HP's Spectre X2 Is a Solid Core M Powered Surface Pro Alternative For Less (hothardware.com) 93
MojoKid writes: Now that we're a few years removed from the introduction of the original Surface and Surface Pro, it's clear that Microsoft's vision had merit, and virtually all of the company's major OEM partners are producing at least a few machines that were influenced by Microsoft's design. HP's new Spectre X2 hybrid is as similar a machine to the Surface Pro 4 that we have seen to date. Its form factor, detachable keyboard design, kickstand and overall look at feel of the machine are very "Surface-like". But HP has made some well thought-out changes and packed the machine with different hardware. The end result is rather interesting, somewhat better experience in some respects, for a lower price point. The model tested here features a Core m7-6Y75 dual-core / quad-thread processor with a base frequency of 1.2Hz and a max Turbo frequency of 3.1 GHz. Its on-processor HD 515 graphics can Turbo up to 1GHz and feature all of Intel's latest graphics tech, like Quick Sync, InTru 3D, etc. Other specs include 8GB of LPDDR3 memory, a 256GB Lite-On SSD, a 12" WUXGA screen, 802.11ac WiFi / Bluetooth and Verizon LTE support, a various IO including a built-in card reader and USB type C. The machine's detachable keyboard is held in place by magnets, similar to Microsoft's method. However, the Spectre X2's keyboard is quite similar to a full laptop keyboard. It's arguably superior to Microsoft's Type Cover, both aesthetically and functionally. Power users looking for a high-performance mobile device for heavy-duty workloads would probably be better served by something powered by a Core i5 or i7-series processor, but for the majority of users out there, the Core m at the heart of this machine should pack more than enough punch.
No ads here! (Score:5, Insightful)
Getting one of the last advertisements in the shitdot 2015 budget?
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I dunno. It proudly lists integrated Intel graphics. This looks more like a competitor's assassination piece.
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From what I see HP's Spectre X2 has:
A shit CPU
A shit GPU
A small amount of RAM
A small amount of storage
A small screen
No USB 3.0 ports
Only two USB 2.0 ports
Carrier lock-in
A spyware operating system
A high price
Yep, seems like a real winner to me!
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With a machine like that, I am surprised to see USB 2.0 on Type C connectors. Most everyone else has moved to USB 3.0 or USB 3.1. Since this machine can do a desktop role, it should have the ability for someone to plug in an external HDD or SDD because the storage on those devices tends to be pretty small, or just as a way to back the thing up via a program or wbadmin. Wireless access is one thing, but until someone designs a wireless storage protocol that is up to par for the task.
What HP needs to do is
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What HP needs to do is make a business grade model of this.
What HP needs to do is fuck off. I had an HP EliteBook with a 3-year extended warranty and a Quadro FX 1500... aka G71, which had a known die bonding problem within the GPU. It took me literally over 24 hours on the phone with various levels of HP support before I found someone who could find someone inside the company who knew there was a problem. Then they sent me out a refurb machine, finally, a later model. It cost them literally hundreds of dollars to argue with me for a whole goddamned day. It would p
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Yeah I've had similar bad experiences with HP. The last straw was when I ordered the HP Touchpad on their firesale, (wanted to give it to my dad as a gift) and they fucking canceled the order a few weeks after I made it because they wanted to bundle them with laptops at shitty Best Buy.
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Oddly, I don't mind my phone as a consumption device but I've yet to find a tablet that I've enjoyed. What you describe, with Lubuntu or Ubuntu installed, might be something that I'd enjoy. I'd be interested in something like that and would likely buy one. It may get handed off to a friend or relative but I'd likely buy one just to see if I enjoyed it. Going but what you describe, I'd say that $1400 might be a fair price, maybe $1200 would be okay.
Another feature would be having SIM cards and being able to
You also forgot... (Score:1)
HP's crappy middleware preloaded!
Re: No ads here! (Score:2)
This can't be an advertisement with those specs. (Score:2)
Base frequency of 1.2 Hz? I have a calculator from 1983 that can run circles around that.
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Seriously. But on the other hand the turbo boost from 1.2Hz up to 3.1 GHz is pretty damn impressive.
Slashdot is ... (Score:2, Insightful)
Slashdot is a vehicle for advertisements, without care of what drives us, the readers. It's clear that the readers like vision, but Slashdot has made some terrible missteps as of late. Power users looking for intelligent discussion have mostly left and would probably be better served by some other website, even though Reddit packs more than enough paunch. ;)
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Why do people like you persist in this slashvertisement meme in the face of......well, common sense?
Any time an article mentions a product, its suddenly a "slashvertisement". Never mind it is of interest to the target audience, the moment any product in any way shape or form is mentions, the cynical assholes like yourself decry the abject evil that comes from daring to mention a product.
Go to hell, you fucking moron.
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it's a blatant ad masquerading as a legit article. that's the problem.
Windows 10 (Score:2, Insightful)
Windows 10 is a deal breaker.
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So don't fucking buy it then. Are you also upset that you can't drop a Toyota engine into a Chrysler?
How 'bout price (Score:3)
Besides the obvious slashvertisement for HP, an "alternative for less" implies a large difference in price yet the summary doesn't declare any prices for either camp. There is a small ad on the page that lists it at about $800 which for an iPad Pro or Surface Pro replacement (respectively $800 and $700 for the base models) is not any cheaper.
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I'm not sure where the "for Less" part of the summary came from. The original article does not have it as part of the headline, so the statement was obviously added. The last page of the article, titled "Wrap Up" states it starts at $799 and the fully loaded model is $1199. Neither of which is "for less" than a Surface Pro.
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Like any MS Windows based product, it is really hard to say if it is a better value. It is cheaper, but that is because it has a screen with less resolution, it is heavier, and has a cheaper processor. So no one would expect to pay more for it. Given it's de
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The "for less" bit is the specs :-)
Worth Nothing (Score:1)
Didn't Slashdot promise to make advertisements a different color?
Guess they don't care about anything anymore. Fuck you Dice. Good luck offloading Slashdot now that it is worth nothing.
Fanboys in spec wars is now news? (Score:1)
Why don't we just have articles that claim "Android Nation claims Apple Army is a bunch of shitballs"?
Slashdot is a shithole anymore.
As long as it's better hardware. (Score:2)
Surface pro 1,2,3,4 all use shit marvell chipsets that people are STILL having issues with. here is hoping that HP understands this and is using intel.
Re: As long as it's better hardware. (Score:1)
Marvel chipsets? Like the ones that run iron man and captain America? Oops wrong marvel... My bad
Does it run Android or iOS? (Score:4, Insightful)
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I don't want to be stuck with last century's operating system.
You mean the OS capable of user interaction with multiple programs simultaneously?
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You mean the OS capable of user interaction with multiple programs simultaneously?
I can do split window with my Transformer Prime, what's your problem?
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Split window? Are you implying that you're arbitrarily locked into full screen applications?
Progress!
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You mean the OS capable of user interaction with multiple programs simultaneously?
I can do split window with my Transformer Prime, what's your problem?
Um, his name is Optimus Prime [wikipedia.org] - geesh.
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With a base frequency of 1.2Hz ... (Score:3)
The battery must last for years before it needs to be recharged. I imagine they use turbo mode for the benchmarks.
No it runs Windows 10 Home (Score:1)
No it runs Windows 10 home/pro which means its the one that logs all your keystrokes, and browser history and sends it to Microsoft, even in 'privacy' mode.
Oh and it also uploads your disk encryption keys to Microsoft cloud ready for the FBI.
http://mashable.com/2013/09/11/fbi-microsoft-bitlocker-backdoor/#TzEu17t4t8qP
Verizon ... ugh (Score:1)
Any alternatives to Verizon ?
Microsoft's vision? Remember Asus Transformer? (Score:2)
I don't think a tablet with attachable kb is MS's invention.
Spectre? (Score:2)
I don't mind evil electronics, but I'd rather not lose to 007!
4G LTE (Score:1)
The important differentiator for me is the built-in 4G LTE. The Surface Pro 4 doesn't have a 4G model and one hasn't been announced (yet).
Pen? Screen tech for pen input? N-Trig, Wacom? (Score:3)
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Just not sold on Core M (Score:1)
After seeing performance of the expensive Apple Macbook with a Core M CPU. I am just not sold on this processor. Granted it ties in Intel's family of processors giving the Core M a good mix of performance vs power savings. But as most test show. Its no powerhouse for anything other then basic tasks and maybe better suited for cheaper notebooks. The Apple Macbook and even the Spectre 2 are still considered higher end notebooks. Granted the Spectre 2 only starts at $800 vs the macbook at $1200. But still, you
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You're right about "care about thin and light" - that was me (vs choosing the 13" MacBook Pro). Bu
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As another Macbook 12" user (and I even have the higher spec model), I agree with the grumbling. But it really depends on what you do with your computer. The Macbook really struggled when I tried to use Windows 7 Pro inside OS X in a VM, and after a while I even got a high temperature warning popping up, suggesting I close some applications because it was throttling back the CPU speed to keep it from overheating.
I also find it just takes noticeably longer to launch apps like Microsoft Outlook 2016 than it d
! "Core m should pack more than enough punch" (Score:2)
! "Core m should pack more than enough punch"
Oops (Score:1)
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I think it's root is in chintz which is not actually tied to a racial epithet as far as I know. See chintzy - meaning cheap bauble I believe. I could try the dictionary and etymology but I'll toss this out and see what bounces back. They probably should have spelled it chintzed but I don't think that's actually a word.
Can it run Android? (Score:2)
Is there an Android ROM for it?
a base frequency of 1.2Hz (Score:1)