Ruggedized Elitebook 2730p Tablet Computer

HP's new business lineup of computers includes a ruggedized Elitebook 2730p tablet computer.  And by ruggedized we mean that it meets the MIL-STD 801F spec for dust, altitude, and high temperature specs (and since it is claiming the spec we assume it meets them for vibration and fall as well, but we could not find that verified).

The tablet features an Intel Core 2 Duo ULV, SSD option, biz card reader, DriveGuard, jog dial, and optional Outdoor View screen.  You can get the tablet with Vista or XP custom installed (interesting).  The screen is 12.1 inches with of course a digitizer running a resolution of 1280 x 600.  Dimensions are (h × w × d) 1.11 in (at front) x 11.24 in x 8.35 in / 28.2 mm (at front) x 290.0 mm x 212.0 mm. The tablet weighs in starting at: 3.74 lb / 1.70 kg (weight will vary by configuration).

Being part of the HP business lineup the HP business suite of software is installed, including

• Manageability Intel® Centrino® 2 with vPro technology capable
• HP Recovery Manager (Windows Vista only)
• HP Client Manager Software
• HP Client Configuration Management Agent Security Standard: HP ProtectTools
• TPM Embedded Security Chip 1.2
• Enhanced Pre-Boot Security
• HP Spare Key
• HP Disk Sanitizer
• Enhanced Drive Lock
• HP Fingerprint Sensor
• Drive Encryption for HP ProtectTools
• Credential Manager for HP ProtectTools
• File Sanitizer for HP ProtectTools

The tablet comes with a Power 6-cell (44 WHr) battery, but there is an optional HP 2700 Ultra-Slim Battery.  Warranty is a Limited 3-year,1-year or 90-day, depending on country, but there is a 1-year limited warranty on the primary battery

The  Elitebook 2730p tablet computer is a nice looking computer, but it does seem that HP has given up permanently on producing a slate style machine for its business class.  And this machine, starting at almost 4 pounds, is probably a bit too heavy to be used as a convenient tablet, at least as a lot of users of slate computers have come to expect them.  Still, as a convertible tablet the specs are encouraging, but if I was looking for a real tablet from HP I would probably go back a few years and pick the HP TC1100. In my humble opinion the tablets from HP have not improved since then.

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