HP Unveils Touch-Enabled Notebook

HP has released a touch-enabled mini notebook designed for students

The HP TouchSmart tm2 is claimed to be a powerful, convertible, touch-enabled notebook PC, and is encased in a n aluminum design with engraved illustration.

There is also the HP Mini 5102, HP’s first touch-enabled netbook, is designed for students and mobile professionals alike. It features an all-metal case in black, red or blue and offers a range of features, including face recognition for easy log-on to Windows operating systems and password-protected websites.

Finally, is the HP Mini 210 and 2102 are affordable companion PCs that provide all-day computing,(1) optional high-definition (HD) video playback, and optional global positioning system (GPS) and mobile broadband connectivity.

With the convertible tm2, customers can choose the product configuration and input method that is most comfortable and natural, whether on a couch, in an airplane or while surfing the web. As a traditional notebook, the tm2 offers a keyboard and touch-enabled display for input. Converted to a slate, the tm2 morphs into a sketchpad with digital pen, allowing artists to sketch on the go and students to take notes in class.

With what is claimed to be feather-light capacitive multitouch display technology, the display also supports multitouch gestures such as zoom, scroll and rotate by allowing more than one finger to be accepted as input simultaneously. With the digital pen, handwriting appears on the display as digital ink, similar to writing on paper.

The tm2 also features many of the same built-for-touch applications found on the recently introduced tx2 and HP TouchSmart PC, including touch-enabled games and Corel Painter Sketch Pad application for creating digital art.

The HP Mini 5102 is a full-performance netbook designed for mobile professionals and students. Available in either a standard or touch-enabled version, the HP Mini 5102 features an anodised-aluminum display enclosure with a choice of black, red or blue brushed finishes.

The touchscreen allows multitouch gestures, finger taps and swipes across the screen so users can navigate through applications and menus. It has a 95 percent of full-size QWERTY keyboard, plus a touchpad.

Logging on to Windows and other websites is fast and easy with HP Face Recognition for Protect tools. Users face the 2-megapixel webcam of the HP Mini 5102 to log in. Finally there is the HP Mini 210 and HP Mini 2102, which provides nine hours of battery life plus optional 3G broadband connectivity and GPS in a slim and stylish design in multiple color options.

Measuring less than 2cm thin, the HP Mini 210 is available in a choice of black crystal, silver crystal, pacific blue or sonoma red finishes. The HP Mini 2102 offers users a sophisticated black design, which is also available for the Mini 210.

Both units are designed for consumers and business professionals who surf the web, check email, listen to music and need access to people or information while on the go. The PCs also have a built-in WLAN, webcam and microphone.

Both also support up to 1 gigabyte (GB) of memory and large hard drive options up to 320 GB,(11) offering plenty of space to store movies, music, applications and files. A convenient, built-in VGA port allows users to connect to an external monitor, while a five-in-one digital media slot allows users to transfer files easily from various memory formats.