HP SlateBook x2, we've tested it

The HP SlateBook x2 is a convertible computer with the Android operating system that combines a 10-inch tablet with a keyboard that attaches mechanically. Thanks to this, we can choose between the tablet format to view content, surf the net or use the apps or hook the keyboard and use applications such as Kingston Office to write documents or create spreadsheets. Some of the most interesting aspects of this equipment is found on your screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels or the inclusion of a powerful processor NVIDIA Tegra 4 . The HP SlateBook x2It is available on the market for a price of 480 euros. We have had the opportunity to test this equipment in depth. We tell you our conclusions.

Dual Android

The great appeal of the SlateBook x2 is its ability to function both as a tablet and as a laptop when used with keyboard and mouse. This versatility is quite useful when we have to perform tasks that require typing for long periods of time, such as when writing texts , or when we use an application to handle graphicss, a task that is more comfortable with the mouse. The keyboard of this equipment is quite comfortable and we liked that the keys protrude significantly to prevent another key from being typed by mistake. The use of the trackpad doesn't disappoint either, although it deviates a bit from the designs we're seeing in the latest laptops (more square and wider) and may limit its use a bit. Matter of space.

The truth is that using  Android in the traditional way of the PC is much more intuitive and pleasant than at first you might think. One of the most interesting aspects is the use of multitasking , since having a button at the bottom of the screen with access to the apps that are open makes your choice with the mouse very fast and useful.

A classic design

In the field of design, the HP SlateBook x2 has some pretty classic shapes. The tablet itself has an average weight of 610 grams, which can be somewhat heavy if we use it for long periods of time in our hands. That itself has a thickness below centimeter ( 9.6 mm ) and we liked the sleek look of his dark gray casing and an HP logo silverin relief in the central area. The buttons for turning the equipment off and on and for raising and lowering the volume are located on the back. At first it may take a while to get used to this location but then they are quite comfortable. What's not so comfortable is the overall weight, something that the vast majority of convertibles suffer from to date. The 1.27 kilos in total make its handling less agile when we are using it in laptop mode, if we take into account that it is a 10-inch team.

A powerful screen

One of the highlights of the HP SlateBook x2 is its display. It is a 10.1-inch IPS panel with a powerful 1,900 x 1,200 pixel resolution . Thanks to it, we can watch movies with a very high level of detail. In addition, the contents are seen with a very good level of sharpness and brightness , and the tactile response of the panel is remarkable.

A team with NVIDIA Tegra 4

The other great strength of this convertible tablet is its power. The SlateBook features a quad- core NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor with a power of 1.8 GHz per core, one of the most powerful chips for mobile phones and tablets that was launched last year. In addition, this is coupled with a good 2 GB RAM memory to get a very interesting set, capable of running without problems most of the apps and games available for Android .

In the field of internal storage, we find a 32 GB eMMC memory , with the ability to expand this space by up to another 32 GB through a MicroSD card .

Operating system and applications

HP has chosen to integrate Android 4.2 Jelly Bean version, one of the most recent revisions for this mobile platform. Undoubtedly, it is an interesting proposal that comes to compete directly with Asus , the company that has bet the most on convertibles with Android . This version includes several improvements at the level of performance and fluidity, as well as incorporating the possibility of inserting widgets directly on the lock screen. Another point in which an important improvement is noted is in the Google Now assistant , a tool that offers relevant information to the user based on their use of Google searchesand what learns from it. For example, in the event that a boarding pass arrives in the mail, Google Now will launch a card the day before with detailed information about our flight. Or it will create an alert with the next game played by our favorite soccer team.

Moreover, the HP team  several pre-installed apps to improve the use of this computer. For example, we liked the general operation of HP File Manager, to be able to access files on the tablet more easily (and with an interface reminiscent of the Windows desktop). We also have HP ePrint, an app to print from the SlateBook x2 to a compatible printer. HP Media Player is an alternative to the Android player to view our photos and videos and play music. Finally, we must name the Kingston Office suite, which will allow us to create text documents, presentations or spreadsheets and which will become a common stop when we use the equipment with the keyboard.

Photographic and multimedia camera

One of the less developed aspects of this convertible equipment is the camera. Despite the fact that it is a claim widely used by manufacturers, personally I think that the rear cameras on tablets larger than eight inches lose their sense enough when you have a decent smartphone, for convenience. Anyway, the HP SlateBook x2 has a rear camera with a resolution of 2 megapixels that will serve just enough to make our photographs and videos. Better result is its front camera, with an acceptable quality to carry out video conferences.

In the multimedia field, the great asset of this tablet is the combination of good power and a screen with a high resolution , with which we can watch movies and videos in high definition.

Autonomy

The HP SlateBook x2 tablet offers a range of around eight and a half hours in its portable version . With tablet-only mode, this time drops to around  six hours in average use. In this case, the truth is that it is surprising that the tablet adds so little capacity to the set, taking into account its significant weight. In total, we have a team with good autonomy for users who usually move a lot, but it is true that it is missing that the American company had enhanced this aspect somewhat more.

Price and reviews

The HP SlateBook x2 is available for a price of 480 euros . It is a competitive amount when you consider its use as a portable and power of your screen, with a resolution of 1,900 x 1,200 pixels . In addition, it has in its guts an NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor , 2 GB of RAM and a good capacity of 32 GB that place it on par with many top-of-the-line computers. It was the first time that I had the opportunity to test an Android device in portable format and the truth is that the fluidity and usefulness have been a pleasant surprisewith which one can move through the different menus of this platform with the mouse and the dedicated buttons on the keyboard.

Data sheet