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HP's Chromebook x2 tablet is the $599 iPad Pro alternative you've always wanted
- HP reveals $599 Chromebook x2 detachable 2-in-1 set for release in June.
- 12.3-inch, Chrome OS-powered tablet is the first of its kind aimed at the general retail market.
- Base model features an Intel Core m3 processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and up to 10.5 hours battery life
The Chrome OS tablets are coming! We recently saw Acer reveal the first proper tablet running Google’s web-based operating system, the $329, education-focused Chromebook Tab 10. Now, HP is looking to up the ante with a flagship Chrome OS tablet for the general retail market and that could represent a true challenge to Apple’s iPad Pro.
Simply named the Chromebook x2, HP’s new device is also the first 2-in-1-style Chrome OS machine with a detachable keyboard, making it a true tablet/laptop hybrid. HP has set a June 10 release date and confirmed (via The Verge) that the x2 will be priced from $599.
For that price, you get a 12.3-inch tablet with an Intel Core m3 processor with integrated Intel HD Graphics 615, backed by 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage (expandable via an SD card slot). The display, meanwhile, is an IPS WLED touchscreen panel with a 2,400 x 1,600 resolution.
Unlike its direct rivals like the iPad Pro and Microsoft’s Surface Pro range, the x2 also comes bundled with a keyboard dock and stylus for no extra charge. The keyboard dock also has its own hinge which means you won’t be needing a kickstand to use the x2 as a laptop.
The x2 also features Bang & Olufsen-branded dual speakers, two USB-C ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a front-facing 5MP “Wide Vision” Camera, and a 13 MP rear camera. It’s also pretty light, weighing just 0.73kg on its own and 1.39kg with the dock attached.
HP hasn’t revealed any specific details regarding the battery, but has claimed that you’ll get 10.5 hours of usage on average. An 8GB model is also in the works for release further down the line, and the device is available in either Ceramic White or Oxford Blue.
As with all modern devices running Chrome OS, the HP Chromebook x2 supports Android apps via the Google Play Store. Google has been slowly improving Android app performance on Chrome OS machines after a somewhat shaky start. While the experience is still far from perfect, there’s no doubt that the move has enabled the first wave of Chrome OS tablets that will now surely expand throughout this year and beyond.
What do you make of the HP Chromebook x2? With interest in high-end Android tablets on the decline, can Chrome OS tablets deliver a true competitor to Apple and Microsoft? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.