HP unveils Split x2 Windows 8laptop hybrid with 13.3-inch dp
HP has unveiled Split x2 Windows 8 tablet/ laptop hybrid, similar to the HP Envy x2 introduced last year.
The Split x2 is an upgrade on the Envy x2 in many ways. Instead of the Atom processor, the x2 comes with an option of 3rd Generation Intel Core i3 or i5 processors. The 11.6-inch has become a 13.3-inch screen, though the resolution remains the same at 1366x768. HP Split x2 comes with up to 128GB SSD storage.
Also included are Beats Audio with dual-speakers, 8-megapixel rear shooter and a front camera with full-HD video recording capabilities, just like Envy x2. Disappointingly, the RAM stays the same at 2GB, though users have the option to upgrade. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but no NFC, which is present in the Envy x2.
Like the Envy x2, the Split x2 comes with a keyboard dock that includes a MicroSD reader, Combo audio jack, 1 USB 3.0 port, 1 USB 2.0 port, HDMI port and SD card slot. Interestingly, the dock also includes 500GB of hard disk storage, which makes it perfect for storing your media.
"Customers want to access and share content anywhere, anytime, on any internet connected device--and they expect those connections to be seamless," said Ron Coughlin, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer PCs, HP. "The HP SlateBook x2 and the HP Split x2 are next-generation devices and the latest examples of our continued commitment to evolving the computing experience by providing the flexibility necessary for customers to be productive at home, at the office or on the go."
The HP Split x2 will join the HP Envy x2 and the Android-based SlateBook x2 - announced alongside the HP Split x2 - as part of HP's detachable PC portfolio.
Split x2 is expected to be available in the United States in August with a base price of $799.99. No word yet on India price and availability.
HP Split x2 specifications
13.1-inch 1366x768 display
Intel Core i3 or i5 processors
Up to 128GB SSD storage, Plus 500GB storage in keyboard dock
AMD may be going through what seems like continuous turmoil, but that hasn't kept it from trying to compete with Intel wherever it can. That includes in the world of ultra-thin laptops, where the Ultrabook platform has struggled to catch on with large portions of the notebook market.
AMD's latest salvo against its rival's Ultrabooks is the Asus VivoBook U38N, which has cleared the FCC and should hit these shores officially soon. It features all of the hallmarks of an Ultrabook -- lightweight (3.42 pounds) and super-slim (0.73 inches thick) with a hybrid storage solution (128GB solid state drive and 500GB hard drive) -- but includes an AMD A8-4555M quad-core processor instead of having Intel inside.
The 13.3-inch IPS screen packs 1,980x1,080 full HD resolution with touchscreen capabilities to take advantage of Windows 8's multitouch features. It will also ship with 4GB of RAM and Bang & Olufsen ICEpower audio technology built in.
One other thing the U38N may have in common with its Ultrabook competition is a high price. It is listed on Amazon's German site with a price tag over 800 euros, which comes to a little more than $1,000. Presumably you're paying a full premium for having a quad-core processor in such a lightweight package, but it won't do much for mainstream buyers used to paying closer to $500 for a new laptop.
Sarah wants a netbook or mini-laptop for her 16-year-old to take to school, Bob wants to run Windows 8 on a 1280 x 1024 pixel screen, and another reader wonders if there's anything wrong with keeping passwords on a USB memory stick…
'I keep sensitive passwords, account numbers, pin numbers etc on a small USB drive. Is there a big flaw in my system?' Photograph: Matthew Baker/PA
My 16-year-old wants a netbook/mini-laptop for his sixth form schoolwork, and it needs to be fast enough to handle Word documents in Microsoft Office. He already has a laptop, but it's too bulky and too heavy to take to school. The price is a concern but I really want him to be happy with it.
Sarah
I thought this would be easy because I'd seen the Samsung 305U mini-laptop being sold off for around £300. It has now been discontinued, but you could try to pick one up by searching for Samsung 305U or even NP305U1A-A01UK.
Netbooks are limited by their screen resolution (1024 x 600 pixels), which is below the specification needed for Microsoft Windows 8. Other drawbacks include having only 1GB of memory, and running Windows 7 Starter. The Samsung 305U is about the same size as a netbook, having an 11.6in screen and weighing 1.21kg. However, it has better graphics, better screen resolution (1366 x 768 pixels), much more memory (4GB), and a much better operating system (64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium).
The drawback with the Samsung 305U and similar cheap mini-laptops is that they usually have an AMD Fusion E-450 processor. This is much slower than a low-end laptop chip such as the Intel Pentium B830, though still a bit faster than the sort of Intel Atom you would get in a netbook. Still, the E-450 can certainly run Microsoft Word.
The Lenovo IdeaPad S205 is an excellent alternative to the Samsung 305U and has an almost identical specification for £309 from Laptops Direct.
In some mini-laptops, such as the Lenovo IdeaPad S206, the E-450 has been replaced by AMD's E2-1800. This looks like the same chip with the clock speed bumped up from 1.65GHz to 1.70GHz, which makes no practical difference.
The next step up would be something like an Asus X401A, which is also available for around £300. This gets you a much faster processor such as the Intel Pentium B980 (avoid the Pentium B830 version, which is much slower), and the choice of Windows 7 or Windows 8. However, the X401A has a 14in screen and weighs 1.85kg, so it's bigger, heavier and much less portable than mini-laptops like the Samsung 305U and IdeaPad S205.
Note: After shopping around, Sarah bought her son an 11.6in HP Pavilion dm1-4341sa mini-laptop with an E2-1800 processor and Windows 7 for £279. HP's current price is £329 with Windows 8 installed.
Presenting top-of-the-line technology, this ASUS N76VZ-DS71 Laptop Computer will make an outstanding desktop computer alternative. This ASUS N76VZ-DS71 Laptop Computer gives you extremely powerful 3rd Generation Intel Core i7-3610QM 2.3GHz processor chip and also 8GB DDR3 ram memory that allows you to achieve any kind of system job you need to accomplish – through business office spreadsheets to hardcore game playing. This unique laptop computer of course provides a amazingly crystal clear 17.3″ Full HD Screen which dishes away well-defined graphics having a 1920 by 1080 Full High definition image resolution. All your entertainment, game playing and all sorts of other graphics will be improved together with the NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M. In addition, a 1TB hard disk drive gives you a lot of space to your data files. Other incredible add-on will be the Blu-Ray Burner that allows use of Blu-Ray discs, getting your own entertainment satisfaction upward a level. You can even deliver business e-mails, chat through social networks, stream High-definition videos and more by using this device’s 802.11b/g/n Wi-fi Networking. This ASUS N76VZ-DS71 Laptop Computer comes with full functionalities you’ll want to go ahead and take up coming step inside your digital life style. Processor:
First up is the XPS 12 convertible. This, when docked, looks like a fairly traditional laptop/ultrabook for the most part. But the flip hinge allows you to release the touchscreen display and use the device like a full-fledged tablet. The display is a full HD (1920 x 1080 pixel) one.
Dell says, “The touchscreen display is designed to take advantage of the Windows 8 operating system advances for touch interaction”. The XPS 12 convertible’s chassis is a mixture of machined aluminum and carbon fibre, while the display has the Gorilla Glass add-on. Users will have the choice of a Core i5 and a Core i7 processor, 4GB or 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB SSD. The price of the XPS 12 convertible starts at Rs. 90,490.
The Dell Latitude 6340u ultrabook is a refresh of the existing Latitude ultrabook. The new design is 33 percent slimmer and 16 percent lighter than Dell’s current 14-inch Latitudenotebook. Users have the option of selecting the 14-inch display with any one of the two resolution types – 1366 x 768 pixels and 1600 x 900 pixels. This ultrabook will come with Windows 8 preloaded. Dell says that this ultrabook will be available from the middle of November, with prices starting at Rs. 69,990.
The Latitude 10 tablet is also aimed at businesses with what Dell calls “easy management and security and a swappable battery for go-anywhere productivity”. The tablet can easily be integrated with most existing remote management systems that organizations use. The 10.1-inch display has a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution and gets the Gorilla Glass treatment as well. Dell Data Protection will allow users to encrypt the data on the hard drive as well as block access via any external devices. The Latitude 10 tablet will be available starting end of November with price tag fixed at Rs. 42,490.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. P. Krishnakumar, Executive Director, Marketing, Dell Indiasaid, “The combination of new Dell hardware and Windows OS will allow customers to create and consume content in new and exciting ways which makes technology more accessible and intuitive.” He further added, “The new products launched today are all about maximizing the balance between end user preferences, productivity and IT control, backed by robust customer service, aimed at helping users and IT departments navigate the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) landscape.”
Quite frankly, the XPS 12 convertible is one device that really excites us. It may be aimed at the business user, but for the kind of functionality it offers, we would not be surprised if it appeals to a wider demographic of users. And we have seen the amazing build quality of the XPS 13 and the XPS 14 ultrabooks already, and with similar materials used on this as well, happiness beckons! Windows 8 should be a lot more fun to use with the touchscreen capabilities.
Hewlett-Packard is introducing a dozen new computers and accessories today that represent the core of its lineup for Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system coming on Oct. 26.
This new pack of computers isn’t even HP’s whole lineup. It also announced a bunch of all-in-one desktops on Aug. 10 and more laptops on Aug. 30. One of the interesting deals is that HP will offer up to 200MB of free wireless data service per month on T-Mobile’s 4G mobile broadband network with the purchase of an HP Pavilion dm1 notebook computer. Customers will also receive 25GB of free cloud storage from Box.The computers have the latest generation of Intel Core microprocessors, and some models feature Advanced Micro Devices new A-series processors as well. The top of the line is the HP Envy m4 laptop ($899) in a thin-and-light package. It includes HP ProtectSmart to guard against data loss if the notebook is dropped and HP CoolSense, which adjusts performance based on heat conditions. It has a brushed-aluminum design and an optional backlit keyboard, a 14-inch diagonal high-definition display, and third-generation Intel Core processors. It has an HD webcam and Intel WiDi, a display technology that allows you to project your screen’s image to an HD TV. It has Beats Audio.
HP is also launching its latest gaming desktop (pictured right). The HP Envy Phoenix h9 desktop ($899) has an “armor-plated design” and attention-grabbing lighting. It can support up to three internal hard disks and its cables are set up in a way to promote airflow and cooling. Swapping out components is easy. The machine has Intel’s fastest third-generation Core processors and a choice of Nvidia or AMD discrete graphics chips. It has an ExpressCache solid state drive for fast boot-ups and application start times. HP hopes to sell it with its HP x2401 (249) 24-inch diagonal LED backlit monitor, which is only 11 millimeters thick.
The laptops include the HP Pavilion Sleekbook 14 ($449, pictured left) and Pavilion Sleekbook 15 ($559) models for consumers. They come in “sparkling black” and “ruby red,” with 14-inch and 15.6-inch screens. They have up to a terabyte of hard disk storage and the usual array of ports for fast connectivity. The 15.6-inch model also has a numeric keypad. The laptops have their high-definition webcams and the HP MyRoom app for video calls. Dolby Advanced Audio is standard and Nvidia discrete graphics chips are optional. It has Beats audio.
For the boring business desktop look, there’s the HP Compaq Pro 6305 Desktop PC ($539) for businesses and governments. It comes with a variety of AMD processors. HP also has three new business laptops — the HP ProBook 4445s, 4446s, and the 4545s notebooks PCs ($449 and up) — with AMD processors and graphics. HP is also selling several new wireless mice and keyboards. The HP Touch to Pair Mouse has near-field communications and will sell starting in November for 39. The X4500 mouse sells for $29 and the X5500 sells for $39, starting in September. The HP Wireless Mouse X6000 sells for $59 starting in
The good:The Dell Inspiron 17R is a big, desk-filling laptop for not much money, built into a similar chassis as Dell's recently reviewed, and more expensive, 17R SE model.
The bad:Low screen resolution for a 17-inch laptop, no discrete graphics, no clickpad.
The bottom line:If you need maximum screen size at a minimum price, this basic 17-inch Dell Inspiron 17R is powerful enough for everyday tasks, but the lower screen resolution is a constant reminder of its budget origins.
Desktop replacement laptops, with big 17-inch or larger screens, are less common than they used to be. Even Apple has sunsetted its only 17-inch model. Of the handful that are left, most are high-end systems aimed at gamers or multimedia producers, making a budget 17-inch laptop the rarest of all.
Dell's Inspiron line is one of the few to offer a product for those seeking maximum screen for minimum investment. The Inspiron 17R starts at $599, although our $699 review configuration seems like a better overall deal. For an extra $100, you trade up from a second-gen Intel Core i3 CPU to a third-gen Core i5, plus get a larger hard drive.
Of course, on a big-screen laptop such as this, it's harder to hide the cost-cutting. A 13-inch laptop with the same CPU could get away with a mostly plastic body and lower screen resolution, but in a desktop replacement, one's expectations of power, performance, and features are simply higher. For example, the very similar-looking Dell Inspiron 17R SE (for Special Edition) offers options including high-end CPUs, discrete graphics, 1080p displays, and backlit keyboards, but starts at $999.
For the handful of shoppers who want a leave-it-at-home, nongaming laptop and don't mind the suboptimal 1,600x900-pixel resolution on this 17.3-inch screen, I suppose there's a case to be made for the Inspiron 17R, but I'd be hard-pressed to think of the last time a reader asked me about something along those lines.
At first glance, this system is nearly identical to the recently reviewed Dell Inspiron 17R SE. That more expensive Special Edition version has the same general outline, but is covered with a black cross-hatched pattern, while the regular non-SE 17R has a smart-looking brushed-metal finish (although it's actually made of plastic) on its lid and keyboard tray. Like many Inspiron laptops, the top layer of the lid pops off and can be replaced by aftermarket alternatives in different colors. The available options I saw were pink or blue, each for $29.
This laptop is not really bigger and thicker than midprice desktop replacement laptops from a couple of years ago. What has changed, however, is what the rest of the laptop market looks like, as well as consumers' expectations for laptops across all sizes and price ranges. Today's laptop shopper is inundated with messages about ultrabooks and other slim laptops, with superthin designs moving from 13-inch models into 14- and 15-inch or larger territory.
As on the Inspiron 17R SE, this keyboard is Dell's standard variation on the flat-topped, widely spaced, island-style keyboard found in most current laptops. In the Dell version, the keys have more rounded corners than most, and the top row of function keys is half-height. The current Dell XPS laptops have essentially the same keyboard, but with a slightly more stylized font on the letter keys. The keys feel tight and responsive, but there's still a good deal of flex in the middle.
Dell Inspiron 17R
Average for category [desktop replacement]
Video
VGA plus HDMI
VGA plus HDMI or DisplayPort
Audio
Stereo speakers with subwoofer, headphone/microphone jacks
Stereo speakers with subwoofer, headphone/microphone jacks.
Data
4 USB 3.0, SD card reader
2 USB 3.0, 2 USB 2.0, SD card reader, eSATA
Networking
Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Optical drive
DVD burner
DVD burner or Blu-ray player
The ports and connections on the Inspiron 17R and 17R SE are identical. When some of these features regularly get cut for either space or budget (or both), it's nice to see a full set of four USB ports here, and even better, they're all USB 3.0 ports.
This $699 configuration is the smartest choice out of the three preconfigured versions available on Dell's Web site, with a current-gen (Ivy Bridge) Intel Core i5 CPU, 6GB of RAM, and a 750GB hard drive. Cut $100 to $599, and you get a previous-generation (Sandy Bridge) Intel Core i3 CPU and smaller 500GB HDD. Go the other way, up to $849, and the specs are a current-gen quad-core Core i7 8GB of RAM, and a big 1TB hard drive. For $250 more than that high-end config, the 17R SE we reviewed added an Nvidia GeForce GT 650M graphics card, an additional 32GB SSD, better speakers, and a full 1080p screen.
Much of Dell's 2012 Inspiron line looks sharp and modern, but this is one of the exceptions. It's a thick, bulky throwback, at least designwise. But, if you can overlook the lower screen resolution, it's a stay-at-home laptop with decent performance at a budget-friendly price.
Looking over the different configurations of the Y480 available from Lenovo, from $999-$1,200, all are stuck with the same display. If that doesn’t bother you, this is the least expensive Ivy Bridge quad-core laptop to date, and has Lenovo’s excellent build quality and keyboard, but that resolution will be a deal-killer for many.
Price as reviewed / starting price
$1,079 / $999
Processor
2.3GHz Intel Core i7-3610QM
Memory
8GB, 1,600MHz DDR3
Hard drive
750GB 5,400rpm
Chipset
Intel HM77
Graphics
Nvidia GeForce GT 640M / Intel HD4000
Operating system
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Dimensions (WD)
13.6×9.4 inches
Height
1.3 inches
Screen size (diagonal)
14 inches
System weight / Weight with AC adapter
4.5 pounds / 5.6 pounds
Category
Midsize
The 14-inch display has a native resolution of 1,366×768 pixels, which is standard for 13-inch and smaller laptops, and fine on less-expensive 14- and 15-inch ones. But, this is a high-end system, selling for over $1,000, and with the latest Intel processor and Nvidia graphics. A 1,600×900-pixel display would be much more appropriate.
No one who wants to play games with the GeForce 640M GPU will want to keep the resolution that low, and the screen can’t play 1080p full-HD video at its native resolution. The display makes the Y480 look and feel like a much less expensive laptop. The JBL-branded speakers were above average, however, and a good choice for a smaller system.
Fully customisable, the 11.6-inch ThinkPad X131e offers wannabe owners a selection of processing options with the top of the line model landing with an Intel Core i3 CPU and Intel HD graphics. Offering an even balance between work and play, those plumping for the latest ThinkPad will see a low-light webcam feature alongside Dolby Advanced Audio abilities that boost the inbuilt speakers.
“We know from experience that students are our toughest customers – literally – and for that reason we make it a point to go above and beyond our standard ruggedness features in the laptops we introduce for education,” said Dilip Bhatia, VP of Lenovo’s ThinkPad Business Unit.
The perfect backpack companion, the X131e weighs in well under the 2kg mark whilst boasting a battery life of up to 8.5 hours. Its student-proof reinforced hinges, steel hinge brackets and strengthened AC adapter cable means it can withstand more damage than the average laptop.
The ThinkPad X131e can also be bought in custom colours or with a school logo etched into the top cover.
Lenovo ThinkPad X131e Release Date
With a Lenovo ThinkPad X131e UK release date pencilled in for July, eager students will be able to snap up the variable coloured laptop in a matter of weeks with prices ranging between £349 and £499 depented on specs.
