HP Sprout Pro Hands-On: 3D-Scanning PC Action On Another Level

This week the folks at HP have revealed the HP Sprout Pro, a new version of the first HP Sprout revealed last year. This new version rolls with a 6th-generation Intel Core i7 processor inside (the newest and most top-class), and you'll have top-end graphics as well. This version of the device is aimed a bit more at the education market, coming with Skype for Business and software that lends itself to scanning documents on the fly.

As you'll see in our hands-on photos above and below you'll see a mat up in front of this device. This is the HP Touch Mat, a touch-sensitive piece of equipment that allows you to work with and adjust the images you're working with on your display.

The arm above the screen has a projector right next to its scanner camera, allowing the Touch Mat to be as intuitive to use as possible. While the Touch Mat isn't a display in and of itself, it acts as one with the combination of touch capabilities and the projected images from above.

Because you have this system in play, you can use this mat as a keyboard as well.

Up front is a 23.6-inch Zvr monitor that works with 3D glasses – paving the way for virtual reality and augmented reality software.

Under the hood you'll have Nvidia GeForce GT 945A graphics, 6th gen Intel Core i7 (Skylake) processor, and 8GB of DDR4 memory (upgradeable to 16GB). Inside is 1TB of storage, Bluetooth 4.0, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity. Around the edges you'll have 2x USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI 1.4 slot and an Ethernet port.

This Sprout Pro will cost you $2,199 USD and it'll be shipping in February of this year, 2016. Again, this slightly higher price fits with the newer gear inside and the fact that it's aimed at school systems where it'll be able to be utilized by multiple students and teachers of all sorts.