This is not the first hybrid tablet / PC example, Asus had already cleared the way with its Transformer and Padfone ranges. But HP strikes a blow, especially with regard to the fairly low price. But what HP Slatebook X2, exactly? Firstly, it is a tablet 10 "Android Jelly Bean that runs on 4.2. But it differs from its myriad of competing with a keyboard that has to connect to the base of the tablet, thus transforming it into a netbook. In principle, nothing to say, this is the best of both worlds: a tablet for traveling in and out of the house, the PC for working comfort thanks to the real keyboard. When you attach a little more attention to detail, unfortunately, things are not as perfect.
First, the screen. At the outset said, the price is relatively low. You can buy the beast for about 400 €, which is the price of an entry-level (if you still find) and higher than the one Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 3 hundred Euros netbook. It was necessary to cut costs, and it seems that HP Slatebook X2 has slashed the screen, and it hurts. Not the screen (1920 x 1080, 240 pi) is terribly bad, but it has a rather unpleasant yellow tinge and frankly, downright ugly. Beside a Nexus 7 (2013), it is pitiful whites are dull and therefore almost yellow and the brightness are doubtful even pushed forward (this is a very bad idea of autonomy did not need that). That said, for a typical office use, this does not pose too many problems. But you do not have interest to hate stains finger remaining.
More problematic is the case of the battery. It is agreed that 10-inch tablet, relatively light, does not carry a large battery, but then you get 5-7 hours of battery life. More annoying: extra battery that is in the keyboard provides about two hours of life more, which greatly affects the portability of the device, made more difficult by the AC adapter with transformer very cumbersome and proprietary format that your USB / external battery cable will not work.
The low capacity of the battery is all the more frustrating that the HP Slatebook X2 is very powerful. Relying on a quad core Tegra 4 1.8 MHz with 2GB of RAM, it achieved good scores AnTuTu (31897) and 3D Mark (Icestorm 8293), placing the top of the basket of comparable tablets, only surpassed by Samsung Galaxy Note 3 which costs 50% more expensive (but apparently can call someone if it still interests). It is therefore quite possible to play games more upscale without lag, but if you're not near a power outlet (or do not have cable ...), good luck to play over two hours.
The keyboard of HP Slatebook X2 is very comfortable, meanwhile. In addition to the battery, it brings you a USB port that can be used to connect, for example, a USB key if the internal storage (32 GB + MicroSD + SD) is not enough. But it also brings another black spot, which is not specifically attributed to HP: low compatibility with Android device's keyboard.
Let us be clear: the idea is excellent. Add a keyboard Android finally makes typing texts, long messages, while keeping the ability to touch the screen to go faster (when I resumed my old PC, after testing the HP Slatebook X2 I instinctively touched the screen). But technology is not yet developed: USB needs a third app to function (especially for watching movies), the keyboard does not work 100%, including accents, which is very annoying in French: sometimes it is then necessary to use the touchpad, which is totally counterproductive. Similarly, some apps added by HP (file manager, printer) sometimes do not work in landscape mode. It is therefore all still work, although thank HP for letting a relatively stock Android and more or less up to date.
Hybrid devices have the future. Other tablets / PC running Android and Windows 8 in dual boot, what might seem a better compromise, but loses in rapidity and speed of execution. Android may evolve into a more PC-friendly model, but do not have that Chromebooks seem to do? The future will tell, in the meantime, this is exactly what can be said of HP Slatebook X2: one focused on the future but not yet ready to be used productively today prototype.
