Review: HP Compaq 2710p

HP Compaq’s offering has far superior tablet features than the Pavilion thanks to its active pen technology, meaning that the screen isn’t touch sensitive.

It also means you can hover it over the screen to move the mouse point, rather than having to actually touch the display. It’s easier to write faster and accuracy is superior to touchscreens.

Tablet PC screens always look like they’re covered in clingfilm, but Compaq’s at least manages to stay bright and vibrant with deep blacks during video playback.

The screen didn’t click into position, something not everyone will appreciate ­ we’d recommend you try before you buy. Other than that, it’s a rigid notebook with a pleasing rubber base (this doesn’t stop slide as much as the P7230’s fabric) and classy metal and plastic top half.

Like the Lenovo X61, Compaq fits a Trackpoint rather than trackpad, which is an acquired taste, but a great space saver.

Although there’s a distinct lack of travel to the keys, probably due to the display having to fold onto them, the keyboard is well proportioned. A touch-sensitive volume slider, just above the keyboard, is a nice touch until you realise there’s no access to it in tablet mode.

In a pitch black room you can press a button that flicks out an LED to illuminate the keyboard. The X61 has it too, but we prefer Compaq’s mechanical version. The 2710p also features an unusual flip-out Wifi aerial.

A three-year warranty is tarnished by just one year’s cover on the battery. You can bolt a second battery onto the bottom of the chassis though, which is an interesting feature.

The Compaq sat in the bottom third of our performance benchmarks, but battery life was superb and its one of the best tablet PCs we’ve used.

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This article is part of a group test, see also:
1 Introduction
2 The great weight conundrum
3 Acer Travelmate 6292 review
4 Advent 8112 review
5 Fujitsu Siemens Lifebook P7230 review
6 Hi-Grade Notino D2200 review
7 HP Compaq 2710p review
8 HP Pavilion TX-1260ea review
9 Lenovo Thinkpad X61 review
10 MSI PR200-064UK review
11 Panasonic Toughbook CF-W7 review
12 Samsung Q45-A007 review
13 Toshiba Portégé R500-10U review
14 Performance graphs, page 1 of 2
15 Performance graphs, page 2 of 2
16 Replacement battery costs
17 Conclusion and awards

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