HP to Launch Touch Screen Laptop

After the recent reports on HP planning to prevent competitor ASUS from becoming the fourth largest notebook vendor worldwide, the computer system vendor is yet again in the headlines. This time, however, the news concerns some of the company's upcoming products, which should see the light of day even before the end of the year.

Apparently, the giant manufacturer is currently planning to release a new portable computer system that will take advantage of the benefits enabled by touch screen technology. The product is meant to boost the company's sales amid a deteriorating economy and predictions of a soft holiday season. 

The online edition of "The Wall Street Journal" reports in a recent article that the Palo Alto, California-based computer giant, is now developing a consumer notebook that, among other things, will boast a touch screen. The notebook is said to debut even before the year's end and it will include special software, developed by HP to support the touch screen. Unfortunately, at the moment, details are rather scarce and we can't point out a market segment for this specific device nor can we reveal the pricing of HP's upcoming product.

However, according to available details, the new laptop is said to be the latest in a series of touch-oriented devices, including a new line of mobile phones that the company is planning to release in its efforts to differentiate itself from competitors such as Dell. The computer giant has been promoting touch screen devices since last year, with the release of the TouchSmart desktop computer, which was re-launched this year with a new look and configuration.

According to sources cited by the WSJ, HP's touch screen initiative is part of the company's plan of keeping its leading position in the worldwide PC market, where it currently holds a market share of 18.4%, according to research firm Gartner.