HP Spectre x2 review Part 2

Under the bells and whistles is a remarkable Windows tablet

 The HP Spectre x2 is one of the thinnest Windows 10 devices ever made, measuring only 0.31 inches (7.87mm) without the keyboard base attached. Comparatively, the Surface Pro 4 measures 0.33 inches (8.45mm) thick. HP's latest slate even comes close to being as thin as the Surface Book's 0.30-inch (7.7mm) thick Clipboard section.

Attaching the keyboard base adds a bit more bulk, bringing up the Spectre x2's total thickness to 0.52 inches (13mm). Still, not too bad overall when both the Surface Pro 4 with its type cover and the MacBook measure 0.52 inches (13mm) thick.

You'll also barely notice a difference in weight when you slip the 1.87-pound (0.85kg) HP Spectre x2 (2.68 pounds, or 1.22kg, with keyboard) into your bag. Comparatively, the Surface Pro 4 with Type Cover and MacBook are lighter at 2.37 pounds (1.07kg) and 2.03 pounds (0.92kg), respectively.

 

Here is the HP Spectre x2 configuration sent to techradar for review:

Spec Sheet

• CPU: 1.2GHz Intel Core m7-6Y75 (dual-core, 4MB cache, up to 3.1GHz with Turbo Boost)
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR3 SDRAM
• Screen: 12-inch, 1,920 x 1,280 WUXGA+ IPS WLED-backlit touch screen
• Storage: 256GB mSATA SSD
• Ports: 2 x USB Type-C, microSD card reader
• Connectivity: Intel 802.11ac (2x2), Bluetooth 4.0, LTE
• Camera: 5MP HP TrueVision HD front-facing webcam, 8MP rear-facing camera, Intel RealSense 3D R200 camera
• Weight: 1.87 pound (tablet); 2.68 pound (tablet and base)
• Size: 11.81 x 8.23 x 0.31 inches (tablet); 11.81 x 8.23 x 0.52 inches (tablet and base) (W x D x H)

 

Between the quad-speaker audio setup, three different cameras and the included keyboard, the HP Spectre x2 comes with a lot of extra hardware you won't find on many other Windows 10 tablets. All this added tech doesn't come with an inflated price either.

The starting price for this device is $799 (£799), and it comes bundled with the keyboard unlike the Surface Pro 4. Conversely though you'll have to pay $49 (about £33, AU$68) for the HP Active Pen. For your money this device also comes outfitted with a 900MHz Intel Core m3-6Y30, 4GB of RAM and 128GB solid-state drive (SSD).

For Australian users, the AU$1,699 base configuration consists of a 1.1GHz Intel Core m5-6Y54 Processor with 8GB of RAM and an 128GB SSD. For the configuration above, the price is bumped up to $1,149 (£999, AU$2,299) – though 4G LTE-enabled models are only available from Best Buy.

or roughly the same price, you could also get a Surface Pro 4 with an Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and an 128GB SSD for $999 (£849, AU$1,499). Keep in mind, though, the essential Type Cover you need to complete Microsoft's 2-in-1 tablet experience costs an extra $129 (£109, AU$199). Alternatively, the MacBook starts at $1,299 with an older generation 1.1GHz Intel Core M CPU with a 256GB SSD and 8GB of RAM.

In terms of value proposition, the HP Spectre x2 offers the most bang for your buck at an affordable price point. To get the same amount of memory and RAM on the Surface Pro 4 you'll have to bump up to a more expensive model, but it's a more polished device worthy of its higher price tag. The MacBook is slightly outdated with an older generation Intel Core M chip, however, it's still quick on its feet for such a thin and light laptop.

Part 1 | Part 3 

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