks{!}
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
It would be a family computer. Used to do homework, play games, surf the internet, etc.
Based on your review this computer looks very kid friendly which is a definite plus for me. My husband is also a painter/graphic designer & I know he could use this to touch up his art and graphics. The screen looks so bright and it’s a great size! I would use the computer myself to jump start my online social media business and of course social networking! I love being able to keep in touch with friends and family so having a high quality integrated webcam feature would make it that much easier! I am really excited about the chance to use the HP TrueVision HD Webcam,
The Beats Audio, High Definition, & of course the All-In-One features that makes this HP touchsmart!
This would be great for editing my pictures. It would also be perfect for my son to use! He would be able to use it for all his games and he would love drawing on it!
It would be a family computer. I’d use it for digi scrapping, kids would do everything they could on it!
I would use this computer for blogging and school. My kid would use it for school and making videos.
Love this PC – has everything you could possibly need for a family computer.
I would use it as our main family computer.
I would use it as my main computer.
This would be great for my children for school work and video games.
It would be the family computer for everyone to use
I would use this as my own computer. Right now, my family shares a computer and my two sons, one in middle school, the other in high school are always needing to take turns for homework, etc.
I would use it for myself because this way my husband could have his own computer
I would replace the dinosaur on my desk and do me some shoppin’! thanks
It would allow me to retire my old computer I use to surf the web
Mostly blogging and shopping
ky2here at msn dot com
I would use it in my home office. I am anxious to try Windows 8.
would be for in the family room
My girls would use it for school work. You wouldn’t beleive how much my 7th grader has to do online. Thank you!
I’d use the HP Envy to manage the household finances, keep receipts and documents organized, prepare files and spreadsheets for work, and to work on graphic design and illustration projects in my spare time. Thanks!
I would love to have this for a family computer. I have a big, old computer that I don’t let my boys touch because I am afraid of it dying. So this would be great to have for everyone to use.
We would let the kids use it for school work and I would like to use it for photography.
I would use it and not wait for the family computer.
I would use it for work
I would use it for my work computer
I’m about to go back to college, and it would provide me with quick access. I’m having to go to the library for all my computer needs.
We would use it as a family computer and I would use it for work
this would be for the family,we could use this for everything,school,work
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
i would use this to keep track of my bills and to keep up to date on current events via the web
I will be returning to school- I would use it for that.
I am about to start a home based business and I would love to win this so i could use it for my work.
I’d use it for everything, email, internet searching, etc.
I would put it in my family room next to the entertainment area so that we could store and access all our media in one location.
I would use this for everything but my kids would get the most use out of this awesome computer. They would use it for homework and playing games. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Internet and emails and I’m sure I’ll use it for other things also.
My mom’s pc is a dinosaur. If I won I would give this to her.
I am a student so this would be AWESOME! I would be using it for school. Thanks.
i would use it to help my kids stay in touch with their family members worldwide – skype!
I would use it for my grandson to play games on.
I would use the HP ENVY to connect with relatives overseas and create photo books, presentations, and stream movies.
This would be our family computer
I would love to have this so my 3 oldest children can use it for homework and online research for school as well as creating art projects.
I just posted “sweet!” in my entry 🙂 But really, I’d have the kids doing fun art and education activities on it!
I would let my daughters use it for school papers and I would use it for working on PTO stuff for their school and surfing my favorite blogs.
I would use it for work and for my kids to do homework and to learn on it.
I am a work-from-home-moom and I would use the HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart All in One for our home based business office! This would be an amazing asset for our family owned home based small business. It would not only bring our business up to date into the current technology world but allow us to build and grow our business in so many ways! Thanks for the chance! Xo!
We’d use this as a family computer, for email, schoolwork, games, etc!
I’m in grad school and this would be great for carrying to class.
We’d use it for looking up recipes and watching movies/shows.
We would use for homework and everything
I’d use it for pics and my daughter would use it for games!
chrissylea1979 (at)gmail(dot) com
I would use it for my daughter. She is alwyas trying to play games and stuff on my laptop and I am not sure how many more times I can have my husband reset it after she messes with the settings.
I’d use it to replace the one I have. It’s about time for a new upgrade. I also have programs to scrapbook on the computer and it’d be great to use with this.
Michelle
I would love to give this to my husband to use for his sports management career!
I would use the HP Envy 23 Touchsmart All In One for everything gaming, searches etc
I would definitely use it as the family computer so we can all use it for homework, research, skype, etc. What a great prize!
I would use it as my main computer for blogging
kport207 at gmail dot com
I would mostly use it for my kids school work (one in homeschool and two in public school).
This would be great for the whole family from homework to watching shows.
I would use it to replace the only one I have, a 6 yr old dell, family contact, truly help with my crafting design I do from home.
I’m not positive – if I am greedy I will keep it in my office if I win, BUT I think this really would be a great computer to have in a shared family area and use as a command center for everything!
I would use the HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart All in One for college.
I would use it for the kids homework, repcices and central message center
Help with teaching my sons.
I’d give it to my mother since she doesn’t have a PC and this seems like it would be so easy for her since she’s PC challenged.
I’d use it for school
I plan on using the envy to play a online game or two and to plan my students lessons.
I would use it to replace my current laptop computer. My laptop is over 2 years old now and has a broken USB port that is getting annoying. I’d use the computer for course work when I start working on my Bachelor of Science degree in a couple weeks.
I would use it for digital scrap booking on my craft table!
How exciting that the whole family can enjoy! Talk about HP ENVY. 😉
Nice computer! It looks like I could do everything on it. I would use it to watch movies on, send photos to my family and do more sweepstakes. Thanks for a wonderful contest!
My kids really need a computer to use. I may give them mine if I win and keep this awesome one 😉
It would be a family computer and we would all use it for different purposes. I would use it for basic stuff, like searching the internet and my kids would use it for play and school. Fingers crossed!
I would use it for my job search. It would also be fun to use the webcam to talk on skype…I have never tried that before. Thanks for the chance!
I would use it for browsing the internet, watching videos, and for general family use.
I would use it for everything I do online. And I won’t have to wait “MY TURN” behind my family to use my computer 🙂
I would use it for my writing, and stop using my kid’s laptop.
I would use it for College!
Thank You!
I would use it to start my own business and do research. My fiance would use it to do his homework.
thanks for an awesome giveaway!
I would use it to keep in contact with my family and friends and pay bills.
Thanks for the giveaway… we would use the HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart AiO as the family desktop, locating it in the family room-kitchen area: kids would do homework & art projects, we would catalog family photos & videos, answer emails, pay bills, etc.
I would use this as our family computer, and my two boys could use it as they enter school, and would probably also use it to edit family photos and videos.
I would use it for school work since it’s an All-in-One, it can handle all of it like internet research, file uploading, creativeness, everything!
I would use it for school!
This would be great for all the bill paying we do
Upload a bunch of music, keep track of all my social networks and e-mails, hunt for a job, do my e-bay listings and purchases….just about everything!
My whole family would use it for entertainment, education and communication
I’d use this as the family/general use computer. Seems interesting for sure!
I’d use it for everything!! Looks pretty amazing!
I would give it to my 3 kids to use.
I would use it for Blogging purpose and even for shopping online.