HP Compaq TC1100 Specs
| Networking Options: | 802.11b |
| Networking Options: | 802.11g |
| Processor Speed: | 1 GHz |
| RAM: | 512 MB |
| Screen Size: | 10.4 inches |
| Storage Capacity (as Tested): | 40 GB |
If we had a PC Magazine Most Improved Product of the Year Award, the HP Compaq TC1100 ($2,399 direct) would be a memorable winner. Usually, new revs of products fix only one or two of the problems we found in older versions. The TC1100 did the opposite, fixing all but one.
Unlike other convertible designs, the TC1100's keyboard not only swivels and hides for slate usage, it actually comes off altogether. When the keyboard is removed, the slate is a 3.1-pound device that's a joy to carry. With the keyboard, it's 4 pounds and still very easy to tote around.
Our one unanswered gripe is the centrally placed swivel point where the screen attaches to the keyboard. The design puts the screen too close to your fingers, and the screen wobbles from typing impact. And if you try to use it on your lap, it wants to tip backwards.
The major improvements are to the 10.4-inch screen. We love that it has extremely wide viewing angles all around. You'll like the look of the images on-screen no matter how you tilt and use the device. Even glare seems minimized, making it easier to read documents. We like that HP still kept a glass cover on the screen (most others use polymer) but also managed to update the digitizer from its lackluster old version (which lacked pressure sensitivity) to a pressure-sensitive one. Adding even more pizzazz to the 10.4-inch screen is the choice of GPU. Rather than go with Intel's Extreme Graphics 2, as most tablets do, the TC1100 uses the 32MB nVidia GeForce4 Go 420, a 4X AGP solution.
Another major improvement is the move away from the Transmeta platform to the 1.0-GHz Pentium M. While the old HP tablet performed abysmally, the new one does quite well for a unit with a low-voltage chip. And it's not limited to Centrino wireless, using an 802.11b/g implementation. There's even a third type of wireless—Bluetooth—along with two USB 2.0 ports.
Look into adding one of HP's docking options to take advantage of an optical drive, monitor, and keyboard for desktop use. The built-in 40GB drive will be fine for most office applications. On the go, even with its less-than-perfect keyboard, the HP TC1100 is still better than a slate, avoiding kludgy USB keyboard solutions. And, to give credit, it's better as a slate than most pure slates, too, right down to its wonderful, thick stylus.