HP SlateBook 10-h080sg x2 (E2V26EA)

Zitat: We can´t offer our final verdict on the HP SlateBook until we´ve fully tested it, but our first impressions are mixed. We love the look of the SlateBook, but the idea of running Android on our laptop is not something that really appeals to us. However, we´re sure that there are some consumers out there who´ve been hoping for just that – the familiar operating system and Google Play Store that they have on their tablet or smartphone right there on their laptop. It seems a little pricey for what it is, though, and we´d suggest looking into Chromebooks before making the decision to buy the HP SlateBook.

Zitat: The good: + Simply put, the HP SlateBook x2 touchscreen is stunning. HP‘s managed to stuff a full HD 1080p panel into the 10.1" tablet half of the device, and it´s even better than its Envy x2 cousin´s panel: you simply cannot see the pixels. It‘s sharp and responsive, and its viewing angles are great too - there‘s no doubt you‘ll be able to share a decent movie with friends on the high-res display. Alongside the screen, the speakers on the SlateBook are surprisingly loud and clear. They fill the airwaves at a good level, and they don‘t distort at high volumes either. The machine itself is zippy and fast, and that‘s thanks to Nvidia‘s nippy Tegra 4 mobile processor that‘s paired up with a beefy 2GB of RAM, and has the added bonus of granting you access to the Tegrazone store which is filled to the brim of gorgeous looking games that play beautifully on the x2. Storage wise, you‘ll find the SlateBook armed with up to 64GB of digital boot space: while our review unit came packing 32GB, you´ll find it´s still more than plenty of space for all of your media, apps and games, unless you´re a real photo hoarder, and even then you can simply pop in a microSD card to sort your problems. Battery life is solid, especially thanks to the extra battery found in the keyboard half: you’ll easily get a full day’s work done on it away from the mains. The SlateBook is running speedy Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, and aside from a few minor additions, it‘s a relatively stock version of Android that hasn‘t been crippled with bloatware. HP has included its own file browser, gallery and media player apps, as well as printer software, which can all be easily replaced with alternatives from the Google Play store. You‘ll also find Kingsoft Office pre-installed on the SlateBook, which is a nice addition, although some may prefer a different editing suite like Google´s own Drive app. The bad: - Unfortunately, while the tablet portion is top-notch, the lower keyboard half is just not up to the same standard. While it does offer you USB and HDMI ports, an SD card reader and an extra battery, the keyboard is full of flex and it‘s not entirely comfortable to type on either. The trackpad is also annoying, proving to be inaccurate and mushy to touch, and it often gets in the way when typing - all thanks to the small nature of the SlateBook. Although it is multitouch enabled, its small size makes gestures a pain to perform. It‘s not particularly a problem if you stick to using the touchscreen, but it does leave us wondering why HP included it in the first place, especially when the touchscreen works brilliantly. The cameras strapped on to the front and back are also nothing to brag about: pictures are muddy, but you‘ll just about get away with them for Skype calls. Despite the petite footprint of the system, it‘s surprisingly hefty to lift, which is likely due to the batteries in both the tablet and the keyboard portions. It‘s not a total deal breaker, but when you‘re using something as small as the SlateBook, you’d expect it to be pretty light in your bag and on your shoulders too. Read our review of the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Lenovo Miix: Is this the next Surface rival? HP has crafted itself a brilliant tablet that‘s unfortunately been bogged down by the keyboard attachment that strives to be an addition, rather than a hindrance. As a tablet, the fast and nippy HP SlateBook x2 is a decent bit of kit that we would love to see sold standalone - but it could be slightly cheaper. Coupled with the keyboard segment though - and the iPad-rivalling £379 pricetag - you might expect a better keyboard. As it stands, unless you really need to bash out long documents on the go, you and your wallet would be much better off with a Bluetooth keyboard.