HP Compaq tc4400 Tablet PC

HP's newest convertible, the Compaq tc4400, is out to prove that the age of the sluggish hybrid is over. Notebook functionality and performance now blend well with tablet PC functionality, so traveling power users can have the speed of a top-notch mainstream notebook and get tablet PC pen-style computing in one portable system.

 

The tc4400 has the familiar flat black exterior and the tight, solid response of the Lenovo line. Unlike many convertibles, this 4.6-pound tablet has a thoughtful bow on one side to make one-handed pen input easier. A magnetic latch and two stabilizing pins do a good job of keeping the lid secure in tablet mode, but the spindle also keeps the LCD firm in notebook mode. The full-sized keyboard offers superb feedback that actually rivals the ThinkPad's legendary feel. The touchpad is spacious for its small frame, with two action buttons below both the pad and the space bar. Lovers of alternative navigation also get a pointing stick.

 

The 12.1-inch display sits on a very sturdy swivel pin. We found the screen to be flatter and less vibrant than the display on the Toshiba M400 convertible we tested last month, as well as some of the slates we have seen from Electrovaya and Motion. The LCD has good viewing angles, but it lacks contrast and is not as visible in indirect sunlight as we would like from a design that will likely see at least some outdoor use.

 

The stylus is thick, with eraser capability, and it has a fat hover zone where the LCD can track the pen from an inch or two away. While the tc4400 doesn't have a dual-array, noise-canceling microphone, we were pleased with its ability to pick up voices. Audio playback relies on only one speaker, but it is placed on an outer edge, so you can hear it clearly in both notebook and tablet modes. 

 

Rather than push buttons for launching applications, the tc4400 has three stylus-activated icons. These virtual buttons bring up HP's Q menu of tablet adjustments, the Tablet Input Panel, and rotate the display's orientation. We like that you can operate the buttons as shortcut keys with one hand while keeping your stylus at work, but we wish you didn't have to move the pen across the display to activate every menu. A conveniently placed hard button activates the Task Manager, and below that is a good rocker switch for scrolling. Generally, the arrangement is comfortable and works well from the crook of an arm.

 

The tc4400 compromises on built-in functionality by moving the optical drive off-board to an HP MultiBay II, which is an additional $169. At about 5.5 x 5 inches and 7.2 ounces, the MultiBay is not particularly small, and the connector cable is thick. Travelers will think twice before packing such a bulky external drive. 

 

Boasting a 2-GHz Intel Core Duo T2500 with 512MB of DDR memory, the tc4400 has power to spare. Virtually every operation we tried zipped along, and most programs loaded faster than they do on our desktop PC. For all that speed, the tc4400 minimizes heat with a small but almost imperceptible fan.

 

Like most tablets, the tc4400 was unable to run MobileMark 2005 and it earned an expectedly low graphics score of 1,401 on 3DMark03 with its Intel 950 integrated chipset. Wireless throughput was good, with 11.8 Mbps at 15 feet and 14.5 Mbps at 50 feet.

 

HP includes all of the security, connectivity, and durability features the enterprise now demands. TPM security comes standard, along with a biometric fingerprint reader, which worked accurately for us. Wi-Fi support includes 802.11a/b/g, and a Bluetooth 2.0 connection is optional. HP also offers a 3D accelerometer to protect the hard drive in case of a fall. 

 

The Lenovo X41 remains our favorite 12.1-inch convertible because it's 0.5 pounds lighter (with the extended battery) and costs $600 less, but the HP Compaq tc4400 is a good choice for speed demons who demand dual-core performance in a compact design. If you can live without an integrated optical drive, this notebook/tablet combo is a solid choice.