Linux runs wonderfully well on HP tx2-nnnnxx laptops … but newbies should still wait …
This page is just for discussing using Linux on the HP TouchSmart TX2-1200 series. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the HP TouchSmart TX2-1200 series page on LapWik.
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For full specifications see the HP TouchSmart TX2-1200 series specifications page.
| Name | HP TouchSmart TX2-1200 series |
| Processor | AMD Turion™ X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor RM-77 2.30 GHz |
| Screen | 12.1” WXGA Tablet |
| RAM | Up to 4GB |
| HDD | up to 500GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3200 |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet bcm4322 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Webcam | Suyin |
| Fingerprint reader | aes1610 |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Y | Frequency scaling OK |
| Screen | Y | |
| HDD | Y | |
| Optical Drive | Y | |
| Graphics | Y | ATI proprietary driver required for OpenGL |
| Sound | Y | needs to change model parameter |
| Ethernet | Y | |
| Wireless | Y | wl proprietary driver |
| USB | Y | |
| Bluetooth | Y | tested with headset, smartphone, and GPS |
| Card Reader | Y | I tested SD cards only |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested | |
| Webcam | Y | |
| Fingerprint reader | Y | |
| Touchscreen | Y | See http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:Howto_install_OpenSuSE_on_HP_tx2-xxxx_laptops |
| Remote control | Y | Irda. Key events could be re-mapped to fit your needs |
Installation is still a bit tricky to get full touchscreen support, and therefore not really accessible to newbies (10/2009). At the same date, multitouch support is still NOT available. That will probably change soon for a better native support, including for multitouch events : check evolutions since this report publication.
Installation is tricky, but worth ! When done, the screen react as a sensitive (zero pression) device, and therefore is very comfortable to use even when not in tablet mode. Moving “gelatine” OpenGL windows just by moving a finger on the screen is not only amazing, but very comfortable.
Stylus pressure sensitivity is perfectly exploited in the Gimp, and enable on-screen “callygraphy” and painting, but also a more comfortable use of technical and even musical compositing softwares.
Defaults :
- fan noise,
- poor autonomy on batteries (But all the Linux power-management features helps a bit to do better than windows do).
- fingerprints on the screen ! 
Written by Daniel FAIVRE, 2009-10-23.
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