HP’s new touchable, marvellous mini computers

HP has unleashed a new range touch enabled computers in the run up to this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The HP Mini 5102 will be the technology giant’s first touch enabled netbook, while the TouchSmart tm2 (above) works as a traditional notebook/laptop but can be converted into a slate by twisting the screen around, allowing you to get all artistic with a pen input.

Both models will support “multitouch gestures such as zoom, scroll and rotate” and when in the tm2 is in slate mode writing will show up as “digital ink”.

During a day awash with new technology announcements HP also took the covers off two new computers in their mini range, the Mini 210 and HP Mini 2102 .

There are a few small changes from the current Mini 110 and Mini 1100 models, including the new 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, optional 320Gb hard drive and optional hi-def screen and graphics support.

It will still support up to 1Gb RAM.

HP has also taken substantial steps to make its business greener and the tm2 is free from highly toxic brominated flame retardants and polyvinyl chloride chemicals.

With only a day to go before the Show opens, exciting announcements have been pouring out, including Lady Gaga to be the new “Creative Director for Specialty Line of Polaroid Imaging Products” and news of new SuperSpeed USB products.