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HP Elite x2 1012 Review: Since the introduction of Microsoft’s Surface, customers have been overwhelmed with an explosion of modern and attractive detachable PCs. However, on the enterprise aspect of things, pickings have been relatively slim. Fortunately, HP Elite x2 1012 (starting at $899, $1,349 as reviewed) is elevating the bar, as a business-class hybrid that includes a top-tier design together with the mil-spec sturdiness and enterprise-level security that big firms need. Like a lot of different detachable, the Elite x2 could use a bit more battery life, however for doing business on a detachable, HP‘s Elite x2 is now the system to beat.
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HP Elite x2 1012 Review – Specifications
Processor 1.1-Ghz Intel Core m5-6Y54 CPU
RAM 8 GB
Storage 256 GB SSD
Display 12-inch Full-HD (1920 x 1080)
Operating System Windows 10 Pro
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 515
Dimensions 11.8 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches/ 1.8 pounds
HP Elite x2 1012 Review – Design
The most compelling things about the Elite x2 is that it appears to be like classy, but without being boring. The polished-chrome HP logo offers an excellent accent for the Elite X2’s brushed-aluminum physique, and the detachable’s chamfered metal sides makes it feel more sturdy than its more rounded consumer sibling, the Spectre x2. And with Mil-spec 810G testing for resistance towards issues such as extreme temperatures, dust, and sand, humidity and more, the HP Elite x2 has the cred to back up its strong body.
Coming to ports, the HP Elite x2 has one traditional Type-A USB 3.0 port and one USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 3. Which means you can easily connect all of the peripherals you use right now sans dongles, however without dooming the x2 to obsolescence because the transition to USB-C moves forward. A built-in microSD card slot also offers room for extra storage, and in case you need a web connection wherever you go, you’ll be able to spring for optional 4GLTE or WWAN modems.
Both the Elite x2’s 5-megapixel rear camera and 2-MP front shooter take pretty decent pictures, though the re’s room for improvement. When I clicked a picture of our office lobby using the rear cam, I appreciated the colors and the exposure in the x2’s picture, although the camera’s slow autofocus was a far cry from the sort of performance you get from a typical smartphone.
Another plus for the HP Elite x2 is that rather of an unnecessary push-button release for the kickstand that you see on the HP Spectre, you get just a simple cutout, so you’ll be able to pull out the stand quickly and easily, whenever you need. Measuring 11.8 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches and weighing 2.65 pounds with its journey keyboard, the Elite x2 is slightly bigger and heavier than the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 with its Type Cover (measuring 11.50 x 7.93 x 0.43-inches and weighing 2.37 pounds).
HP Elite x2 1012 Review – Keyboard and TouchPad
The keyboard on HP Elite x2 comes with a key journey of 1.35mm and requires 55 grams of actuation force. The keyboard really feels snappy and is a bit as comfortable as Microsoft’s Type Cover on the Surface Pro 4. I’d rather prefer to type on HP’s travel keyboard instead of the keyboards on a large number of traditional laptops.
One disadvantage to the Elite x2’s design is that, as with the Surface Pro 4, typing in your lap will be a challenge. When the travel keyboard isn’t on a flat surface, it has a tendency to bounce around, which might make the entire setup feel a little unstable. Another quirk of the Elite x2 is that after the machine went to sleep, it usually took 5 or 6 seconds for the touchpad/keyboard to wake up, even after the display had lit up. That’s one thing I’ve never encountered on the Surface Pro.
The touchpad on HP Elite x2 is a pleasure to use, and it’s super quiet too. At 3.7 x 2.1-inches, the re’s loads of space to mouse around, and it had no hassle recognizing mouse clicks or multitouch gestures, such as two-finger scrolling.
HP Elite x2 1012 Review – Display
The Elite x2’s 12-inch 1920 x 1080 display offers a satisfying picture quality. However, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4’s 2736 x 1824-pixel display is significantly sharper and more colorful. Registering 315 nits of brightness, the HP Elite x2 fell behind the displays on that of Surface Pro 4 (382 nits), Dell’s Latitude 12 7000 377 (nits) and Lenovo’s X1 Tablet (335 nits). Coming to the color range, The Elite x2 re-created 85 % of the sRGB spectrum, which is less than the showings by the Dell Latitude 12 7000 (113 %), Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (100 %) and the Lenovo X1 Tablet (104 %).
The Elite x2 stayed with the pack on color accuracy by notching a Delta-E score of 0.7 (closer to zero are better). Both the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and Lenovo X1 Tablet were a bit more accurate, with scores of 0.4, whereas the Latitude 12 7000 turned in a lackluster 3.2.
HP Elite x2 1012 Review – Graphics and Audio
The HP Elite x2 comes with an integrated Intel HD Graphics 515 fared pretty effectively for an integrated chip. The HP notched 780 on 3DMark’s Firestrike graphics test, which is bested only by Surface Pro 4’s score of 843. Lenovo X1 Tablet and Dell Latitude 12 7000 were decent ways behind, at 658 and 545, respectively. Whereas that doesn’t mean you’ll play AAA video games, though the Elite x2 is nice enough to deal with things like light picture and video editing.
Since the Elite x2 features audio system tuned by Bang & Olufsen, I was expecting some fairly solid sound. Sadly, I was mostly left wanting more: more richness in the mids, more bass and, most significantly, way more volume. When I cranked the volume to max, “Derezzed” by Daft Punk sounded distant and shallow, which is opposite of the electronic maelstrom that I know the tune could be.
HP Elite x2 1012 Review – Pen
For artists, engineers or people who just like to take notes, the x2 features a Wacom digitizer built into the display. Which means you will get 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity, that is twice than what you get from the \ Surface Pro 4. Also, HP’s Active Pen comes included with the Elite x2; the re’s no need to shell out more money for this feature.
In observe, I had no issues drawing all kinds of thick and thin traces, although I didn’t notice a difference between the sensitivity on the x2 and that of the SP4. The pen comes with three alternative nibs and a string to tether the stylus to the x2 when not in use.
HP Elite x2 1012 Review – Hardware and Performance
Our HP Elite x2 review unit is powered by Intel Core m5 processor which isn’t quite as powerful as the Intel Core i5 in the Surface Pro 4. But, it has more than enough speed to get stuff done. I had no hassle while switching between multiple spreadsheets and a Google docs page, even with more than 20 tabs open in Chrome and a 1080p YouTube video buffering in the background.
The distinction in power is noticeable on Geekbench 3 where the HP Elite x2 scored 5,769 versus the Microsoft Surface Pro 4’s 6,811. Lenovo’s X1 Tablet (6,497) also scored higher than the x2 because of the Lenovo’s faster Core m7 CPU, though the m7-powered Dell Latitude 12 7000 (4,829) worst amongst all.
The HP Elite x2’s 256GB SSD copied 4.97GB of files at a transfer rate of 147.89 MBps. This result is somewhat similar to the showings from the Dell Latitude 12 7000 (179.57 MBps) and Lenovo’s X1 Tablet (152.37 MBps). However, that was only half the speed of the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (318.1 MBps) and its NVMe-PCIe SSD.
The HP Elite x2 also stayed cool and collected on our heat test. After streaming a Full-HD video on YouTube for 15 minutes, both the front and back measured just 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which is well under our 95-degree consolation threshold.
HP Elite x2 1012 Review – Battery Life
Over the past six months, we have observed that a lot of detachable PCs have issues with battery life, and the HP Elite x2 doesn’t do much to reverse that trend, it did eke out a victory versus our earlier longest-lasting detachable PC, the Samsung TabPro S. On the Laptop Mag Battery Test (continuous internet browsing over Wi-Fi), the HP Elite x2 lasted 6 hours and 54 minutes.
Now, that’s still more than an hour short of a typical ultraportable laptop (8:10), however still ahead of other detachables. The Elite x2’s run time is slightly longer than that of the Samsung TabPro S (6:46) but significantly higher than the endurance of the Surface Pro 4 (6:05), X1 Tablet (5:32) and Latitude 12 7000 (5:19). However, unlike the HP Elite x2, the Lenovo X1 Tablet has an optional prolonged battery that reinforces the device’s longevity to 9:14.
HP Elite x2 1012 Review – Configuration Options
The HP Elite x2 provides wide range components and configs to select from, and if you’re a high-volume buyer, you possibly can also customize machines to suit your needs. This detachable begins at a reasonably affordable $899, with an Intel Core m3 CPU, 4GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD. Our $1,349 review unit of Elite x2 sits in the middle of the road, with a Core m5 CPU, 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD, whereas a fully specced out Elite x2 will cost you $1.899, that comes with a Core m7 CPU, 8GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
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Conclusion
Surely, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is one for the Best Windows detachable for work and play; the HP Elite x2 is The Best hybrid for business. We like the sturdy and easy-to-service design, port selection, and that the keyboard and active pen are included. Plus, the Elite x2 provides a wide range of security features that IT departments usually demand.
With its Intel Core i5 processor and faster SSD, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is more powerful and comes with a higher-resolution display. However, it also costs $80 more when similarly configured. Overall, for those who’re looking for incredible hybrid flexibility combined with essential enterprise features, the HP Elite x2 must be on your list.
Review Score
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