HP TouchPad Video Hands-on: A Tablet Done Right

February 9th, 2011 by Mark Spoonauer, LAPTOP Editor in Chief  

The HP TouchPad has an impressive list of features–1.2-GHz dual-core processor, front-facing camera, Beats Audio–but how does it handle in person? Actually, it’s silky smooth. As far as we’re concerned summer can’t come soon enough, which is this tablet will go on sale. Check out our impressions and gallery below, as well as plenty of videos.

First of all, the 9.7-inch display looks amazing. We don’t know if it’s the 18-bit color but the 1024 x 768 capacitive screen is brilliant sports wide viewing angles. Content literally looks like it’s painted on. The overall look is sleek, but we noticed that the back of the TouchPad is glossy and is a fingerprint smudge magnet.

Palm has also done a nice job of integrating unobtrusive notifications. Not only can you see messages waiting for you in the upper right corner of the screen, you can scroll through them by swiping–all without opening the app. In the video below you’ll also see a demo of the e-mail app in action, web browsing, and the ability to answer text messages received from a nearby Pre 3 phone, as well as see who’s calling. The phone and tablet sync up via Bluetooth.

The coolest feature is Tap to Share, which allows you to touch the Pre 3 to the top of the TouchPad to exchange info, such as a webpage. We’re assuming HP is finding more clever ways to leverage this technology, but it’s a promising start. Multitasking and the ability to stack similar apps on the main menu worked as well as we expected.

The TouchPad looks like a very strong contender, but the summer is a long way away. And it’s hard to say how it will stack up against the iPad 2. Overall, though, we like what we see so far.

Check out our hands-on videos below to go in-depth with the HP TouchPad:

Comments (3 Responses) 

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3 Responses to “HP TouchPad Video Hands-on: A Tablet Done Right”

  1. Mike In TN Says:
    February 9th, 2011 at 8:17 pm

    I thought HP liked the term “Slate”, I guess they can’t help but copy the cool company as much as possible and had to have there own “Pad” 12 months after the fact. IPad2′s, Zoom’s, and Playbook’s will all be out before the TouchPad but I’m still waiting for the consumer Slate they promised last year.

  2. goober Says:
    February 9th, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    It doesn’t stand a chance against the Ipad 2 and will probably cost too much.

  3. i told u so .com Says:
    February 10th, 2011 at 9:39 am

    both wrong the touchpad will be the same price as the ipad, and will be out before the Ipad 2. The playbook will not sell at all , and is very inferior to webos period. Also at 7 inches and weak processor it cant compare. Playbook is not in the same catagory as these other tablets. The Xoom even the wifi version will cost too much, and most will opt for a cheaper model. So yes the Hp touchpad is a game changer, and Ipads direct comp. Also the Ipad 2 FYI is the same as the orginial only a spec bump if that, and a cameria usb. It will have the same resloution, nothing new.

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