MULTI-TOUCH TABLET PC

Notebook PC

HP prefers to call it a notebook PC, but with a 12.1-inch screen, it will tend to get categorized somewhere between netbooks and notebooks.

But it also offers more versatility - swivel the screen 180 degrees and fold it - the notebook turns into a multi-touch tablet PC (slate mode), where you can work on applications, write or draw with a digital pen (included in the pack) etc.

The pen itself is not a dumb stylus. Just pointing it at a menu or a hyperlink highlights it. A button in the pen also provides the right-click function, though using it can get a bit of getting used to.

At first glance

This is probably the first multi-touch tablet PC. HCL has a touch-screen product too, but it is a netbook, with a much smaller screen.

A subdued embedded design on the cover makes the HP tx2 look different from other netbooks and laptops, but its glossy surface finish means that you'll be left scrubbing off fingerprints very often. We wonder why laptop makers have a fancy for 'fingerprint-magnet' surfaces.

The tx2 comes pre-loaded with Windows Vista Home Premium. The brain of the notebook - the 2.2GHz AMD Turion X2 ZM-82 processor is a bit disappointing as we expected a higher powered Intel or AMD.

That would have made the product a little more expensive, but would have offered more bang in terms of processing power. The keyboard is well designed and typing is comfortable with firm feedback.

Intuitive multi-touch interface

The main part of the notebook is the tablet PC mode. As said earlier, you can swivel the screen 180 degrees and fold it to convert it into a tablet PC. To browse, explore or control the PC functions, just use your fingers or the digital pen.

The tx2 is a multi-touch PC. This means you can use two fingers. For example, you can zoom a photo, or turn it around by using your fingers. The zoom function is easy and responsive, but flipping or turning around the picture requires some getting used to.

You are supposed to keep a finger stationary and rotate with the other. We found it a bit difficult at first and were able to turn a picture only after several attempts.

Finger gestures

The finger gestures also help when browsing pages. The test piece came with an Internet Explorer browser and the gestures worked well. We were able to zoom and pan pages using fingers.

The same gestures can also be used for zooming in and out of word or excel documents.

Repeated efforts

The screen is pretty intuitive and understands the difference between the digital pen, your fingers and any other part of your hand.

So if you happen to rest your hand on the screen while typing, the screen understands and prevents any unnecessary applications or programs from opening.

The only problem we faced was while trying to open applications with our fingers. Most often, it required repeated efforts to open applications with finger taps.

The digital pen or the usual click with the trackpad or the enter key did the job more easily. Maybe there were some settings to be tweaked that we didn't try out.

Good option

The battery lasted around four hours, which we think is decent. Battery time was slightly down when we browsed the net using Wi Fi.

If we compare netbooks to this notebook, which we actually shouldn't as it is supposed to be a proper laptop, the main plus point is the presence of the optical drive.

We are mentioning this since we think if you have netbooks on your mind, but are put off by the lack of optical drive, this could be a good option.

What we loved

One big plus for the HP TouchSmart tx2 is the Altec Lansing speakers, which live up to the reputation. We can say the tx2 beats other laptops and netbooks with the Altec Lansing speakers.

But don't expect to bring the house (or office) down with the sound. Remember, though it has a pair of Altec Lansing speakers, it's only a laptop.

Mention must be made about the touchpad. It is perforated and great to use and you don't have to worry about your fingers sliding out of the touchpad.

Comfortable carrybag

The build quality is great. When you hold the notebook in your hand, you realise the effort HP has put in ensuring a high standard of build quality.

The TouchSmart tx2 comes in a nice, compact and comfortable carrybag - unlike the usual bulky ones that come with other notebooks.

The bag itself is beautifully designed and doesn't look you are lugging a full-fledged laptop around.

What we disliked

One drawback is that we found the notebook tended to heat up quickly, especially on the right side.

Another drawback, if you think it is one, is the lack of a fire-wire port. This is supposed to be a full-fledged laptop/tablet PC, and a fire-wire port would have been a nice option.

On the whole, the HP TouchSmart TX2 is a nice and compact laptop-cum-tablet PC. If you think netbooks are puny and laptops are monsters, this could be the right one for you. For the price, we would have preferred a more powerful processor.

Ratings

Aesthetics & design: 4

UI and software: 4

Features: 4

Value for money: 3

Price: Rs 64,990

Specifications

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

Processor Name: Mobile AMD Turion 64 X2 Ultra XM-86

Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz

RAM: 4 GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)

Weight: 4.9 lb

Screen Size: 12.1 inches

Screen Size Type: widescreen

Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 3200

Storage Capacity: 400 GB

8-Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Networking Options: 802.11n

Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD /-RW

External storage options: 5-in-1 digital media reader, Express card/34 PC card slot, 3 USB 2.0 ports

Multimedia: Webcam, Fingerprint Reader, HP Mini Remote Control

Connectivity: Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth

LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD /-RW with Double Layer Support


Note:The picture of each laptop is given.You have to go according to them.