HP Chromebook X2 assessment: Do we actually want a Chrome OS convertible? | Engadget

Chrome OS tablets don’t have a reasonably previous. In 2018, Google launched the Pixel Slate, its try to jumpstart the market, however poorly optimized software program and costly {hardware} made the machine a non-starter for most individuals. Since then, Google stopped making tablets completely, whereas most producers making Chrome OS gadgets have additionally caught with extra conventional designs.

That began to vary final yr, when Lenovo constructed an affordable however helpful Chrome OS pill, the Chromebook Duet. This yr, HP has adopted an analogous sample with the HP Chromebook X2, an 11-inch pill that’s pricier and higher-end than Lenovo’s Duet (the mannequin I’m reviewing prices $600). But, just like the Duet, it makes use of a cell processor (on this case, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c) and features a keyboard and pen at no further cost. Based purely on specs and design, the Chromebook X2 ought to be a superb performer — however is its convertible kind issue definitely worth the premium over a extra normal laptop computer?

Hardware

We’ll get into how helpful Chrome OS tablets are quickly, however based mostly purely on {hardware} alone, HP’s Chromebook X2 makes a terrific first impression. The pill itself is a metal-clad slap that feels sturdy and properly constructed. There’s a small digicam bump on the again, together with metallic HP and Chrome logos, however total it’s a easy machine with few adornments. The machine has squared-off sides with rounded corners, very similar to the iPad Pro and iPad Air, however it feels totally different sufficient from these gadgets regardless of the very fact there are solely so some ways to make a pill.

When wanting on the entrance, you’ll discover a small digicam on the highest bezel, with stereo audio system positioned close to the highest of the display screen. On the left facet edge you’ll discover two USB-C ports and a quantity rocker. In the highest left nook there’s a multi-function energy button with a fingerprint reader. When you’re utilizing the Chromebook X2 with a keyboard connected, urgent the facility button reveals choices to close down, sign off or lock the machine. When you’re utilizing it as a pill, although, the button has the extra normal “lock the device and turn off the screen” perform. The fingerprint scanner is simple to arrange, and I want that extra Chromebooks had them.

The proper facet of the pill is principally unadorned, except for a mark that reveals the place you possibly can magnetically connect the Chromebook X2’s pen to its facet for simple entry. The iPad Pro and numerous Microsoft Surface gadgets additionally allow you to magnetically connect a stylus, so this isn’t actually a giant innovation — however it’s nonetheless good to have.

When I reviewed the Pixel Slate again in 2018, my important takeaway was that Chrome OS nonetheless required a keyboard. As such, I used to be glad to seek out that the Chromebook X2 had one included. To flip the X2 from a pill right into a practical laptop computer, HP designed a two-piece case. The keyboard cowl goes on the entrance, very similar to Microsoft’s Surface Keyboard. But as a substitute of getting a built-in kickstand, the X2 has a second cowl that serves as a kickstand which magnetically snaps on to the again. Once you’ve gotten that set, the X2 is principally similar to the Microsoft Surface Go, at the least in seems.

The Chromebook X2’s keyboard is fairly good contemplating it has to suit a comparatively small machine. The keys have strong journey and are fairly responsive, although they’re a bit of bit loud. It feels a bit of cramped, however not any worse than the Surface Go’s keyboard. But it positively feels extra cramped than the Magic Keyboard I exploit with my 11-inch iPad Pro. (That’s a $300 accent, although, so it actually ought to be higher than a keyboard HP contains with each X2.)

The important concern with the X2 keyboard is that it’s not ultimate for utilizing in your lap. As I’ve seen with another keyboard folios, making use of just a bit strain on palm rests typically causes the trackpad to register a click on, which could be infuriating while you’re, say, typing a assessment and maintain getting interrupted. It’s significantly better on a desk, the place the keyboard is extra steady. Microsoft’s Type Cover for the Surface lineup doesn’t have this downside, so it’s only a matter of construct high quality ultimately. And for a small, gentle machine meant for use on the go, having a keyboard that solely works on a tough, flat floor is lower than ultimate.

Despite occasional unintended clicks, the X2 trackpad is fairly good. It’s bigger than the one on the iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard and in addition to the Surface Go’s keyboard, and it’s quick and responsive for each single-finger and multi-finger gestures. It’s nonetheless fairly small, although, so that you may choose an exterior mouse for prolonged work periods.

The Chromebook X2 could also be a small machine, however its 11-inch touchscreen with a 3:2 side ratio is a standout. It’s a high-resolution show, coming in at 2,160 x 1,440, and the taller side ratio makes it really feel quite a bit much less cramped for work than a 16:9 display screen would, particularly at this smaller measurement. It’s additionally a really vivid display screen, nearly painfully so — even when working in a sunny workplace, I hardly ever turned brightness up greater than midway.

As I discussed earlier, HP included a stylus with the Chromebook X2. I’m no visible artist, so I’m not certified to actually decide its efficiency — however there’s no query stylus efficiency on this machine lags behind Microsoft’s Surface Go 3 and any iPad I’ve tried. But once more, HP included a stylus without spending a dime, whereas Microsoft and Apple cost further for it. That doesn’t make efficiency higher, however at the least you’re not shelling out extra money for a sub-par expertise. The pen could be superb for fast sketches or notes, however it doesn’t really feel like one thing I’d need to use for very lengthy.

Tablet mode

Even although there aren’t many Chrome OS tablets, Google has made enhancements to the OS’s pill mode through the years. It’s fairly a bit extra steady and user-friendly than it was when the Pixel Slate got here out in 2018; the primary UI ideas are a mixture of what you’ll discover on iPadOS and Windows. Apps routinely launch in full display screen, and the house display screen is a grid of all of the apps you’ve gotten put in. Swiping up while you’re utilizing an app brings you again to the house display screen, and a extra deliberate swipe from the underside reveals the Chrome OS dock. Finally, you possibly can run two apps in split-screen mode while you need to multitask.

I haven’t used the Chrome OS pill mode shortly. I’ve reviewed a ton of Chromebooks with 360-degree hinges that can be utilized in pill mode, however they’re often too heavy for that. But the Chromebook X2 feels nice within the hand; with its 11-inch display screen and a weight of 1.23 kilos, it’s not too large or heavy for use as a pill. The important concern with Chrome OS on a pill is acquainted to anybody who has used Android tablets: there simply isn’t a lot software program optimized for a big display screen. That mentioned, utilizing the X2 to casually browse the online, watch movies and play the occasional sport labored properly. HP is aware of that this isn’t the first manner anybody ought to use a Chrome OS machine, therefore the included keyboard — however for informal sofa searching or watching a film on a plan, the X2 does the trick.

As a laptop computer

The important manner I used the Chromebook X2 was as a laptop computer, with the included keyboard connected. The greatest query I had was whether or not the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c processor was sufficient for my regular workflow. The reply was “more or less.” The X2 ran higher than I anticipated, and I might often have most of my regular apps operating always. That means a pair Chrome home windows with a handful of tabs in every, plus Chrome apps for Slack, Todoist, Keep, Trello and Tweetdeck. I additionally typically had the Android model of Spotify operating for music.

This all ran acceptably, however it positively wasn’t the quickest — significantly if I had too many Chrome tabs going. The X2 that I examined has 8GB of RAM, and that helped maintain most of my applications operating with out the necessity to refresh once I switched between them, however I ended up instinctively limiting what number of tabs I had going at any given time to keep away from pushing the X2 too onerous. I additionally didn’t play music straight from the X2 a lot once I was operating plenty of different apps, as I ultimately would run into slowdowns or low reminiscence skips if I had an excessive amount of occurring.

While I want efficiency was a bit of higher, it’s vital to take a look at it within the context of how HP designed the machine. Given its small measurement, I considered it extra as a secondary or journey pc fairly than one thing most individuals would sit down and use for hours on finish each single day. The show is definitely too small and efficiency not fairly sturdy sufficient for me to make use of it that manner, anyway.

One benefit of utilizing a Snapdragon processor is that the Chromebook X2 had wonderful battery life. While it’s too small of a pc for me to comfortably use all day lengthy, I routinely received round eight hours of labor once I used it as my major machine, and nonetheless had cost left on the finish of the day. It additionally carried out extraordinarily properly in our battery drain check, which loops an HD video with the display screen set at 50 % brightness. The X2 lasted about 11 and a half hours in that check, which suggests this machine ought to be a strong movie-watching companion for those who’re on an extended flight.

At only one.23 kilos as a pill and a bit of over 2.25 kilos with the keyboard and kickstand connected, the Chromebook X2 is a particularly moveable pc for while you don’t want the total measurement and energy that you simply get in a bigger laptop computer. It once more jogs my memory of Microsoft’s Surface Go 3, not simply in the best way it seems. Both gadgets are a bit underpowered, and I wouldn’t suggest both be somebody’s major pc. But, they are often nice secondary computer systems for those who’re conscious of their limitations.

Pricing and the competitors

Of course, worth is a giant a part of the equation. That was in all probability the most important downside with the Surface Go 3 once I reviewed it not too long ago: The package I examined value $860, and for that cash it ought to be highly effective sufficient to make use of as your solely pc. But the Chromebook X2 is cheaper; the mannequin I reviewed prices $600. That will get you the aforementioned Snapdragon 7c processor, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, the keyboard and pen. And the X2 has already been on sale quite a few instances at Best Buy for less than $400. At that worth, it’s a reasonably nice moveable secondary pc.

At $600, it’s a bit of dear for what you get, although. That’s largely as a result of you should buy a bigger, extra highly effective Chromebook for a bit of more cash. Both the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 and Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 value $700 and include sooner Intel chips, higher keyboards and bigger shows. You should be actually dedicated to the pill kind issue to not give these computer systems a glance as a substitute. Or, you may get Lenovo’s Flex 5 Chromebook for less than $300 on Amazon as of this writing; you’ll save your self cash and have a greater total expertise. If you could find the Chromebook X2 on sale for $400, it’s a way more compelling purchase, however it’s nonetheless not the very best Chromebook in that worth vary.

Wrap-up

The important concern with the Chromebook X2 is neither its worth nor its efficiency. It’s the truth that most individuals will likely be higher served with an ordinary, laptop-style Chromebook. Sure, most Chromebooks are a bit of larger and heavier than the X2, however they’re additionally typically extra highly effective and have higher keyboards. The X2 solely is smart for those who worth portability and battery life over efficiency. If you could find the X2 for $400, it’s price contemplating for those who’re a Chrome OS consumer in search of a secondary pc which you can take with you anyplace. Otherwise, you’re in all probability higher off contemplating one of many many different Chromebooks in the marketplace.