HP unfolds touchscreen tablet

Laptop-cum-tablet

By James Sherwood • Get more from this author

19th November 2008 11:44 GMT

HP is eager to prove that it’s still in touch with your mobile computing requirements, so it’s launched a convertible notebook with a touch-sensitive display.

The TX2’s display can be rotated by 180° to let you to use it as either a traditional notebook or as a tablet PC. Only a fingertip’s required to navigate your way around the machine, but a digital ink pen has also thrown in, for writing, sketching, drawing or making notes directly onto the screen. The TX2 uses HP's Touch-Smart UI.

HP's TX2: touch-sensitive

The display measures 12.1in with a 1280 x 800 resolution, and is helped along by AMD's ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3200 graphics chip with 64MB of video memory.

Delve underneath the TX2’s stylish façade and you’ll find a 2.4GHz AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile ZM-86 processor, along with up to 8GB of DDR 2 memory.

The machine can also be fitted with a 400GB, 5400rpm hard drive – there’s no SSD option. A multi-format DVD writer comes as standard.

Dell-style lid design?

TX2 is set-up for Wi-Fi access, and you’ll also be able to add Bluetooth if it’s something you think you’ll need. If not, then a five-in-one memory card reader comes as standard.

Elsewhere on HP’s TX2 you’ll find an integrated webcam, optional fingerprint reader and integrated infra-red receiver for use with the bundled remote control.

HP’s TX2 will be available in the UK from January next year and will cost upwards of £800 ($1200/€950).