HP Envy x2 user reviews

Pros - Windows 8 UI is a dream to use on a touch screen
- complete OS
- true multi-tasking
- amazing battery life
- great keyboard
- aluminum build feels premium
- x86 processing
- microSD port on the tablet for additional storage

Cons - lack of tablet apps. MS Store will improve with time?
- touch pad doesn't do gestures after laptop wakes from sleep. Will improve with an update?
- ever-so-slightly loose hinge. I may be OCD, but I wish there was ZERO wiggle in the hinge.

Summary I have never identified myself with the tablet crowd. By and large, tablets seem like gimmicky devices with only a handful of productive use cases. For the kind of money that premium tablets cost, I would much rather own a computer.

I was excited to find out that PC manufacturers and Windows 8 allowed someone like me, gun-shy about getting a tablet, a happy medium - Windows 8 hybrid laptops. Needing a new laptop, my wife bought me this for Christmas after I'd asked for it.

I've played simple games like "Where's My Water" and I've downloaded and played more "graphically intense" games like Final Fantasy 7. They've worked great!

I've typed emails, surfed the web, and created Office documents, spreadsheets, and slideshow presentations.

Is this a desktop replacement? No. Is this an autocad, photoshop, or gaming machine? No. Will this let you do 99% of what you typically use a computer for anyway (read: watch cat videos)? YES.

As far as build quality, this is easily on par with an Apple device. The smooth aluminum feels solid. The keys on the keyboard are slightly rubberized and easy to type on. The keyboard isn't cramped at all. The widescreen tablet feels bigger than 11 inches, and my 13.3 inch laptop feels like the same size.

The build quality on this is what made me buy it instead of its equally spec'ed competitors: the Asus Vivotab, Samsung Ativ Smart PC, Acer Iconia W510, and the Lenovo Lynx. Sure, I paid $100 more, but I got a much sleeker machine. If you hunt around (Amazon, Office Depot, etc.) you can find the Envy X2 for $750.

In short, this is exactly the type of Windows 8 experience the common user should be looking for - a touch AND touchpad capable juggernaut that can do it all.

Pros Battery
Build quality
Speed
Portability
Feels like dual OS (equivalent of OSX and IOS but for windows)

Cons Lack of accessories... No smart cover, in tablet mode feels a little naked.

Summary I have had mine since December as well and I must say that I have no disappointments at all. The speed of Win8 on this combo unit is excellent, the battery life is amazing and the overall feel is spectacular. The only thing is that I wish there was a smart cover available because in tablet mode it's a little naked.

Pros -Design is eye catching
-Sturdy Hinge
-Excellent Battery life so far
-smart charging (it chrages the tablet first, then charges the keyboard dock.
-Smaller games run well(I have some emulators that have been fun on the go)

Cons -Atom processor is no i-series and it shows when multi-tasking
-wish the tablet itself had more ports on it (sd slots are on keyboard)
-a little pricey considering the processing power
-would appreciate including the stylus for that price

Summary I got this as a second computer to my i3 laptop I already had at home. I just needed something that was more road worthy and portable. I was intrigued by the idea of also having the ability to make it to a tablet as well.

I looked through the items available and gave some serious consideration to some others (surface rt, Samsung Ativ) and ended up liking the build on this one the best. I did pause at the price. I considered getting a smaller laptop and a tablet separate, but I just want one thing to take for the road. I don't need something that has crazy amounts of processing power because it would mainly be for writing and working (via email) on the road.

After a week I am pleased with the performance and the battery life has been stellar. The track pad works well enough (despite some adjustment since my other PC's trackpad is much bigger). I found the keys to be comfortable and responsive for typing at even over a period of time.

As far as tablet mode I have enjoyed reading the news on this and I personally find the 11" size to be the sweet spot for me as far as sitting down for a while to consume media.

My biggest frustration came from the still sparse Windows 8 app store. But, I know over time it will expand. I had some serious fun playing snes emulators on the road while waiting to start a meeting.

I eagerly await the next group of intel chips in the future that will provide a competive battery life with even better performance so that maybe in the futre I could switch to something like this as my fulltime PC.

Updated on Feb 27, 2013

Sorry, just saw your replies. It can multi-task, but the atom processor is not going to be flying through it like an I-series chip would do.

That being said I just did a powerpoint presentation from my x2 and it handled it no problem. I think if you were using multiple office apps at the same time you might notice a slowdown. But, excel and word together haven't given me any trouble so far.