HP's TouchSmart tx2z multitouch convertible tablet starts at $1,149

Oh sure, you could select Dell's multitouch-enabled Latitude XT over HP's latest, but given the $1,829 starting price of the former, we'd say the TouchSmart tx2z is looking a lot more delectable these days. Hailed as the first multitouch "consumer" convertible tablet (a claim that's certainly open for debate), the 12.1-inch tx2 gets going at just $1,149.99, though HP's "recommended" configuration starts at $1,223.99. The baseline setup includes Vista Home Premium, a 2.1GHz AMD Turion X2, 3GB of DDR2 RAM, an ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics set, 250GB of HDD space and a built-in webcam. As of now, the estimated build date shows December 8th, so we'd get that order in five minutes ago if you're looking to ensure a holiday delivery.

[decapitor @ Nov 19th 2008 6:12PM]

Why do they insist on sticking Turions in all their tablets? I may have bought one by now otherwise.

[Zadillo @ Nov 19th 2008 6:51PM]

I've got the same question....... the tx line has been through numerous iterations now, and yet they've never made one with a C2D. It's not like HP doesn't use C2D CPU's on their other lines, so why only Turions on this particular line?

[jdmbo1 @ Nov 19th 2008 6:51PM]

Because it keeps the cost down. If you want an HP tablet convertible with an intel chip, check out the business class HP 2730p.

[Valicore @ Nov 19th 2008 7:06PM]

Totally agree, I have the tx2000 and it makes me crave anything with an Intel chip.

[tcc3 @ Nov 19th 2008 10:51PM]

Its still a slow C2D. Same question, why are all the tablets crippled with slow processors?

[jdmbo1 @ Nov 20th 2008 5:39AM]

Most, if not all tablets are classified as ultraportables, thus they are light and are designed to have long battery life. If you stick a full size mobile C2D in these things you either have one that's to big to carry around in one arm, or one that will get to hot, or one that will have the battery life of an hour. These crippled C2D and Turions offer great battery life, ex: Fujitsus 2010 with ~9 hours, plus most tablet users take notes on these machines, it doesn't require a strong processor for someone to scribble down random notes. Please, if you're going to complain about the lack of real C2D in these machines, actually research them and find out WHY they don't stick those processors in. And check out the prices of these machines, C2D tablets start at ~$1500 and up, and people complained like shit, yet they ask for a full C2D, how much will that cost? The digitizers don't come cheap, (if you have one for your desktop, you'll understand). The HP tablets are the cheapest and has above average build quality.

[tcc3 @ Nov 20th 2008 9:46AM]

I understand all that. But it would be nice to have the choice. Its a convertible, not a slate - most aren't any smaller than a regular laptop. Its hard to do any graphics work when the processor is gimped. My wife loves her Satellite r10, but because only slower processors were available its way more obsolete than it should be at this time. I'd like to not have to buy a new tablet every year.

And whats with all the vitriol, dude? I asked a damn question, I didn't attack you personally.

[jdmbo1 @ Nov 20th 2008 1:39PM]

Sorry for aggression, it's been a long night for me (studying for exams before the holiday break). I understand how most tablets are crippled because of graphical power, a stronger gpu would mean a decrease in laptop battery life. Most people that I know with tablets (students) use them for note taking, which doesn't really require a crazy strong cpu or gpu to use. I think theres a tablet out there, Compaq maybe, that has a very strong gpu, but a horrible battery life. I guess what I'm tired of are people complaining about no C2D or "real C2D", and turn around and complain about battery life, its a give and take. Most convertible tablets are also considered ultra portables, 12.1 inch screens, there's going to be a premium no matter how you look at it.

[ubn2 @ Nov 19th 2008 6:14PM]

PLEASE, OH PLEASE give us an Ubuntu option. and Intel at least centrino 2

[kjb434 @ Nov 19th 2008 6:17PM]

Does Unbuntu have touchscreen abilities?

[iofthestorm @ Nov 19th 2008 6:25PM]

@kjb: Yes, you can install linuxwacom drivers in Ubuntu to get touchscreen capabilities but the OS level integration isn't the same as in Vista, so it's not really worth it in my opinion (tx2000 user).

[jorvay @ Nov 19th 2008 6:28PM]

it'd be nice to get it without the MS tax, but at least the latest Ubuntu release (8.10) will likely run quite well on it. My tx1000 is running like butter, including video drivers, wifi driver, and touchscreen support, all without having touched a terminal. It was smooth enough to get my to switch from Fedora for the first time in all the years I've been using a linux-based OS.

[ubn2 @ Nov 19th 2008 6:36PM]

@jorvay
i totally agree like the $20 less ubuntu mini 1000 and im considering a touchscreen tablet so is the tx series the best or go with dell?

[ethana2 @ Nov 19th 2008 7:28PM]

Multi-touch won't really be present until 9.04 though..
Still, people buy hardware that's not supported yet all the time. The more you upgrade, the more stuff Just Works.

[holycow @ Nov 19th 2008 6:20PM]

How responsive is the screen on this one? I used an older HP Tablet and i wasn't quite impressed with it.

[jorvay @ Nov 19th 2008 6:30PM]

The older ones only had a resistive (pressure-sensitive) touch screen. The newer models apparently have a dual-technology (resistive and capacitive) touchscreen, so they should be better. Mind you, I've never tried the newer models, so I can't say for sure.

[KRIS_C_123 @ Nov 19th 2008 6:22PM]

looks cool, sounds cool, but i will wait until i see some of the quality engadget reviews.


was going to get the bamboo dell studio hybrid but thought no, i will be too tempted to eat it..... i am a panda you see

[Ike Turner @ Nov 19th 2008 7:06PM]

"quality engadget reviews"

Quality Engadget review? what's that?

[RichasB @ Nov 19th 2008 6:27PM]

OMG! I talked to a HP representative like 3 days ago and he said they were not releasing a new tablet until SIX more months! I bought the HP tablet right before this one that I got at Circuit City, it's the HP tx2510us.

Does Anyone know if HP will release any kind of update that will allow older tablets to have multi-touch? I'm going to be pretty annoyed if they didn't >:o

[Jonny @ Nov 19th 2008 6:32PM]

Simple. Did you buy it within 14 days? Go and return it, if you want this one. Though you will get hit with a 15% restocking fee. (As we cant sell it new, and have to sell it as OB, which is around 15% off)

The HP reps, a lot of them arent really told about anything thats up and coming, only whats out now and has been out for a while.

[jdmbo1 @ Nov 19th 2008 6:55PM]

Seeing as the tx2z has a capacitive touch screen and tx2500 has a resistive touch screen, the only way to have multi-touch would be to change the digitizers; which means, if its possible, return your tx2500 and order the tx2z.

Sidenote - check out the complaints about the Dell XT and it's multitouch abilities, no pressure sensitive in some programs, not supported in vista right now, etc. You might be better off with the tx2500, but it's your call.

[Rosario @ Nov 19th 2008 7:44PM]

I bought a Tx2500 back in August and while Im mad that a new one came out before the year was even over, Im happy with the one I have now. Multitouch is great and fun but doesnt really have any practical use. I use my tablet mostly for school (taking notes on). just regular interent usage and couple games here and there. I got mine maxed out and it still came out less then what the starting point for this is.

Like Johnny said, if you bought it within the last two weeks, which sounds like you did then just return it and get this one. Just make sure that the multitouch is worth it because you could get a cheaper or same priced Tx2500 maxed out on HP's site (theres always $200 and up coupons floating around).

[Kwen @ Nov 19th 2008 9:07PM]

@jdmbo1

The tx2500 models have both capacitive and resistive touch sensitivity.

[jdmbo1 @ Nov 19th 2008 9:44PM]

The tx2500 has a resistive touchscreen and active digitizer screen, which needs a pen to use. The new tx2z has a capacitive touch and an active digitizer, please review the specs before you try to correct me. I have an tx2500 by the way, I know what I'm talking about.

[Upp @ Nov 19th 2008 6:35PM]

I think the touchsmart desktop is such a cool computer, hopefully the laptop lives up to the desktop!

[ubn2 @ Nov 19th 2008 6:50PM]

I still cant believe that you arent low ranked/banned yet!

[scott @ Nov 19th 2008 6:52PM]

lol! i think their claim for first "multitouch consumer tablet" is very overstated. I had an Averatec tablet almost 5 years ago that I got for $1000 that had multitouch support.

[John @ Nov 19th 2008 7:06PM]

active digitizer =/= to multitouch

[Valicore @ Nov 19th 2008 7:09PM]

Can anyone comment on the quality of the SCREEN? Is it as crappy as the tx2000 was?

[Jacques @ Nov 19th 2008 11:40PM]

You can check out this video in high quality.....from what i can see it looks significantly better than the previous models. Which is awesome because that was probably the biggest drawback of the laptop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6XVRkLRtT0

[Nihility @ Nov 20th 2008 1:56PM]

That, heat, battery life, general build quality and the HP software. No I'm not bitter... well maybe a little.

[dggraphics @ Nov 20th 2008 5:45PM]

Do they offer one without slug trails?

[hrfrank @ Nov 20th 2008 6:09PM]

any improvement from tx2500z?

[Ruletero @ Nov 20th 2008 8:30PM]

Every model of the TX series have a motherboard issue. The computer die after 13 months and the warranty is for 12 months only. DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!. HP dont fix it yet! and deny support after de warranty expires. Watch this post http://asesorensistemas.com:2088/wordpress/2008/11/hp-estafa-a-sus-clientes/ it list forums and posts of angry people who has the same problem.

[tiuk @ Nov 22nd 2008 2:26PM]

Pretty much the only affordable (new) tablet on the market, from what I could find. A friend of mine has an earlier model. It's had a few issues, but he likes it overall.

[Jon Doe. @ Nov 26th 2008 1:40AM]

Turion for the loose. Pass.

[kartal @ Dec 18th 2008 4:33PM]

Hi

Does this tablet utilize stylus pressure sensitivity as well? I am contemplating between tx2500z and tx2z.

thanks