Intel's first generation of power-sipping Core M CPUs got a bad rap for being underpowered in rigs like the Lenovo Yoga Pro 3.
But this new generation of Skylake chips are a whole new bag. HP worked
closely with Intel and Microsoft to squeeze every bit of performance
out of the CPU, and it really shows when Lightroom runs as quickly and
smoothly on the Spectre x2 as it does on some of the higher-end
Ultrabooks I've tested.
Aside from some oddly slow performance
that crops up a few minutes after startup, the Spectre x2 is
consistently fast. Applications launch quickly and I can multitask like a
boss. The power-sipping nature of the Core M architecture also comes in
handy for long Netflix binging sessions and other light computing tasks
when you're on the go.
Benchmarks
Here's how the HP Spectre x2 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
- 3DMark: Cloud Gate: 4,660; Sky Diver: 2,813; Fire Strike: 669
- Cinebench CPU: 209 points; Graphics: 29 fps,
- GeekBench: 2,903 (single-core); 5,701 (multi-core)
- PCMark 8 (Home Test): 2,396 points
- PCMark 8 Battery Life: 3 hours and 54 minutes
According
to HP's claims, the Intel Core m7 chip built into this review sample
I'm testing should offer the same level of performance as an Intel Core
i5 U processor, and the benchmark results confirm that.
Just looking at the PCMark8 score, we can see HP's hybrid is right on the heels of the Surface Pro 4's
2,406 point score, which was achieved with one of Intel's latest
Skylake Core i5 processors. The Spectre x2 is even able to keep in step
with the Microsoft's flagship tablet on the graphics end. In the most
difficult 3DMark Fire Strike benchmark test, the HP slate scored 669
points, not terribly far from the Surface Pro 4's 856 point performance.
Though the Apple MacBook
was released just earlier this year, it's already starting to show its
age with a last generation, mid-range Intel Core M CPU. The ultralight
Mac was only able to achieve a Geekbench 3 multi-core score of 4,423.
Meanwhile, the Spectre x2 surged ahead with 5,701 points and the Surface
Pro 4 racked up 6,649 points.
Thick edges
The
display on the Spectre x2 offers a gorgeous picture, with vivid colors
and distinct shades of contrast. However, it's not the brightest display
I've ever seen. I find that the screen doesn't shine brightly enough to
combat the sun whenever I try to use it outdoors.
Another major
knock against the display is that the Spectre x2 is limited to only a
1,920 x 1,280 resolution. The Full HD display is still sharp, since it's
only a 12-inch device, but you can't ignore the fact that the Surface
Pro 4 features a resolution of 2,736 x 1,824 and the Dell XPS 12 incorporates a 4K display.
It's
even harder to look past the massive bezels around the display. The
Surface Pro 4 has spoiled me with its slimmed-down sides, so it's just
tough to look at the inch-thick black bars that wrap around the Spectre
x2's screen.
HP also is a bit behind on its stylus game as writing
on the touchscreen with the Active Pen feels unnatural. There's
disconnect between the digital ink on the display and the stylus tip due
to lag and the positioning not being 1:1. The lack of accuracy isn't
too noticeable when you're jotting down notes but artists will want to
pick up the Surface Pro 4 for precise ability to capture 1,024 levels of
pressure.
Making non-sense with RealSense
HP has made a
big point to include Intel's RealSense cameras in the Spectre x2. The
company has even gone so far as to incorporate the depth-sensing imaging
technology into both the front and rear cameras.
For the times
when you would normally take a shot with a smartphone, I wouldn't
recommend taking photos with the regular 8-megapixel (MP), rear-facing
camera. (Since you'll look like a dork, for starters.) The few photos I
did take with the tablet looked awful, with off colors, an extremely
shallow dynamic range and visibly fuzzy resolution.
All said, the
other rear-facing Intel RealSense 3D camera is a bit more fun to use.
After downloading a few applications, I scanned a few of my friends'
faces and playfully stuck their visages to 3D busts of the terminator,
Ghostbusters and some unsung superhero. There are also a handful of
amusing games to play around with using your body as the controller,
much like the Xbox Kinect.
However,
aside from a few goofs, there still aren't many practical uses for
RealSense cameras. Surprisingly, the high-quality, front-facing camera
can't be used for signing in with your face through Windows Hello. This
sorely missing feature aside, there simply aren't many uses for
RealSense technology built into the Windows 10 interface and apps, not
to mention most third-party programs.
HP is forward thinking for
including these bits of hardware today, but for now, you'll hardly ever
use it outside of the apps specifically programmed to utilize the
depth-sensing technology.
Pinch runner
Battery
life on the Spectre x2 is all over the place, ranging from four to
eight hours. Our PCMark8 battery test benchmark easily drained the
tablet in just four hours. Meanwhile, I got 5 hours of regular usage
(including Microsoft Word, Firefox, a client for Google Music, HipChat
and roughly 30 minutes of Lightroom and Photoshop usage).
With
local video playback, which consisted of a continuous loop of Guardians
of the Galaxy playing at 50% screen brightness and volume, the Spectre
x2 lasted for 5 hours and 47 minutes – more than enough to last a flight
across the continental US. This 12-inch slate was also able to last me
through a 7 hour and 47 minute session of Netflix bingeing.
Overall,
the HP tablet lasts surprisingly long, considering how little space
there is for batteries in its thin frame. Comparatively, the longest
battery life we were able to squeeze out of the Surface Pro 4 was 5
hours and 15 minutes with local video playback. The MacBook, meanwhile,
ran for 7 hours and 5 minutes while looping HD video over Wi-Fi.
Bundled software
Thankfully,
the HP Spectre x2 comes with relatively little software preloaded on
the SSD. Better yet, there are only two bits of annoying software
(McAfee Security and the HP Welcome Message) you'll want to uninstall
immediately.
For the most part, the device comes with a basic build of Windows 10, which is ideal if you just want to get started with setting up the tablet exactly how you want it.
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