HP Introduces New x2 Detachable PC Powered by Tegra 4
HP has expanded its x2 detachable PC line with new Android and Windows 8 models.
HP said on Wednesday that it's expanding its x2 detachable PC portfolio with two new models: the Android-powered HP SlateBook x2 packed with a Tegra 4 SoC, and the Windows 8-powered HP Split x2. Both are slated to launch in the States this August with starting prices of $479.99 and $799.99, respectively.
The new SlateBook x2 joins the HP Slate7 as part of HP’s push to offer access to the full Google experience. It sports Android 4.2.2 "Jelly Bean" and services like Google Now, Google Maps and more. As always, HP is a little cryptic in the actual hardware details, but the device will sport a 10.1-inch HD touchscreen, 64 GB of internal storage, and a DTS Sound+ solution.
"The HP SlateBook x2 enables users to shift effortlessly from entertainment to work by combining tablet portability with notebook productivity in a sleek, lightweight device that uses the popular Android operating system," the company said. "With an advanced magnetic hinge design and dual battery system—one battery in the base and one in the tablet—users can easily switch from notebook to tablet and back, even while on the go."
As for the HP Split x2, it will be based on Intel's third-generation Core processors and Windows 8 Pro. The list of features include a 13.3-inch HD touchscreen, HP Connected Music, Beats Audio, a 2MP HP TrueVision Full HD webcam, and the HP ClickPad for precise multifinger and gesture navigation. It will also sport an "eye-catching design" with a soft-touch coating that provides a comfortable hold and shows fewer fingerprints.
"HP’s unmatched portfolio of next-generation PCs is designed to enable users to connect with their information on devices that easily adapt to their needs," the company said. "By releasing the magnetic hinge, users can move elegantly between the two form factors—tablet and notebook PC—all in one device."
If not $479 for an Android slate can kiss my nuts cause that is way too high.
Why isn't the Windows 8 version mentioned in the title?
The devices can share the combined battery power when attached to each other.
The devices can share the combined battery power when attached to each other.
I guess if you're using Win7 this would make sense, but Win8 is perfectly at home in either form factor so Android would be kind of redundant and limited in its function compared to a full Win8 intel machine. I have the HP Envy x2 that these will be accompanying in the x2 line, and even on an Atom Z2760 it is a pretty snappy device since Win8 runs so light.
Can't speak for everyone, but for me Android feels odd on a large [10 inch or larger] tablet. It's my OS of choice for phone and it works great on smaller tablets, but Win8 is much better in my experience for larger tablets [NOT WinRT, I still don't have a clue why that exists].
The devices can share the combined battery power when attached to each other.
That's because android is not ported to intel processors there might be an emulator but its mostly modified and designed to be used on ARM processors like the ones samsong and qualcom make.
Since most Android coding isn't done in a processor specific way, porting apps can be a pretty straightforward task. Stuff like Blue Stacks already does pretty well at running existing Android apps on higher powered x86 systems. But as for doing a system that runs both Android and Windows, well, they already exist. Sort of. Those machines with an instant-on mode for letting you check messages and other basic tasks in a minimal way usually use something based on a minimized Linux kernel to do the job.
Providing a full on Android system, though, is increasingly pointless. Intel and Microsoft are moving to give portables that same capability with Windows alone. Throw in the previously mentioned Blue Stacks for accessing the Android library and becomes increasingly hard to make a case for a full on Android/Windows box. Far too many consumers would just say 'Why?' instead of 'I want!'
This is a great deal. Seriously considering this if Nexus10 Rev2 has no Tegra.
The wintel one won't sell until they start pricing them at $600. x86 with worse gpu than T4 has no chance at 13.3in to play games I'd guess. This isn't haswell unless I am missing something here (meaning WEAK GPU, if you can even call haswell downclocked great). This has no chance without haswell for less money. This is like putting the T3 1.3ghz (not T3+ 1.7ghz with better battery) into surface RT. That failed because they chose the wrong chip which was in most reviews, just too slow. Another 400mhz would have changed that (and the gpu is another 100mhz or so too on T3+). No haswell=no sales. They just shot this in the foot like the first surfaceRT. I would rather buy an HP 17in full laptop with NV650M etc. Loaded they are $800-850 on sale.
I'd like to see the 13.3 with 1080p res and T4. Nexus 10, while gorgeous is too high at 2560x1600 and causes some game problems - such as Avadon Black Fortress which plays in a little box at 1024x768 and T604 is just too slow to push the next wave of games at that res. They should have made nexus10 1080p. The 13.3 tegra4 (if existed) wouldn't be considered then, it would be a purchase planned...LOL. I would pay $550 or so for the extra screen size. My dad paid $500 for the nexus10 again, with 1/2 memory, no keyboard and 2less cpu cores, weak gpu. This is a great price!
If it doesn't come with the keyboard and that's some $100 addon ok, it's a tougher sale to me then but I'd ponder it.
edited to space the P's...Dang comment section.