HP's laptop updates... nothing special

Along with its barrage of new media desktops that we saw yesterday, HP has also given light to the new Pavilion tx2000 tablet and revamped the huge Pavilion HDX (the 20" HD notebook).

The tx2000 replaces the tx1000 in the 12.1" convertible tablet slot in HP's range. The tx1000 was released this time last year, perhaps hinting at yearly updates.

Specs are vague at best for the tablet but we know it'll feature HP's QuickPlay software, an integrated microphone and a webcam. We'll find out more by/during CES for sure.

As for the giant (the 20.1" HDX), we'll be seeing a full WUXGA 1080p display at 1920x1200 resolution with HP's UltraBrightview technology, a 512MB NVIDIA 8800 GTS video card, an optional Intel Core 2 Extreme processor, four Altec Lansing speakers with subwoofer, room for two hard drives, a digital TV tuner with hybrid analogue, a media remote, and an eSATA port.

Also new for the HDX is updated optical drive choices (keep in mind these all have additional CD/DVD read/write capability):

• the standard HD-read drive;
• an optional HD-read/write drive, and
• an optional Blu-Ray read drive.

I wouldn't expect to see these new models in Australia before March - and expect similar price tags to the models that they replace.

In that case, the Pavilion tx2000 tablet should retail for around A$2,300 and the standard, non-custom HDX for A$5,000 or under.