HP EliteBook 2730 Tablet PC
By Alex Uvalle
February 2009
Equipment Type:
Tablet PC
Model:
HP EliteBook 2730p Notebook
w/ HP 2700 Series Ultra-Slim Expansion Base w/ 7-mm DVD+/-RW SuperMultiDrive
Support requirements:
- Configuration A: “laptop” mode (where display is in the position for keyboard access)
- Not much more support is needed beyond what MDS’ techs provide standard laptop users;
- Configuration B: Tablet mode (where display is rotated and fixed over the keyboard)
- Constant operational support will be required by users not familiar with using a tablet PC with a projection system (e.g. with the push of a button, the screen rotation for the laptop or projection display can change).
User training:
- Yes. Lots of training and familiarization with the use of the tablet PC in a SmartRoom classroom will be required.
Educational impacts/issues
Potential impacts on student learning:
- This technology may add extra benefit to studies as the instructor will be able to save written notes as PDF or PowerPoint for later access.
Risks and assumptions:
- The assumption may be that this would be “easy to use”, but the reality is this will require proper setup and usage training.
- The Tablet PC seems to only meet a specific need for live handwritten entries.
General Comments:
Likes:
Great response from using the pen option for PowerPoint. I could use cursive writing without problem. Handwritten entries can even be entered and correctly submitted into the URL box.
The option of the LED light installed on the LCD display is great for use in dim lighting.
The installed web cam could be useful for desktop conferencing.
Dislikes:
Can’t use the camera or LED light very well when in the tablet is in Configuration B.
With base attached to the tablet PC, the default orientation requires cables to point down at the user. This can be problematic when used on a podium with the cables being pressed against the lip of the podium (or against the user). The user or technician will need to know how to change the orientation of the display to allow the table to sit with up and away from the user. When in this position, the camera, LED light, and the thumb print scanner are located the user may rub up against the thumb scanner and cause a security application to launch.
800x600 is the maximum resolution for the external display, while Tablet PC desktop is in portrait view.
The size of the display/monitor should be enlarged. The sizing limitation forces the text closer together, which makes things difficult when using the stylus as a pointer.
Use of the stylus can be difficult with the default resolution of the tablet pc and the small size of the tablet pc. Since the tip of the stylus and the cursor are a few pixels off from being accurate, URL’s and other text too close together can be problematic.
When the device is booted, the stylus is not recognized – Tablet PC will need to be changed back into Configuration A for the tablet to recognize the stylus or keyboard to enter login information or to bypass security prompts.
Track pad mouse buttons not really responsive.
Slow boot time. This could be due to Larry’s image setup. There are lots of icons in the system tray.
Needs to be booted in laptop mode (don’t change to tablet mode) or else stylus won’t be recognized.
Stylus has to be yanked out of its holder. No eject option detected.