jkOnTheRun video- HP EliteBook 2730p Tablet PC
The HP 2710p has been my favorite mobile computer and Tablet PC of choice for a while and when HP told me about their refreshed model, the 2730p, I was happy to hear about it. I have been using the evaluation 2730p for a few weeks and it has been a wonderful mobile PC and and even better Tablet PC. HP addressed virtually every major niggling thing I didn’t like about the 2710p and in this video I show how they made a great Tablet PC even better. This is a unique opportunity to see the 2730p side-by-side with the 2710p and get a look for yourself how the new model has changed. You also get a chance to see the slice battery in use and the slim dock with integrated 7mm optical drive. I know, I know the video is a bit long but that was the only way to get all the great things you see at one time. The extended battery/ docking solution is the best I have ever used in practice and you’ll get a chance to see for yourself. Enjoy the show.
Man. Time flies. Seems like you just got this thing like a week ago.
James: Thanks for the video. But how many screen orientations are there when you’re in battery mode? Is it only primary landscape and primary portrait, as with the 2710P? If so, I’m amazed.
I assume that with the adaptor you get four orientations – primary and secondary landscape + primary and secondary portrait, as with the 2710P (provided you’ve done the necessary driver updates).
Allan
How much crapware did HP load onto this?
Thank you again for another excellent review.
Woadan
AllanCJ- there are the two orientations with the button rotation. You’re right, the graphics h/w supports rotation into all 4 orientations but HP restricts it to the two. Not quite as convenient for lefties.
Woadan, thanks. There was no crapware whatsoever loaded on this 2730p but it’s an evaluation unit and not a commercial package as you would buy so I can’t state for certain it would be that way.
Excellent video. Very Useful. Thanks for this. One quick question: how much faster is the 2730p vs. the 2710p ? Typically for launching Outlook or for Firefox ?
The 2730p is much faster than the 2710p due to the faster processor. I find things happen almost instantaneously on the 2730p as a result.
Being a lefty who is seriously considering this laptop, I get worried about the “not great for lefties” comments.
How is the right (hinge) side for holding?
The 2730p would work fine for lefties, the comment was based on the inability to simply rotate the screen for portrait mode that would likely be more convenient for lefty use. I’m not a lefty so I’m making a big assumption here so take it with a grain of salt.
Great review of the HP Elitebook 2730p, James. I am writing this on a 2710p also my favourite TPC (the TC4400 does my non-mobile stuff now). I am very pleased to see some of the TC1100 features making a come back.
If you have a BIOS startup password do you still require the key board to enter the code. The TC1100 provided a pen interface.
I got better results with the fingerprint reader when I dragged my finger towards me, after setting up the reader this way as well.
I wonder when we will be able to buy in the UK?
I think these folks ship internationally I bought my 2730p from them.
http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/shop.cgi?action=thispage&thispage=01000100U018_BT30677P.shtml&order_id=!ORDERID!
I very much like my 2730p. But I really wish that the docking station had DVI-out. I think that’s sorely lacking given that it’s supposed to be “Elite”.
I like what this computer has to offer but I’m looking for something with GPS as well. Is there a way to add GPS to this or does anyone have any other recommendations?
You can add GPS via Bluetooth or USB, that’s it.
JK – What’s the highest resolution monitor that you’ve used with the 2730p in and out of the dock? I have a nice 1920×1200 I want to use, but the VGA-out from the tablet itself is less than ideal. I tried the monitor with a different computer that has DVI and it was much better.
Anyway – I have heard rumors that VGA-out on laptops is sometimes not great because of the power connector being near the VGA port (I don’t know how accurate that is, but I can believe interference could be an issue). So I am wondering if the docking station VGA-out is perhaps a better quality output than the direct port on the tablet.
HP – why not update the docking station with a DVI out??
Can you test its inking accuracy, there has been reports of bad parallax effect on this tablet and inaccuracy espicially at the edge.
Thank You.
I currently have a Toshiba M400 tabletpc laptop, but thinking of buying a Dell XT or HP2730p to replace it.
When docked I have the DVI connector (on the dock) connected to a Dell 24″ widescreen monitor at 1920×1400(?) and the VGA connector (also on the dock) connected to a Wacom 21″ 21UX Cintiq tablet monitor at 1600×1200.
Can I do the same with a Dell XT or HP 2730p tablet?
Let’s make best tablet pc ever: take 2730p, add dual-touch capability (optional), 13,3″ screen with 1680×1050 resolution (obligatory), hardware button to decrease resolution to 1280×800 by physical disabling of certain pixels (for power saving).
Damn, why all manufacturers make WXGA a standard…
Hi,
Are you using it as e-reader ?
if not which tablet device are you using ?
i’m thinking about Fujitsu P1620 , what do you think? you sold it in the past , what is the replacement for you ?
Thanks,
Shaul.
Hello Warner from down under in Australia,
My question is in regard to viewing movies on the 2730p is the picture and sound quality good. I am deliberating between the TX2525 and the 2730p. I use mso applications, including outlook emails, please help me make the right decision.
I like the sound of the 2730p but weight is also an issue how heavy is the tablet when I need to travel with the docking station and DVD player ?
Could you show a demo of viewing a movie ?
Tks
Thanx a million for the review. But also I have concerns about the quality of the VGA out. Have you tried attaching a large external LCD Monitor with high resolution to the notebook? I really wish it would have a DVI out. Not on the notebook itself but at least on the docking station! Do you know if HP has plans on building a new docking station with DVI out? Would be great to know. If so I would go and buy this baby right away.
Cheers!
I have a Dell 25.5″ monitor hooked up via VGA. The picture is surprisingly good, but not quite as good as I believe DVI would be. If I look really close I can definitely see that the signal isn’t completely clean (ie, there’s a little bit of static), but from “normal” viewing angle I almost can’t tell that static is there. Of course, I have some vision issues that may hide or augment some of the problems of VGA vs. DVI, so don’t take my word for it.
Has anyone tried using the s video out on the docking station? Eventhough it would not be as clear as the VGA, it would be handy in some cases. I tried hooking up to it but nothing happened.