Is HP DreamScreen a tablet or photo frame?

Darius Chang | Sep 17, 2009

There are products which simply defy categorization. Take the SmartQ 7. Its ARM chipset is a smartphone platform, yet its lack of phone functions and choice of Ubuntu operating system ultimately puts it in the Mobile Internet Device category. The HP DreamScreen is one such device. Is it a souped-up photo frame with wireless features, or a dumb-down tablet PC?

Before you decide, here's the lowdown on the DreamScreen 100 and DreamScreen 130 which sport 10-inch and 13.3-inch touchscreens, respectively. The left side sports CompactFlash and 6-in-1 memory card readers, while the right holds the Ethernet connector, USB, mini-USB ports and headphone jack. The DreamScreen comes with an 802.11b/g radio and has preinstalled applications like FaceBook, Internet radio station, Snapfish, Pandora and weather reports.

As a digital photo frame, the DreamScreen is one of the most advanced in the market. But as a tablet PC, it lacks even a video player (though a full-featured music application is available). The DreamScreen 100 and DreamScreen 130 will be available in the US in Q3 2009 for US$249 and US$299, respectively. We're still awaiting word on whether these two devices will hit Asia markets in the near future.

Filed under: PC & Peripherals
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