HP TouchPad Detailed Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Revealed

Overview of the HP TouchPad

The HP TouchPad was a tablet computer developed and released by Hewlett-Packard (HP). Introduced in February 2011 and released in July of the same year, the device was HP's venture into the tablet market during a time when mobile operating systems were rapidly evolving. Distinguished by its reliance on the HP webOS 3.0 operating system, the TouchPad sought to offer a distinct alternative to the dominant iOS and Android platforms.

Design and Build

The HP TouchPad was designed with a minimalist aesthetic in mind. Measuring 240 x 190 x 13.7 mm (9.45 x 7.48 x 0.54 in), it possessed a thickness slightly above some competing models but was notable for its substantial build quality. Weighing 740 g (1.63 lb), it offered a solid feel compared to its contemporaries.

The tablet featured a 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD display with a resolution of 768 x 1024 pixels at a 4:3 ratio, resulting in around 132 pixels per inch (ppi). The display's clarity and brightness provided a satisfying experience for productivity and media consumption. The tablet also came exclusively in black, offering a sleek appearance that matched its professional aspirations.

Performance and Hardware

Powered by the Qualcomm APQ8060 Snapdragon S3 chipset, the HP TouchPad was equipped with a dual-core 1.2 GHz Scorpion CPU and an Adreno 220 GPU. These specifications ensured moderate performance levels, allowing the device to handle daily tasks and multimedia applications efficiently. However, power users may have found the speed lacking when compared to newer or high-end tablets of the era.

The device boasted 1 GB of RAM, paired with either 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage. Unfortunately, the lack of expandable storage, due to the absence of a microSD card slot, was a notable limitation for users who required additional space for their files and applications.

Software and Features

Running on HP webOS 3.0, the TouchPad offered a unique user interface that set it apart from its rivals. The operating system was praised for its multitasking capabilities, allowing users to manage multiple applications with ease through a card-based interface. HP webOS 3.0 also featured integrated support for Adobe Flash and a web browser compatible with HTML, enhancing the device’s utility for web exploration.

Despite these software strengths, the app ecosystem for webOS was significantly smaller than those of iOS and Android. The limited selection of apps was a critical drawback that impacted the device's appeal and versatility.

Connectivity Options

Without cellular connectivity options, the HP TouchPad relied solely on Wi-Fi for internet access. It supported Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, with dual-band capability to ensure compatibility with various wireless networks. Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR was also available, allowing users to pair the tablet with peripherals like headphones and keyboards.

A microUSB 2.0 port served for charging and data transfer, reflecting standard connectivity solutions for tablets at that time. However, the lack of GPS positioning and radio functionalities were missed by some potential buyers.

Camera and Multimedia Experience

The HP TouchPad was equipped with a 1.3 MP camera. While suitable for basic video calls and casual photography, the camera was not designed for anything beyond rudimentary use. The absence of a rear or higher-quality camera limited its utility as a media creation device.

Audio performance was enhanced by stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack, delivering an acceptable multimedia experience for music and video playback. The inclusion of Beats Audio technology was an attempt to profit from the burgeoning interest in high-quality audio, although it did not decisively differentiate the TouchPad from its competitors.

Battery Life

The non-removable Li-Ion 6300 mAh battery provided the HP TouchPad with respectable power longevity. Under normal usage conditions, the device could achieve up to 9 hours of talk time, with a standby duration of up to 300 hours. These specifications ensured that the tablet could fulfill daily usage demands without frequent recharges, aligning with industry standards at the time of release.

Market Reception and Legacy

The HP TouchPad received mixed reviews upon launch, with critique primarily directed at its software ecosystem and performance relative to competing products. While its hardware and design were generally appreciated, the lack of available applications and sluggishness in certain operations diminished its reception.

HP's decision to discontinue the TouchPad merely 49 days after its release rendered it one of the shortest-lived tablet products on the market. This was part of a broader strategy quick pivot away from the consumer electronics market by HP. Interestingly, the TouchPad experienced a brief resurgence in interest when remaining stock was sold off at significantly reduced prices, leading to community-led efforts to port Android onto the device.

Despite its commercial failure, the HP TouchPad remains noteworthy as a cautionary tale of entering a competitive market without a robust software ecosystem and clear differentiation.