HP TouchPad review: Hands on with the iPad killer

Update: Our full HP TouchPad review is now live on the site. You should read it as many things have changed since this article was originally published. 

If you've been hankering for a credible alternative toApple's iPad, hanker no more. We've sat down with the HPTouchPad, a new contender to the tablet throne -- and it is, for desperate want of a better word, amazeballs. It promises a host of advantages overthe all-conquering iPad, including a dual-core CPU, no-nonsense media handling and, joy of alljoys, Adobe Flash playback.

Our first impressions of the device were very positive. It lacks the snazzyaluminium rear and outer bezel of the iPad, so it doesn't feel quiteas solid, and its edges are noticeably fatter than its Applecounterpart's, but it's definitely a looker. Around its chubby edges,you'll find volume buttons, a micro-USB port,a pair of stereo speakers and a single, user-facing1.3-megapixel webcam.

Hey, decent lookin'

The HP TouchPad doffs its cap to the iPad -- repeatedly. Thetwo devices are damn near identical in size, although HP's machine tipsthe scales at 770g versus the iPad's 680g. The TouchPad also featuresan iPad-like 9.7-inch capacitive display, which runs at the same1,024x768-pixel resolution, and has a physical 'home' button on thelower bezel.

We were impressed with the TouchPad's screen quality. The display isbright and has a wide viewing angle, so there's no noticeable picturedistortion even when viewed from obtuse angles. Two people sat side byside, perhaps in a car or curled up in bed, will enjoy a perfect imagedespite not being completely central to the screen.

The HP TouchPad's screen uses toughened Gorilla Glass. This, as thename suggests, is a chemically treated cover designed to withstandscratches, drops and just about anything us weedy nerds can throw at it.Unfortunately, as is the case with all devices of this sort, thescreen's glossy finish means it's rather reflective, which can makeit difficult to use outdoors unless the brightness is cranked up tomaximum.

Smooth operator

Where the HP TouchPad differs from the iPad (and every other tabletdevice) is its use of the Linux-based webOS operating system,which was initially developed by Palm and purchased by HP in 2010.

Ifyou've ever used a Palm Pre mobile phone, you'll be instantly familiarwith the graphical user interface. Applications are launched bytapping graphical icons in the usual fashion, and tapping the physicalhome button on the bezel displays all active apps as 'activity cards'.

Swiping horizontally cycles between cards and tapping a cardrestores that app to full-screen mode -- unless that app was originally designed fora smaller webOS device such as a phone and not the TouchPad tablet specifically. In that case, the app isn't displayed in all its glory. Instead, it's shown in the relative confines of a card, which takes up only about a quarter of the screen.

Once you're accustomed to the user interface and the ridiculous foible that states legacy apps can't ever run in full-screen mode, there should be no nastysurprises in using the HP TouchPad. Its Web browser is as intuitive as the iPad's -- perhaps evenmore so. It supports all the customary pinching, stretching and swipinggestures, and supports HTML5 and Flash, so your ability to viewcontent on the interwebs is restricted only by your own taste, or lackthereof.

Application denied

The HP TouchPad's app store, the App Catalog, has a mere 8,000apps at the time of writing. That's pathetic in comparison to the120,000 or so in the Android Market and the 300,000-plusavailable on Apple's App Store, though the number of apps is growing all the time.

That's a good thing, as the HP TouchPad delivers fabulousperformance. It uses a dual-core Qualcomm CPU and has a dedicatedgraphics processing unit that, together, make the device very responsive touse. Document scrolling and app switching are quick and smooth, andit'll even run 3D games. HP had no full games available for test, butit did show an impressive, if occasionally jerky flying game thatshowed the device's OpenGL graphics capabilities in a positive light.

The entertainer

We were, unfortunately, unable to test the HP TouchPad's video and audioplayback, but both these areas promise to be impressive. The devicewill natively play a variety of video formats so you'll never have totranscode your files beforehand. It'll also let you watch movies and TVshows purchased via the HP Movie Store.

Music playback isn't forgotten, either. The TouchPad has a Beats byDre headphone audio system, which is designed to improve the sonicfidelity of audio tracks ripped at a low bit rate.

The TouchPad's connectivity is potentially very impressive. HP tellsus its micro-USB port will likely feature a range of accessories thatwill, among other things, allow the tablet to connect to your TV. The device also has Wi-Fifor connecting to the Web and Bluetooth, which serves a range ofpurposes.

Firstly, it allows the TouchPad to connect with your mobile phone, soyou can receive texts, voice and video calls on the tablet. Bluetoothalso and helps facilitate HP's Touch And Share feature, which lets youpass data and entire, fully loaded Web pages wirelessly from theTouchPad to compatible Palm phones simply by bringing the two devices in close proximity. In future HP's said it's working on a way to transfer photos, music and movies between devices in the same manner.

Coming soonish

The HP TouchPad is a hugely promising tablet that has severaladvantages over the market leading iPad, notably its dual core powerand more accomplished Web browser. Its relative lack of apps and unconfirmed price could be its Achilles heels, but all signs point tothis giving the iPad a serious run for its money.

The HP TouchPad will launch this summer for an as yet undisclosed price with 3G- and 4G-equipped versions to follow. The tablet will come with either 16GB or 32GB of integrated storage.