HP Sprout

usability, design

reliability

100% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Innovative ; User-friendly ; Decent specs

Few apps at present ; Form factor doensn't benefit certain apps

While undoubtedly a work in progress, Sprout is a genuinely exciting desktop computer that promises news ways of working with 3D objects and collaboration-led design.

Innovative scanner ; Fantastic touchpad ; Makes creativity easy

Low-ish scanner resolution ; Pricey (but VFM is undeniable) ; Only an A4 workspace

Built-in projector handles document and 3D scanning. Integrated touch mat offers both touch input and a second display. Decent components and feature set. Extra software and tools make content creation a snap.

HP's new home screen skin and included apps come with plenty of quirks. No angle or height adjustment. Touch mat requires a lot of desk space. 3D scanning is quirky and impractical.

Conclusion There's no doubt that underneath the Illuminator arm and behind the giant touch mat, the HP Sprout is a well-made all-in-one PC, and one that we could easily recommend to most shoppers. But the Sprout can't be separated from the unique...

The Sprout's clever scanner/projector arm isn't an accessory, sadly, it's part of the PC itself. That seems like its greatest weakness. As a separate, more affordable peripheral for desktop PCs, it might make more sense.

We left very impressed by the Sprout's capabilities. It seemed like a useful innovation which gives users a reason to opt for a desktop computer, although we'd have to spend more time with the device to determine whether this was a novelty or genuinely...