HP Envy x2

With the launch of Windows 8 this fall came a new generation of hybrid devices that can serve as laptops and then change into tablets or vice versa. An 11.6-inch Windows 8 notebook with a lid that pops off to become a standalone slate, the HP Envy x2 promises the best of both worlds, but does this $849 system justify a price that's $350 higher than the average notebook or tablet costs by itself? The x2 is powered by the 1.8 Ghz Intel Atom processor and a 2 GB Ram along with a massive 64 GB internal Flash Memory. The memory can be expanded using a micro SD card. Watching movies on the 11.6in screen is mesmerizing along with crisp 1366x768 screen resolution. It also has an Intel Graphics Accelerator to boost the video quality.
It runs on the latest Windows 8 Operating System. It has 2 camera's a primary 8MP and a 1.3MP secondary camera. It is WiFi and Bluetooth enabled lacking 4G or 3G services. The memory can be expanded using a micro SD card .Made from attractive brushed aluminum, the Envy x2 has a simple metallic aesthetic that makes it look like an expensive appliance. The tablet has a sleek silver-colored back that's tastefully emblazoned with a silver HP logo with the same matte aluminum on its sides as well as on the keyboard dock's deck, sides and bottom. At 1.5 pounds, the Envy x2's tablet isn't much heavier than the 1.44 pound iPad, despite having a screen that is nearly 2 inches larger. The physical keyboard on the Envy x2's dock provided one of the most inaccurate, uncomfortable typing experiences we've had on any keyboard. When disconnected from its dock, the Envy x2 uses the standard Windows 8 virtual keyboard, which stretches across the bottom of the screen in Windows 8 mode, but can be dragged around in desktop mode. The tablet itself has a handful of ports on its bottom surface, including a microSD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a proprietary docking port that either connects to the dock or directly to the charging cable. The keyboard dock provides two USB 2.0 ports and one full-size HDMI connector but, disappointingly, no SD card slot and neither of the USB ports supports USB 3. As a tablet, the HP Envy x2 provided lasted 6 hours and 52 minutes, about 30 minutes shy of the 7 hour and 20 minute tablet category average.

The HP Envy x2 provides a solid Windows 8 tablet experience with its premium design and colorful screen. Although you get below-average endurance from the slate by itself, we appreciate the nearly 12 hours of battery life supplied by the dock and tablet together. However, when used as a notebook, the system's mediocre performance, uncomfortable keyboard and slippery touchpad make it feel more like an inexpensive netbook than an $849 product.

So that's my review on the new HP Envy x2. Stay tuned to follow more posts from the world of Tech.


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Sarthak J Shetty
Editor In Chief