HP Chromebook x2 review: A price cut away from great
Enlarge / HP Chromebook x2 11-inch two-in-one.
For tech enthusiasts, Chromebooks can be an acquired taste. Advanced users don't need a stripped-down operating system, and the low computing power generally disqualifies Chromebooks from being a serious, primary PC. But Chromebooks can often find a welcome spot in an enthusiast's home as a secondary or (after the phone) tertiary device. And when that Chromebook comes in a detachable form factor with a screen that's slightly larger than most competitors, it fits that role well.
The HP Chromebook x2 two-in-one makes a play for this space with an 11-inch display that offers more screen area than rivals like the 10.1-inch Lenovo Chromebook Duet, the 10.5-inch Microsoft Surface Go 3, or even similarly priced iPads. HP's portable, bendable (and did we mention blue?) Chromebook is ripe for travel and less intensive tasks.
| Specs at a glance: HP Chromebook x2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Worst | Best | As reviewed | |
| Screen | 11-inch 2160*1440 IPS touchscreen | ||
| OS | Chrome OS | ||
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Compute Platform | ||
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR4x-2133 | 8GB LPDDR4x-2133 | |
| Storage | 64GB eMMC | 128GB eMMC | 64GB eMMC |
| GPU | Qualcomm Adreno 618 (integrated) | ||
| Networking | Qualcomm Atheros 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2x2) Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5 | ||
| Ports | 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type-C), 1x microSD card reader | ||
| Size | 9.9*7*0.3 inches (252.5*176.8*7.6 mm) | ||
| Weight | With keyboard and kickstand: 1.2 lb; Tablet only: 1 lb | ||
| Battery | 32 Wh | ||
| Warranty | 1 year | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $570 | $680 | $600 |
| Other perks | HP Rechargeable USI Pen | 4G LTE | HP Rechargeable USI Pen |
Despite an MSRP of $600-$680, depending on the configuration, I've seen the HP Chromebook x2 at more appropriate sale prices of $370, $400, or $480. Considering its level of power, its touchpad that demands a hard surface, and a keyboard cover that feels like a temporary solution, you'll want to wait for that discount.
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