EVERYTHING but the kitchen sink.

That's about what you can expect if you get Hewlett-Packard's Pavilion tx2000 Entertainment Notebook PC.

With its latest offering, HP has somehow managed to cram all the functionalities of a multimedia machine into a package that can also convert into a tablet PC.

The review unit comes with a 2.1Ghz AMD Turion 64 X2 processor and is loaded with 2GB of RAM, giving the tx2000 enough horsepower to breeze through almost any business application.

With its 12.1-inch widescreen display, built-in Altec Lansing speakers, 128MB video card, DVD drive and dockable remote control, the tx2000 makes it easy for movie fans to enjoy their favourite flicks.

HP's proprietary QuickPlay multimedia interface also makes accessing your videos, music, photo albums and games a cinch.

TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY

However, the video quality suffers slightly because of the tx2000's touchscreen display. When watching DVDs, there is a touch of graininess in the picture - a side effect that plagues all touchscreens.

While it is touted as a multimedia laptop 'with a twist', it's the 'twist' part that is actually the star of the package.

The tx2000 really shines when you twist the display to convert it into a tablet PC, thanks to its excellent touch-sensitive screen.

Unlike its predecessor - the tx1000, the tx2000's display acts as both a touchscreen and an active digitiser.

In touchscreen mode, it is meant to be prodded with fingers, while its active digitiser mode makes use of the included stylus pen for situations where precision is paramount, such as sketching.

HANDWRITING RECOGNITION

Handwriting recognition on the tx2000 is top notch, whether you write in flowery cursive strokes or in chicken scratches. You can even flip the pen around and use its 'eraser' nub to rub out errors.

Another bonus is how natural it feels to write on the screen. The tracking on the touchscreen is also dead accurate, so what you write is what you see.

The only quibble is that weighing in at about 2kg, the tx2000 is a tad too heavy to be cradled comfortably in your arms for long stretches.

If you're looking for a multimedia laptop to watch movies on, the TX2000 (which starts at $2,699) for the 1.9Ghz version, is very capable, but may not be your best bet.

There are other multimedia laptops available for about the same price that have larger screens, better picture quality and richer multimedia-related features.

But if you're looking for an everyday tablet PC, the tx2000 is a no-brainer as it costs hundreds of dollars less when compared to similarly-featured laptops.

Rating: 4/5