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HP Launches TouchSmart TX2, World’s First Multi Touch Laptop
Posted 11/18/08 at 11:00:00 PM | by Alex Castle
Image Credit: HP
As predicted, HP today announced that they will immediately begin taking orders for the TouchSmart TX2, the first multi touch laptop widely available to consumers. The laptop, priced starting at $1,199, will begin shipping at the end of November.
The TX2’s multi touch interface will work with any program that already supports multi touch, as well as with HP’s integrated MediaSmart media suite. The laptop features an array of gestural controls, including all of the multi touch standards, like pinch-zooming and two finger rotation, as well as the ability to open MediaSmart at any time by drawing an “m” on the screen with both fingers. The screen uses capacitance-based touch detection and is designed to accept input either from the pad of a finger or from a built-in digital pen.
With a 12.1 inch screen and weighing in at 4.3 pounds, the TX2 is physically nearly identical to its predecessor, the TX2000. The only thing differentiating the two visually is the TX2’s glossy, charcoal-colored finish and “Reaction Imprint” design.
All but the cheapest loadouts of the TX2 come equipped with Turion X2 dual-core processors. All models will ship with Radeon HD 3200 integrated graphics, and consumers can opt for up to 8GB of DDR2 SDRAM and 500GB of hard disk storage. The laptop also features a webcam and optional fingerprint reader.
What do you think of the TX2? Are multi touch laptops going to become the norm? Let us know after the jump.
Comments Print Email Multitouch as in
Submitted by NAYRhyno on Wed, 2008-11-19 09:49
Multitouch as in more than one screen point registered at once;
this is different than a digitizer combined with a pressure sensitve or
capactive finger touch-able screen. Think iPhone pinch to zoom gesture.
Dell XT is considered Mult-touch as well...no?
Submitted by gww on Wed, 2008-11-19 08:22
We have been using the Dell XT Tablet for about a year - this is considered Multi-touch as well. (Pen and touch input) - the N-Trig (input) drivers / software had been problematic - but seem to be working better since the last update. I read somewhere that the multi-touch funtions of Windows 7 were being tested with the XT...
I would be very interested in reading a review or hearing peoples experience with this convertable tablet.
gw
Ever hear of Lenovo?
Submitted by big_montana on Wed, 2008-11-19 06:15
Lenovo's X61 and S200 Tablet are both multi touch, unless I am missing something, what is new about this, other than HP being late to the party? Also Lenovo's offerings have Core 2 Duo with WWAN and 10 hour battery options.
Submitted by T_Amos on Wed, 2008-11-19 05:12
I have the HP TX2000. On the TX2500 and higher, the low end models still use dual core, just the older RM-x chipset, not the new "panther" ZM-x, which is a lot faster. Mine has a pretty weak graphics card, not even remotely close to the HD3200.
I agree with the other poster, I never use touch, just the stylus. The touch is neat, just too clumsy for a 1200 x 800 resolution.
But I love this laptop. I've had it for about 6 months, and it's been rock solid. Combined with MS Onenote and Outlook, it's gifted me with organization, reminders, and a practically paperless college experience. Onenote rules. I love to draw on it too. And it's great for surfing the web in a car, bed, or even in a meeting. Much less intrusive than a standard laptop. I can't figure out why more people don't have tablets.
Pro tip: Go to Wacom's website and get the felt nibs. They feel much more natural. Oh, upgrade to the 8 cell battery, the shape really improves the lapop's form factor.
Useless IMO
Submitted by Link2Ib on Wed, 2008-11-19 00:07
I have a TX2000 and I hardly ever use the finger touch. The digitizer is great but finger touch isn't that accurate and from the videos of this I've seen it's pretty slow. Multi touch doesn't make much sense on a large screen or surface area in general, except for making tablet mode more usable. Also, does that mean that their lowest end machine doesn't have a dual core? WTF?
Submitted by GenericBob on Tue, 2008-11-18 23:42
The multi-touch idea is neat. But I've been burned by HP notebook computers before. My current HP notebook had problems from the moment I took it out of the box, and HP support never did fix the machine properly. It's too bad that a more trustworthy manufacturer isn't coming out with this technology because it sounds interesting. Perhaps when Windows 7 comes out, and native multi-touch support is offered as part of the OS, more companies will create notebooks with multi-touch capabilities.
Submitted by brokenmoth08 on Tue, 2008-11-18 22:34
There is only one Norm and his last name is Chan!
Submitted by xRadeon on Tue, 2008-11-18 22:04
I really think they will become the norm, because people like the iPhone for that very reason and I think when Windows 7 comes out, Muiti-touch screens will expode in popularity. I will most likely buy this laptop because I would really like one for school and muti-touch is just a super bonus! Woohooo! :D
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