Hewlett-Packard (HP) first introduced the TouchPad Tablet PC to the world 150 days ago, and at that time not even the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 inch tablet that would end 2010 as the only competitor of the iPad to make it to market had arrived yet. Yes, it has taken quite some time for HP to take the TouchPad from idea to physical product. But to be fair to HP, they got caught up in the Apple iPad-inspired tablet-mania like everyone else. They just showed a prototype too early. Had they released then, we would be heralding the second generation TouchPad, instead of reviewing the benefits and negatives of the first tablet offering from computer giant HP. Is the HP TouchPad tablet worth the wait? Let’s HP TouchPad Tablet Computers Review take a look.
What’s hidden inside
The WebOS the HP TouchPad uses as its operating system was a big change, and a smart one, in mobile OS platforms. It took the Apple iOS trait of focusing on apps, and switched it to the user. The user of any WebOS-operated device is now the center of attention, as it should be. So from the jump, the HP TouchPad is in a great position. The user can decide to access apps, which ones to access, or disregard them altogether. The graphics and apps available are visually very well presented, but there are not that many apps for the WebOS at this time. However, the Facebook app designed by HP for the WebOS is the best Tablet PC Facebook app I have tested on any phone or tablet.
With 300 to 400 apps available on launch that were optimized specifically for the HP TouchPad, Apple’s iOS-specific 50,000 apps dwarfs the WebOS offering. Even the Honeycomb 3.0-specific 500 apps eclipses the number of apps designed exclusively for the TouchPad. But HP has repeatedly said they want quality over quantity, and that will pay off in the future. One app on board is Skype integration, a nice plus. Out of the box you can enter your Skype info, and you are up and running.
The powerful and smart dual core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor is at the helm of all your requests, and the HP TouchPad really scores here. This chip set is very fast, and bigger than the 1 GHz models found in many other tablets. While it is not perfect, it is very fast. There is also a Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n radio, a fully functional GPS unit, a 1.3 mp front facing cam for your video chats, and a 6,300 mAh battery that lasts several days of average use.
What you see outside
looking definitely unique, the HP TouchPad will not win any awards for good looks, but it isn’t exceptionally unattractive either. At 26 ounces, the TouchPad might be a hair heavy for extensive handheld use, but it does feel solid. The TouchPad matches the iPad 2 in size of display, at 9.7 inches, and at 1,024 x 768 resolution, would sound pretty impressive. But in reality, it is a little above average, somewhere better than the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and not as gorgeous as the BlackBerry PlayBook.
When held in the portrait position, a microUSB port is on the bottom edge and a 3.5 mm headphone jack graces the top along with the power/lock button. The left side has true stereo speakers which are definitely in the top of the tablet marketplace for sound quality. The right edge holds a volume rocker.
Positive features
We mentioned the great experience with the WebOS, powerful processor and great stereo sound. But there are more positive points we need to cover. HP also has a big plus in their Touch-to-Share software that allows you to simply touch the TouchPad with a compatible device to share files, photos and apps. Tap it, and it is shared. This is awesome stuff, and as more phones and tablets receive the software to share this ability with a TouchPad, it will become even more attractive in the future.
The keyboard is another place where the TouchPad shines. I absolutely applaud that numbers are available in the regular keyboard view. Other tablets like the iPad, iPad 2 and PlayBook make you access another view to use numbers. That is just ridiculous, and the HP TouchPad delivers there.
Negative features
HP uses a shiny plastic for its TouchPad body, and it is less than ideal. It is sturdy enough, but this has to be the most fingerprints I have seen on any tablet to date. The finish is a veritable magnet for fingerprints. And the glass display is just as bad. Also, the plastic rim around the truly wonderful stereo speakers are very sharp. They should have been rounded. If you have children, please be careful with their access. It won’t cut them, but will get them whining.
The display also could have been better, though it is still above average. And while the processor is an absolute beast, and powerful enough for any requests you may have, the interaction with the WebOS software is a little slow when launching apps, or when first accessing features. It is fine after that, but that initial delay is bothersome.
The Bottom Line
Priced at the usual $499.99 for the 16 GB version and the typical $599.99 for the 32 GB model, the HP TouchPad is a solid non-iPad 2 tablet purchase. This OS will grow and smooth out, as updates and tweaks roll out. The super-smooth iOS for the iPad was nowhere near as smooth when it first launched. So, for Honeycomb OS cutting edge technology and the WebOS promise of a great future experience, this is a very nice tablet. And when you think about the other available tablets one by one, other than the iPad 2, they are all babies, in their infancy, and will need time to grow. The TouchPad is no different.
In the near future, the Touch-to-Share technology and WebOS will be top-notch features, but for now, they are part of a total feature set that makes the HP TouchPad a good to above average tablet, instead of a great one.
What’s hidden inside
The WebOS the HP TouchPad uses as its operating system was a big change, and a smart one, in mobile OS platforms. It took the Apple iOS trait of focusing on apps, and switched it to the user. The user of any WebOS-operated device is now the center of attention, as it should be. So from the jump, the HP TouchPad is in a great position. The user can decide to access apps, which ones to access, or disregard them altogether. The graphics and apps available are visually very well presented, but there are not that many apps for the WebOS at this time. However, the Facebook app designed by HP for the WebOS is the best Tablet PC Facebook app I have tested on any phone or tablet.
With 300 to 400 apps available on launch that were optimized specifically for the HP TouchPad, Apple’s iOS-specific 50,000 apps dwarfs the WebOS offering. Even the Honeycomb 3.0-specific 500 apps eclipses the number of apps designed exclusively for the TouchPad. But HP has repeatedly said they want quality over quantity, and that will pay off in the future. One app on board is Skype integration, a nice plus. Out of the box you can enter your Skype info, and you are up and running.
The powerful and smart dual core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor is at the helm of all your requests, and the HP TouchPad really scores here. This chip set is very fast, and bigger than the 1 GHz models found in many other tablets. While it is not perfect, it is very fast. There is also a Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n radio, a fully functional GPS unit, a 1.3 mp front facing cam for your video chats, and a 6,300 mAh battery that lasts several days of average use.
What you see outside
looking definitely unique, the HP TouchPad will not win any awards for good looks, but it isn’t exceptionally unattractive either. At 26 ounces, the TouchPad might be a hair heavy for extensive handheld use, but it does feel solid. The TouchPad matches the iPad 2 in size of display, at 9.7 inches, and at 1,024 x 768 resolution, would sound pretty impressive. But in reality, it is a little above average, somewhere better than the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and not as gorgeous as the BlackBerry PlayBook.
When held in the portrait position, a microUSB port is on the bottom edge and a 3.5 mm headphone jack graces the top along with the power/lock button. The left side has true stereo speakers which are definitely in the top of the tablet marketplace for sound quality. The right edge holds a volume rocker.
Positive features
We mentioned the great experience with the WebOS, powerful processor and great stereo sound. But there are more positive points we need to cover. HP also has a big plus in their Touch-to-Share software that allows you to simply touch the TouchPad with a compatible device to share files, photos and apps. Tap it, and it is shared. This is awesome stuff, and as more phones and tablets receive the software to share this ability with a TouchPad, it will become even more attractive in the future.
The keyboard is another place where the TouchPad shines. I absolutely applaud that numbers are available in the regular keyboard view. Other tablets like the iPad, iPad 2 and PlayBook make you access another view to use numbers. That is just ridiculous, and the HP TouchPad delivers there.
Negative features
HP uses a shiny plastic for its TouchPad body, and it is less than ideal. It is sturdy enough, but this has to be the most fingerprints I have seen on any tablet to date. The finish is a veritable magnet for fingerprints. And the glass display is just as bad. Also, the plastic rim around the truly wonderful stereo speakers are very sharp. They should have been rounded. If you have children, please be careful with their access. It won’t cut them, but will get them whining.
The display also could have been better, though it is still above average. And while the processor is an absolute beast, and powerful enough for any requests you may have, the interaction with the WebOS software is a little slow when launching apps, or when first accessing features. It is fine after that, but that initial delay is bothersome.
The Bottom Line
Priced at the usual $499.99 for the 16 GB version and the typical $599.99 for the 32 GB model, the HP TouchPad is a solid non-iPad 2 tablet purchase. This OS will grow and smooth out, as updates and tweaks roll out. The super-smooth iOS for the iPad was nowhere near as smooth when it first launched. So, for Honeycomb OS cutting edge technology and the WebOS promise of a great future experience, this is a very nice tablet. And when you think about the other available tablets one by one, other than the iPad 2, they are all babies, in their infancy, and will need time to grow. The TouchPad is no different.
In the near future, the Touch-to-Share technology and WebOS will be top-notch features, but for now, they are part of a total feature set that makes the HP TouchPad a good to above average tablet, instead of a great one.
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