HP Compaq 2710p Reviews
Hewlett-Packard has struggled for years to find a way to define its duelling Compaq and HP brand names. The company tags its HP Pavilion systems as multimedia-friendly consumer devices, while the Compaq name is used for the company’s line of business-oriented laptops and desktops (although some cheaper consumer desktops use the name Compaq Presario, so the naming confusion continues to a degree). The current line-up of Compaq-branded business laptops, including the 14-inch HP Compaq 6910p and the 12-inch HP Compaq 2510p, has comprised solid, if uninspired products.
It was only a few months ago that an HP product manager remarked to PC Pro that the tablet PC was “dead” as far as consumer use went (web ID: 112623). As hard as Microsoft tried, the mass market never took to the idea of pen-driven, touchscreen notebooks, and manufacturers brave enough to devote serious resources to the tablet were forced to look elsewhere. Vertical markets - such as education and healthcare industries - show the most promise. And, weighing just 1.7kg, the 2710p is probably the ideal size for holding in the crook of your arm in a warehouse.
One of the 2710p’s strongest features is its keyboard, which feels much larger than it is. HP makes excellent use of the extra real estate the system’s 12.1-inch widescreen allows, with a good expanse for comfortable typing across broad key surfaces. There’s even a handy pop-up LED keyboard light atop the LCD that makes typing in dark trains and planes much easier.
Attractive design Available with Windows Vista or XP Tablet PC Edition Excellent screen/keyboard light. Moderate performance No optical drive Only two USB ports No touchpad. When Hewlett Packard restructured its notebook range earlier this year it came up with three groupings. The HP Compaq 2710p bucks that particular trend. The lid is robust.
If style and battery life were the only measures of a convertible tablet, the HP Compaq 2710p ($2,457 direct) would sweep the competition. The aluminum-like exterior is reminiscent of the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (LED) and the fit-and-finish is sleeker than its consumer sibling, the HP Pavilion tx1000. Perhaps its greatest weapon is the entire day’s worth of battery life you get with the combination of a standard battery and an optional battery plate that slides underneath the base. The good news, unfortunately, stops there.
The HP Compaq 2710p is a convertible tablet that has one purpose in mind—all-day battery life. That’s likely what HP’s core customers were asking for, and HP delivers that and a tote-friendly, easy-on-the-eyes chassis. To achieve its long battery life, HP made certain sacrifices, specifically with the screen brightness (or lack thereof), and the low-powered processing parts. It’s a good idea to keep workloads and software installations to a minimum.
