HP TouchSmart tx2z Customizable Notebook PC

User Review #41 Source: HP.com by sud123 on August 27th, 2009

This entire review is based on my first week or two using the tablet, and this is the review that I was hoping to see when I was looking to buy this tablet. The specs for my laptop: 8GB RAM, 500GB Hard drive, AMD ZM-87 (2.4Ghtz), Wireless n+Bluetooth, fingerprint reader/webcam Although my pc came with Windows Vista, I installed Windows 7 RTM on it as soon as I bought it. For the most part, there were very few driver issues (which will be fixed by the time the RTM is publicly available) Cons: • The screen is easy to read & is not as grainy as other reviewers have mentioned. However the screen does have more noticeable grainy affect after long period of time or scrolling through online articles. This leads to a slightly nauseating affect. • When the laptop is in tablet mode, it is awkward to have the power cord plugged in depending on how the tablet is situated if you have it on your lap. • I bought this tablet with the HP tx Series Notebook Stand and it is a nice combination, I do not regret my purchase of the two. However, the tablet (when using the 8 cell battery) can only be placed upside down so that the battery (which sticks out) can go through the cutout in the stand • The volume controls that are located on the top left of the laptop by the keyboard are only useable in laptop mode, the screen covers these items when in tablet mode. • Although it couldn’t really be expected. The touch functionality is hit or miss with full screen 3D games. Some games seem to work better with touch than others. • Underneath the rotate button on the screen, it appears there is space (and it is a small cutout) for what possibly could have been another screen button. It would have been nice to have a button that could have commands assigned to it. • There is only one external fan that I have noticed on the tablet. This is the only real part of the laptop that gets noticeably warm. It is not as hot as it is going to burn you, but it can be a bit uncomfortable to the touch at some times. At these times, just direct the fan in another direction away from you and it shouldn’t be a big issue. • I may just be getting use to Windows 7 or I am having a driver issue, however the fingerprint reader is very ‘touchy’. It works when it wants to, but I often see myself taking the computer out of tablet mode so that I can type my passwords. Pros: • MULTI-TOUCH!!!!! I plan on targeting this feature in my computer programming, but just on general principle, this is the first consumer laptop to have this functionality. Despite it being the first, it is VERY well done and is tightly integrated with Windows 7. • The pen has a mechanism in it that stops the multi-touch when the pen is within proximity of the screen • Pressure sensitive to touch sensitive programs • Despite what any of the HP representatives say, this tablet DOES come with the media remote. During my 5 times contacting sales and tech support and inquiring about the subject, I ALWAYS got a different answer. • One of my main concerns with purchasing this laptop was the graphics capability, and for being a tablet, the graphics do not disappoint. I am not a hardcore gamer, however Portal, Halo, and an Open Source game called Warsow work perfectly at full specs. Alongside this note, my particular model supported up to 3GB of shared graphics memory. • Although I did not order extra software with my tablet, Corel Painter 4 happened to be in the box when I got my tablet • The DVD drive is removable to free up some weight for the machine, however, I found it made the tablet feel ‘unbalanced’ so I never actually use this functionality. • The screen is a fingerprint magnet, however, it is primarily only noticeable when the computer is off and the screen is black. It may be an issue for games with dark environment • Although this tablet is only a 12.1” screen, when the tablet is being used, it seems like the screen is HUGE because it is comparable to a full sheet of paper. The max screen resolution is 1280x800 for the tablet itself, and this can be expanded through the one VGA output to an external monitor(no DVI or HDMI support). • XD/SD-MS/MMC Reader • Hand writing recognition is AMAZING!!!!!!!!! The recognition engine learns the more you use it and hand writing is recognizable from multiple people. • Then pen is very very very precise. • Battery life with the 8 cell battery is pretty good. At least 3 hours of charge I plan on using this tablet practically everyday as both a computer programmer and a college student; it is because of this that I was very OCD with finding all of the pros and cons of this tablet. The tablet may have more pros and cons, but overall it is truly an excellent tablet PC. I

Excellent

This entire review is based on my first week or two using the tablet, and this is the review that I was hoping to see when I was looking to buy this tablet.

The specs for my laptop:
8GB RAM, 500GB Hard drive, AMD ZM-87 (2.4Ghtz), Wireless n+Bluetooth, fingerprint reader/webcam

Although my pc came with Windows Vista, I installed Windows 7 RTM on it as soon as I bought it. For the most part, there were very few driver issues (which will be fixed by the time the RTM is publicly available)

Cons:
• The screen is easy to read & is not as grainy as other reviewers have mentioned. However the screen does have more noticeable grainy affect after long period of time or scrolling through online articles. This leads to a slightly nauseating affect.
• When the laptop is in tablet mode, it is awkward to have the power cord plugged in depending on how the tablet is situated if you have it on your lap.
• I bought this tablet with the HP tx Series Notebook Stand and it is a nice combination, I do not regret my purchase of the two. However, the tablet (when using the 8 cell battery) can only be placed upside down so that the battery (which sticks out) can go through the cutout in the stand
• The volume controls that are located on the top left of the laptop by the keyboard are only useable in laptop mode, the screen covers these items when in tablet mode.
• Although it couldn’t really be expected. The touch functionality is hit or miss with full screen 3D games. Some games seem to work better with touch than others.
• Underneath the rotate button on the screen, it appears there is space (and it is a small cutout) for what possibly could have been another screen button. It would have been nice to have a button that could have commands assigned to it.
• There is only one external fan that I have noticed on the tablet. This is the only real part of the laptop that gets noticeably warm. It is not as hot as it is going to burn you, but it can be a bit uncomfortable to the touch at some times. At these times, just direct the fan in another direction away from you and it shouldn’t be a big issue.
• I may just be getting use to Windows 7 or I am having a driver issue, however the fingerprint reader is very ‘touchy’. It works when it wants to, but I often see myself taking the computer out of tablet mode so that I can type my passwords.

Pros:
• MULTI-TOUCH!!!!! I plan on targeting this feature in my computer programming, but just on general principle, this is the first consumer laptop to have this functionality. Despite it being the first, it is VERY well done and is tightly integrated with Windows 7.
• The pen has a mechanism in it that stops the multi-touch when the pen is within proximity of the screen
• Pressure sensitive to touch sensitive programs
• Despite what any of the HP representatives say, this tablet DOES come with the media remote. During my 5 times contacting sales and tech support and inquiring about the subject, I ALWAYS got a different answer.
• One of my main concerns with purchasing this laptop was the graphics capability, and for being a tablet, the graphics do not disappoint. I am not a hardcore gamer, however Portal, Halo, and an Open Source game called Warsow work perfectly at full specs. Alongside this note, my particular model supported up to 3GB of shared graphics memory.
• Although I did not order extra software with my tablet, Corel Painter 4 happened to be in the box when I got my tablet
• The DVD drive is removable to free up some weight for the machine, however, I found it made the tablet feel ‘unbalanced’ so I never actually use this functionality.
• The screen is a fingerprint magnet, however, it is primarily only noticeable when the computer is off and the screen is black. It may be an issue for games with dark environment
• Although this tablet is only a 12.1” screen, when the tablet is being used, it seems like the screen is HUGE because it is comparable to a full sheet of paper. The max screen resolution is 1280x800 for the tablet itself, and this can be expanded through the one VGA output to an external monitor(no DVI or HDMI support).
• XD/SD-MS/MMC Reader
• Hand writing recognition is AMAZING!!!!!!!!! The recognition engine learns the more you use it and hand writing is recognizable from multiple people.
• Then pen is very very very precise.
• Battery life with the 8 cell battery is pretty good. At least 3 hours of charge

I plan on using this tablet practically everyday as both a computer programmer and a college student; it is because of this that I was very OCD with finding all of the pros and cons of this tablet. The tablet may have more pros and cons, but overall it is truly an excellent tablet PC. I

User Review #40 Source: HP.com by tx2zlover on August 25th, 2009

I've had this laptop for more than a month now, and concur with other reviewers about the fan noise and the heating problem. However, when using on a table top, simply prop up the notebook (from under the battery) with a block (or a book). This, in my experience, reduced heating and the fan doesn't engage often. In fact, propping up the notebook is the dynamic most "notebook coolers" use to improve airflow from under the notebook. Other than that, my only other gripe would be the battery protruding out an inch from the chassis. Makes it somewhat, less ergonomical. All in all, good machine with a rich feature set.

Fan Noise Solution

I've had this laptop for more than a month now, and concur with other reviewers about the fan noise and the heating problem. However, when using on a table top, simply prop up the notebook (from under the battery) with a block (or a book). This, in my experience, reduced heating and the fan doesn't engage often. In fact, propping up the notebook is the dynamic most "notebook coolers" use to improve airflow from under the notebook. Other than that, my only other gripe would be the battery protruding out an inch from the chassis. Makes it somewhat, less ergonomical. All in all, good machine with a rich feature set.

User Review #39 Source: HP.com by AarieJ on August 19th, 2009

I had my tablet stolen a few months ago and I miss every bit of it. I see right now it is a few hundred dollars less than I spent I hope I can get a new one before 8/22!

I miss it sooooo much

I had my tablet stolen a few months ago and I miss every bit of it. I see right now it is a few hundred dollars less than I spent I hope I can get a new one before 8/22!