HP's Spectre X2 Is a Solid Core M Powered Surface Pro Alternative For Less (hothardware.com)

MojoKid writes: Now that we're a few years removed from the introduction of the original Surface and Surface Pro, it's clear that Microsoft's vision had merit, and virtually all of the company's major OEM partners are producing at least a few machines that were influenced by Microsoft's design. HP's new Spectre X2 hybrid is as similar a machine to the Surface Pro 4 that we have seen to date. Its form factor, detachable keyboard design, kickstand and overall look at feel of the machine are very "Surface-like". But HP has made some well thought-out changes and packed the machine with different hardware. The end result is rather interesting, somewhat better experience in some respects, for a lower price point. The model tested here features a Core m7-6Y75 dual-core / quad-thread processor with a base frequency of 1.2Hz and a max Turbo frequency of 3.1 GHz. Its on-processor HD 515 graphics can Turbo up to 1GHz and feature all of Intel's latest graphics tech, like Quick Sync, InTru 3D, etc. Other specs include 8GB of LPDDR3 memory, a 256GB Lite-On SSD, a 12" WUXGA screen, 802.11ac WiFi / Bluetooth and Verizon LTE support, a various IO including a built-in card reader and USB type C. The machine's detachable keyboard is held in place by magnets, similar to Microsoft's method. However, the Spectre X2's keyboard is quite similar to a full laptop keyboard. It's arguably superior to Microsoft's Type Cover, both aesthetically and functionally. Power users looking for a high-performance mobile device for heavy-duty workloads would probably be better served by something powered by a Core i5 or i7-series processor, but for the majority of users out there, the Core m at the heart of this machine should pack more than enough punch.

Comments

No ads here!

[Anonymous Coward]

Getting one of the last advertisements in the shitdot 2015 budget?

Re:No ads here!

[Adriax]

I dunno. It proudly lists integrated Intel graphics. This looks more like a competitor's assassination piece.

Re:No ads here!

[Anonymous Coward]

From what I see HP's Spectre X2 has:

A shit CPU
A shit GPU
A small amount of RAM
A small amount of storage
A small screen
No USB 3.0 ports
Only two USB 2.0 ports
Carrier lock-in
A spyware operating system
A high price

Yep, seems like a real winner to me!

Re:No ads here!

[mlts]

With a machine like that, I am surprised to see USB 2.0 on Type C connectors. Most everyone else has moved to USB 3.0 or USB 3.1. Since this machine can do a desktop role, it should have the ability for someone to plug in an external HDD or SDD because the storage on those devices tends to be pretty small, or just as a way to back the thing up via a program or wbadmin. Wireless access is one thing, but until someone designs a wireless storage protocol that is up to par for the task.

What HP needs to do is make a business grade model of this. It should have 16-64 gigs of RAM, a minimum 512GB SSD, and at least two USB 3.1, type C connectors which can also work for Thunderbolt. It also should have a docking station which uses the Thunderbolt bus and have some decent GPU power in that (or at the minimum, a PCIe slot), a number of USB ports (with multiple I/O buses), and a 10gigE Ethernet port. This way, the tablet can be used for business functions and can double as a desktop with ease. Oh, and have Windows 10 Enterprise pre-activated, just so a company wouldn't have to blow a KMS license on the machine. Done right, it would sell, just because it is able to do multiple roles, from being able to display PowerPoint slides with an adapter getting video from the USB-C connector, to doing day to day work in a dock at the office.

[1]: Wi-Fi Direct isn't usable in this case, unless one doesn't mind switching SSIDs often to go from the Internet connection to the drive's SSID, or putting the HDD on the same Wi-Fi segment and having it available for anyone there to poke at. The ideal would be a protocol that piggybacks off of BlueTooth's encrypted pairing, and can work at a decent speed at a short range.

Re:No ads here!

[drinkypoo]

What HP needs to do is make a business grade model of this.

What HP needs to do is fuck off. I had an HP EliteBook with a 3-year extended warranty and a Quadro FX 1500... aka G71, which had a known die bonding problem within the GPU. It took me literally over 24 hours on the phone with various levels of HP support before I found someone who could find someone inside the company who knew there was a problem. Then they sent me out a refurb machine, finally, a later model. It cost them literally hundreds of dollars to argue with me for a whole goddamned day. It would probably be three times cheaper to just send everyone who called into complain a refurb machine, but instead they are fucking assholes. Now I will never buy HP again, and I will tell this story at every opportunity.

Fuck HP sideways, and if you buy a HP, you're a moron.

Windows 10

[Anonymous Coward]

Windows 10 is a deal breaker.

How 'bout price

[guruevi]

Besides the obvious slashvertisement for HP, an "alternative for less" implies a large difference in price yet the summary doesn't declare any prices for either camp. There is a small ad on the page that lists it at about $800 which for an iPad Pro or Surface Pro replacement (respectively $800 and $700 for the base models) is not any cheaper.

Re:How 'bout price

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm not sure where the "for Less" part of the summary came from. The original article does not have it as part of the headline, so the statement was obviously added. The last page of the article, titled "Wrap Up" states it starts at $799 and the fully loaded model is $1199. Neither of which is "for less" than a Surface Pro.

Re:How 'bout price

[fermion]

It is hard to say. The Surface 4 with the Intel M is $900 and the base x2 is $800. X2 includes a keyboard, but in on MS Windows 10 Home, not pro. I don't know why MS is still selling a defective version of windows. Don't they have enough problems?

Like any MS Windows based product, it is really hard to say if it is a better value. It is cheaper, but that is because it has a screen with less resolution, it is heavier, and has a cheaper processor. So no one would expect to pay more for it. Given it's defects, it may be less of a value than a Surface. Unless you are in love with MS Windows, I don't even know if it is a better value than an iPad pro, since the iPad is lighter, run MS Office, has a cell connection so you are always connected, and the top of the line machine is the same price as the top of the line X2, if you add a third party keyboard to the iPad.

I will say that if the tablet market is to really take off, we need more machines like the X2. What makes the MS Windows market function is that there are a lot of different machines at different price points. We will have to see if Ms Windows can take over all price points for tablets, or if MS is going to be relegated to mid price machines, as it largely is for laptops and PCs. I thinarket it already dominated by Android, and I don't see anyone challenging that. Ms is in a pickle because they just $1 billion for surface, and the iPad pro is projected to be twice that.

Does it run Android or iOS?

[QuietLagoon]

I don't want to be stuck with last century's operating system.

With a base frequency of 1.2Hz ...

[DrJimbo]

The battery must last for years before it needs to be recharged. I imagine they use turbo mode for the benchmarks.

Re:Slashdot is ...

[Anonymous Coward]

it's a blatant ad masquerading as a legit article. that's the problem.

Pen? Screen tech for pen input? N-Trig, Wacom?

[michaelbuddy]

One of the really big features of the Surface Pro is the Pen. It's kind of a key feature, so this HP device, though looking quite good, simply isn't in the same category where it could just replace an SP4 for somebody. Looks very slick though. Would love to try it out for a while.