HP Launches 13" Windows 8 Convertible Tablet
Although we haven't seen anything official from HP, the company's Split x2 is now up for sale at Best Buy. It's a 13.3 inch Windows 8 hybrid, meaning it can be used as a laptop or as a tablet thanks to a detachable keyboard dock. It also sports a third-generation Intel Core i3-3229Y "Ivy Bridge" processor clocked at 1.4 GHz – so far it's unknown when the Core i5 version revealed months ago will go retail.
According to the product listing, the Split x2 has an LED-lit touch-enabled screen with a resolution of 1366 x 768. Backing the display is 4 GB of DDR3 SDRAM (expandable to 8 GB), a 128 GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000, and a built-in 2MP HP TrueVision Full HD webcam. Other features include Wireless N and Bluetooth connectivity (no Ethernet), HP Connected Music and Beats Audio.
The Split x2's keyboard dock sports an HP ClickPad for "precise multi-finger and gesture navigation". It also supposedly has an option for an HDD for even more storage, but does include an SD card slot for expanded storage. Also on the dock is one USB 2.0 port, one USB 3.0 port, and an HDMI port.
The overall weight of HP's Split x2 is 4.9 pounds whereas the tablet itself is a mere 2.3 pounds without the added keyboard. In a closed clamshell form factor, the hybrid measures just 0.9 inches thick whereas the tablet portion measures 0.4 inches thin. Both are powered by a 3-cell lithium-ion polymer battery, one in each component.
"The HP Split x2 is a versatile, two-in-one detachable PC that combines power and portability with the Windows 8 operating system and powerful 3rd generation Intel Core processor family," the company said back in May. "Consumers can now enjoy a high-performance ultraportable notebook suited for virtually any intensive task, and that doubles as a 13-inch tablet to give unparalleled entertainment capability for playing games, videos and more."
The Intel Core i3 version of HP's Split x2 Windows 8 hybrid can now be purchased from Best Buy (with free shipping) now for $749.99 USD.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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ethanolson Um... so why the sucky resolution? I don't understand why HP persists in low resolutions when everyone is moving past it. Microsoft indicates that the ideal vertical resolution is 960 pixels. With a 16:9 aspect ratio that's 1707:960 or in a 16:10 format (which I prefer) it's 1536x960. If you're not going full HD 1080, then at least go to something awesome like 1536x960. I also can't wait to see 4K native.Reply
Here's the thing, Windows 8 scales beautfifully when you have higher pixel densities if you set the OS to do so out of the box. HP set it to 125% with the ElitePad, so it works. They need to take resolution seriously to get the full Windows 8.1 experience which is just around the corner... and is MUCH better than plain 8, at least the preview build that I'm running. -
Mashuri Lambana HP seems live in his own world, releasing another pariah product at premium price.Reply