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- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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19 out of 34 people found this review helpful
1.0 stars
"Great laptop, terrible tablet. Avoid at all costs!"
Pros: Creature comforts: compact, builtin webcam, DVD-R, fingerprint, graphics card, lots of RAM
Cons: Absolutely useless as a tablet. Screen size/resolution awkward. Bad keyboard layout.
Summary: I needed a Tablet PC for taking notes during meetings/seminars. Bought this computer because of the impressive options avaiable at a low price. Certain sacrifices were made (low screen resolution, non-Wacom tablet) at the expense of 2 GB RAM, nice CPU, integrated webcam, speakers, fingerprint reader, microphone, lighscribe DVD-R, etc etc etc.
The machine ran nicely at first. A fair amount of preinstalled bloatware was removed, got about 3+ hours on the 6-cell battery. Aero ran as smoothly as could be expected. MS Office 07 was a bit awkward because the large graphical menus took up a huge chunk of real estate vertical, leaving little room for documents. Outlook ran nicely in the widescreen though, lots of room to see all important e-mail/calendar/task information at once. This machine could certainly benefit from better resolution to be more appropriate for serious users.
On the whole these are minor quibbles. The real trouble in paradise is the absolutely inept design for use as a tablet. The screen is extremely insensitive to pen-based input, so you have to really press down hard to get your pen strokes recognized. Pieces of letters often get missed, and you have to write really slowly and press down really hard - not very useful during a meeting. Trying to write a scientific document was a nightmare, a realization that came after 3 hours and only 1/4 page completed. I attempted to re-calibrate, train the system on my handwriting, and search hp.com and the web in general for updates/drivers that might help. Finally, I called HP and was given the run-around - transferred between case workers and salespeople with no technical experience. I was put on hold for 30min at a time. Finally, a case worker promised that a tech would call me back - surprise surprise I'm still waiting for that call.
Today I got my RMA number and tomorrow I'm getting this trainwreck out of my life. I've had enough of the HP experience. In fact, HP should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this disaster to be put on the market in the first place. If you actually want to use this machine as a tablet, avoid the tx1000 at all costs!
- 16 replies to this review
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I agree, it says you can use it with your finger and it didn't even come w the tablet pen and neither works...although the screen rotates when it's in tablet mode. It makes no sense and I get that damn pop up all the freakin time too!
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hmmm I didn't have trouble, but maybe thats because the sensitivity is adjustable and completing the handwriting recognition helps... don't blame the laptop for your ignorance
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I'm writing with my stylus now with the strength of writing a real pen, everything is registered
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I do not own this PC, I am just researching it... Clearly this is an angry review, I understand after having such high expectations, but hey... If you wan't a ultra-responsive tablet, PAY THE PRICE for an active digitizer. Don't be so cheap and then blame the PC for your inability or unwillingness to do the research. Clearly this was not the PC for you!
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Like you, I need to travel a lot. My Behemoth of a Dell has been wonderful, but it is heavy, and it is over 5 years old.
I was trying to find an affordable smaller system thats got some kick to it. I had decided on the super light Dell Lattitude. It did not have a function I use a lot though, the S video cable. Enter the HP tx1000. It offered all the same features, more options, and little things like the webcam and mic for easier communication. Lets face it, its a little global telephone from any airport with WiFi.
One thing this system has never been marketed as - and the HP sales people I talked with made this clear - a tablet. It has some tablet functions as an option. I didn't really need a tablet, but I can use those functions from time to time.
If you really needed a tablet, you should have bought one. You would have paid more for it, but that was the most important function for you, along with size.
As for the rest of the computer, I disagree that you can get the same functions in the size for almost 1000$ less. Yes, there are some very good deals out there in the 14 inch screen package. I wish I could get away with one of those instead. But for the traveler in need of a lighter smaller package with some good all around functions, this is in my searches proving to be a good buy.
Thanks for warning me about the poor tablet functions though. I don't really need it and it will save me about 75$. I am also glad to hear about the half way service offered. Service matters, not just price, but right now, I don;t know to many manufactures that understand that. -
I have never commented on a user review before, be it on CNET or anywhere else.But this one really irked me. This person is complaining because a computer can not do what it was never meant to. It is marketed as an entertainment PC , the quasi tablet functions are a just that. Why would someone complain when the problem is the fact that you cant get the computer to perform as it wasn't meant to. Next time read the specs first.
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This comptur is built and MARKETED as a protable media center. It is not ment for lecutres, or business events, or note taking, or presntaions.
THIS AMAZING BEAST IS for portable media wi-fi HEAVEN!
This is for DVDs, Games, Pictures, Interent, GPS, MUSIC. NOT NOTE taking.
you simply didn't shop very well, and bought the WRONG laptop. I don't really see why that would yield such a low rating. I think that rating is a reflection of your ability to shop.
HP admits that this computer was built and aimed at people who wanted a tablet PC that was a portable MEDIA CENTER. (The first of its kind I may add) I dont see Levenos tablet PC with Nvidia gaming cards? I don't see Dell selling a 12inch touch panel for under 2 grand? -
"hey guys... I bought this REALLY tiny computer. Its only 12 inches. I can't believe how small it is. You know what blows about this thing. Its so small. I love it man. Its so tiny, but man I tell you its sucks cause its so tiny..." WHY DID YOU BUY IT THEN?!?!?
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I had a 30mins hands on the tablet,
the screen pen input was (yes) difficult,
on the other hand the sales person told me that the touch screen is mainly for nav. and presentation purposes, hence not good for taking notes.
Its got a set of excellent features (the multimedia card slots for my D200
and the wireless remote)
For the price tag I feel its really neat,
You get what you pay for
Cheers
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I agreee....not a fair review as the tablet functionality is only an option.
The review should be your poor tablet experience + all the other features of this laptop + Form + Function + Value/Bang for the buck.
I recently purchased this laptop CUSTOMIZED on HPs site.....and with all the extra doodads (2GB, Fastest Processor, 160GB Hard Drive, Wireless & Bluetooth, Tablet Screen, Big Battery, etc) and coupon codes and discounts = $1470$ with tax).
I've been looking for months for an ultra-portable laptop as I travel alot and even my good old Thinkpad T series was getting heavy..... and had originally decided on either an Thinkpad X60 Tablet or Dell XPS 1210. But I stumbled upon this model (albeit the stripped down version) in Best Buy...and played with it for a good 45 minutes and came away amazed. Style, features, and pretty good Windows Experience rating (3.0 to 3.2 for basic version)
Once I learned you could customize it on HP.com (for about a ~ 100$ extra)....it was a no brainer.
I did comparable builds on DELL & IBM.....the XPS 1210 and Thinkpad X60 Tablet both similarly spec-ed (albeit DELL with 2.0GHZ/4MB Core 2 Duo T7200 + NVidia GeForce Go 7400) & Thinkpad x60 (with a 1.67GHZ/2MB Core Duo L2400 LV & Ultrabase for DVD-RW).
This laptop ends up being ALOT of value for the buck....especially for someone looking for a personal laptop with entertainment capabilities + Tablet function.
Will it be sturdy as a THinkpad....probably not. Will it run the top of the line games like the XPS1210...probably not.
But this is a perfect median range of performance, price, function.....and looks.....as its design trumps the industrial XPS, and standard Thnkpad black box shape.
Note: these were with base warranties (as I usually take very good care of my laptops....and credit card doubles standard warranty anyway) -
I agreee....not a fair review as the tablet functionality is only an option.
The review should be on all the other features of this laptop.
I recently purchased this laptop CUSTOMIZED on HPs site.....and with all the extra doodads (2GB, Fastest Processor, 160GB Hard Drive, Wireless & Bluetooth, Tablet Screen, Big Battery, etc) and coupon codes and discounts = $1470$ with tax).
I've been looking for months for an ultra-portable laptop as I travel alot and even my good old Thinkpad T series was getting heavy..... and had originally decided on either an Thinkpad X60 Tablet or Dell XPS 1210. But I stumbled upon this model (albeit the stripped down version) in Best Buy...and played with it for a good 45 minutes and came away amazed. Style, features, and pretty good Windows Experience rating (3.0 to 3.2 for basic version)
Once I learned you could customize it on HP.com (for about a ~ 100$ extra)....it was a no brainer.
I did comparable builds on DELL & IBM.....the XPS 1210 and Thinkpad X60 Tablet both similarly spec-ed (albeit DELL with 2.0GHZ/4MB Core 2 Duo T7200 + NVidia GeForce Go 7400) & Thinkpad x60 (with a 1.67GHZ/2MB Core Duo L2400 LV & Ultrabase for DVD-RW)
Note: these were with base warranties (as I usually take very good care of my laptops....and credit card doubles standard warranty anyway) -
had similar experience. the tablet is USELESS!!!
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"waaaa waaa You dropped the rating"..HA!
can anyone say HP plant? -
This is a great unit. This is my second tablet pc. My first was the tc1100. Writting is easier with other tablets using the stylus that comes with the unit. I am glad that the touch screen issues concerning the use of the stylus for this product has been pointed out. I thought something was wrong. As with all tablet pc's writting recognition will take time. The program's ability to pick up your handwritting will only improve with regular use. It's always bad the first time. Keep using it and it will improve over time. In fact it will be smoother than a writting pad and bald point pen. My tc 1100 will now quickly turn my handwritting into typed text. It took about 3 months of daily use to do it. You have to practice regularly. The tx1000 I am sure will take time to break in. I have one with the touch screen option. I have noticed that after practice and some break in time I didn't have to write as hard. I think over time it will loosen up ever more and pen stokes will be easier. I'll contact you guys again in three months with my findings on this issue. Now this is a great looking pc. It's got beauty and brains. I like the touch screen, quick dvd launch and the fingerprint reader that really makes this pc cool. It has lots of usb ports for flexible use. In summation I would say great job HP!
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2 out of 10? You mentioned quite a lot of good features there, and only ranted about the tablet feature and support! Shouldn't you have at least weighed the pros and cons and gave a more representative and realistic score? Based on your complaints, I would have at least given this gadget a 5 or a 6, but 2 is unconscionable! Because of your unjust rating, the overall rating of the TX-1000 fell! I agree with the other person who commented on your opinion - NOT FAIR!
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1. Resolution being too low? I checked many laptops with 17 in and 15 in screen in the store, they all have the same resolution as this 12" screen, 1280X800. Why blame TX1000 only? I agree higher resolution would be nice, but fonts maybe too small to see on a 12" tablet screen.
2. Some other comments about the touch screen:
"The good news is that you aren't attached to having (and losing) a special stylus. But this means you'll have better luck if you learn not to lift your pen from the tablet and keep a steady, applied pressure. I found this perfectly acceptable and mastered it quickly; others?especially those used to active tablets?may not." - Robin Raskin@Yahoo Tech.
