HP's Elite x2 1012 G2 hybrid laptop surpasses Microsoft Surface Pro 4

Elite X2 Hybrid

Microsoft's Surface Pro 4, since it was released at the end of 2015, there's been no shortage of alternatives. But if a Surface Pro 5 is unlikely to "surface" anytime soon, just as the speculations predicted, HP has just launched a very appealing 2-in-1 that should demand your attention.

The updated Elite x2 1012 G2 surpasses the Surface Pro 4 in different areas. At just 0.36 inches thick, it's skinnier than Microsoft's convertible, and it packs the Intel Kaby Lake processors that weren't available when the Surface Pro 4 was released by Microsoft. 

HP has also addressed one of the original Elite x2 1012's pitfalls- increasing the resolution and size of its touchscreen display from 1,920x1,080 to 2,736x1,824 and 11.6 inches to 12.3 inches, which matches the Surface Pro.

 

Elite x2

While the Surface Pro 4 comes with a choice of sixth-generation Core CPUs, the x2 1012 G2 can be equipped with either the Core i3-7100U, Core i5-7200U or i5-7300U, or Core i7-7600U. But none of these use Intel's Iris integrated graphics, which the Surface Pro's i7 chips include. Like Microsoft's 2-in-1 tablet, the x2 1012 G2 can support up to 16GB of RAM and a terabyte of solid-state storage.

 

Easy to disassemble

HP's hybrid has further advantages over the latest Surface Pro. It's built to MIL-SPEC rugged standards, and also includes the HP Collaboration Keyboard and a Wacom digital pen. HP makes it easier to open up the device for repairs/upgrades than the notoriously clamped-down Surface Pro hardware.

One area where the Surface Pro 4 still has an advantage is in the base price. You can pick up the cheapest Surface tablet for $799, while the base Elite x2 starts $300 higher. You don't get a keyboard or pen with the base Surface Pro 4, however, and you're stuck with an Intel Core m3 processor instead of a more powerful Core i3. But you'll still have to wait a little bit even for the new Elite x2 1012 G2, as HP says it will be released in July.

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HP Unveils New ZBook Mobile Workstations With Updated CPUs And Graphics

Zbook1

HP undraped updated models of its ZBook Mobile Workstations, taking them up to 7th generation Intel Core CPUs and refreshing their GPUs. This component and design refresh also permits HP to offer its first "VR-ready" mobile workstation.

Along with the hardware updates, HP has worked to extend the protection and manageability of its mobile workstation line. They support multi-factor authentication, integration with Microsoft SCCM, and currently feature HP SureStart Gen3, which HP said is the world's solely self-healing BIOS. SureStart Gen3 keeps a duplicate of the BIOS firmly encrypted on the motherboard and actively detects runtime intrusion, after which it'll restore the BIOS to its custom state. HP provides a Management Integration Kit plugin for Microsoft SCCM to facilitate remote management with its mobile workstations.

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HP's analysis has indicated that there's an increasing focus among decision makers on show quality and resolution even in mobile devices. Its response to this trend has been to try for higher-quality displays in the entry- and middle levels of its mobile workstations, and to own its HP Dreamcolor displays obtainable for all of the high-end models.

All of the models also feature HP fast Charge Technology that purports to charge the battery from 0-50% in just 30 minutes.

In addition to the ZBook 15u G4 introduced in Jan, HP is introducing the new ZBook Studio G4, the ZBook 17 G4, the ZBook 15 G4, and the ZBook 14u G4.

Zbook 15g4 & 14u g4

The Zbook 14u and its brother the 15u are workstation-class machines offering the reliability and capability of a workstation with the mobility of an Ultrabook. both support 7th-generation Intel Core CPUs in the ultimo range (the i5-7200u and 7300u, and the i7-7500u and i7-7600u) and either integrated Intel HD 620 graphics or distinct AMD FirePro W4190M graphics. two memory slots support up to 32GB of DDR4-2133 non-ECC SDRAM SODIMMs, and the single 2.5” storage bay will support an HDD, SSD, or M.2 SSD in both SATA and Turbo Drive G2 PCIe NVMe flavors.

Zbook 17 g4

In between is the ZBook Studio G4. It's a 15.6” compact, light-weight mobile workstation that's meant to balance mobility with power. though only a half-pound heavier than the 15u, it supports quad-core mobile Intel processors similarly as mobile Xeons--specifically, the i5-7300HQ and i5-7440HQ, the i7-7700HQ and i7-7820HQ, and the E3-1535M v6 and E3-1505M v6.

zbook

When coupled with a mobile Xeon, this model also supports the use of ECC memory, and also support the use of 2,400MHz memory. you'll be able to select either Intel HD 630 graphics or a Nvidia Quadro M1200M with 4GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory on this model, and its accessorial enlargement choices embrace 2 USB Type-C ports that are absolutely capable Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Display-wise the Zbook Studio can even take up to a 4k UHD Dreamcolor display. to keep its compactness, the Studio only has an M.2 slot and not a full 2.5” drive bay. The ZBook Studio is designed to provide a balance between the lightness and compactness of the Ultrabook models and the performance of the ZBook 15 and 17. HP said the ZBook Studio model is popular with those who need to work while truly mobile.

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