CES 2010

HP TouchSmart tm2 Hands-on Video: Sleeker, Longer-Lasting Multitouch Tablet

January 6th, 2010 by Mark Spoonauer, LAPTOP Editor in Chief  

HP tm2 lead

When we first played with the latest version of HP’s TouchSmart software on the tx2z tablet, we were excited by the  interface and new touch apps like Hulu and Twitter, but we thought the design was bloated and dated. Now HP has given its software a better home inside the TouchSmsart tm2 (starting at $899), a convertible with a sleeker aluminum design. HP has not only given the optical drive the old heave-ho, it has replaced the engine, opting for an Intel ULV processor instead of AMD for longer battery life.

We spent a few minutes with a pre-production model and came away impressed. This looks like a Tablet we’d buy. Check out the video and gallery below.

_MG_8724Taking a cue from the luxury HP Envy line, the tm2 sports a Riptide engraved illustration to add some flair. Like the Envy 13 and 15, you’ll also find a big touchpad with integrated buttons. We found this touchpad to be wonky on those other two machines, but this one seemed a bit smoother. Plus, HP disabled the multitouch gestures on the touchpad by default to streamline operations; after all, you’ll be using the 12-inch screen for pinching and zooming.

The tm2 is equipped with a Intel Core 2 Duo ULV processor, offering up to 9 hours of battery life, and you can configure your system with Intel integrated graphics or ATI Mobility Radeon graphics for extra punch. The bigger story, though, is the software. In addition to the TouchSmart suite, which includes Hulu, Twitter, and Netflix apps for entertainment, HP bundles BumpTop (a touch-enabled 3D desktop) and Corel Paint It Touch (for drawing on and painting on screen with your fingers).

During our brief hands-on time with the tm2, the hardware felt more solid and easier to carry, and the guts of the machine seemed better able to keep up with HP’s touch software. The tm2 seems like an especially good option for students or anyone who wants to take handwritten notes with a digital pen. After all, this is still a Tablet PC. The multitouch capabilities just take it to another level. Stay tuned for a full review.








Comments (6 Responses) 

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6 Responses to “HP TouchSmart tm2 Hands-on Video: Sleeker, Longer-Lasting Multitouch Tablet”

  1. Donny Says:
    January 9th, 2010 at 5:49 pm

    THANK you for posting your OWN video regarding this, instead of just rehashing HP’s from CES2010. This does look like a thin device, save for the battery compartment. But that battery compartment makes the keyboard more ergonomic for laptop mode.

    I’m very curious how large the 9cell battery will look on this laptop.

    In your review could you please link to HP’s USA/Canada (both) sites for the full product page for full specs please??!!

    Thank you.

  2. Ryan Says:
    January 15th, 2010 at 8:17 am

    Thanks for the post and video, only place i have found with a proper hands on
    like donny said can be please please get a full specs list?!?!

    thanks ryan

  3. Xsss4hell Says:
    January 15th, 2010 at 7:51 pm

    One word. BOUGHT!!!
    I’ve to wait for it to ship to germany but it definately rocks Acer’s ass!
    The Acer Aspire 1820PT(Z) has no chance.. no way acer. I’m sorry

    Aluminium design, a fingerprint sensor and the additional ATi card sounds like: Buy BUy BUY to me :)
    I hope I’m not just too exaggerated about this.. :)

    Thank you for your review Mark!

  4. Scott Says:
    January 17th, 2010 at 6:12 pm

    This looks sweet. I love the real graphics card option in a tablet.

  5. laurent Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 1:29 pm

    I laughed when the reviewer tried out the “great HP software” and it failed to work !
    It indicates that touch on this tablet is just another hack.
    Does anyone know why touch sucks on 7 ? Is it Apple holding a patent in touch event handling ?

  6. Alice Xyrhox Says:
    July 25th, 2010 at 8:16 am

    I’m impressed with the review you gave. Every feature I’m looking for almost has the whole package in this tablet PC. Just one thing that still bothers me is that since I’m still dependent on an optical-drive, is it still possible that I can install in one when I purchase this product?

    P.S.: Do you know when is it coming to Asia? I’m actually waiting for this model after discovering that my brother’s HP tx2520 has a few defects.

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