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Tuesday, August 28, 2007

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HP 2710p Tablet PC InkShow Video Review

- Rob Bushway

HP went back to the drawing board when they redesigned their convertible Tablet PC, and with the 2710p Tablet PC, the hit a home run in the design department for sure. From the moment the 2710p Tablet PC is opened up, it is clear that its origins came from the TC1100.

Along with the stunning new design, there are some nice new features like a webcam, keyboard light, business card scanner, WXGA screen, and capacitive touch volume controls. However, as you'll see in this InkShow video review, some of the design choices HP made were at the expense of function. For example, the capacitive touch volume controls sound like a great idea, but practically speaking, the lack of tactile feedback make them difficult to use. In addition, they are not available while in tablet mode. In fact, there are very few options available while in tablet mode. While the 2710p is a fantastic unit and I'll continue to use it, there are some things about the 2710p that prospective buyers need to know before making a decision, and I try to cover most of those in this review.

Along with a detailed tour and honest assessment of the 2710p, you'll also get to see:

a real demonstration of the display issues that plague Vista users with the Intel graphics cards. This isn't a knock on the 2710p, as it appears to be primarily related to Vista and Intel video graphics.
a functional and size comparison to the Lenovo X61 Tablet PC. I think you'll be quite surprised how much smaller the 2710p is compared to the x61.
a look at the Ultra-Slim battery and dock
a demonstration of the business card reader and software

Even with some things that will make a tablet user scratch their head, I still like this tablet pc a lot, and I will continue to use it for awhile. Please note: there are some initial audio issues the beginning of the video that smooth themselves out after a minute or so. I was experimenting with a wireless mic that was getting some interference.

Download the High Res version here ( 386 mb, 48 minutes )
Watch the embedded lower res version below
Learn more about the 2710p specifications and how it compares to the Fujitsu T2010
Read Sierra's review of the 2710p
Visit HP.com. The 2710p starts at $1599 and has many options available.

Click To Play

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by:

Hardware | HP | InkShows | HP | Tablet PC

8/28/2007 12:44 PM MST

HP 2710p Tablet PC InkShow Video Review Comments [13] | Digg This | del.icio.us | Citations

Tuesday, August 28, 2007 3:37:49 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

The screen rotation issue you brought up is a Vista issue as far as I can tell. I've seen it on the x61 and tc4400, and only seems to be an issue when vista locks, which is why it didn't happen the first time you tried to demonstrate it in your video.

What are your thoughts on the x61 vs the 2710, LV vs ULV? is the performance difference noticeable between the two, given the slower processor and hard drive speed of the HP?

I've only tested one machine with the 1.2ghz ULV processor, and the performance difference didn't seem that noticable, however, that machine had an SSD drive in it.

BTW, the SSD drive got a higher score in the Vista performance numbers than the 7200 rpm drive in my x61.

Rome

Tuesday, August 28, 2007 4:00:16 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

In day to day applications, I can't really notice much of a difference. However, in encoding video, I could notice a difference betweent the x61 and the 2710p

I'd love to put an SSD in the 2710p - would be awesome.

Yeah, as I pointed out in the video, the screen issues are not 2710p specific, but Vista and Intel related. However, they are important to show as they do impact productivity.

Prime example: I unplugged the vga cable from the 2710p this afternoon ( dock is already on its way back ), and the screen automatically adjusted itself to portrait mode, even though I was in laptop mode. These are usability issues that Vista, the OEMS, and Intel really, really need to work on. It is not acceptable.

Rob

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:28:02 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I am using a TC1100 currently. This looks like it could, indeed, be a step in the right direction. I love the extended battery only adding thickness, not protruding and weight shifting. That was a nice development move. What would set it apart would be the ability to only use the extended battery and place the smaller battery (the original one) in the dock. You suggested this be done if someone has two extra batteries. I guess only the extended battery will plug into the dock. ?

I don't really understand why they didn't just make the keyboard backlit instead of that LED on the face.

Thanks for the show.

Steven

Steven

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 7:55:16 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Many thanks for the in depth review.

One think I have noticed about the HP 2710P is I think it would be better suited to a left handed person, when using it left handed you wouldnt catch the finger print reader or the brightness sensor?

Also if it was your hard earned cash you were about to spend on a tablet, would you buy this one? If not which would you buy out of the currently available units?

Thanks again.

Guy

Guy Adams

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 8:31:38 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Great review Rob! Thanks so much.
How does this tablet compares to the LE1700 in your opinion? (screen readability for instance; wxga vs sxga...).

pyxus

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 8:53:40 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Steven:

Only the extended battery can be placed in the dock. I would have prefered a backlit keyboard instead of the light, too.

Guy:

Good point on the finger print reader. I did spend my hard earned cash on this one - it is not an eval - I own it. The dock and battery were on temporary eval and are on their way back to HP. I still like the X61 a lot, but it will be going back to Lenovo after to GBM Reader Meetup. I like the WXGA over the XGA, but I really miss the buttons on the X61. Given the weaknesses of the 2710p, I still like the design, looks, and weight, and am willing to put up with a few of the weaknesses.

It is worth repeating that the screen issues are not 2710p related - they are vista / intel issues.

Pyxus:

Honestly, I think I like the WXGA over SXGA having used it for a while. The screen doesn't seem as bright and crisp as say the le1700. It is bright and crisp, but I sense a little bit of graininess there. It is no where as bright and crisp as the MacBook / Sony screen.

Rob

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 9:04:36 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Again many thanks for your response.

I'am actually left handed and the first think I look out for with tablets / UMPC's is left handed usability.

It's just such a shame that the 2710P doesnt arrive here in the UK for quite some time.

Guy Adams

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 9:25:01 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Apologies, after speaking to HP direct today the first SKU for 2710P became available yesterday (product code GP590AW). As for actually receiving one in hand it may be a few weeks yet.

Guy Adams

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 7:16:34 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Rob, thanks for the fab ink review. I have been using the HP2710p for 1 week (with the docking station) and I love it. After using the TC1100 for 3 years I am really pleased with my new Tablet. I love the screen, the weight, the speed, the fingerprint reader, and the keyboard. My only gripe is the lack of toggle up/down button like the TC1100. The pen flicks work well, but it would still be nice to have that button. I have found the HP2710p to be really quiet and it remains quite cool. My old TC1100 would get hot and noisy so the new Tablet is perfect for business meetings. I will be keeping this one for several years.

Alex Daryan

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 8:51:57 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Well I just discovered something. Just as shown in Rob's ink show, if you put the HP2170p into sleep while in Tablet mode and then you wake it while in laptop mode, the screen is indeed still assuming you are in Tablet (and vice-versa). In the ink show Rob uses the pen to hit the logon icon to enter his logon password, however, I noticed that if you have the fingerprint logon setup, all you need to do is use your fingerprint to logon. You don't need to hit any icon before hand. So it does not matter how the logon screen is oriented, just swiping your finger lets you in without having to interact with the screen. And once the Tablet wakes up, it automatically flips to the correct orientation. I hope other can confirm this. I have tried in tablet mode and laptop mode and it seems to work great.

Alex Daryan

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 9:36:55 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I can confirm that the fingerprint option works. Vista and Intel still need to get that fixed, though.

Rob

Thursday, August 30, 2007 7:08:52 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Great review Rob. I ordered up a 2710p last week, should be here Tuesday, and I'm still thinking I made a good decision. The only thing that concerns me is the display doesn't always come back from standby, my M4 did that until nvidia got around to releasing a patched up driver.
The orientation thing is Windows I think. My M4 did that under XP and Vista, your 2710p is doing it as well but has Intel for graphics. That makes me wonder if it is just some annoyance in Windows that has never been looked at.

ericthebikeman

Saturday, October 27, 2007 12:07:18 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Your review and jkontherun were responsible for me buying HP 2710p. It's been a great tablet It's my first tablet, but I can't believe how accurate inking Is.
I, however, have a problem. I want to get a new AT&T Sierra Air Card 881 ,which is super fast and can be used domestic /international@ only $59/mo. The only problem is that its a Type II PC Card, which HP 271 Op doesn't accommodate.
Does anyone have a solution or an alternative which is just as fast & can work both in US & out @ only $59 per mo? At&T is only offering the card for free until 10/30. Thank you!

Jas nakaoka

Comments are closed.