Hands-On With the HP TouchSmart tx2z
November 19th, 2008 by Joanna Stern 
When the Dell XT debuted with multi-touch drivers last spring we were excited about the ability to use multiple fingers on its capacitive touch screen to rotate pictures and pinch and zoom in on Web sites. But at over $2,000 (the starting price now is about $1,800) we just couldn’t recommend it to the regular consumer. Today’s debut of the $1,299 HP TouchSmart tx2z changes the game for multi-touch tablets not only, because it’s affordable but also because it’s the first multi-touch tablet aimed at consumers.
Updated (12/22/08): Our full review of the HP TouchSmart tx2z is now up.
We got a detailed look at the TouchSmart tx2z and even shot an exclusive video of the multi-touch in action. Read on below to see what we think of the tablet and its touch experience.
Tx2z Design
The Tx2z will live alongside HP’s Pavilion tx2500 tablet and the two look like they could be brother and sister. Measuring 12.05 x 8.82 x 1.23 -inches, the Tx2z isn’t only similar in size but it sports the same chassis as the tx2500 with the same rounded edges, port placement and a durable 180 degree hinge. However, it wears slightly different clothes; instead of the “Echo” Imprint finish on the tx2500, the tx2’s lid sports a newer more flowy Radiance Imprint finish. The model we looked at was adorned in bronze and gold.
We were happy to see that they keyboard has also gone unchanged and that the keys are full size and have a nice coating that make them comfortable and smooth. HP also continued its use of the unique inverted nub design on its touchpad, which provides precise cursor control. The separate column of nubs on the right is great for scrolling.
Touch Experience
But it was our hope that we wouldn’t need to rely on the touch pad all that often and that our fingers could do the navigating on the12-inch, 1280 x 800-resolution capacitive touch screen. Like we saw with the capacitive screen on the Dell XT (that utilizes the same N-Trig drivers as the HP tx2z), tapping your finger lightly works very well. Unlike other tablets that require a firmer press, we were moving through the Vista Start menu and windows with just simple, soft taps.
HP has built in some pretty neat tricks to take advantage of the screen’s mutli-touch capabilities. As you will see in the video, double tapping the screen and then drawing the letter M, brings up the multimedia touch panel, which includes shortcuts to your pictures, music and more. The menu is pretty neat, especially how you access it, but we were hoping for a more compelling graphical user interface, like that on the TouchSmart PC along with some more applications.
We tested out the multi-touch gestures in Microsoft’s Photo Gallery. Pinching in on one of the preloaded Vista images was smooth and panning with just a finger was precise. As we saw with the Dell XT, rotating images took a bit of practice. It is best done by planting one finger on the screen and using another to pivot the image with a circular motion.
We also were able to do some zooming in Internet Explorer even though the Wi-Fi connection was spotty. Zooming in on Web sites was quick and flicking the pages up and down worked for scrolling. Using your finger(s) in the applications mentioned above is the best bet for now or at least until HP rolls out an API for developing software for the touch laptop.
Pen Experience
Those demanding a pen experience still get it with the included stylus that pops out the right edge of the system. As soon as the pen hits the screen, it senses the input and immediately turns off the finger input and enables palm rejection. Writing in Microsoft Works was fluid and the Tablet PC Input panel recognized our somewhat messy handwriting and converted it into digital text.
Early Verdict
Since the debut of the Apple iPhone, people have wanted to control displays with touch their fingers to control their technology (Updated: Thanks Wired, though we did use our toes before the iPhone). Touch phones and touch cameras are all the rage, but can you navigate your laptop in the same way yet? Unlike with the iPhone, there is a learning curve when using the HP TouchSmart tx2z and, until additional applications are written for the platform, the functionality is limited. Nevertheless, consumers who are looking for advanced tablet functionality in a very mobile form factor and want to sit back and use their fingers to navigate the Web will be more than satisfied with the HP TouchSmart tx2z.
Our Related Content
- HP Announces TouchSmart tx2z: The First Multi-Touch Consumer Laptop
- HP Pavilion tx2500z: Full Review
- Best of Computex 2009
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33 Responses to “Hands-On With the HP TouchSmart tx2z”
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November 19th, 2008 at 4:17 am
Really nice overview of what looks to be one of the best consumer products of the year.
I have a question..The battery doesn’t seem like it’s sticking out..Is it the 6 cell that came standard since the tx2500 or the 4 cell battery?
November 19th, 2008 at 11:46 am
It’s interesting, but why is the battery life so bad? The Amazon site says it has a 6 cell battery and gets 2 - 3 hours at most. That’s terrible for anyone who needs to use it while travelling or in a place (cafe, classroom, etc) where there’s no power outlet. It appears you cannot use a second battery in the DVD bay, which is such a disappointment.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
it seems that you need to put a hand back to the lcd if you want to tap on it!!
November 19th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Engadget is reporting it has an LED backlit screen. I doubt that’s correct.
November 19th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
i like this hp screen, looks nice. but costs too much
November 20th, 2008 at 4:28 am
Well it seems i cant publish URLs so visit my blog because The TX series have a motherboard issue. The computer die after 13 months and the warranty is for 12 months. DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!. I have a list of forums and posts of people angry because all the computers just broken
November 20th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
As Raul just said, don’t dare buy the TX’s. They have a serious defect - starts with the wi-fi card disappearing, then boot failures, then they just die. All this happens just exactly after a year - just outside their warranty period, as all TX1000 users have began discovering. Search the HP itrc forums for tx1000 if you don’t believe me.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Mark & Raul are absolutely correct - I had the same problem.
No laptop should last less than 2 yrs of regular use with current technology.
HP is not interested in helping and does not even acknowledge the issue.
Never buy an HP, if you find that you have to, get the super extended warranty…
Tons of postings about it here: https://forums13.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?admit=109447627+1227169410858+28353475&threadId=1245319
November 21st, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Raul Rojas, Mark, and Chris were right
If you want a laptop that will last for a year, never go for TX Series. I bought an HP TX laptop myself and experience the same kind of problem as other users did. My laptop shuts down even if I’m not doing something wrong. My WLAN Card disappears, then appears, then disappears again.
HP Customer Support don’t care about the issue, they will just say that you’ll buy a new WLAN Card because the hard ware was broken. Or… but a new TX series laptop if you love TX
If you want an HP Tablet, I guess you should go for 2710p tablet PCs
I’m still using my TX now without WIFI, I bought this last December 2007 and it’s already November 2008, one month to go before my TX1000 dies…
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
My TX1220us is 13 months old and has probably had 40 hours total use in the last year. Currently it is being fitted with a new motherboard which will cost me $400 - this new motherboard will still contain the original design flaw & will probably fail in a few months! HP Total Care do not want to know!
Do not take my word for this type in ´TX1000 serious problem´ into the web & see for yourself what the 1000´s of very angry TX1000 series owners have to say about that expensive ´paper weight´ you are contemplating buying!
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
People who are recommending not to buy HP laptops are totally correct, not even the TX series, a lot of the models have problems which HP is not taking any responsible of…
just as mentioned before, give HP support forums and you will realise how big the problem is, if you dont wanna waste your money then DONT buy an HP.
NEVER buy an HP from now on…
November 27th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I had a tx2000 and the wireless card died on it too, then the hard drive and had to send in for fix where they replaced the motherboard…. Pain, and only after 2 month of use.
is the display grainy on this, or does the capacitive technology fix that?
December 9th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
first companies promote non-smoking to increase productivity in the workplace.
now with the advent of touchpads,
do you think picking your nose will be frowned upon as an unbecoming pleasure?
December 10th, 2008 at 5:47 am
Very nice feature! but there is only one problem. The screen will get dirty all the time if the owner loves to pick his nose.
December 10th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
owner loves to pick his nose???? and touch the screen???? eeeeeewwwww!!! That’s friggin’ gross!
December 15th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Re the HP TX series breaking down early… I was considering buying this because my experience with the hp *TC* series (e.g. tc4200) tablets have been very good. Now I guess I need to investigate further.
December 18th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Hi
Does this tablet pc screen accept pressure sensitivy? Hp`s wbe site is so vague about it. I am looking for buying a tablet pc with wacom technology and I am hoping that this one uses wacom internally. Does anyone have any idea about this particular issue?
December 18th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Hi
Does this tablet pc screen accepts pressure sensitivity? Hp`s wbe site is very vague about npen features. I am hoping that underlying pen technology is from Wacom on this model. Does anyone have any idea?
thanks
December 20th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
To: Kartal
The HP Tx2z uses N-trig technology, not Wacom, both the screen and the pen are designed by that company. This specific model has pressure sensibility in certain programs (Photoshop is not one of them) though it might just be a software glitch that could be solved in the near future via update. Also as a plus, the pen does not have an “eraser” tip as the one in the previous Tx2XXX series did. So, if you’re looking for a more artistic approach you should consider getting a Tx2500z or so.
December 31st, 2008 at 3:42 pm
The guys posting about their HP tablets failing have obviously not kept up with the technology. The TX1000 & TX2000 series laptops had video cards that were causing heat & failure issues. This has now been remidied with the TX2500 & TX2z series tablets (new video card). I have one of these TX2Z tablets & absolutly love it. The dual touch screen features are ok but I don’t care much for the finger prints all over my screen so I stick with the touchpad or stylus. I do like how the new monitor is much brighter than the old TX2500 which is the main reason I opted for the tx2z.
January 18th, 2009 at 6:52 am
aside from only recognizing <4gb ram, will there be an issue or problem when 4gb ram is installed on a 32-bit os on tx2z?
January 27th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Never ever again, i just spent 2 hrs with tech support,(i have defective mobo, no wifi in tx1320us) and what they basically tell you to do with your factory defective laptop is to shove it up your butt. Damn, im ready to kill somebody now, those internation banglabinalideshian representatives calmly drive you crazy.
Any solutions as of now?
February 24th, 2009 at 11:01 am
The HP tx series is a faulty range of laptops. Please stay away. I and several other users have experienced the same problems and HP doesnt seem to give a damn!
February 26th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Stay clear of the TX series - I own a TX1120 US - just after warranty expired (1 yr) the wireless dissapeared, and now the computer screen won’t do anything - just stays black. The laptop is not even 2 years old. Many people seem to be having this exact issue. Its a faulty laptop.
March 10th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Seriously, don’t bother asking questions about this computer, if you buy it after reading these forums then you are waisting your money. even new ones will still have the defect, it is intigrated into the motherboard. Stay clear of the tx series and if you want good service stay away from HP all together. They may have been good in the past but with the economy how it is now they will just sacrifice the quality of their products and the consumers rights. I wish these forums were available before I invested 1300 dollars in a lump of trash. The bells and whistles are pointless when the motherboard is fried ( as I type this on my eeepc ).
March 15th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Buying an HP laptop is a BIG mistake, my tx1210us died a couple days ago, and it failed because of a component design flaw. HP is responsible for this and should refund us or at least exchange the product with a different one. I paid over $1300 for it 18 months ago.
I’ve made a post on my blog about it:
http://www.mycheaplaptop.net/2009/03/never-buy-hp-laptop/
March 26th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Thanks for the input. I was seriously considering this product until reading the previous posts. Now I’ll look for a different mfgr. Can anyone recommend a particular notepad?
April 1st, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Actually, the tx2z has a new motherboard that has fixed the breakdown problem.
April 18th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Hi
I am seriously searching for all the info on tx2z, though some problems like heat and noise can be controlled.
I am bit thinking of the graphics and video card as they may damage the motherboard in the near future.
Pls anyone answer to it. Bye
May 21st, 2009 at 8:27 am
I seriously hope this model will not be like tx2000. had problems with the cursor clicking on the lower right part of the screen, but hp wont replace it even if it’s still under warranty. their customer service sucks. and the laptop heats up so bad to the point that i can’t place it on my lap. i will never buy an HP product again!
May 25th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
i like this hp screen, looks nice. but costs too much
June 11th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Do your research, please. The problems earlier models had involved the nVidia graphics chip. A certain coating on it would get too hot, and the motherboard would fry. Happened to my tx1219us two months after warranty was up. There are still hundreds of people fighting HP over this.
The tx2z doesn’t use nVidia, which is one reason I’m drawn to it — nVidia hasn’t completely ironed out all the kinks, so for now I think I’ll stay away from any of their chips/cards. However, because I don’t want to deal with HP’s lack of customer support again, I’m trying to research any problems that the tx2z might have. My father does computer support for his company, so I’m not too worried about most problems. It’s when it’s a fairly ridiculous (and expensive) issue that I start to shy away from products.
This is looking like a good tablet for me, so I hope it’s one to last for at least a few years.
June 30th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
reading the comments I noticed that everyone who had problems had hp series tx1000 or tx2000. none of them actually had the tx2z series…
This laptop looks like something I NEED in my life lol so I’m going to look into this one further b4 buying..