HP Spectre 13 X2 Review

HP makes its play for the popular convertible market with the 2-in-1 HP Spectre 13 X2. Equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor, Integrated HD Graphics and a 128GB SSD the hybrid laptop packs ultrabook-like performance levels in a tablet form factor. With a stylish design and a high-quality keyboard dock the Spectre certainly has its high-points, but is that enough to justify the laptop’s steep ($1,100 staring price) price point?

Read the full review to find out.

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I bought a Spectre 13 x2 to replace my two year old zenbook and I want to share how I came to this decision. To me a touchscreen only makes sense on a tablet. Why would I want a touch screen on a notebook with keyboard and trackpad right there? Answer is some gestures are easier and it's easier to open charms. That's not necessarily an improvement. Windows 7 functions just fine as a business os. Given that windows 7 is history, my first wish in new laptop was that it be 2 in 1 or hybrid. I looked at the yoga's, the sony's, dells, asus transformer and hp hybrids.

Selections narrowed to two camps: those with really impressive specs, light weight but too expensive (over $1200). Others with nice price, but don't want to go back to 1366x768. In the end I was looking at youtube videos of asus transformer 13 and hp spectre 13. I got turned off on the transformer 13 because evidently the screen and keyboard are charged separately requiring a "y" type charging cable. I liked the sleek design of the spectre. The power and volume switches on the back are intuitive to me when holding as a tablet. I don't find it wobbly at work. What closed the deal was the price. The spectre x2 at the microsoft store comes with the high resolution hd screen for $999 and they have a $100 off special running until June if you show them a working xp computer. I brought in an old xp dell netbook which they let me take away so I still have it.

So I got the spectre x2 for $899, and "microsoft signature" removes bloatware from any computers they sell.

I'm happy with my decision. There are times when I want to use a tablet, but need more horsepower. And for day to day it's got the hardware to keep up with the work thrown at it. It's heavier than my zenbook, but more functional. I never used my zenbook for home computing, but I will use the spectre x2. I purchased an extra slim power adapter that has a dc adapter (auto cig lighte plug) as well. Only other thing tempting at the microsoft store was an 8gig ram zenbook with touchscreen for $999, but I wanted a detachable and with ssd would there be any difference between a 4 gig and 8 gig based on my usage. I run a few apps at the same time, but nothing too intensive. I don't think I would notice a difference. It would just be an ego thing to have 8 gig ram.