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HP Developing Hybrid Tablet PC / Coffee Table

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the please-use-a-coaster dept.

StrongGlad writes "HP has been working on a different take on the home entertainment PC. "Misto" is a hybrid of a coffee table and a tablet PC, featuring a large, built-in touch-screen display. The idea is to allow a group to congregate around the table and share pictures, play board games, or peruse a map. Misto uses a standard desktop PC as its engine, but comes with some specialized HP software for managing the interface. Pricing, availability and style of coffee table are all undetermined, but Misto gives people some idea of how HP wants to develop products that expand on its existing businesses."

18 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. But... by YuppieScum · · Score: 3, Funny

    what happens to a touch-screen coffee table when you place a cup of coffee on it?

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    1. Re:But... by Thud457 · · Score: 4, Funny
      What's your problem, were you raised in a barn?!!

      Use a coaster before your wife catches you!

      I'd rather have a robust touch-screen coffee table display that I can connect my laptop to.

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      the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

    2. Re:But... by HaloZero · · Score: 4, Funny

      A virtual coaster appears underneath it. You may customize this to your level of desired geekdom. For some, a nice lace doiley. For others, damaged floppy disks or burn-failed CDs and DVDs.

      --
      Informatus Technologicus
  2. Java Programmers Rejoice by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Finally ... an appropriate place to program in Java.

    (Still won't make it run fast, but but the irony is thick)

    1. Re:Java Programmers Rejoice by FrontalLobe · · Score: 3, Funny

      Man... this would be awesome! I'd never have to clean my coffee table again! I'd just let garbage collection take care of it.

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      -FL
  3. The true use of this table revealed! by gasmonso · · Score: 2, Funny

    Everyone knows that this is nothing more than a MAME setup to play all those old cocktail table games of yesterday! Long live Joust and Ms Pacman!!!

    http://religiousfreaks.com/
  4. useless by ExE122 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Look for this item in next years Ikea catalog as part of the Tákkí collection. At the low price of $15,995.99 it is a perfect addition to any Mátereülisték line of furniture and Yöpee accessories. If you are a Mátereülisték person looking to spend some money, a Tákkí coffee table with a PC built into it would be a perfect addition to your Yöpee house! It is custom made to fit into your gas-guzzling Hummer for easy delivery. And just imagine how well it would look gathering dust between your baby-harp-seal-skin sofa and 97 inch high definition television!

    - ---------- -
    Hideous piece of show-off crap... this is the most useless invention since the pet rock!

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    Capitalism: When it uses the carrot, it's called democracy. When it uses the stick, it's called fascism.
    1. Re:useless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      You have no idea how much I want one now.

    2. Re:useless by Coryoth · · Score: 4, Funny

      My Finnish is appalling but I think you'll find that Tääki, Metiriälistik, and Jaappi are better fits should you need to recycle the joke at a later date - though this gets into the confusion over the fact that "j" is pronounced as we pronounce "y" in Finnish, while "y" is pronounced kind of like the the "u" in Munich or bureau.

      Taking all the humour out of jokes via pointless dissection since 2006.

      Jedidiah.

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      Craft Beer Programming T-shirts
  5. My $399 PC already has a coffee cup holder by Green+Salad · · Score: 4, Funny

    I just press the eject button and a motorized coffee cup holder slides out. Must be some kind of productivity option on my cheap PC.

  6. "Misto"? by sczimme · · Score: 2, Funny


    "Misto"?

    I would like to point out that 'mist' is the German word for 'manure'. Hmmm.

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    I want to drag this out as long as possible. Bring me my protractor.
  7. Embarrassing Coffee Table Moment by Billosaur · · Score: 4, Funny

    Madge: Barb, this party is terrific. Good wine, excellent cheese...

    Barb: Thanks Madge! Jim and I try to make them memorable!

    Madge: I really like your coffee table [sets wineglass down on top of table]

    Barb: Oh yes, it's the latest thing! It's got a computer inside...

    Madge: Oh my!!!!! [loudly]

    Barb: What's wrong Barb? What... OH DEAR GOD! JIIIMMMMMM!!!!

    Jim: What's up Honey?!? What's with all the... GOOD GOD!!!

    [Party comes to a halt as Jim's private pics of his and Barb's conjugal activites slideshow across tabletop]

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    GetOuttaMySpace - The Anti-Social Network
    1. Re:Embarrassing Coffee Table Moment by hodet · · Score: 2, Funny

      At least they weren't his pics with Madge.

  8. Re:So what happens... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    So you are feeding your two small children coffee? ;)

  9. Re:Nooo! by AlterTick · · Score: 3, Funny
    I had this idea *years* ago!!!

    All of us had this idea years ago. Only HP is dumb enough to think they can make money selling one.

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    Conclusion: the Empire squashes the Federation like a bug. Accept it.
  10. This is perfect!! by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 2, Funny

    For the man who needs to buy just one more stupid thing to get his wife to divorce him.

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    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
  11. Re:the Island by kernelklink00 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Nobody saw The Island...

  12. 5 New versions of Windows right there... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I would say this type of app would require at least a few new versions of Vista... right? Maybe... Vista Coffetable additions... home/pro/coke/pepsi?