HP goes high-definition with new multimedia notebook

Hewlett-Packard, the top global PC vendor, Thursday introduced a multimedia notebook packed with high-definition features, including a screen that allows users to watch full HDTV movies.

The HP Pavilion HDX laptop, targeted at multimedia enthusiasts, has a 20.1-inch high-definition screen that plays back true 1080p high-definition television, according to HP. Users will have the option of selecting from an HD DVD or Blu-ray Disc drives to play back high-definition movies.

Powered by the Core 2 Extreme or Core 2 Duo processors from Intel, the system includes a hybrid TV tuner that lets users watch high-definition or analog TV broadcasts. The tuner will also provide digital video recorder capabilities, with users able to record and pause live TV.

The system includes an Nvidia GeForce 8800M GTS graphics card with 512M bytes of video memory, HP said. It also includes has four Altec Lansing speakers with a subwoofer built in. The system will support storage of up to 500G bytes and have integrated wired and wireless networking.

The system will run on Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate. Starting at $1,999, the system will ship in the U.S. this month, according to HP.

HP on Thursday also introduced the Pavilion tx2000 tablet PC, a portable laptop targeted at students and professionals. Users can rotate the screen 180 degrees and use a stylus to capture handwriting or surf the Internet, according to HP.

Powered by Advanced Micro Devices' Turion 64 X2 dual-core processor, the PC comes with a 12.1-inch screen and Windows Vista OS. It will have a DVD+/- RW drive, up to 250G bytes of storage, integrated wireless and wired networking, a fingerprint reader and a webcam. It weighs 4.29 pounds (1.95 kilograms) with a 4-cell battery, according to HP.

The PC will be available starting at $1,299, depending on configuration. It will ship later this month in the U.S.

The laptops were announced ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show, to be held in Las Vegas between January 7 and 10, where they will be on display.

Source:IDG News Service