HP Touchsmart tm2t Review

The HP TouchSmart tm2t is described by HP as a customizable tablet PC. In terms of hardware power, basic computing functionality, and size, it’s comparable to a netbook, but the TouchSmart tm2t does have a number of attractive features and options that aren’t offered by many other devices of this size. Do these added capabilities justify the tm2t’s elevated price, or are users better off looking elsewhere?
Positives
At 11.9 x 8.7 x 1.03 inches in size, barely over an inch thick, and 4.72 pounds at its base configuration, the TouchSmart tm2t is a small, highly portable device, roughly the same size as the average netbook. With this model, though, HP appears to be trying to provide a high-end, more fully featured alternative to a netbook. With base hardware specs like 3GB of RAM and Intel Core 2 Duo 1.3-1.6 GHz processors, the TouchSmart tm2t is somewhat more powerful than most current netbooks out of the box, and when expandability is factored in – the tm2t can go as high as 8GB of RAM – it’s clear that this model is aimed at more demanding users.
Where the TouchSmart tm2t really differentiates itself, though, is with its user-focused features. This is where the “tablet” aspect comes in. The tm2t features a 180-degree rotating touchscreen display, a full-size keyboard, and a generous touchpad. It includes a digital pen, which works well with the touchscreen and provides users with a dimension of interactivity that isn’t offered by conventional netbooks.
Negatives
As you might expect, price is the other major area in which the TouchSmart tm2t differs from a netbook. The tm2t starts at $899.99, which is over twice as much as some laptops that are close to the tm2t in terms of size and specs, such as the Apple MacBook and the Lenovo IdeaPad U450. With HP’s offering, you’re essentially paying twice as much to get slightly more impressive hardware, a touchscreen, and a few other bells and whistles.
The Bottom Line
The HP TouchSmart tm2t offers an intriguing combination of tablet-style touchscreen functionality and portability with hardware power more akin that of to a larger laptop. If you’re in need of both of these things, then the TouchSmart tm2t should prove to be a good choice. If small size and battery life are primarily what you’re after, though, you’ll probably find a lot more value in a conventional netbook.

Posted in: HP