HP tx1000 Convertible Notebook First Impressions

tiffany boggs · 01-17-2007, 04:00 PM

This is a first impressions look at the recently announced HP tx1000 convertible notebook. We have only had this unit for a few hours, but so far it seems good for the projected price. If you are in the market for an affordable, entertainment Tablet then the tx1000 may be what you are looking for, but you will have to wait until February 28.

Here are some photos of the tx1000 unboxing, which we enjoyed. It was made more enjoyable by the fact HP included a bunch of stuff such as a handy wipe cloth, mini remote control, travel drawer (optical drive weight saver), and of course the tx1000 itself.

The tx1000 fresh from the box. (view large image)

Everything that came in the box. (view large image)

Unwrapped tx1000 and its accessories. Glossy lid, looks very classy. (view large image)

The HP tx1000 Specs as reviewed

AMD Turion 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-60 / 2.0 GHz processor
2GB DDR II SDRAM
12.1" TFT active matrix (1280 x 800)
NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150 graphics
160GB hard drive
Fingerprint reader for added security
3 x USB
1 x Display/video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
1 x Display/video - S-video output
1 x Microphone
2 x Headphone
1 x Modem, Phone line - RJ-11
2 x Infrared - IrDA
Wireless, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
12"(width) x 8.8"(depth) x 1.5"(height) and 4.2 lbs.
4-cell Lithium-ion, AC 120/230 V
Windows Vista Home Premium operating system

First Thoughts and more to come

First appearance of the tx1000 convertible notebook is nice. It has a glossy lid, with an inlaid wave design that extends around to the silver inside of the keyboard. It already has Windows Vista installed and prices will be starting around $1,200. HP is going for the affordability aspect.

The Windows Vista Aero feature runs just fine on the tx1000 (view large image)

This is the first notebook we've had to review with Windows Vista installed. So far the OS has proven itself to run well on this machine and visually it's much more lively and pleasing than Windows XP. The Aero graphics features of Vista work well on the tx1000 with its 2GB of memory and the low-end Nvidia Go 6150 graphics card.

(view large image)

The case of the tx1000 is constructed of plastic and has some flex in parts, but this is part of the affordability aspect. It doesn't seem as durable as the Asus R1F notebook convertible we recently reviewed, but then again the tx1000 will be retailed $400 cheaper. There's no Wacom technology with this Tablet, it just uses touchscreen technology. You of course also get a keyboard and touchpad as methods of input. The touchpad has a nice design that blends in with the rest of the keyboard, it's textured like a golf ball so you can feel it when not looking. Even though we found the chassis has some flex in parts, the keyboard doesn't, it has a solid feel with minimal flex.

The touchpad is unique and works well, though the mouse buttons are on the small side (view large image)

The screen is glossy and sometimes hard to read due to reflection and the touchscreen layer that adds some graininess. The screen brightness is average, it's hard to tell what brightness level you're on because there's no on screen indicator when you toggle brightness. The center hinge converts the notebook to Tablet mode with no problems and it automatically changes the orientation for you. The tx1000 has plenty of entertainment features, which it is being marketed for. It has Altec Lansing speakers, an integrated web camera and two headphone jacks and one microphone jack on the front for convenience. Overall, my first impressions of the tx1000 were nice and its size helps keep it in the market for mobile professionals looking for some consumer features. Look for the upcoming full review soon!

Andrew · 01-17-2007, 05:08 PM

I've been putting my grubby mitts all over this notebook too. I have to say, it's very eye catching in its looks. Everyone that's seen it agrees on that point. As Tiffany says, it is a little plastic feeling though, I wouldn't want to drop this thing from any type of height. The hinge doesn't feel unbreakable either.

I do love all the features and multimedia buttons, and the Tablet PC feature is a great added bonus. The touchscreen without Wacom is definitely harder to use than Wacom though and you really have to apply pressure to get every stroke to register. A power tablet user wouldn't be a big fan of this, but someone that would just like to be able to use the Tablet PC features of Vista now and again could deal with it.

Rahul · 01-17-2007, 06:22 PM

I am curious, HP will eventually release this with Intel processors right? Of course it will also have weaker integrated graphics but these are not meant for gaming anyhow.

Redline · 01-17-2007, 07:41 PM

Actually, I remember reading somewhere (I think it was PC World's review) that at this time, there is no plan to offer an Intel version of the tx1000, which strikes me as odd, looking at the performance benefits. Then again, it would drive the costs up, so that may have been a factor in their decision.
I originally thought that they were waiting for Santa Rosa to come, and then offer an Intel tx, but evidently I was wrong.

In the Vista screenshot, isnt that Car and Driver's webpage with the BMW Z9 spy pic?

chrisyano · 01-18-2007, 12:36 AM

That tx1000 sure is an intriguing offering. I am actually very interested in both this one and the Asus R1F. Given the option, which would you prefer to use regularly?

martynas · 01-18-2007, 01:16 AM

that's first notebook with vista reviewed here, am I right?
congrats on that

The Niles · 01-18-2007, 06:55 AM

The performance gain of Intel over AMD is useless to the people who this is aimed at, students. You can see from the price point, styling and features that this is not meant for the business professional but for students. The GF6150 is as low end as almost anything except for the GMA series which it blows right clear out of the water. You can play an odd game on this which again appeals to students who also want the benefit of a Tablet PC.
If it were not for the touch screen (which is a cost saving decision) I would be interested in this machine, very interested.

My thought is that this will do well, at least in the US.

Andrew · 01-18-2007, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rahulnirmal

I am curious, HP will eventually release this with Intel processors right? Of course it will also have weaker integrated graphics but these are not meant for gaming anyhow.

They're saying no as of now. Although on the System Information panel on the machine it says it's the tx1100z so maybe there is room for a tx1000t -- eventually.

Andrew · 01-18-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Niles

If it were not for the touch screen (which is a cost saving decision) I would be interested in this machine, very interested.

Same here, it's too bad there's no Wacom as the Tablet experience with just touch screen is pretty weak.

JM · 01-19-2007, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abaxter

They're saying no as of now. Although on the System Information panel on the machine it says it's the tx1100z so maybe there is room for a tx1000t -- eventually.

Sounds like HP is doing what they did with the dv9000.

Offered the AMD based model first, and then offered the Intel Core 2 based system later on.

They could be waiting for Santa Rosa.