At BlogHer08, I had the opportunity to do some hands-on with the tx2500.  I took a few camera shots to compare the specs of my tx2000 to the tx2500 using AMD's Puma chipset and ATI graphics.  As you can see, there isn't any difference on the exterior, other than the stickers, but what's inside makes a BIG difference.

 HP's tx2500z   

Shown at Computex, along with lots of entertainment features, HP has beefed up its popular tx2000 series with

 

The Tablet PC’s First look at the new HP Pavilion Entertainment PC – the tx2000

I’ve had the opportunity to use HP’s newest offering, the tx2000 Pavilion Entertainment PC.  Now, before you start thinking that it’s the tx1000 with some new features, let me say that although the chassis may look familiar, after that, it’s all new, and it’s a real Tablet.

First, the tx2000 has an active digitizer.  Those who had a less-than-desirable experience with the tx1000’s handwriting, take heart!  It was no secret that I was less than happy with the inking on the tx1000.  The inking on this Tablet is among the best I’ve experienced, with a light touch all that’s needed.  To be fair, HP never marketed the tx1000 as a Tablet, but as an entertainment notebook and it did a good job at what it was made for.

The specs on the tx2000 are much improved, and for the 64-bit enthusiasts out there, the one I used runs Windows Vista 64-bit Windows Ultimate out of the box.  Running the AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-66 2.30Ghz processor, this tx2000 sports 4GB of ram.  As in most Tablets, the weak spot is graphics, with a NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150.  The graphics drop the Windows Experience Index to 3.0.  This is one of the main reasons I dislike the way the rating system works.  Take the graphics out of the equation and you’ll see a beefy subscore of

• 4.9 Calculations per second

• 5.7 Memory operations per second

• Disk data transfer rate

Other features include

• Built-in Web Cam

• 3 USB ports

• Expansion port for the xb3000 desktop docking station or the "QuickDock" port replicator

• VGA connection

• S Video

• Modem

• Kensington Lock

• Remote control

• SD Card reader

• Dual headset connections

• Microphone

• Wireless switch

Without question, the machine is fast.  There are things I really like about the new features.  HP took feedback from Tablet users and came up with a machine that should give almost every user something to smile about.  Here are some of my favorite features –

The touchpad is the same as the tx1000.  I love the scroll feature and the fact that I can automatically find it without having to stop what I’m doing to look.  I found I missed this on the 2710.  I’m glad to see it back.

A longer power cord.  This may seem trivial, but anyone who travels knows that often the wall connection just isn’t quite close enough to the desk. The extra foot or so makes a big difference.

A hard drive that’s big enough to carry along your videos and music.  You can get up to a 320Gb hard drive.

Speed.  Yep, it’s fast, even with several of the added on programs that come with it running at start up.  Can’t wait to see how it goes when these are set to run only when needed.

As with the tx1000, the tx2000 includes a built-in DVD-RW with Light Scribe.

Great battery life, and the extended battery makes a perfect hand-hold for a secure grip when in portrait mode.  When in secondary landscape position, it also tilts the front of the Tablet to be a perfect angle for writing or sketching.  Of course, as with any other computer, a larger battery means a heavier Tablet.

Superior sound.  After all, this is an entertainment PC, and putting the typical small, tinny-sounding speakers wouldn’t work.  The Altec Lansing stereo speakers add a nice dimension to the overall quality of the tx2000.  These speakers always face forward, no matter what position the computer is in – notebook or Tablet – and have sound quality that’s as good as the new digitizer.

There are also things that could be improved.  I have issues with touch screens – all touch screens.  It’s not the Tablet’s fault, there’s something about my touch that just doesn’t work right.  This computer minimizes some of my problems, but some still remain.  For example, the onscreen mouse doesn’t follow my finger as it should, dropping off and having my navigation turn into selection mode.  The heel of my hand leaves lines as I use the pen for handwriting, especially in portrait mode.  These are things that most people don’t have any problem with, but I’m mentioning it for any of you who may have the same issues.  I’ve learned to live with it, but it’s a lot easier with the tx2000.  It works better for me than others have, just not perfectly.

The pen doesn’t seem to fit right in the holder.  It’s a bit loose and could easily come out.  Adding the tether helps, but because the pen doesn’t fit tightly, just moving the tether can pull the pen out.  The length of the tether is a plus and a minus.  It’s plenty long enough to comfortably write anywhere on the screen in any position, but its length also lets it catch on other things. If you don’t lose pens, you won’t need the tether.

Fan position.  With the machine having so much hardware in a small package, almost any place that the fan goes will interfere with the way people hold it.  The default landscape position will put the heat output from the fan right into the arm of those who hold it in their left hand.  Of course, moving it, would just create the issue somewhere else, so I don’t consider this a problem that can be fixed by HP or anyone else at this point, just something that you should be aware of.

Overall, this is a solid portable entertainment machine that will easily meet a Tablet user’s needs.  Most importantly, the tx2000 offers a great price point.  Starting at just $1299, this is a Tablet PC that won't destroy your budget.

With the quality of the hardware, the speed, Windows Vista handwriting recognition, Media Center and the price for what you get, this is a notebook computer that should meet the needs of a wide-range of buyers.  Although a consumer machine, there’s no reason why this won’t also be a great notebook computer for business users as well.

Congratulations HP and thank you for listening to all of us!  We've awarded the HP tx2000 Pavilion Entertainment PC our Editor's Favorite Award.  

HP 2710P

I saw the HP 2710P at Gnomedex 2007.  HP had a large presence, both by sponsoring the opening night's reception and with the new products that they were highlighting, one of which was their newest Tablet PC offering for business - the HP2710P. 

This is a no-nonsense Tablet PC, meant to work as you do and do so in a lightweight, easy to carry case.  It's a beautifully finished computer, with a 12.1" widescreen, decent resolution.  With this offering, HP has abandoned the touchpad and gone to a very sensitive pointing stick.