While HP
mistakenly claims that its sparkly new (but previously
rumored) TouchSmart tx2 is the world's first
multitouch consumer notebook, we're still decidedly stoked about this here
convertible tablet. Boasting a 12.1-inch swivel display (LED-backlit) that's just dying to have your prints all over it, the tx2 will come loaded with Windows Vista, a bezel-mounted fingerprint reader, integrated webcam with microphone, Bluetooth / WiFi, stereo speakers, a 5-in-1 multicard reader and a LightScribe SuperMulti DVD burner. HP's also delivering the oh-so-stylish Reaction Imprint exterior, an AMD Turion X2 dual-core processor, the firm's own MediaSmart 2.0 software, a VGA output, Ethernet and at least one USB port from the looks of things. You're supposed to be able to add one of these to your digital shopping cart right now via HP's own webstore or Amazon.com, but both links currently lead to sections of the intarwebz you don't ever, ever want to see. Hold tight -- we've a feeling HP will be getting really official with this one momentarily.
Read - TouchSmart tx2 microsite
Read - Hands-on with TouchSmart tx2
posted Nov 19th 2008 at 12:53AM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chin-Poh @ Nov 19th 2008 12:56AM
Its a shame they still didn't put an HDMI port in there as with their previous models. : (
Its a nice upgrade from the previous TX2000/TX2500 series but HP still could have put in some more features.
Mert @ Nov 19th 2008 9:35AM
Only thing that is new to this TX series is the multi-touch. I ahve the current generation and thatis the onlything missing of course aside from the different bigger HDD and faster CPU configuration. Otherwise the base is the same.
thedesolate1 @ Nov 19th 2008 10:58AM
I was hoping that they would upgrade the cpu and also workout all the heating and noise issues. I am crossing my fingers for a netbook version of this with a slimmer profile and a cheaper, cooler, more energy efficient processor.
Ariel @ Nov 19th 2008 12:57AM
How did they make it so ugly?
nerdtalker @ Nov 19th 2008 1:07AM
Moreover, how does HP make _ALL_ of their products so ugly when they own Voodoo PC? You'd think at least _some_ of the design knowledge/common sense would float over, even by osmosis.
Even better, I love how they insist on making their "TouchSmart" products a high-gloss sheen? It's really brilliant, make something you're supposed to touch, and then make it so glossy and shiny that it looks like someone eating fried chicken made a mess all over it. Really. At least the Latitude XT tablet and Lenovo tablets have matte, brushed metal which doesn't show _every single_ fingerprint and drive you crazy. I can't wait until this whole high-gloss = better phase going on in the industry stops.
JohnTitor @ Nov 19th 2008 1:09AM
what's with _ALL_ the underscores?
Reader @ Nov 19th 2008 1:19AM
Thankgoodness engadget doesn't support HTML. His comments would alternate in italics, bold, underline, and font size for effect (more minus clicks?).
nerdtalker @ Nov 19th 2008 1:24AM
LOL tough crowd. Comments are pretty much all about being a stupid fuck lately apparently, and very little about the actual story, at least I'd be led to believe it if I paid you shitwaffles any attention.
Sorry, I guess I should ha've made some mindless comment about it blending or playing Crysis on-par with your intellect.
Reader @ Nov 19th 2008 1:54AM
Lawl, excerpts from half of your comments:
"I accidentally the whole sentence!" Yay for 4chan intellectualism
"What the hell? Are you even in the same dimension as us?" Ad hominem, definitely intellectual
"You're a fully qualified incoherent nonsensical rambling idiot is what you are, LOL!" Again...
"Are you on crack?" Again again...
Seems like your comments fit in with "Comments are pretty much all about being a stupid fuck lately apparently, and very little about the actual story, at least I'd be led to believe it if I paid you shitwaffles any attention."
Endow me with your intellect oh great not-shitwaffle!
Tom G @ Nov 19th 2008 2:02AM
I am surprised, This thing is actually really really ugly but i guess Engadget readers have a bias towards tablet style laptops?
nerdtalker @ Nov 19th 2008 2:12AM
+1 for Reader's inability to make any relevant comments about the story/topic at hand for just about any of his posts. ::shrug::
Reader @ Nov 19th 2008 3:57AM
Never said I intended to. Many of these articles I only glance at the article then go to comments to see if I missed anything interesting in the article. The summaries these days aren't normally worth reading, used to get some good laughs out of 'em.
GingerFox @ Nov 19th 2008 5:04AM
i was just thinking that
Gustavo @ Nov 19th 2008 12:58AM
I think I'm in love...
Adam @ Nov 19th 2008 2:01AM
I agree! I think it looks amazing and one of the best looks in a while from any company!
Surur @ Nov 19th 2008 2:27AM
I have the TX2050, and its great. This looks like a nice upgrade. Presumable with a fully capacitive screen (the tx has capacitive plus resistive, so screen quality suffers) outdoor visibility will be much better.
404 @ Nov 19th 2008 3:16AM
Yeah, the screen quality suffers really badly on the older models, let's hope they've improved it with this.
Although, I'll cry if they have. I bought a TX2500 only a couple of months ago.
Ahmed Alzayani @ Nov 19th 2008 1:25PM
i would love to try windows 7 on this, i have the 6801 build installed on my laptop. just "Aero Shake" a window with your finger .... and see what happens :)
bryant.d.b42 @ Nov 19th 2008 12:59AM
First multitouch tablet? No.
First Consumer multitouch tablet? Yes. The Dell is a business tablet.
Bolivar Baez @ Nov 19th 2008 2:10AM
Aren't business consumers too? I think you are referring to home consumers.
0megapart!cle @ Nov 19th 2008 8:30AM
Come on now. It is a given with computers that consumer models are geared toward home or home office users.
SDreamer @ Nov 19th 2008 10:15AM
That's exactly what I was thinking.
Anyways, that's one nice looking tablet for me. I would really love to have one of those. I just wish they would switch from AMD to Intel. This line of laptops from HP tend to get really hot, wonder if this follows since the specs seem like they're similar to the tx2500.
chefgon_ign @ Nov 19th 2008 1:02AM
Multitouch Capacitive Screen
Digitizer
$1300
WANT. WANT NOW.
Jeff Stoelker @ Nov 19th 2008 1:15AM
zzomg more touchscreens. wtb a mouse
Rob @ Nov 19th 2008 1:17AM
So laggy! Heck even my HTC Touch Diamond, which is no-so-responsive is still more speedy to touch and loading than that half baked crap.... heck i wouldn't even compare it to the iPhone's smoothness in multi-touch. Sorry HP, it's the truth. Put it back and polish it please.
Jamesology @ Nov 19th 2008 7:04AM
WOW really huh? Comparing a phone to a laptop? All I can say is; at least this laptop is more compatible with more softwares in the market.
Kali4 @ Nov 19th 2008 2:26PM
I bet the performance will get a little smoother once you remove the bloatware installed by the manufacturer. The only times that I have had Vista run slow on me was when there were wares from the manufacturer trying to do the same jobe Vista was already doing, and when someone tried to set the system prefrences beyond the capabilities of the hardware. Yes, I have had Vista running smooth and snappy on a four year old machine.
punkrawkintrev @ Nov 19th 2008 1:35AM
Dear Apple,
Wake up!
love,
Designers
Nihility @ Nov 19th 2008 1:43AM
I got burned so hard by their first model, the tx1000z, that I won't be able to buy another HP laptop for a while.
Laptops shouldn't consistently die after 1 year :(
jorvay @ Nov 19th 2008 10:13AM
My TX1000 series is still running strong, but the build quality is questionable. Linux woes put me off ever buying another HP again until recently, with the newest Ubuntu build managing all the hardware quite elegantly. Still, the AMD chip gets hot hot hot, and I've heard about/witnessed so many HP laptop deaths lately. it'd be hard to justify buying another one.
Josh @ Nov 19th 2008 5:31PM
Since all notebook computers are made by one or more of 3 manufacturing companies in China, a recent study proved no one computer company has a higher failure rate than another- INCLUDING APPLE.
nick @ Nov 19th 2008 1:44AM
This is exactly what I have been looking for in a netbook, obviously it is not a netbook, but hell, if it has a decent battery life, I might just have to sell my Archos to help pay for this.
Al @ Nov 19th 2008 2:52AM
Exactly would love to see something from HP in netbook form.
MIKE @ Nov 19th 2008 1:51AM
Everytime you touch the side of the screen, HP loses another 10 million potential customers for this thing.
Yes. When you push on the screen of a laptop, it PUSHES THE SCREEN BACK. So.... Not only is it uncomfortable to use, it is also brilliantly designed for people who like holding on to the screen with their left hand.
Pfft. Stupid Steve Jobs things touch doesn't really work for desktops and laptops. (sarc)
Once again, Apple 10,000, PC World 0.
jdmbo1 @ Nov 19th 2008 2:07AM
Wait, what the fuck are you talking about? How does the screen push back? The touchscreen for the Tx2 is capacitive touch, the same technology as the Iphone, which means you don't have to apply pressure to the screen as you would with a resistive touch screen.
chefgon_ign @ Nov 19th 2008 8:44AM
It's a tablet, genius. If you're going to be using the touch screen heavily you're going to have it converted so it's all one solid piece.
nvbits @ Nov 19th 2008 1:53AM
really?
something tells me if people by this because they think it will be like an iphone will be disapointed
the athlon 64x2 is good, but loaded down with vista this thing cannot compare to an iphone, touch wise.
if previous models are to indicate atleast it is a good general notebook, not the best in every catagory, but the price is good.
still not a good deal when i think about my tx2000z that i got for 600$ new five months ago.
Adam @ Nov 19th 2008 2:03AM
I fail to see your point?
Loaded down with vista? have you used vista or the desktop version of HP's touch computer? It is very responsive and works very well.
I have to take it that you are just assuming Vista runs very slow, but if you would give it a shot you would see what a great OS is really is.
nvbits @ Nov 19th 2008 2:27AM
yes i have used vista, on multiple computers, as i said i have an older model of this tablet.
vista runs ok on it, im not really complaining about the speed of the system, its just that a core 2 can run much more smoothly.
i dont think the "mediasmart" branding is all that great, windows media center can do alot of its tasks, and preforms better.
maybe it dosent have widgets and was not truely designed for a tablet, but i have found it works great with them.
i can only wonder how this ones going to react to linux......
jorvay @ Nov 19th 2008 1:22PM
I have a tx1000 series for a home laptop, and as much as I've been disappointed in it over-all, I'll stick up for it here. I have an under-powered model with only one gig of memory and it was sluggish out of the box. But as soon as I wiped it out and gave it a clean install of Vista, it worked like a charm. No performance issues what-so-ever.
My only real issues with it have been Linux compatibility and less-than-stellar battery life, but switching to the newest Ubuntu release fixed both of those quite nicely.
domoPod @ Nov 19th 2008 1:58AM
santa,
i want one!
Ariel @ Nov 19th 2008 2:00AM
Who would want a multi-touch laptop where you always have to use one hand to support the screen while touching with just one free hand?
cesium @ Nov 19th 2008 2:10AM
It's a tablet; the screen folds flat onto the screen
Miguel @ Nov 19th 2008 3:43AM
I can poke, prod and drag my hands across my laptop screen without causing it to fold back. A sturdy hinge is everybody's friend. How hard are you pushing on a capacitive screen?
Lawrence @ Nov 22nd 2008 1:43AM
How about having it converted to slate on your desktop and using an external keyboard?
This would turn it into a touchsmart desktop.
collegekid13 @ Nov 19th 2008 2:02AM
after two broken hp's and abominal customer service never buying hp again. infact this hp im typing on now, its blu-ray drive broke this afternoon and its 3 months old
cesium @ Nov 19th 2008 2:09AM
Maybe it's you
VoiceOfReason @ Nov 19th 2008 2:27AM
You guys seem to forget about windows 7...
phail @ Nov 19th 2008 2:36AM
want
merrykid @ Nov 19th 2008 2:39AM
dell latitude xt isn't a mutitouch tablet ?