HP SLATEBOOK X2 REVIEW

HP Tablet Slatebook X2: so powerful and so poorly designed Reinforced with a high-powered Tegra 4 and a removable keyboard, This HP tablet is a terrible disappointment.

Nvidia Tegra 4 with latest generation processor, one inch high definition screen 10 (1920 x 1200 pixels) and a removable keyboard with a battery, this hybrid tablet Slatebook X2 looks very attractive. But from our first tests, we were struck by the number of defects in this slate.

HP SLATEBOOK X2 REVIEW

With Slatebook X2, HP is trying to restore a shield already lackluster in the field of tablets. But it is a total failure, since this tablet is also poorly designed in material and software. Too bad, because at first glance, this little machine 10 inch format displays beautiful finishes, aesthetically pleasing and good quality materials. In addition, the attachment system between the tablet and the keyboard is shown solid and easy to implement. Only downside: the 10-inch slate weighs 1.25 kg with its keyboard. It is much heavier than a Macbook Air 11-inch (1 kg)! It is also 100 grams more than the Transformer Pad Infinity (TF700T) from Asus ...

At a time when all mobile devices are equipped with a Micro-USB port for charging, Slatebook X2 made ​​the choice to go back! So we end up a few years back, with a proprietary power cable. Handle with care, since this connection inspires a feeling of chilling fragility. 

HP does not even provide a proprietary cable with a original USB standard extremity. It is therefore impossible to transfer a file directly from a computer to the tablet. Unheard of! We must therefore go through a USB key (the keyboard has a standard USB port) or a memory card.

The tablet has a reader Micro-SD card and a second keyboard player with SD classic format. The problem, is that it is impossible to combine the two cards: the tablet will only recognize one when connected to the keyboard! Another disappointment, the picture quality is video taken by the tablet is ... catastrophic.

Nth absurdity, this tablet has a power saving option to manually activate. It consists bridle, or rather stifle, his Tegra processor 4, by decreasing its operating frequency 800 MHz from 1800. Some 3D video games will also be flanged at 30 frames per second. The processor is then less powerful than classic quad Cortex A9, tablet from approximately 28,000 points 18,000 points in Antutu test once bridled processor.

This drastic backtack - whose activation is Manual - is becoming totally useless, because the tablet offers in all cases poor autonomy: 6 h 41 min Video playback time (5 h 29 min without backtack) and 5 h 32 min web browsing (5 h 24 min without backtack). The keyboard can extend the battery life of the tablet about 40%, by poetant around 10 hours (with backtack measurements made of the processor).

At full power, the Tegra 4 processor is actually very fast. Her four Cortex A15 even oversized for current applications available on Android. The on-chip graphics processor (nVidia Wayne) also fared well in all games (2 Riptide is beautiful, GTA Vice City is doing well) but we note that it is at the limit of its capabilities in 3D on the very high resolution of the screen of the tablet (1920 x 1200 pixels). A screen that also provides brightness and contrast ratio means very (325 cd / m², 855:1). This is not even equipped with a light sensor, requiring the utilizing to manually adjust his retro lighting. Moreover, playing, you realize that the casing of the slate very hot when its processor is not bridled.

On the software side, HP opts for Android despoiled of any changes. If most "geeks" prefer this version, it is clear that the appearance of the interface is austere, and that its interface is much lower than that provided by overlays such as HTC, Samsung or LG. In short, not really to charm the average user, especially the entertainment menu and scrolling certain web page is not as smooth as an iPad, Despite the all-powerful Tegra 4 processor (especially when bridled).

Concocted by the HP Slatebook X2 for use in tablet software suite is a file explorer, a video player and audio player. The three applications are far too basic, and offer absolutely nothing more than similar applications already available in Android. It is light years away from the quality of the video players and other software provided by LG, Samsung and HTC on Android.

In short, the HP Slatebook X2  is one of the most poorly designed tablet in the market. A really frustrating observation, knowing that its processor gives it a power never seen this type of mobile machine. Difficult to advise the purchase of such a product, whose price is however not so high ($ 489.99 with 32 GB of internal storage, actually 26.46 GB available).