HP's tm2 Laptop: Unboxing and First Impressions

[Jason Dunn]

<p><object width="600" height="360" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mg0GXIW56gQ&amp;ap=%26fmt=18" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mg0GXIW56gQ&amp;ap=%26fmt=18" /></object></p><p>This is an unboxing and first impressions video of the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/28hrkwq" target="_blank">HP tm2 laptop</a> [affiliate] - also known as a tablet PC because of the touch screen, though it's worth pointing out that HP doesn't use that term anymore. The exact model I'm reviewing is the 1070ca, on loan to me for a few weeks from HP Canada. The exact model and configuration will change depending on where you are in the world, but the basics are the same. <MORE /></p><p>Running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, this model has an Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 running at 1.3 Ghz, 4 GB of DDR3 RAM (up to 8 GB is supported, but there are only two RAM slots), a 500 GB 7200 RPM hard drive, and a 12.1" HP LED BrightView display at 1280 x 800 resolution. The screen is multi-touch capable, and you can use either the pen or your fingers to interact with it.</p><p>There's also a 5 in 1 memory card reader, a Webcam (1.3 megapixels most likely), Altec Lansing speakers with Dolby Advanced Audio, 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, and a 6-cell battery.</p><p>One thing I didn't talk about much in the video is how thick/heavy this laptop is - when I compared it to another 12 inch notebook, the <a href="http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/94177/hp-pavilion-dv2-unboxing-and-first-impressions.html" target="_blank">HP dv2</a>, there's really no comparison between the two. You have to really need/want the touch screen to justify the size/weight increases in the HP tm2...but more on that in the forthcoming review.</p><p><em>Jason Dunn owns and operates <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/" target="_blank">Thoughts Media Inc.</a>, a company dedicated to creating the best in online communities. He enjoys <a href="http://photos.jasondunn.com/" target="_blank">photography</a>, mobile devices, <a href="http://www.jasondunn.com/" target="_blank">blogging</a>, digital media content creation/editing, and pretty much all technology. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with his lovely wife, his wonderful son, and his sometimes obedient dog. He thinks there's no mystery why tablet PCs never took off.</em></p><p><em></em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1240336793.usr1.gif" /></p><p><strong>Do you enjoy using new hardware, software and accessories, then sharing your experience with others? Then join us on the <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/reviewteam.php" target="_blank">Thoughts Media Review Team</a>! We're looking for individuals who find it fun to test new gear and give their honest opinions about the experience. It's a volunteer role with some great perks. Interested? <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/reviewteam.php" target="_blank">Then click here for more information.</a></strong></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1240336793.usr1.gif" /></p>

[rck]

From my understanding, the TM series has replaced the TX series of touch/tablet PCs from HP. It would be interesting to hear what are the key differences. From the unboxing video, it looks like the TM series compared to the prior TX series has/is:

Pros

More memory
Multi-touch
Cons

Slower CPU speed
No internal DVD drive
Slower wired network connection

[Jason Dunn]

From my understanding, the TM series has replaced the TX series of touch/tablet PCs from HP. It would be interesting to hear what are the key differences.

I'm definitely not an expert on the tx series, but I did take a look at the tx2051 back in 2008:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXWnPG8Fj7k

I think your analysis of the differences is right on the money - HP went for the low voltage CPUs this time around, which are slower, but also much more power friendly. They ditched the optical drive on a few of their notebooks in 2009, but they seem to be reversing the decision in some of the updated models that were announced last month (the tm2 not being one of them).

I'm frankly amazed at the cost/weight the touch screen and rotating display adds...you have to really want/need it to justify the difference.

[Sven Johannsen]

Maybe HP could make one of these lighter and thinner by forgoing the keyboard. They could call it...........the Slate.

[Fritzly]

Does this brick have handwriting? If not neither this, the iPad nor all the coming clones are "Tablet", they are just a revisitation of the "Smart Display", code name "MIRA" launched ten years ago from MS.
So much for innovation, life change etc. etc.

[Sven Johannsen]

Does this brick have handwriting?Why yes it does, as all the HP TX series before it did. It is based on the Wacom digitizer, I believe, found on most every 'tablet' since Motion Computing did their Slate. The support for handwriting has been a MS offering improving continually from the XP Tablet edition, through the included tablet functionality of Vista and currently Windows 7.

[virain]

Well, I am writing this post using handwriting and digitizer on TM 2.
I bought it about 4 months ago, so I must be one of the first adopters :) From my personal experience I can say it is very well made and very useful machine. It travels with me where ever I go. 1.3Ghz processor is powerful enough to run Office, Visual Studio Express and Media player at the same time. Once I was stocked in an airport , so l've watched TV series on Hulu for five hours straight , and still had some battery left. A screen is easy to use and responsive, unfortunately mot all programs support multi-touch. As far as weight concern, it maybe sounds heavy, but can assure you , It is quite manageable. even when you hold it with one hand. Must be size and form factor plays role. Disc drive? I don't really miss it. All apps that I use downloadable from the internet. I don't use this computer to play games :) All in all I an happy with this machine. Although I wish it was in a "slate'' form , no keyboard. Since I bought it, I've never used a physical keyboard yet! So, if you have questions about TM2 , ask. You will get answers from "horse's mouth". :)

[virain]

Does this brick have handwriting? If not neither this, the iPad nor all the coming clones are "Tablet", they are just a revisitation of the "Smart Display", code name "MIRA" launched ten years ago from MS.
So much for innovation, life change etc. etc.

Yes, it does have handwriting, it is standard with Windows 7 Home Premium and up. It uses active digitizer On top of that, Corel Paint Touch (part of the package) recognizes pressure used to apply to the screen , so you have the same experience drawing with digitizer as you would draw with a pencil. Line thickness, sharpness and so on.

[Jason Dunn]

Although I wish it was in a "slate'' form , no keyboard. Since I bought it, I've never used a physical keyboard yet!

Really? You never use the keyboard? Seems like you're putting up with a lot of extra thickness/weight you don't need...I'm glad you like your tm2, but I'm honestly not that impressed with it. The screen rotation mechanism adds so much thickness at the end, it feels like a laptop from five years ago. :(

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Hey Jason, is it really that thick? I know there's a hump, but the specs I have here say it's 3cm at its thickest. Is that off?

[Jason Dunn]

Hey Jason, is it really that thick? I know there's a hump, but the specs I have here say it's 3cm at its thickest. Is that off?

That's probably right, but in a world of 1 inch thick laptops (or less, like my V13), a laptop that's 1.03 inches thick at the thinnest, and 1.55 inches at the back, is just too thick. My XPS M1330 bulks out at the back too, but somehow it seems to feel less bulky.

EDIT: 1.55 inches is 3.94 CM, so wherever you saw 3cm, that's off...

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Oh, 4cm, well, that does suck. Quite the hump. Saw the 3 cm figure on the HP site.