Yet another Windows 10 hybrid
Every PC manufacturer wants to compete with Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4, arguably the best example of a Windows 10 tablet that you can also use as a laptop. HP are so keen that they’ve done it twice. We reviewed the Spectre x2, a 12in Windows 10 tablet with a detachable keyboard. The Elite x2 is the ‘business’ version, with more attention to security and maintenance, and less to features like the cameras.
Maintenance and repairs is a problem for a lot of portable devices, so it’s nice to see a machine that’s easy to take apart, even if there’s no real scope for upgrades. Build quality is excellent and robust, with HP quoting good scores in numerous drop tests. The keyboard is basically the one from HP’s posh Elitebook Folio 1020 laptop mounted on an aluminium panel. It’s still not as stable as a laptop when using on your lap, but for a detachable keyboard it feels superb when typing.
Both the front and rear cameras are inferior to the Spectre’s, but they are adequate, and you still get the Bang & Olufsen integrated speakers – not that they impressed us much. The USB Type-C port supports USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt, meaning large documents, videos and photos will transfer quickly between your devices. The built-in security features, including a fingerprint reader, are comprehensive, but not a must-have for most of us. The Elite x2’s ‘up to 10-hour’ battery played videos for five hours and 43 minutes in our tests.
Confusingly, the Elite x2 1012 series includes models with 11.6in screens at either 1366x768 or 1920x1080 pixels and 12in screens at 1920x1080. Our review model had the 12in display, which – like the Spectre’s – was disappointingly dull. This will be available with an Intel Core m7 processor, 8GB of memory and a 256GB SSD for a whopping £1,299, but prices start at a more reasonable £710 with the smaller panel, an m3 processor that’s adequate for general Windows tasks, 4GB of memory and 128GB of storage, and this includes both the keyboard and HP’s Active Pen stylus.
For a few pounds less, though, you could get the Spectre x2 with 256GB and the 12in Full HD screen, and that seems like the better bargain. Or if you need really hefty processing power, consider the Surface Pro 4 instead, with its full Core i5 and i7 processor options.
VERDICT
It’s very well made, but for most users the Elite x2 won’t be as appealing as Microsoft’s or HP’s alternatives.
SPECIFICATIONS
1.1GHz Intel m5-6Y54 dual-core processor • 8GB memory • 256GB flash storage • 12in 1920x1280-pixel touchscreen • 5-megapixel front camera • 2-megapixel webcam • 802.11ac Wi-Fi • Bluetooth 4.2 • USB 3.1 Type-C port with Thunderbolt • USB 3.0 port • MicroSD card reader • Windows 10 • 13.5x300x214mm (HxWxD) • 1.2kg • Three-year warranty