HP Pavilion tx2000z convertible notebook specs:

• AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual Core processor TL-66 2.3GHz
• Up to 4GB DDR2 RAM (review unit had 2GB)
• Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 graphics
• Hard drive options of 120GB, 160GB or 250GB (review unit had 160GB)
• 12.1" WXGA touchscreen display with built in digitizer (1280x800 resolution)
• LightScribe Super Multi or Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW
• Windows Vista Home, Business or Ultimate OS
• Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet
• 802.11a/b/g/n with Bluetooth
• ExpressCard Slot
• 3 x USB ports
• 2 x headphone out and one microphone-in
• VGA-15 pin
• TV-Out S-video
• RJ-11 and RJ-45
• Notebook Expansion port 3
• 2 x Consumer IR
• Battery: 4-cell or 6-cell Lithium-Ion
• Weight: 4.3 pounds with weight saver and 4-cell battery
• Dimensions: 8.82"(L) x 12.05"(W) x 1.23"(H)

Design and Build

The tx2000z has a high-gloss HP exclusive "Echo" finish. Unlike its predecessor the lid is glossy black and has the Echo pattern, which also extends inside to the silver keyboard. It's a very sleek design, but it does get full of fingerprints. The overall design and chassis are still the same.

The tx2000z feels solid and weighs in around 4.3 pounds, but it still has the same plastic housing which shows some signs of flex. It gets a little heavy to carry around in tablet mode, but it does come packed full of features and you can always substitute the weight saver in place of the optical drive.

Students and professionals everywhere are rejoicing to this news. The updated tx2000z Entertainment Tablet PC has a touchscreen and active digitizer, which means now you don't have to use just your finger to navigate because there is a pen for taking notes or drawing. The pen is accurate and responsive as well. It still comes packed with a remote (my pre-production unit was lacking one though) and the Altec Lansing speakers, so watching movies or listening to music is great, just like a standard notebook.

Display

The 12.1" WXGA display is kind of grainy, but this is very common with tablets. It is glossy and reflective, but nothing major if you like the high-gloss screens. The screen is hard to read in the sunlight, not that I have seen much sun though here in the cold Midwest. The viewing angles are fine and now that it has both a touchscreen and active digitizer, it's a real tablet.

The screen automatically changes orientation when rotated into tablet mode and the small hinge is surprisingly sturdy. The pen feels nice as well and I prefer it when navigating over my finger because it is more accurate. At the highest setting the screen is bright and the colors are bold, but you can't tell what you are setting it too because there isn't an on-screen indication for brightness levels.

Keyboard/Touchpad/Pen

The keyboard feels solid. The keys don't flex too much and response time is good. HP is making the keyboards even better on the production models with improved accuracy and response. I also like the durable finish they have, which is good for preserving the keyboard from those greasy fingers.

The touchpad is still the famous perforated design. I like this design very much because it doesn't get worn down easily and is responsive. Your finger doesn't slide off the touchpad because it is indented in the palm rest area, which makes navigating a breeze.

The pen is solid, but still your basic pen. It reads the screen when it's about an inch above and then disables the touchscreen, this way your hand doesn't interfere when writing. Some users rest their palm on the screen and since the tx2000z also has a touchscreen you might think this would cause a problem, but it doesn't. The Wacom technology used is great, just remember you can't keep picking the pen up or the touch feature will be activated again and your hand might be detected. The pen has an eraser on the end as well, which is a feature I like especially when taking notes because you can flip the pen over and erase your mistakes, it's very convenient.

Tablet Features

There are plenty of multimedia buttons for watching DVDs, listening to music or viewing your photos. There is even an optional Webcam, which makes this tablet great for chatting with friends over the Web. It converts into tablet mode with ease and when in tablet mode the speakers are still accessible.

The tx2000z has both a touchscreen and active digitizer, so now you are getting the best of both worlds for a starting price of $1,299. You can take notes on the screen because it is no longer has a passive display. The pen has nice feedback and is easy to navigate with, but if you like using your finger then you can use it to navigate through windows as well.

If you go into the Control Panel on the tablet to Tablet Properties you can calibrate the pen and touch capabilities. This is a nice feature because you can calibrate the pen's tip and eraser to your liking either soft or firm. The same options are available for the touchscreen too. This way you get the response you prefer.

Heat and Noise

I didn't notice any excessive heat from the tx2000z, but when running benchmarks on the system it got warmer than normal and the fan was pumping out some very warm air from the back right vent. The keyboard area doesn't get hot, but in tablet mode when you’re holding the underneath of the tx2000z you’ll feel that warmth, especially on the back right side where the vent is located.

The fan does get a bit loud when it kicks on during benchmarking, but besides that the tx2000z runs fairly quiet. When playing a DVD it is noticeable, but nothing that causes a distraction.

Battery

Battery life was good. I got around three to four hours with the 4-cell battery, which sticks out the back of the tablet a bit. The 6-cell actually raises the tablet's height from 1.23" to 1.52", so that is something to think about. If you carry your tablet in slate mode the 4-cell battery might be more comfortable, but obviously the 6-cell is going to give you more life. I actually got around five hours of usage with the 6-cell. I don't work in high performance mode very often, so the battery life might be less if you need this extra power.

Speakers

The tx2000z is fitted with Altec Lansing speakers, which produce good sound quality for listening to music or watching movies. That was HP’s focus; I mean the tx series are called entertainment notebooks. I am comparing these to the hardly noticeable speakers on the Asus R1F I use. If you compare the speakers to your standard notebook, they produce comparatively loud, clear sound, but they don’t compare to the higher-end multimedia notebooks equipped with subwoofers. Even in tablet mode you still get that loud clear sound from the speakers because they don't get covered like on other tablet models, which is a definite bonus.

OS and Software

The review unit I had ran Windows Vista Home Premium. It didn't come with much bloatware, but it does come with Norton, which you can uninstall with ease. It did come with a 60-day free trial of Microsoft Office 2007 though.

Wireless

Wireless options are endless from 802.11b/g WLAN to 802.11a/b/g/n with Bluetooth and everything in between. At the office I had no problems connecting to the Internet, but at my house the tx2000z wouldn't pick up a signal for anything. It was either hit or miss, but the Verizon coverage isn't so great in my neighborhood. Anywhere else I am sure you would be fine and it works great on the road. The consumer level Infrared for controlling media functions via the included remote is a plus because you can watch movies while laying in bed on those raining days.