New HP Touch Screen Laptop
The HP TX2000 is unique in entertainment touch screen laptops in that it is the only touch screen laptop to have a digitizer display. It’s distinction from the previous TX1000 model is a handful of system updates and improved functionality in full tablet mode.
This laptop looks a lot like the past model but the body of the laptop is a little more consistent with the color and added arrows to show the swivel direction of the screen. Outside of those minor changes, the look remains sleek and attractive.
Some well designed features remain unchanged, which is a good thing. The speakers are built into the hinge so they rotate with the screen to point the speakers correctly at the user when watching media in tablet mode. Standard laptop speaker positions point the wrong direction when transformed into tablet mode.
Despite being a touch screen laptop, it will still work in standard laptop mode most of the time. For this reason the keyboard will still be used heavily and users can look forward to the same smooth tactile feedback keyboard. The only problem is the noise of the keys which will wear down with some use.
In connectivity, a/g/b WIFI is supported as expected with any laptop today but includes built in Bluetooth for any Bluetooth enabled device. Also included is a 5-in-1 card reader which is starting to become part of the HP Pavilion brand. The three USB 2.0 ports are placed nicely on both sides of the keyboard as well as S-video.
The screen is quite nice even for an HP which tends to have bright screens. It is 12.1 inches widescreen with a resolution of 1230×800 which is standard for the small display area. Clarity is moderate and angle viewing is horrendous. The ultra glossy screen is attractive but also very reflective in bring environments.
The TX2000 weighs in at just 4.26 pounds which sounds good for any laptop but that is more than most 12.1 inch laptops anywhere else. Most models will come with 2 gigabytes of RAM but a 4 gigabyte version is also available. For being an entertainment centric machine, the overall operating speed is only average and graphics is below average.
Noise is very well managed by the brilliant layout of the fan under the base of the laptop. This does well to minimize the noise generated by the fan when the laptop is in use. However, in tablet mode the computer tends to heat up and if it is being used on top of a lap it blows hot air directly onto the leg causing discomfort.
The dual node display and sufficiently enduring battery life make this laptop a deal considering the price to feature ratio. The biggest thing to look out for is the recognition software of the on screen digitizer being off accuracy. Kind of defeats the features of being a touch screen laptop.