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Introduction:

“With a twist and a touch, the HP EliteBook 2740p Tablet PC combines the performance of a notebook with the flexibility of a tablet. It features a 12.1-inch diagonal display with optional touchscreen and a durable magnesium alloy case.” HP

I unpacked this HP 2740P and the manual was the most sparse I have ever seen. Not a problem, as I don’t read manuals anyway. The manual instructed the user how to boot to the desktop and nothing more. The real manual is digital and installed on the device. This computer is refreshingly free of "bloat ware.” I get the distinct impression that this device is intended to be setup and customized by an IT person. After all, it sold as a business machine. As it turns out, this is a great business TabletPC.

I unpacked the computer inserted the battery and turned it on. It booted to the desktop and I navigated the usual Windows setup questions. Next was a somewhat lengthy install of custom HP software that took place in the background. This install included a shortcut on the desktop, called HP Support Assistant. This link and navigating to the Start All Programs and the HP Folder, is all the user needs with respect to operating this machine. I took advantage of the install time viewing the ports surrounding the 2740. The fingerprint reader is a like nothing I have ever experienced. It is a small slit that looks like an SD slot to me. There is a jog wheel that functions as an enter button but more importantly, allows me to scroll down when reading. I find this wheel very valuable when reading, especially a medical chart on a TPC. On the bottom is a battery gauge that can visually show the user the status of the battery even with the unit off and closed. There is a neat little reading light that pops open so that you can see your keyboard in the dark! I’m not going to go over the general features of this device but instead concentrate on how this device might be used in a medical environment. There are plenty of good reviews that will go over the lay aspects of this machine with respect to both hardware and software.

SUBJECTIVE:

I like machines that work. This 2740P machine works and works well.

The wifi connects automatically no matter what the router. (I have two routers at work and two at home, mixture of Belkin, Linksys, 2Wire and Apple Extreme), no connection problems.

The battery is grossly lacking at just over 3 hours with my usage. So get two batteries or the slice battery from HP. I am using wifi all the time, with screen brightness full and documenting charts over peer to peer LAN pulling charts from a server.

The screen is good. Nothing like a 25” HP Desktop with full HDMI at 1080p and  “ 1920 x 1080,  that I use  on a daily basis.

Touch screen works, in replace of stylus. Navigating with touch takes a little practice but works very well. I can navigate my entire EMR with my finger while using ritePen to convert my scribbles to text into my EMR! I love the ability to pinch adjust the screen size and fonts with a pinch of the fingers just like my iphone or iPad!

Handwriting works great with Windows7 TIP.

I prefer ritePen because, once I identify my target dialog box, I can write anywhere on the screen and the text is entered in the target box. No obscuring of underlying objects.

Voice recognition is great, because of array speakers. Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) is fantastic on this machine, specifically with respect to navigating software applications. I imported a medical vocabulary into WSR and had the program review several MRI readings saved as word documents. This feature is enabled in the user settings of the advanced speech options control panel.

OBJECTIVE:

The wide-format WXGA (1280 x 800 pixels) 12.1-inch display with antiglare coating and an LED backlight remains, as is the optionally available sunlight-viewable version. With Windows 7's improved touch support and the current multi-touch, HP offers the 2740p with either just a digitizer or a digitizer/multi-touch dual input setup. While the Elitebook 2740p is not a rugged machine, it is definitely durable thanks to a magnesium-alloy enclosure, chemically-strengthened glass in front of the LCD, and goodies like HP DuraKeys and 3D DriveGuard. I believe I can also spill a bear on the keyboard without an error?

There are high-performance Intel CPU options available for the first time in this product line — either a Core i5 or a Core i7 processor can be configured.  Up to 8 GB of memory and 320 GB of hard drive storage can be configured.

The 2740p has a compact footprint of 11.4 x 8.35 inches and it is just 1.25 inches thick. Weight starts at 3.8 pounds and can go higher with the longer lasting slice battery. Documentation suggests a full-size" QWERY layout, and has both a touchpad and a point stick. The pen can be stowed away in a garage on the left rear. A nice touch is the "HP Night Light" that illuminates the keyboard. It pops out from the top of the LCD and is completely unobtrusive.

Below is my exact configuration.

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HP EliteBook 2740p Tablet PC

(ENERGY STAR)

VB511AV

PN: VB511AVC

(ENERGY STAR)

VB511AV

HP EliteBook 2740p Tablet PC

Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64

Genuine Windows 7 Logo

Intel® Core™ i7-620M Processor (2.66 GHz, 4 MB L3 cache), Up-to 3.33 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel Core i7 vPro Label

Estar Label

vPro Processor Technology Enabled (only available if Intel WLAN )

12.1 inch diagonal LED-backlit UWVA WXGA anti-glare (1280 X 800) Touch Panel

Integrated 2 MP Webcam with Business Card Reader Software

Intel® HD Graphics with dynamic frequency

4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2D)

250GB 5400RPM SATA 1.8-inch Hard Drive

Optical drive not included. (Only available via optional docking station or external USB device) (not included)

Full-size spill-resistant keyboard w/Enhanced dual pointing devices (touchpad and point stick) with scroll zone

Dual pointing (Touchpad with scroll zone and Point stick, each with two pick buttons) plus Digital Eraser Pen with tether and clip

Intel Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 (802.11 a/b/g/n)

HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth® Wireless Technology 2.1

56K v.92 high speed modem

65W Smart AC Adapter

HP Fingerprint Sensor

6-cell (44 WHr) Li-ION Battery (1 year warranty)

Limited 3 year standard parts and labor warranty, 3/3/0

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ASSESSMENT:

After several days with this machine I am very comfortable with it. In fact I discover new and convenient feature every week. I use the fingerprint reader to log onto the device and any password protected software program. It’s such a pleasure when things just work. The EliteBook does not disappoint.

I use ritePen for Handwriting or sometimes just my own finger to HW with ritePen on the screen itself. I navigate with finger, stylus or Windows Speech Recognition.

TABLETPC WISH LIST

Below is my wish list that I have kept for years. The smile indicates that the EliteBook has this feature.

  Light weight, less than 3 pounds

J Auto orientation from portrait to landscape contingent on positioning

J Auto illumination contingent on ambient light

Scroll wheel for easy reading and viewing of charts

J Camera/webcam with fast and easily deployable software

J Fingerprint biometric reader

     Signature capture for patient

    Battery that truly lasts all day with wifi on full, and charting patients over a network connection.  Extra J Charging apparatus separate from TPC that can charge a second and possibly third battery.  All TPCs needs two batteries to go thru the day)

?  Hot Swappable battery, no shutoff to swap batteries.

J Screen easy to see under fluorescent lights, found in hospitals and offices

J Dual array microphones for dictation

     Cheap plastic or wire stand that can be used in every treatment room that in essence acts as a holder   when doc temporarily puts the TPC down. Could even fasten to wall, but bottom line is no one continually is holding the TPC

J Dual Touch and Digital Screen

Convertible hybrid is nice when can attach keyboard ie HP.  Convertibles add unnecessary weight for many users

J Fan Noise-lose it, it interferers with Voice Dictation

J SD Card for fast performance at least compared to HD spinning at 4200.

J GPS: ability to program a "Theft Radius." so that when out of the designated area, the computer gives    high pitch scream or sound indicating theft.

     Bar code reader for drugs

Pros: Everything works and works well! 3 year limited warranty, not one year.

Cons: Battery life is limited

PLAN:

I use a TPC in my practice because I like it and patients like it! Technology has never been so intimate, if you allow it. Good medicine is all about relationships and communication. Sitting down with a patient and showing them what is wrong and what we can do to make it right or better is parenting at its best. It’s teaching them on a personal level. If you allow it, a TPC allows this to happen in a very dynamic way.

Biometric Finger Print Reader: Once you have used a finger print reader, you can’t go back. The HP reader is trickier than any other FPR that I have used. Unlike other readers, it concentrates on the tip of your finger.  When you swipe, start the swipe from the crease in your finger tip and finish at the nail. It works great. I use it to log into my computer, my EMR, web forums etc.

Hand Writing: The HW in Windows 7 really works. It just does.  Personally, I use a third part hand writing program called ritePad http://ritescript.com/Products/ritePenVideos.aspx, because it allows the user to write anywhere on the screen without the obtrusive Tablet Input Panel. Also, ritePen has macros that can speed documentation of Orders, Prescriptions or whatever text you use often and want to template. For me, the ability to use a date and time macro by circling the letters, "dat," is tremendously helpful when charting! rP works well with the touch screen as well. With rP, I can use my stylus or finger to actually handwrite! I literally can use my EMR with only my finger, thanks to multi-touch technology and rP! The rP toolbar, conveniently enlarges when in the touch mode and shrinks when not using touch.

"The new version 4 of rP blends pen and multi-touch functionality by allowing finger writing on multi-touch screens and use of multi-touch gestures for controlling ritePen UI on Windows 7 multi-touch systems.

EMR: I use WritePad emr at www.Writepad.com.  I’ve been using TabletPCs since 1986 in my office. However, recently, I have been using my EMR program on my EliteBook over a Microsoft RDP connection (Remote Desktop Protocol). My EMR is much faster over RDP, than wireless N. Also, if the wifi connection is ever lost on the TPC, there is no corruption of the database with RDP because the data is on the server. rP works fine over an RDP connection but WSR does not play as nice. With the EliteBook 2740, I can use the stylus of my finger to navigate my EMR. Switching between the stylus of finger is smooth and synergistic.

Web Cam: This feature works fine. There is no flash but you can easily take a snapshot of your patient or a wound etc. Works in both Landscape and Portrait mode.

Keyboard:  I seldom use it but with unique features such as touching a lit volume icon to control volume up, down and mute.  Full-size spill-resistant keyboard w/Enhanced dual pointing devices (touchpad and point stick) with scroll zone. I have no intention of testing the spill feature. When you need a good HPI, you need a good keyboard (assuming you can type)! The convertible EliteBook comes through with a fast and fluid twist. The screen auto shifts to portrait and you are ready for the facts.

Voice/Dictation: I have DNS 9.5 Medical, but this version does not work with 64 bit windows 7 Professional. Nuance wants $500 (1/3 of retail price) to upgrade to the 10.1 version of DNS Medical that will work with a 64 bit OS. Windows Speech Recognition (WSR), is free and comes with the Operating System and works very well with 4 Gigs of Ram and the internal array microphones. There is no need for an external mic. Where WSR really exceed flawlessly is navigating MS Applications such as opening software etc.  It’s definitely not as good as DNS out of the box, for medical dictation, but with patience and importing a medical vocabulary WSR works well enough for my needs. I dictate HPIs and read MRI summaries from Radiologists. I don’t dictate pages but instead paragraphs. The EliteBook fan is very quiet even when it is on. Dictation is very sensitive to fan noise and this fan did not interfere with my training or dictation usage. I also installed the WSR Toolkit, developed by e-microphones, Inc., which is a great tool. I use it to read medical documents and improve recognition.

DICTATION with Windows Voice Recognition WSR: Lenovo was very good. I think the HP is going to be better because it has a faster CPU and i7 chip and dual array. I used WSR briefly for a few minutes dictating into a medical chart. (I did no training but imported a medical profile from my desktop). It was quite responsive and accurate given my limited dictation. However, when I attempted to install DNS Medical version 9+, it was rejected because my OS is 64 bit. I think DNS 10 is 64 bit compatible. Anyway, I am going to stick with WSR. I was hoping to use both on this machine.
I'm interested in being able dictate and use HW over an RDP connection in my office. RDP is faster and more secure (wifi termination) with respect to opening a database across my local LAN.


Battery: Lousy at best, but I expected that. I have the standard cheap battery. It is a 6 cell. Remember, I keep the screen on full brightness and am on wifi all the time. I'm also pulling data and printing across a network and dictating. All this guzzles energy. One definitely does need two batteries and extra charger or perhaps the large (extra weight) Slice battery if they expect to make it through an 8 hour day. HP offers a single charger unit that you can plant a recharging battery so that when one goes dead you can replace with the other. The Slice battery installs with the existing 6 cell (you use both) and should give a full day. I don’t have the Slice but other reviews state that it is unobtrusive and while ads weight; the balance of the unit is not compromised.

Conclusion: This is a great business machine that will work well in a medical environment with the only caveat being the battery life. This situation can readily be overcome by buying a long lasting Slice battery and or an extra battery and charger. The price of the EliteBook 2740 is under $2000 for fast and powerful machine. From my experience, comparable configuration from other vendors are at least $400 more!

Read more here: www.MedicalTabletPC.com