Touted as the ‘always connected’ laptop when it launched, the HP Envy X2 is an LTE laptop that is light, thin, and portable.
Laptop portability paired with raw power has been the goal of top manufacturers in the past decade. This has created an explosion in innovative – from Chromebooks to ultrabooks – to reach the desired mobility. While it’s going in many directions, two of the most viable ways that have been seen to improve portability are through smartphone chipsets or incremental hardware upgrades. Two-in-one laptops are popular in this regard.
2 in 1 Laptops Market Driven by Growing Popularity of Work from Home, BYOD Policies. Growing Consumer Electronics Industry in the Asia Pacific, North America to Drive 2 in 1 Laptops Market. The rise of work from home arrangements and BYOD policies has helped to boost the popularity of the 2-in-1 laptop, as it also costs less compared to buying a laptop and a tablet separately. Interestingly, an analysis posted on Fast Company notes that owners of 2-in-1 laptops have increased satisfied with the product six to twelve months after the purchase. This is a clear indication of how it’s now a class of its own.
The HP Envy X2 embodies this de2mand for mobility. With all-day battery life, premium and light design, and 4G LTE connectivity, it allows you to work anywhere. It also offers both Windows 10 on ARM and the Windows 10 Home powered by Intel.
But, is it any good?
Premium design
First, let’s get this out of the way – HP Envy X2 is gorgeous. With the all-metal design and the familiar silver-gray finish, HP has done a good job in making the 2-in-1 laptop look and feel premium. At 7 mm thick, it’s as thin as smartphones. The Envy X2 also weighs only 1.54 lbs in tablet mode and 2.67 lbs in laptop mode. And, it’s not fragile at all. The Envy X2 showcases a Corning Gorilla Glass screen, which means it’s scratch-resistant and waterproof.
Qualcomm vs Intel
Now that that’s out of the way, the only question you have to answer is which kind of HP Envy X2 should you buy. The manufacturer offers both a Snapdragon-powered version and an Intel-powered version. While each has its own merit, it boils down to what kind of productivity you are looking for.
Qualcomm battery life
The Qualcomm version ships with a Snapdragon 835 chip which runs Windows on ARM and has a built-in LTE. A review of the Envy X2 by HP, details that it can handle up to 22 hours of local video playback and 19 hours of wireless streaming. You can also upgrade the Windows on ARM to Windows Pro for free to experience maximum power. Using a smartphone chipset, the Qualcomm version will have a slightly faster LTE connectivity than the Intel version. The only downside is that it ships with only one USB Type C port.
Intel app compatibility
The Intel version can have processors up to Intel Core i5 Y-Series with Windows Home – this means more compatibility with Windows apps and programs. It also has an ambient display option which makes its display feel fuller. However, the Intel version of the Envy X2 is also a little heavier and thicker than its Qualcomm cousin. It also has a slightly smaller trackpad that uses an ELAN driver instead of the Microsoft Precision. Lastly, it can only last up to 8 to 10 hours with LTE.
Both versions get 4GB of RAM and up to 256GB of SSD storage. Both also ship with the same pen and Full HD screens.
Conclusion
The HP Envy X2 has a modern and elegant exterior which boasts some of the most powerful solutions to date for a 2-in-1 laptop. Whether you’re an artist or a business professional, the HP Envy X2 can keep up with your always-connected lifestyle.
Follow us on Social Media
