Don't you just love it when a plan comes together? Just a week after
hearing that
HP would soon be refreshing its
TouchSmart tm2 convertible tablet with Core i3 and Core i5 options, in flies this: an Amazon product page confirming as much. The 12.1-inch, 4.72-pound TouchSmart tm2-2050us is currently in pre-order status, rocking a 2.13GHz Core i3-330M processor, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 640GB hard drive (5400RPM), Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit), a WXGA LED-backlit display, Intel's integrated graphics set, Altec Lansing speakers, a 5-in-1 card reader and gigabit Ethernet. You'll also get a brushed aluminum finish, inbuilt webcam and fingerprint reader, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth, a trio of USB 2.0 sockets, HDMI / VGA outputs, audio in / out and a battery good for around four hours of use. You can get in line now in exchange for $949.99, and if we were the betting type, we'd surmise that a Core i5 version was just around the bend.
[Thanks, Daniel]
posted May 15th 2010 11:59PM
GRRR. I just had to buy the Tm2-1070us!
Meh, I get 7.5hr of battery life. Only 320gb 7200rpm HD, though :(
Still a great tablet, better then the iTampon.
@Apeman96 I'd rather have 7200rpm than double the storage. I usually store most of my crap in my NAS anyways.
@engadgetcomexcludeengadget
double the storage at 5400rpm is actually faster than half the storage at 7200rpm due to density.
@McKirf and better for battery-life and lower noise-levels and vibrations.
@Apeman96 Same situation =/ bought it just 2 weeks ago, and then these rumors come about. It's a lovely laptop and my favorite computer-using experience ever, but grrr upgraded processors. I wonder how the performances compares to the standard 1.3ghz ULV.
Definitely the best budget tablet around.
@napilopez the latest SSD's make spinning hard disks look weaker than ever: and who uses a notebook to store large volumes of data anyway; everyone can appreciate 2X faster booting, 3X faster application launching; very few who own lots of data require lots of storage on their mobile devices.......
@napilopez
Yea, I know. It will be 1 month on Tuesday, and I have been loving it. I still play Half Life 2 and Portal at 30fps :D And that is with the base 1.3 core 2 duo ULV and Intel GMA.
Kickass tablet, only downside is that it is 190pixels too low to run the Microsoft Surface SDK :(
@McKirf Maybe during file transfers, but the 7200rpm will have better access times.
@Apeman96
iTampon?
you mean the first gen iPod shuffle?...well OF COURSE this is better than that
@Apeman96 Probably if they'll reduce the price a little bit then more people would get this one. Reactions- http://j.mp/touchsmarttm2-by-hp
@Apeman96
I hope those aren't pictures of the final product...
They really need to change that ugly feminine color to something more unisex and don't even get me started on that tumor-like bump underneath it at the back.
I'd rather have a slightly thicker but flat tm2 than one with all the "fatness" tucked away to the rear.
@Apeman96
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/sys/1744923377.html
If anybody wants to buy my current tm2 - I really need the faster processor.
who makes the digitizer? and can it be outfitted with discrete graphics. these are important questions!
@Chuuchdizzle
I don't think there is enough room for good discrete graphics
@Chuuchdizzle
The digitizer is a beautiful Wacom which is why I love this so much. It allows for 512 levels of pressure which is perfect for artistic enthusiasts. Definitely a one-of-a-kind tablet... for now.
@spsfinest
nevermind just check the HP site and the original Core 2 versions had options for "512MB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 4550 Graphics"
@McKirf Yes, the Wacom on this is better than the previous iteration's (tx2, AMD platform) N-trig for the pen parts. However, it is limited to two points of touch unlike the N-trig (4 now in software, 10 max in hardware). N-trig is also more responsive and accurate for touch.
@lituus
As long as it has Wacom and at least two points, I'm a happy camper! It is a small trade-off in my book to have the wacom, then I don't have to lug my wacom pad with me. Plus I have the benefit of drawing directly on the screen of which my wacom pad does not do.
@Chuuchdizzle
I don't know about this new one, but the old one (which I own, with the 1.3ghz ULV processor), has a switchable graphics option from the intel 4500 to the ATI Radeon 4550. I can run dragon age on max settings native resolution on it, playable settings.
Also, since it's switchable graphics, you can go back to the Intel graphics chip and get 5-7 hours of battery life depending on settings and usage.
@Chuuchdizzle
thanks for all the responses guys, this looks like a must have, the only real downer is the weight, but it's not a deal breaker. I think I might have to get this one. now on to the money issue.
I would buy this, but there is no discrete graphics, which would be necessary for any kind of graphic design I do, and it better have a Wacom digitizer...otherwise, another notetaking-only tablet...
@kapanak
Yes, it is a Wacom digitizer, and, there is an option for discrete graphics.
@jellotime91
Then, I have found my tablet...
@kapanak - why should dedicated graphics be necessary for any kind of graphics design? Unless you do 3D stuff, Intel's graphics chips provide EXACTLY the same as any NVidia/ATI solution...
@NewL Yep, the intel graphics are fine for the CS suite. I currently use all the CS4 products on my T4410 Lifebook (also uses the wacom dual digitizer) and it runs pretty smooth, just won't be doing much gaming that's for sure.
DO WANT NOW!!
damn, 4.72lbs?
@Luxury Guy That's one of the reasons I didn't upgrade to this from my tx2.
Pros of each model:
tx2: 4.65 lbs with optical drive, 4.35 lbs with weight-saver.
tx2: has ExpressCard slot and media-center remote.
tx2: fast AMD Puma processor, better integrated graphics (ATI 3200).
tx2: 4 points of touch & perforated touch-pad.
tm2: aluminum chassis, matte finish.
tm2: DDR3 memory, better discrete graphics option (ATI 4550)
tm2: low-power Intel CULV processors, 7+ hrs battery on integrated.
tm2: Wacom digitizer works in Photoshop, multi-touch touch-pad.
@lituus I owned both of them at one point. The TX2 felt heavier to me. And god was that a hot monster. The TM2 is nice and cool and its got game.
Can't say I didn't see this coming, the 640GB HDD was rather unexpected though
Does it have a wacom digitizer?
@Eternity
the answers all over this page.. ha reading helps, but yes; yes it does
@jitters333
I went to the amazon page and didn't find my answer at the source, that is why I asked. I did skip the comments thought, so my fault. lol
Looks Interesting; Good work HP
Wow, huge performance upgrade from a culv Core 2 Duo.
Lol I'm sorry but I see a laptop not a tablet?
@JonnyB
You may want to visit an optometrist then ;)
@Epyon ahaha no I'm dead serious, even the thing says laptop and has a keyboard, how is this a tablet??
@JonnyB
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablet_PC
there are different types of form factors for tablets, the ipad is a slate a this particular one is a convertible which is the most popular form
@JonnyB You smell like a troll
@JonnyB
Stop it, be Goode
The main problem with this is the screen. I had use of a TM2 for a while and the viewing angle is horrible. You have to be right above the screen to see color and detail...placing it on a desk and writing is near impossible.
@QuantumForce
the only problem i've had with the viewing angle of the tx2500 series is when you put it in slate mode and the screen is upside down facing you in which case i just rotate it for the right side up. in portrait orientations i have no complaints about the viewing angle as well which is good for me since that's how i usually use it for taking notes
@Vai
I'd agree with you about the screen angles: my TX2550ea is fine, but the touch screen layer drives me nuts. I hope the multitouch layer in this thing is much more clear.
There is something wrong with this tablet screen, the viewing angel is very very poor, and there is a blue hue all over the screen, and the colors are not correct at all. I have one with core2.
How come 5400rpm hard drives are still so popular? I thought 7200 rpm would be a lot more common by now, and a lot more beneficial with the overall performance.
@n11 perhaps because people value battery life, run times on mobile devices?
You engadget editors must be blind. If you actually read the Amazon page it actually says this about battery life.
"With a battery life of up to 9.75 hours, this HP laptop keeps up with your busy day on the go—without needing to be plugged in." This is from the product description. So it more or less matches the iPad for battery life.
@alamfour
Funny.
When tested, reviewers couldn't get more than 6-7 (Im being generous) hours out of the battery.
Nice try though.
Oh and if you are getting your info from the technical details then you better read them carefully because you will notice that they contain the specs of the previous model.