Comparing the HP EliteBook 2730p vs. the 2740p convertible tablet PC

If you're thinking about buying the HP EliteBook 2740p convertible tablet PC, go for it! This is a great little tablet that takes all the features from the 2730p and makes it better. What's changed from the 2730p to the 2740p?  HP has made some significant improvements to both the inside and outside of this convertible tablet PC. Here are a few things that I've noticed so far:

• Multi-touch screen (capacitive) to support Windows 7 gestures.
• 3 USB ports on the 2740p instead of only 2 that's found on the 2730p.
• Louder speakers that face the front on the 2740p, not the single speaker facing the bottom on the 2730p.
• Nicer raised mouse buttons for the trackpad on the 2740p. The flat buttons on the 2730p are difficult to use.
• The keyboard buttons are shaped slightly differently. They're approximately the same size on both the 2730p and the 2740p.
• The camera and pop-out LED light on the display bezel are square on the 2740p instead of round on the 2730p.
• The 2740p is slightly thicker than the 2730p, but you'll barely notice the difference.
• The 2740p comes with faster processor options (Intel Core i7 or i5).

Like the 2730p, the 2740p uses a 1.8" SATA hard drive, so this makes the device very thin and light. That's one of the main reasons why I like the HP EliteBook over the ThinkPad tablet. The EliteBook is much smaller compared to my Lenovo ThinkPad X200 tablet PC.  Plus, the HP includes the LED light to illuminate the keyboard so that I can see what I'm typing when I'm composing my blog posts.

The ThinkPad still has a nicer keyboard because it includes full-size buttons and a standard layout, but typing on the ThinkPad is louder than typing on the keyboard found on the EliteBook.

You can expect several additional posts about this tablet as I spend more time with the HP EliteBook 2740p convertible tablet PC. My first impressions are very positive and the only major drawback that I'm finding at this point is the fact that the keyboard is not as nice as the keyboard found on the ThinkPad.

Looking forward to reviewing a new convertible tablet PC

I'm looking forward to receiving a convertible tablet PC so that I can review it and blog about my first impressions. I don't want to give away the details, so you'll have to stay tuned.

By means of background, let me list a few of the convertible tablet PCs I've used/owned:

• HP EliteBook 2730p tablet PC
• Lenovo ThinkPad X200 tablet PC
• Lenovo ThinkPad X41 tablet PC
• Fujitsu Lifebook P1610 tablet PC
• Fujitsu LifeBook T3010 tablet PC

I have yet to find the "perfect" convertible tablet PC. If I could design a tablet PC, here's what it would look like:

• It would have a 12" or 13" screen offering dual-input modes (a Wacom active digitizer and a capacitive multi-touch touchscreen)
• It would be as thin and light as a MacBook Air (but it would have a removable battery). Maybe as thin and light as a ThinkPad X300.
• It would have a full-size keyboard like that found on the Lenovo ThinkPad
• It would have an illuminated keyboard (or at least have a pop-out LED light like that found on the HP EliteBook)
• It would have a dual-input screen that includes a Wacom active digitizer and a capacitive touch-screen
• It would weigh less than 3.5 pounds

When will someone make a convertible tablet PC that includes all these features?

PC Magazine reviews the iPad

Reviews of the Apple iPad are starting to emerge. PC Magazine has given the Apple iPad the "Editor's Choice" recognition stamp. Here's a brief summary of the highlights.

Bottom line:
A difficult-to-pinpoint target customer and a few pesky omissions are overshadowed by the excellent overall experience you get with Apple's iPad. And it sets the bar high for competing products in this nascent Internet tablet category.

Pros:
Sleek design. Gorgeous, sharp, accurate touch screen. Improved iPod, Safari browser, photo and e-mail apps. iBooks look fantastic and titles are easy to purchase and download. A plethora of downloadable apps.

Cons:
Lacks Flash support. No camera or video recorder. No multitasking capability. Cover Flow is missing from the iPod app. Doesn't ship with a case. Earbuds aren't included.

To read the entire review from PC Magazine, click here.

HP Mini 5101 netbook

Are all netbooks equal? Not when you have some that are tiny and others that really look like a small laptop. If you're thinking about spending a few hundred dollars for a netbook, consider the HP Mini 510.

The HP Mini 510 netbook received an "Editor's Choice" by Laptop Magazine and 4 out of 5 stars. They say, "This business-friendly netbook offers excellent performance in a durable and attractive design."

Pros:
* Stylish, durable design
* Comfortable keyboard (this is very important if you're buying a small computer)
* Excellent performance
* Good audio

Cons:
* Touchpad has too much friction (maybe a tiny bit of grease can fix that problem)

PC Magazine also rates this netbook as "Very Good" (4 out of 5 stars). Here's their Bottom Line: The HP Mini 5101 is much improved version over HP's previous netbooks, but you'll have to pay extra for many of its fringe benefits—if they become available.

Pros:
Very attractive metallic chassis. 95-percent keyboard is right up there with those on the top netbooks. Mouse buttons are quiet. Bevy of options, including an "HD" resolution, 3G, SSDs and 7,200 rpm HDDs. Good performance scores. 802.11n wireless capability.

Cons:
Options can bring up the cost significantly and aren't available for purchase yet.

If you're interested in reading the reviews: click here for the PC Magazine review. Want to read some more? Then, click here for Laptop Magazine.

I don't plan to buy a netbook anytime soon. My Thinkpad is small and light enough that I use it most of the time. Also, I have a Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC (and I still have my OQO model 02), so why needs another small computer, right?