After briefly appearing during February in a limited quantity, HP’s first Windows on ARM PC, the Envy x2, is finally back to pre-order for $999.
It’s the result of a new relationship between Qualcomm and Microsoft to provide Windows 10 devices relying on Qualcomm’s ARM-based processors. It’s a departure from using the typical x86-based processors manufactured by Intel and AMD, creating a new “always connected” family of products.
HP’s new laptop sports a 12.3-inch touch-enabled IPS screen with a 1,920 x 1,280 resolution. Supporting this screen is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor, not its newer 845 chip, that is typically linked with smartphones and tablets. It includes an integrated Qualcomm Adreno 540 graphics component, you won’t find a discrete graphics chip here.
Outside of the processor aspect, the Envy x2 features 4GB of LPDDR4 memory, 128GB of SSD storage, and a 49.33WHr battery promising up to 22 hours of mixed use (up to 19 hours of video playback). That’s the big selling point with the new always-connected PCs: The promise of crazy-long up-times on a single charge.
The other selling point is the hardware powering the always-connected claim.
As the specifications show, the laptop ships with Wireless AC (2×2) and Bluetooth 5 connectivity. But it also sports an integrated LTE modem, thus no matter where you drag the laptop, it will have a connection to the internet where service is available. It supposedly moves seamlessly from Wi-Fi to 4G LTE and back again without interrupting your Netflix or Facebook trolling addiction.
Port-wise, the laptop’s complement is rather scarce, packing one Micro SD card reader, one USB-C 3.1 Gen1 port, one USB-A 3.1 Gen1 port, and a headphone/microphone combo jack. You will also find a Nano SIM card slot for your 4G LTE connection provided only by Sprint or Verizon Wireless here in the United States.
HP’s new laptop is very Surface-like, measuring just 0.27 inches thick. Likewise, it weighs a mere 1.54 pounds without the backlit keyboard, and 2.67 pounds with the keyboard attached. HP’s Wide Vision 5MP camera faces the user while a 13MP camera resides on the back. The device ships with a stylus that slips into a holder on the right side of the keyboard.
HP’s Snapdragon-powered Envy x2 ships on May 8.
