Laptop/Tablet PC

#1

I’m starting to think about getting a new laptop, and these tablet-like laptops with the reversable touchscreens(HP Pavilion tx2500z series) look pretty tasty. But does it look too good to be true?

I’ve read a few reviews that say the Radeon HD 3200 ranks fairly high, as far as laptop graphics cards go, so assume it should be able to handle CS3/4 and 3ds max 2009 (or packages of choice). And currently, there is a GotApex.com coupon code out there for the series which allows another $250 off, so like… you can get a pretty pimped out one for less than $1k, so it’s sorta tempting. =P

Anyone out there have any first-hand experience with using anything like this? Or one of these laptops specifically?

#2

hi,
well i would say that HP Pavilion tx2500z series is pretty solid.
i just got one last year and i upgrade it into 4g ram.
but under window vista home premium(32 bits) you won’t push it to the edge…
it come with wacom penable technology and little wireless card size controler too.

even it goes well on game too (depend on certain games).
i play ‘need for speed : undercover’ under high setting and everything is smooth.

the only thing i complain is the screen. to glossy i would say.

#3

I’ve been waiting for one with a solid graphics card / processors for a while now…

The HP tablet PC looks good, but it’s still just a Turion + ATI.

Wish Dell would finally release one of their M laptop workstations with a tablet screen
and a Quadro / Core 2 Duo.

#4

Apparently the tablet manufacturers are shying away from dedicated graphics cards for heat issues.

#5

I’ve been hearing that some people complain that the image is ‘grainy’ on the screen. Does it seem that way to you?

#6

my co-worker has that basic one (but with out a multi touch monitor). yes, the screen is pretty shinny, but he had Sketchbook Pro on it and it was really nice and smooth… almost worth the price just to use the app on it.

#7

hi,

sorry for late reply.
yup, the screen is bit grainy if u ask me.
maybe of the touch screen panel, but in this case i m not very sure of it.
but it is not that serious overall, maybe about 1-2% if u ask about it.
and it is hardly notice about it when u busy doing daily tasking job.

#8

So. I finally took the plunge and bought the tx2z. Unfortunately, It does not use Wacom technology. It is built with N-trig. And the biggest downside to this, thus far, seems to be that it doesn’t Support pressure-sensitivity in Photoshop. Aside from that, I’m happy with the laptop. But this is a pretty major drawback, especially considering the reason I got it was to use it with Photoshop. :slight_smile:

Anyways, hopefully the drivers will get patched, but until then, "Buyers Beware! ":wink:

#9

No Wacom tech for the tX2z! Are you sure? Does it have pressure sensitivity at all? Is the tracking for the stylus accurate with your hand movement with no lag?

#10

Definately not Wacom. There is pressure sensetivity, in things like Windows Journal and the little floating pen utility that translates your writing to text. But the Pressure is not supported in Photoshop… or GIMP (Just installed and tried that). Supposedly, it works in Corel Painter… and something called ArtRage, but I haven’t tested that.

Otherwise, the tracking and the multi-touch seems nice and tracks well.

#11

Have you tried Zbrush at all? Wondering what the sensitivity would be like for sculpting.

#12

i got the wonderful pc hp pavilion tx1003au but after installing auto cad 2007 the display quality automatically changes to a three model n the resolution completely becomes most ineffective.

#13

So I packed up the Tx2z and am shipping it back to HP… it doesn’t seem they or N-Trig plan on addressing the pressure issues with the laptop in Adobe’s products. Seems when N-Trig wrote the drivers for the touch screen, they didn’t really write them to receive input from the entire list of function hooks the Win API uses.

Never got to try it in ZBrush, but if I had to guess it wouldn’t work very well…

I ran the Vista performance test thing on it and the 3D Applications / Gaming section scored under a 4, which was rather sad for a Dual Core 2.5ghz with 4gb ram… My old Acer is half the machine and scores a 5.6 =/

So, for the price of this HP, you can get a Cintiq 12 wx which is what I’m likely going to do when I get the refund.

I certainly wouldn’t recommend this laptop for 2D artists (unless they’re happy with Sketchbook Pro and ArtRage), 3D Artists, or for anyone who wants their machine to double as a gaming machine. But if you like being able to rotate, zoom, and move pictures around with your finger, or need something to scribble down notes in class, then it’s pretty functional. :wink:

#14

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