One of the top names in the professional-level hybrid tablet business is Microsoft's Surface lineup. However, its premium quality can also come with a drawback – a Surface Pro can come at a premium price.
This is where another tech giant, HP, hopes to be advantageous in the competition.
HP, known for its mid-range laptops and tablets like the Stream series and Mini desktops, will be outing its own 2-in-1, effectively breaking into the hybrid tablet business. Described by PCWorld as a Surface clone, the newly announced Spectre x2 is HP's answer to those who want the professional-level performance and mobility of a tablet workstation but not the hefty price tag.
The feel and design of the Spectre x2 is almost like that of a Surface. It features a 12-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution. Under the hood, the new HP hybrid has the newest Intel Core M processor with Skylake architecture, and users can choose between an M3, M5, or M7 processor, depending on their needs. In terms of storage, there are 128-GB, 256-GB, and 512-GB variants, all of which are expandable via the SD card port. In addition to the three processors and storage selections, users can also choose from two RAM versions –a 4-GB one and an 8-GB one.
The device comes with its own unique kickstand and keyboard that transforms the tablet into a mobile workstation. It even incorporates support for the new Windows Hello security feature via its Intel 3D RealSense camera.
To keep the Spectre x2 thin and manageable for mobile users, there are two USB Type-C ports, which can also be used to charge the device, in addition to an adaptor for full USB connectivity. For data connections, The Verge notes that the new HP 2-in-1 supports LTE on Verizon.
The new Spectre x2 will be out on Nov. 8 with a starting price of $800.
