HP Pavilion TX2120US 12.1-inch Laptop (AMD Turion 64 X 2 Dual Core TL-64 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

by HP

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12 x 4.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0015HTXX2
• Item model number: TX2120US
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 27, 2008

Product Description

Model: TX2120US

Amazon.com Product Description

For multimedia mavens on the go, the HP Pavilion tx2120us tablet PC is light enough to take anywhere and is a great resource for showing presentations thanks to its 180-degree swiveling 12.1-inch touchscreen display--which folds flat to enable the convenience of capturing hand-written notes and drawings. Weighing just 4.5 pounds, the tx2120us delivers the same screen resolution and performance as a 15.4-inch notebook, but weighs over 2 pounds less. It features an HP-exclusive Echo pattern that was inspired by the rings forming a digital fabric that mimics our lives. Encouraging direct interaction, the backlit media control panel responds to the touch or sweep of a finger.

Protect your system and online accounts with your unique fingerprint for advanced security and peace of mind. The integrated 1.3-megapixel WebCam (and integrated microphone) provides easy video conferencing via VoIP and video IM chats. And control content from up to 10 feet away with the HP Mobile Remote Control that can be stored in the ExpressCard slot for convenience.

Optimized for mobile performance, it's powered by the 2.2 GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-64 dual-core processor, which offers 64-bit computing capability and higher throughput for simultaneous computing tasks. Other features include a 250 GB hard drive, 4 GB of installed RAM (maximizing capacity), quad-mode Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth connectivity, multi-format/dual-layer LightScribe DVD+/-RW drive (which also burns CDs), ExpressCard slot, NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150 video/graphics card with 527 MB of shared video RAM, and Gigabit Ethernet.

It comes preinstalled with the 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (Service Pack 1), which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: The 2.2 GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-64 processor offers a dual-core architecture, which delivers additional computing resources to help expand your PC’s capabilities by providing higher throughput and simultaneous computing--increasing your performance by up to 80 percent. You'll be able to perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering and gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly thanks to the innovative Direct Connect Architecture. And it's designed to handle simultaneous 32- and 64-bit computing with no degradation in performance. You'll enjoy long battery life thanks to the AMD PowerNow! power management technology, which delivers performance on demand and can extend system battery life up to 65 percent. And the AMD Digital Media XPress technology delivers stellar multimedia performance and playback on digital entertainment such as games, streaming video and audio, DVDs, and music.

  Each processing core has a 512 KB L2 cache (for a 1 MB total), and this processor can deliver up to a 1600 MHz system bus for lightning quick computing reflexes. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

• Hard Drive: The extra-large 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) provides more than enough capacity for storing a large audio and video library, as well as extra space required for video editing. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to Firewire and USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 4 GB of installed RAM (PC5300, 2 x 2 GB) maximizes the capacity for this notebook. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed and boosts the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card.

• DVD/CD Drive: This multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with writing both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 4x DVD-R DL Write Once, 2.4x DVD+R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R, 4x DVD+RW, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD-RW, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM speeds.

  This LightScribe DVD±RW drive lets you laser-etch silkscreen quality text and images on to CDs and DVDs . Your software, PC and discs work together for a no-hassle way to burn just the labels you want. After you burn content, just flip the disc over, reinsert and burn your label--anything from a simple title to a full-disc work of art.

• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a 101-key keyboard and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical/horizontal Scroll Up/Down pad. It also includes two quick-launch buttons (HP QuickPlay Music and DVD).

• Integrated Fingerprint Reader: A fingerprint reader offers advanced security by using fingerprints instead of standard passwords to access online accounts, such as banks and e-mail. To set up access, each fingerprint is associated with a password through Verisoft Access Manager. Verisoft Single Sign On (SSO) stores user names and passwords to an unlimited number of sites and automatically enters logon credentials. If more than one person uses the notebook PC, each can use a fingerprint to logon to a computer user account and access preset preferences and files.

Screen, Video & Audio
The 12.1-inch touchscreen-enabled WXGA high-definition LCD can swivel 180 degrees, providing optimal angles for viewing DVD movies and business presentations, and it folds flat for working in tight travel spaces such as airplanes or trains. It has a 1280 x 800-pixel resolution. Video is powered by the integrated Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 graphics/video card, which provides up to 527 MB of video memory shared with the system memory. It features NVidia's PureVideo technology--which provides great picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for video content--and full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 for stunningly realistic cinematic effects for all DirectX-compatible applications.

The Altec Lansing speakers provide exceptional sound, and a pair of stereo earbud headphones with volume controls is included. You'll be able to privately share enjoyment of multimedia with a friend via the dual headphone jacks. One of the headphone jacks is also compatible with SPDIF digital audio output for home theater surround sound.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with this notebook's integrated quad-mode Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments). You also get super-fast wired connectivity, with a Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000).

With the Bluetooth connectivity, you can communicate and synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones. This notebook includes a next-generation ExpressCard 34 card slot (replacing the PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. You get a good offering of connectivity options:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• Analog video out: 1 VGA monitor port and 1 S-Video port for connecting to a TV or projector
• 1 ExpressCard 34
• 1 headphone jack (with S/PDIF digital audio compatibility) and 1 microphone jack
• 1 notebook expansion port 3 (for use with the HP xb3000 Expansion Base or the HP Notebook QuickDock)
• 2 consumer IR (infrared)--1 on notebook, 1 on LCD panel
• 5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)
• Gigabit Ethernet port for 10/100/1000 networking
• Integrated 56K modem (V.90)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit version) is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial), Muvee Autoproducer, Cyberlink DVD Suite, PC Recovery, HP PhotoSmart Essentials, and Symantec Norton Internet Security 2008 (with 60 days of Live Update).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measure 8.82 x 12.05 x 1.52 inches and weigh 4.53 pounds.

Power
This notebook is powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which offers between 2 and 3 hours of battery life (dependent upon computing conditions).

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion tx2120us tablet PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, IR remote control, earphones, and operating instructions. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 30 days from date of purchase.

Product Description

HP Pavilion TX2120US 12.1 Inch Laptop PC. HP innovation is most visible in its breakthrough notebook PC designs that truly integrate fashion and technology for today¿s mobile, digital lifestyle. High gloss HP Imprint Finish encases the elegant, curvilinear form and is more durable than traditional painted surfaces. Personal entertainment is now even easier to enjoy with an updated menu and built in demos. Providing more choices than ever, HP QuickPlay enables access to DVDs, videos, photos, music, karaoke, games, Internet TV, and streamed or recorded TV, with an optional TV Tuner, at the touch of a button. Watch DVD movies on the full screen using simple media controls. Add music to your slide shows or videos with drag and drop functionality. Watch Internet TV. Listen without disturbing others with included stereo earbud headphones. And control content from up to 10 feet away with the HP Mobile Remote Control that can be stored in the ExpressCard slot for convenience. Its 12.1 inch screen twists 180 degrees for presentations and DVD playback and folds flat to enable the convenience of capturing hand written notes and drawings. Staying in touch has never been easier with the integrated HP Webcam. With AMD Turion 64 dual core mobile technology and the same viewable screen content as a 15.4 inch system, the TX2120US provides all the power and performance of a mainstream notebook PC without the additional weight. A fingerprint reader offers advanced security by using fingerprints instead of standard passwords to access online accounts, such as banks and e-mail. To set up access, each fingerprint is associated with a password through the DIgial Persona software. Interact directly with your system using your finger or stylus. With a Wacom digitizer the included pen is optimized for hand writing capture and conveniently recharges while you write, it does not require a battery. Erasing notes on your screen is just like using a pencil, flip the pen over and erase.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best product for the money... read more to see why..., April 28, 2008

By 

Gabriel Kron - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: HP Pavilion TX2110US 12.1-inch Laptop (AMD Turion 64 X 2 Dual Core TL-62 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium) (Personal Computers)

DISCLAIMER:

Normally, I steer clear of HP's (and Compaq's) sub-par products with risible quality-control, as well as its outrageously-detestable practice of filling the hard drive with cloggware that forces the customer to spend the first hour clearing out unwanted garbage with a plunger in hand, and to add to the outrage, the cloggware RESIST uninstall attempts.

FEATURES:

With the said caveat in mind, this particular product is magnificent! Albeit, it is a bit heavy (the DVD player can be removed to make lighter) and a tad warm, but perfectly smooth running Vista Home Premium, Office 2007 Premium, Matlab 2007, Photoshop CS3 and Visual Studio 2008. Looks beautiful (though a fingerprint magnet), has all the bells and whistles needed on a portable / tablet, and is dirt cheap compared to all other convertibles in its class. The only con is that it is not using the faster/cooler Intel Core 2 Duo chip, preferably the T8300 (2.4GHz), but that would have increased the price by a few hundred bucks. The graphics controller is built-in, but works very well for attaching high-resolution 22"-30" monitors. Those who are looking for a great GPU for gaming should not be looking at a tablet/convertible anyway.

If you're wondering, a "convertible" is the same as a tablet PC, but has a built-in keyboard / glider pad.

The stylus functionality is good, though it does require some calibration and some getting used to, the media remote stows in in the unit, the built-in camera, mic and speakers are also very good. The mic with software boost is adequate for Skype or recording lectures, but not for voice-command. The glider pad is the best I've seen on a laptop (it is slightly offset/indented to avoid accidental touching, and has perforations to allow for better finger adhesion/control). The screen resolution is nice, crisp and bright, but the digitizer overlay makes it a tad grainy and certainly shiny--but you'll stop minding by the first week of use. The included 6-cell battery lasts me ~1.5 under medium-heavy use, but an 8-cell version is available now and possibly a 12-cell may be available in the future.

COMPARISON:

The tx2110us is preferred over other tx2000z models, particularly the HP tx2120usbecause: (1) Vista 64 has compatibility issues, and may overall be an overkill for the current Turion chips (hence, slowing things down); (2) there is no noticeable benefit in having the extra 1GB of Ram under normal use, especially in a laptop (Vista x32 will only recognize up to 3GB); (3) No noticeable benefit in an extra 0.1 GHz in speed, but the trade off is probably more heat output / shorter battery life; and (4) Cost!! This one is ~$120 cheaper, which can go towards a second battery, or a nice case and accessories.

The unit is available at AMAZON, which means free shipping, no additional sales tax, and you can actually have it in your hands in less than a week (and return it if you don't absolutely love it)!

Preferred over Gateway C-141/142XL: (1) Gateway is flimsy, and at this rate, may not be around in the near future due to terrible customer service and business practices, and non-existent support (I ordered the C-141XL mid April: first they delayed my order without informing me, then they canceled my order without informing me or ever explaining why after I called twice, being transferred 6 times, and spending approx. 2 hours with customer service/sales/parts(!) and dealing with RUDE and UNHELPFUL employees, and they would refuse to ship my order unless I went to my bank and wire-transferred funds into Gateway's account first!! I figure the reason Gateway canceled my order (and probably many others) was because it was selling the unit too cheaply ($200 off base price, plus $50 coupon), so it introduced the "new" 142XL as of May 1st, which is identical to 141XL in all respect, but costs $150-$200 more (no coupons/incentives when I last checked); (2) C-142XL does have a larger screen (though with a worse resolution than the HP), as well as the much faster Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz and a dedicated GPU, but it does not have the latest wireless adapter (802.11N), nor the very useful remote control that comes with the HP, and is much heavier, almost too large to be ultra portable, only has the active digitizer but no touch-screen capability, and costs $300-$400 more (add another $50 for shipping and $100-120 for tax), that's IF you ever get one... (see blogs for Gateway's massive delivery delays on this product).

OTHER REMARKS:

Preferred over all the other ones I researched: Lenovo (cheap-looking IBM legacy laptops with the red "zit" in the middle of the keyboard + made by a Chinese manufacture who insists on installing Vista, but only includes 1 GB of RAM = NOT a winner), Toshiba (generally nice products, but unnecessarily expensive), Dell (great products and wonderful customer service, but the current convertibles are not fast enough for my use and too expensive), Apple (does not make a convertible, yet), Panasonic (excellent products, surreal prices), Gateway (forget about it!), Sony ($$$), ASUS ($$$), etc.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Vista Computer that Just Works!, May 14, 2008

By 

A. General "afgeneral" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HP Pavilion TX2110US 12.1-inch Laptop (AMD Turion 64 X 2 Dual Core TL-62 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium) (Personal Computers)

This is a quick review of the TX2110US. I've had this for over a month now and I couldn't be more satisfied with this purchase. I'm glad to report that this computer "just works" -- everything was as advertised and it certainly doesn't have the "cheap" feel and subpar assembly quality of other computer manufacturers. The keyboard is ergonomically designed (full size keys with nice response), it doesn't get hot (the TL-62 runs cooler than other AMD processors), the finger print reader, bluetooth, wi-fi just works flawlessly. I can't even stress how cool the active tablet mode works -- my handwriting on the tablet looks exactly like what I have on paper... and windows journal recognizes it! Really cool!

I've also had a few pleasant surprises: A full version (with license and all) of Microsoft OneNote 2007 and Corel Painter Essentials 4 comes free with this computer. Another surprise was the screen quality; I was expecting it to be subpar because of the tablet feature, but it isn't. The text, graphics, and video quality is as crisp as any LCD at the same price range.

There are also a couple of negatives: the GeForce 6150 card is a couple of generations older (why was this not updated?), because of this most modern games will almost be unplayable. The viewing angle of the screen (while comparable or slightly better than an entry-level Macbook, Toshiba, or Dell), could use further improvement. The weight is also rather heavy for its 12" frame.

For the price, a great value oveall. The pros outweighs the cons by magnitudes. Highly recommended especially for casual, academic, and business use.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very solid performer for the price, May 16, 2008

By 

Guthrie "Guthrie" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP Pavilion TX2120US 12.1-inch Laptop (AMD Turion 64 X 2 Dual Core TL-64 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium) (Personal Computers)

This is my first Tablet PC. I mainly bought this unit for that capability, but I was also purchasing it because it advertised itself as a completely loaded Vista experience, usable in everyday computing and more equipped than it's competitors.

I've been very pleased with the purchase. Not only does the unit have excellent versatility in tablet usage, but it is indeed loaded with small extras both in function and in software. It's comfortable to use as an everyday laptop, but capable of performing in tablet and touch mode in seconds.

Running Vista is no effort with the extreme amount of ram and sufficient processor. ReadyBoost is at hand to make the machine even quicker. While it is true it's not primarily a gaming machine, within the BIOS the video card is easily set to 128mb, which is not cutting edge but superior to any convertible tablets I was shopping for.

The laptop runs very hot. I find that it can become uncomfortable on the lap or in the arm in convertible mode, if you are not conscious of airflow. Luckily there is more than one vent, so I didn't fear for the innards.

Battery life is so-so. I prefer to use at least balanced setting in the power options, and I'm lucky to get 3 hours, 2 1/3 being far more likely. Again, HP offers a better battery which I will probably purchase for trips, etc.

Tablet and touch usage is fantastic, and frankly better than I thought it would be for such a hybrid. I love the option of interface here, and putting the laptop into different positions for writing, drawing, or watching media is great. The only difficulty for me was remembering that the touch is active when the pen is not near the screen. I've adjusted to this new (to me) feature.

The machine is loaded with software, some good, some bloat, as with most Windows machines. I'm a tweak-happy user, so no issue there. The licensed copy of OneNote was a great surprise. I'm also more of a fan than I thought I would be of HP's resources and the fingerprint reader utility.

I love having the USB ports, card reader, camera and DVDROM drive available on a good tablet (the DVD is removable for weight if you so desire.) Truly it's an everyday machine. The keyboard is quite sufficient, but I feel it pales in comparison to my Macbook. The display is fine, if a bit finicky about viewing angles. Still, like all the features on the machine I find it quite changeable on the software side. You can tweak the feeling of all tablet and display methods quite nicely.

So a solid machine that largely hits the target of jack of all trades that so many laptops miss. It would not be my first choice without tablet/touch capability, but the fact that it performs that function so measurably and accomplishes the others with few drawbacks makes it a great purchase. I'd highly recommend it to someone looking for a mid sized convertible tablet pc, with a bit of ooomph inside. If you want all the tools included, it makes the least sacrifice.

+
Very nice tablet / touchscreen usage.
Nice power and media options for convertible laptop.
Many features in hardware and software.
Very competitive pricing.
The design isn't horrid for portable pc ;)

-
Runs quite hot.
Viewing angles are suspect at times.
Typical Windows tweaking/bloatware issues.
64bit gives with one hand (ram) and takes with the other (driver compatiblity)

Recommended Purchase.

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