HP Pavilion tx2000 Tablet PC First Look

HP recently updated their popular notebook to Tablet PC convertible, the tx1000. Welcome the tx2000 Tablet PC. It has the same design as its predecessor, but now has an active digitizer and touchscreen. We were lucky enough to get our hands on one and bring you this first look review. I have to say I am quite impressed with this 12.1-inch tablet. We received a pre-production unit too and it’s still near perfect.

The HP tx2000. (view large image)

HP tx2000 Tablet PC specs:

• AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual Core processor TL-66 2.3GHz
• Up to 4GB DDR2 RAM (review unit had 2GB)
• Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 graphics
• Hard drive options of 120GB, 160GB or 250GB
• 12.1″ WXGA touchscreen display with built in digitizer (1280×800 resolution)
• LightScribe Super Multi or Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW
• Windows Vista Home, Business or Ultimate OS
• Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet
• 802.11a/b/g/n with Bluetooth
• ExpressCard Slot
• 3 x USB ports
• 2 x headphone out and one microphone-in
• VGA-15 pin
• TV-Out S-video
• RJ-11 and RJ-45
• Notebook Expansion port 3
• 2 x Consumer IR
• Battery: 4-cell or 6-cell Lithium-Ion
• Weight: 4.3 pounds with weightsaver and 4-cell battery
• Dimensions: 8.82″(L) x 12.05″(W) x 1.23″(H)

Design and Build

The tx2000 has a high-gloss HP exclusive Echo finish. Unlike its predecessor the lid is glossy black and has the Echo pattern, which also extends inside to the silver keyboard. Very sleek design, but it does get full of fingerprints. The overall design and chassis are still the same. The tx2000 feels solid and weighs in around 4.3 pounds.

Lid of the tx2000 with Echo imprint. (view large image)

Students and professionals everywhere are rejoicing to this news. The updated tx2000 Entertainment Tablet PC has a touchscreen and active digitizer, which means now you don’t have to use just your finger to navigate because there is a pen for taking notes or drawing. The pen is accurate and responsive as well. It still comes packed with a remote (my unit was lacking one though) and Altec Lansing speakers, so watching movies or listening to music is great.

Display and Keyboard

The 12.1″ WXGA display is kind of grainy, but this is common with tablets. It is glossy and reflective, but nothing major if you like high-gloss screens. It is actually helpful in the sunlight, not that I have seen much though here in the cold MidWest. The viewing angles are fine and now that it has both a touchscreen and active digitizer, it’s a real tablet.

The tx2000 in tablet mode with pen. (view large image)

The screen automatically changes orientation when rotated into tablet mode and the small hinge is surprisingly sturdy. The pen feels nice as well and I prefer it when navigating over my finger because it is more accurate. The tx2000 feels a little heavy when carrying in tablet mode, but it does come packed full of features.

The tx2000 keyboard and touchpad. (view large image)

The Keyboard feels solid. The keys don’t flex too much and response time is good. HP is making the keyboards even better on the production models with improved accuracy and response. The touchpad is still the famous perforated design. There are plenty of multimedia buttons for watching DVDs, listening to music or viewing your photos. There is even an optional Webcam.

Performance and Benchmark

The tx2000 now has that needed bump of power with its AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual Core processor. Browsing the Web and uploading pictures was an easy task. The Nvidia Go 6150 graphics will be a disappointment to some, but still work fine, just no hard-core gaming. This tablet was in need of a refresh and I can’t complain, especially for the price.

Battery life was good. I got around four hours with the 4-cell battery, which sticks out the back of the tablet a bit. The 6-cell actually raises the tablets height from 1.23″ to 1.52″, so that is something to think about. If you carry your tablet in slate mode the 4-cell battery might be more comfortable.

HP tx2000 in notebook mode. (view large image)

Wireless options are endless from 802.11b/g WLAN to 802.11a/b/g/n with Bluetooth and everything in between. At the office I had no problems connecting to the Internet, but at my house the tx2000 wouldn’t pick up a signal for anything. It was either hit or miss, but the Verizon coverage isn’t so great in my neighborhood.

PCMark05 measures the systems performance as a whole.

NotebookPCMark05 ScoreHP tx2000 (AMD Turion 64 X2 2.3GHz, Nvidia Go 6150 graphics)3,738 PCMarksAsus R1E (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, GMA 965 chipset)4,679 PCMarksFujitsu LifeBook T (Intel Core 2 Duo ULV 1.2GHz, GMA X3100 graphics)2,334 PCMarksGateway C-140x (Intel Core 2 Duo 2GHz, ATI X2300 HD graphics)4,342 PCMarksHP Compaq 2710p (Intel Core 2 Duo ULV 1.2GHz, GMA X3100 graphics)2,453 PCMarksLenovo ThinkPad X61 (Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz, GMA X3100 graphics)3,473 PCMarksFujitsu LifeBook T4220 (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz, GMA X3100 graphics)4,171 PCMarksGateway E-155C (Intel Core 2 Duo ULV 1.06GHz, Intel GMA 950 graphics)2,205 PCMarksLG C1 (Intel Core Duo 1.2GHz, Nvidia Go 7300)2,568 PCMarksToshiba R400 (Intel Core Duo ULV 1.2GHz, Intel GMA 950 graphics)2,187 PCMarksHP tx1000 (AMD Turion X2 2.0GHz, Nvidia Go 6150)3,052 PCMarksAsus R1F (1.66GHz Core Duo, Intel GMA 950 graphics)2,724 PCMarksLenovo ThinkPad X60t (1.66GHz LV Core Duo)2,860 PCMarksToshiba Tecra M6 (1.66GHz Intel T2300E, Intel GMA 950)2,732 PCMarks

Stay tuned for more benchmarks and testing in my complete review, which will be published in a few days. The tx2000 is definitely a true competitor. College students will love this convertible notebook, I mean the first one (the tx1000) was a huge success.

Ports

I don’t think you can ask for much more then what the tx2000 already offers. It isn’t the lightest tablet I have held, but it is the funnest. I wasn’t disappointed in the feature set and the entertainment features are an added bonus for this tablet.

Left side view of the ports. (view large image)

Right side view of the ports. (view large image)

Front view of the tx2000. (view large image)

Back view of the tx2000. (view large image)

Underneath view of the tx2000. (view large image)

Pricing and Availability

Prices for the tx2000 start at $1,299 and it is supposed to be available by 8th on hpshopping.com. If you want some hands-on time with one you will have to wait until when they hit retail stores.