HP 2730p Tablet PC: Centrino 2, SSD & EVDO/HSPA 3G

HP have officially announced the Centrino 2 update to their 2730p Tablet PC.  The 3.74lb convertible has a 12.1-inch WXGA 1280 x 800 display with active digitizer, Intel Core 2 Duo Ultra Low Voltage (1.2 GHz, 3MB L2 cache) or Low Voltage (up to 1.86 GHz, 6 MB L2 cache) CPUs and up to 8GB of RAM.  Storage is either a 80GB or 120 GB 5400rpm 1.8-inch SATA hard drive or an 80GB Intel SSD.

Connectivity includes WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth and an optional 3G modem from Qualcomm with both EVDO and HSPA WWAN.  An outdoor-viewable screen is an option, as is a super-multi DVD drive that fits into the ultraslim expansion base.  Following user requests, the much-loved jog wheel from the HP tc1100 is back, making scrolling through and selecting list items incredibly easy.  HP have also squeezed in a trackpad alongside the trackpoint stick (although the RAZR-style cut-out buttons took a little getting used to), and altered the pen housing so that it doesn't forcibly eject or slide out if tipped upside-down.

As with the HP 2530p ultraportables, the 2730p meets military standard MIL-STD 810F for dust and vibration resistance.  However the screen is a little more delicate; you can't lean on the back of it, as you can with the 2530p, and expect it to escape unharmed.  The keys have also been given a new coating, that makes them 50x more resistant to rubbing. 

The 2730p should be available in September, priced from $1,670.