Skip to main content

Laptop? All-in-one? Tablet? HP’s Core M-powered Envy x2 hybrids are all that and more

new hp envy x2 hybrids can act like laptops aios or tablets 13
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but something tells us Microsoft isn’t going to be flattered that HP has ripped off the overall design language and versatility of the Surface Pro 3.

Oh, well.

The new Envy x2 convertibles run Windows 8.1, so Redmond can’t get too pissed. And at the end of the day, the company’s making money off Surfaces as well as these Envy clones. Besides, isn’t tech progress all about “borrowing” nifty concepts, and taking them to the next level of functionality? That’s exactly what HP is doing, with an Envy x2 13/15-inch pair that can be used in laptop mode, with a soft keyboard attached, as tablets, when the docks aren’t needed, and in all-in-one PC style.

Microsoft doesn’t have that last use case covered as standard, which is a shame, because they’d only need a Bluetooth keyboard capable of staying connected to the touch screen from a distance. HP also cranks up the flexibility of its Envy x2 hybrids with a unique, seamless keyboard linking mechanism.

It’s probably not the most robust ensemble around, but switching from tablet to laptop to AiO is clearly a piece of cake. And yes, you even get a Surface-aping adjustable built-in kickstand. Intriguingly, the keyboard cover can fold over the display for easy transportation.

Portability isn’t however the strongest suit of the upgraded 13-inch Envy x2, which tips the scales at 2.8 pounds sans the “base”, measuring 0.54 inches thick. In comparison, the Surface Pro 3 starts at 1.76 pounds and 0.36 inches.

And we really can’t excuse the bulk, since there’s a 14nm Intel Core M processor under the hood and no fans required for cooling the frugal chip. The same goes for 15-inch Envy x2 variants, equipped with Intel “Broadwell” power and tipping the scales at a whopping 4.04 pounds and up.

If you don’t mind picking up entry-level configurations, the newest entries in the Envy franchise can be quite affordable. The cheapest 13 incher is $800 with 720p screen resolution, 4GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD.

$750 scores you a 15-inch Envy x2 with a 1,920 × 1,080 pix res IPS panel, 4GB memory, and 500GB hybrid hard drive. Higher-end, pricier models come with more memory, slightly faster Core M processors and, in the case of the Envy x2 13, Full HD display resolution and larger SSDs.

Editors' Recommendations

Adrian Diaconescu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Adrian is a mobile aficionado since the days of the Nokia 3310, and a PC enthusiast since Windows 98. Later, he discovered…
Lenovo just knocked 40% off this ThinkPad X1 Yoga 2-in-1 laptop
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 viewed at an angle.

When the versatility of a 2-in-1 laptop is combined with powerful specifications, you'll get an amazing productivity tool for any profession. That's exactly what the eighth-generation Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga offers for its discounted price of $2,423 from Lenovo, for savings of $1,616 on its sticker price of $4,039. Since this bargain is a clearance sale, we're not sure how much time is remaining before it expires, so if you want to buy this 2-in-1 laptop at 40% off, you need to proceed with the purchase immediately.

Why you should buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 2-in-1 laptop
The eighth-generation Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga is a 2-in-1 laptop in the convertible category, according to our laptop buying guide. That means it's a device that combines the convenience of a tablet's touchscreen and the utility of a laptop's keyboard, and you can easily switch between its forms by using its 360-degree hinges to fold its 14-inch WUXGA display all the way back. You can also use it in tent mode or stand mode, depending on the situation. It also comes with the rechargeable Lenovo Integrated Pen, which is a stylus that will give you an additional input option for functions such as writing notes and drawing sketches.

Read more
HP’s latest laptop sale gets you $400 off the Spectre x360 and more
HP Spectre x360 16 2024 front view showing media mode.

HP is one of the best laptop brands, so if you need a new device, you're going to want to take advantage of the offers in HP's laptop sale. Prices start at $220, and you can enjoy savings of as much as $500, but only if you hurry because we're not sure how much time is remaining before these bargains get taken down. Whether you spot something interesting among our recommendations below, or you want to check out everything that's part of the sale, you need to complete your purchase as soon as possible to make sure that you get an HP laptop for cheaper than usual.

What to buy in HP's laptop sale

Read more
It’s still not cheap, but HP’s best 2-in-1 laptop is $300 off
HP Spectre x360 16 2024 front view showing media mode.

If you want a powerful device from 2-in-1 laptop deals, you should check out HP's offer for the 16-inch HP Spectre x360. From an original price of $2,300, it's down to $2,000 -- it's still not cheap, but you'll be getting amazing value with the $300 discount on this versatile machine. We're not sure how much time is remaining on this bargain though, so if you want to enjoy savings when buying this 2-in-1 laptop, it's highly recommended that you complete your transaction for it right now.

Why you should buy the 16-inch HP Spectre x360
The HP Spectre x360 16 is featured in our roundup of the best 2-in-1 laptops as our recommendation for business purposes, primarily because other options don't come with a discrete GPU. The device is equipped with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card, and combined with the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and 16GB of RAM, it offers performance that will be able to keep up with your daily tasks. The 2-in-1 laptop also comes with Windows 11 Pro, which will let you maximize the capabilities of the operating system, and a 2TB SSD that will provide enough storage space for all of your important files.

Read more