HP TM2 vs TX2

[vwest87]

I'm really torn with the specs coming out for the TM2 namely with the processor speeds (Intel Core 2 Duo 1.3Ghz-1.6Ghz),

I'm a college student and going into computer science so I need something that will be able to handle running things like that without slowing down and really need a nice tablet so I can start taking notes without having them get all torn up on notebook paper.

The extended battery and running cooler and quieter and higher resolution screen makes me lean towards the TM2 and the rumored new wacom based screen is nice too, though not a huge priority to me (though that would alleviate some of the worry about the dreaded grainy screen of the TX2),

Though, the performance of the AMD based processor(2.1-2.4Ghz) is a big jump from that of the TM2 and as I have seen on here many times most people say the screen is fairly decent once you get the photodon protector on it and provided I undervolt it it should serve well without burning the place down and hopefully not distracting everyone in my classes. The cost factor would probably play in there a bit as well as I assume it would cost a bit more to get the TM2 up to respectable specs.

The absence of the optical drive on the TM2 is a non issue to me though, so I'm not really sure which way to go on these, I guess I'm just hoping to see the TM2 pop up on the HP page and magically have a better processor but I know that won't happen.

So any input as to which way you think I should go on this one?

[NamelessPlayer]

Just so you know, clock speed isn't everything (megahertz myth). The Core 2 Duo is more efficient per clock than the old Turion X2 (based on the Athlon 64 X2, if I'm not mistaken), which ought to close the gap quite a bit.

If graphics performance is important, then the tm2's dedicated graphics option is supposedly a Mobility HD Radeon 4550, which ought to be a big jump from the Mobility HD Radeon 3200 in the tx2.

If anything, I'd at least wait for the tm2's release, just so that the tx2s drop in price a bit more if you still decide to swing that way.

[BK_NC]

I think the TM2 would be able to handle just about any programming task you'd be given in college. I think as a student the biggest advantage the TM2 would give you is the 9 hour battery life HP is claiming on the standard 6-cell battery. Thats probably without the ATI graphics though. I think the TX2z would only give about 3hrs or so on a standard battery from what I've read. So you'd be able to go to all your classes in a day with the TM2 and probably not have to worry about plugging in. I would imagine it runs a lot cooler also.

Me personally if I had $800 to spend on a TX2z, I'd save a little more and get the TM2.

If price is a big object and you can deal with the battery life ( or get extra batteries ) then you will probably be able to get a great deal on a TX2z in the coming months.

[NamelessPlayer]

9-hour battery life on the stock battery? I find that hard to believe, but if the tm2 can rival the Fujitsu Lifebook T2010/T2020 in sheer battery life and deliver everything else, so much the better!

[BK_NC]

HP in their press release says they are using the latest low-voltage Core2Duo processors so I may be the same class the T2020 uses. Plus when you use the intel integrated graphics option and the fact is has no optical drive then the battery life claims should be about right since the T2020 can manage those. Just depends on how good those HP batteries are.

I would imagine the battery life isn't as good if the discreet ATI graphics option is chosen. Hopefully the ATI solution has the ability to turn off the discrete ATI graphics and us the integrated intel graphics to conserve battery. I know some laptops offer that solution although I can't think of the models off the top of my head.