A Tablet, a PC, New Table Decor? HP's DreamScreen Is All That

Invoking the Superman intro is a bit corny, I know, but, heck, it isn't often the phrase "it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Superman," pops into your mind when you're surfing tech news. But that's what happened today when I read about the newest computing product coming to consumers in time for the holiday season.

Venerable computer maker HP is debuting an innovative computing device that pushes the PC boundary way beyond today's home office and ever-increasing laptop use in the bedroom.

The DreamScreen 100, which will retail for about $250 to $300 (depending on display size) when it hits shelves October 11, lets users listen to radio and stored music, network across social sites like Facebook, enjoy digital photos and even stream video files anywhere you decide to put it.

That means on top of a dresser, coffee table or kitchen counter, using a wireless connection. It can even be hung on a wall.

It's simply neat and, design-wise, is ahead of other vendors that have tried to put computing devices into more "living" areas of the home. It offers up 2 gigabytes of memory for storing pics, music and home movies and comes with either a 10" or 13" display screen, according to a company release.

It can even work as your newest alarm clock thanks to a music snooze button and time feature. While HP's press statement provided a link to a demo, no demo appeared, but I did find one at Amazon, which is one of several retailers selling it. There are even vids on how easy it is to set up.

Photo courtesy of HP