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My favorite thing about HP computers? They're listening to their customers. Almost every new iteration of a product incorporates several suggestions from consumers.
The tx2 is no exception. I'm waiting on the arrival of HP's new tx2 for review.
Although I saw the HP tx2500 at AMD's Tech Day 2008, I didn't take any shots to compare it to my tx2000.
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.
AMD's Puma and ATI Graphics should make a big difference on overall performance. We'll have more to share once we run the computers side by side with the same programs running.
HP tx2000
HP tx2500
HP tx2000
HP tx2500
HP tx2000
HP tx2500
HP tx2000
Shown at Computex, along with lots of entertainment features, HP has beefed up its popular tx2000 series with
AMD Turion X2 Ultra TL-84 2.3GHz processor
WXGA Touch Panel LCD - 12.1"
Up to 4GB DDR2-800 Memory
Up to a 250GB Toshiba 5400RPM Hard Drive
802.11n Wireless
Touch-screen Display (1280 x 800)
Other specifications -
Included features:
• HP Pavilion tx2500z Entertainment Notebook PC
• HP PhotoSmart Essentials
• QuickPlay 3.x
• Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
• 1 Expansion Port 3 connector
• 1 ExpressCard/34 Slot
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• 2 Consumer IR's (Remote Receiver)
• HP Mini Remote Control
• Built-in digitizer pen
• TV-Out (S-video)
• 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader
• Built-in Altec Lansing stereo speakers
• Integrated Stereo Microphones
• Touch Pad with On/Off button and dedicated vertical Scroll Up/Down pad
• Kensington(R) MicroSaver lock slot
• Power-on password
• 101 key compatible
• 65W AC adapter
• 1-year limited H/W warranty
• 90-day S/W warranty
HP's tx2000
- Editor's Favorite Award Winner
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
Other features include
   
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.
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