HP Elite x2 1011 review
This isn't a bad hybrid if you need a portable device that can handle harsh environments. However, if you need something that can do more than web browse, you might want to look elsewhere.
The HP Elite x2 1011 (starting at $688, US-only configuration) is a business-grade hybrid laptop that is ideally suited for those who need durability and portability more than they require power and beauty.
Running on Windows 10 out of the box, the Elite x2 is capable of more than just web browsing and content streaming, but its Intel Core M processor means you won't be able to easily perform particularly complex processes, such as video editing or graphic design, as you would with devices running on Intel chips in the Core i series.
Unlike more popular consumer hybrids, like the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and the HP Spectre x360, both of which feature Core i processors and gorgeous displays, the Elite x2 appears to be designed to operate as a secondary computing device, rather than a multipurpose PC.
Built with a bead-blasted aluminum shell that can be found on the entire HP Elite lineup, the Elite x2 is noticeably heavier and thicker than the Surface Pro 3 and the Spectre x360. Starting at 3.63 pounds (1.65kg) when attached to its accompanying power keyboard, there's no denying the Elite x2 is hefty, both as a tablet and as a laptop.
But all of that heft is specifically designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor work environments. The Elite series undergoes 115,000 hours of testing, all of which ensure that the Elite x2 can handle up to 26 drops on each corner and 18 mechanical shocks before it goes kaput.
The sturdy outer shell is attached to a magnesium alloy panel that houses the (barely) HD-resolution display (1,366 x 768), which is much too dull and produces too much glare. The screen, which is 11.6 inches, occupies too little of the top panel's 11.73-inch width. As opposed to new devices like the Dell XPS 13, which features almost no screen border, the Elite x2's display is surrounded by a thick section of wasted material.
The tablet is built with a rounded base that is slightly awkward to handle, but sits nicely when mounted with the keyboard. Unfortunately, you won't be able to connect the tablet to the keyboard in the reverse display mode seen on Lenovo Yoga devices. Additionally, the Elite x2 will only bend back 130-degrees when mounted, so you'll have to detach the tablet from the keyboard if you want to do any show-and-tell.