HP has had some tough times recently. In the last five years, the Palo Alto, California-based company hasn't taken that many risks; the boldest being its acquisition of Palm, and webOS, its Linux-based mobile OS. Efforts in diversifying usually turn into abandoned experiments that never really click with customers. Now, in the midst of trying to reinvent itself by spinning off its PC and printer biz into a stand-alone company, HP announced a nearly $2,000 computer named Sprout. The high-end PC works as a multi-media workstation by adding compelling image and touch technology.

Sprout consists of a 23-inch, 1080p, 10 point PC monitor, an Illuminator projector, and a 20-inch, 20 point mat. Sprout's touch-sensitive mat doubles as a second display, thanks to its overhead projector/14.6MP camera that beams down to scan 2D and 3D images. Sensors on the mat input ideas sketched or written by the user, and anything placed on the mat can be quickly scanned or photographed. Just like a virtual sketchpad, users simply drag an image from the monitor to the touch mat and start creating. Digitally scanning and manipulating objects has never been this easy. No keyboard or mouse needed here, just your hands. However, changing Sprout to a traditional machine is perfectly compatible.

This desktop computer is not for the traditional office worker, but built for “people doing creative things”, like designers, artists and photo enthusiasts. According to Engadget, “Sprout is a Windows PC, but HP has also added custom software to make it easier to manipulate things with your fingers”. It will come with a bunch of pre-loaded Windows applications, such as Martha Stewart's craft studio, and “a video game add-on that lets players use the mat to rearrange traditional control panels” (Forbes).

Sprout plans to launch third-party apps, and will come with an SDK in hopes that creative developers will look for new applications. Whether Sprout changes the way we use PCs, or becomes a niche product, it's high time HP did something to revitalize itself. All part of a bigger vision, the company will first send Sprout to beta users (“makers, techies, educators”) to receive feedback and learn more about how their product's technology works in the real world. Its product launch is also going to be low-key, with only 50 Best Buys, 30 Microsoft stores, and HP's website offering Sprout. Hopefully HP remains consistent on making Sprout a success, even if it doesn't become popular right away.