Wasn’t too long ago that adding TouchSmart technology to our computers meant adding a lot to the price tag. What’s great about today’s announcements is that we’re releasing a wide variety of touch screen-enabled Pavilion and ENVY laptops without making sacrifices under the hood or paying through the nose.

The ENVY 23 TouchSmart: A slick, flush-glassed all-in-one touchscreen PC. The Pavilion 23 TouchSmart: the newly announced, updated all-in-one touchscreen PC. Both offer Windows 8, good looks and, of course, touch control – but what’s the big difference between the two? I asked around during the latest press tour to get you a clear answer.

It may look like a larger-than-life-sized tablet, but don’t go thinking that you can play a pinball game on the bus with HP’s new Rove²⁰. (I was tempted to try.) This is an awesomely designed All-in-One PC that you can take with you around the house. And it’s more than enough to make a statement about being a family-ready PC.

Today, we’re announcing how the x2 line is getting bigger (with the Core-processor-powered Split x2) and smaller (thanks to the SlateBook x2, the first Android hybrid to rock an Nvidia Tegra 4 processor). So, since we’ve got your attention let’s dig a little deeper into both.

It wasn’t so long ago that I was saluting the ENVY x2 for being this awesomely-designed, nimble little machine that can do everything I need it to over the course of a whole day. Honestly, I hadn’t seen such an elegant solution before that. Now along comes it’s younger brother, the new SlateBook x2. It’s even smaller…and it’s running Android 4.2.2 on Nvidia’s Tegra 4 processor as I write this post (on it).

Let me see if this describes you: You can’t decide on any given day if you should break out the tablet or your laptop. You like having the power to do things like, say, play advanced games….but also not need to drag around an oversized machine. If this sounds familiar, I think that the x2 family of PCs might be worth checking out. Namely, the new Split x2.

If you’re not familiar with our x2 computers, let me get you up to speed with this Top 5 list that breaks down a couple of the bigger reasons….

Don’t mess with your mom. She knows when you’re lying and she can sniff out when you’ve only remembered Mother’s Day at the last minute. So stow the boxes of chocolate and wilting roses that stink of desperation – hook up that important woman in your life with some solid respect. So, I partnered up with HP printing diva* (*not official title), Jackie Ellwood for a couple key tips and I pipe in with a couple of my own….that’ll hopefully save my keister come Sunday.

Since Windows 8 Launched, I’ve been doing my part to test it. So, in the name of “work,” I continue downloading the games available in the Windows 8 App store. (I’ve already done a number of stories about Win 8 apps on the blog, but what you’re going to find below is a quick hit list of titles I’ve come across worth checking out.)