W.A.Khan, HP Envy x2 The Envy x2 impressed us. Its outstanding industrial design really shows the potential of a tablet/laptop hybrid. The HP Envy x2 has a clean, comfortable design and feels lightweight in tablet form. It has excellent battery life, and works just as well as a laptop as it does as a tablet. Performance: Unfortunately, as soon as we start talking performance we’re confronted by the fact that Clover Trail is still Atom, and Atom is still not in any way, shape or form a performance chip – and that 2GB RAM maximum doesn’t help here either.Don’t get us wrong, for navigating through Windows and average daily use such as browsing the web and running apps or light programs, the Z2760 in the HP Envy x2 runs smooth as butter. Performance is consistently superior to that in the netbooks of yore, especially when it comes to HD video playback and light multi-tasking, and most non 3D-gaming apps you’ll find in the Windows store should run without a hitch.
However, proper multi-tasking; running intensive HD video simultaneously with another program; or using demanding programs like an image editor can still quite easily bring this kind of machine to its knees. In other words, as a tablet the x2 performs admirably, but as a laptop replacement you have to be prepared to put up with its limitations.
3D gaming in anything but the most casual titles, meanwhile, is also a big no-no. Even at minimum settings our test games simply refused to run or crashed after getting through the menus. Mind you, this is not surprising given that Intel’s integrated GMA 3600 chip paired with the Atom Z2760 is derived from an old PowerVR design the benefits of which Windows drivers don’t fully bring out. Hopefully updated drivers will eek out more performance. Battery life: Battery life is impressive, living up to HP’s claim of seven hours when we streamed video from BBC iPlayer. And, of course, there’s a second battery in the keyboard, which provides an additional seven hours of battery life. No ultrabook that weighs a similar amount can claim to last this long. But, The laptop mode is top-heavy, and the awkward tablet detachment mechanism isn’t perfect; it has limited ports; and a slower Atom processor means in performance it's far behind most ultrabooks, even though it’s priced like one. The bottom line: The HP Envy x2’s capacity to be a full Windows 8 tablet or dock with a keyboard works as well as advertised, provided you’re willing to live with slower performance at a high price. You’re paying for style.
Windows 8 (32-bit); 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760; 2GB DDR2 SDRAM 1,066MHz; 747MB (Total) Intel GMA; 64GB SSD Processor 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760
Memory 2GB, 1,066MHz DDR2
Hard drive 64GB SSD
Graphics Intel GMA
Operating system Windows 8
Dimensions (WD) 11.9x8.1 inches
Height 0.6-0.7 inch
Screen size (diagonal) 11.6 inches
System weight / Weight with AC adapter 3.1 pounds / 3.6 pounds (tablet + keyboard)
Category Ultraportable hybrid Price; $849 VS Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx The IdeaTab Lynx is well-balanced when plugged into its keyboard base, and offers good battery life, and a bigger-screen alternative to Lenovo's other Atom tablet. Performance and Battery Life: The Lynx feels smooth and responsive when using its touch screen controls, but the main disadvantage of the Atom processor is that it supports a maximum of 2GB of memory.The Lynx might struggle with more demanding tasks, due to the processor and RAM, so it isn’t quite a replacement for a conventional laptop for serious work. Don’t expect to edit and render HD video in record time, for example.It’s a little light on storage too – almost 27GB of the 64GB solid-state storage is taken up by Windows itself, which only leaves you about 37GB for your own files. Fortunately, there’s a micro-SD slot that will allow you to add another 32GB storage if you need to.
The Atom processor also relies on the old Intel GMA integrated graphics, which means that your gaming activity will probably be restricted to casual games such as Angry Birds.The tablet gives you up to 8 hours battery life but you can double it to 16 hours when you connect it with the optional keyboard dock.
But, The keyboard has too much flex, and the docking hinge sticks. For only a little more, better products are available.
The bottom line: The IdeaTab Lynx is a perfectly functional Windows 8 hybrid but lacks the lower price of some competitors, or better design and features of others.
System configurations Windows 8 (32-bit); 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760; 2GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz; 737MB (Total) Intel GMA; 64GB MMC SSD Specifications
ProcessorIntel AtomZ2760 / 1.8 GHz ( Dual-Core )
Memory2 GB / 2 GB (max)
Operating SystemMicrosoft Windows 8
Display Type11.6 in IPS
Max Resolution1366 x 768 ( HD )
Graphics ProcessorPowerVR SGX545
Optical DriveNone
Weight22.6 oz Price:$649.00 VS Sony Vaio Duo 11 Sony’s Duo 11 is one of that strange new breed of hybrid Windows 8 devices that can be used as either a tablet or a laptop computer. It's an Intel Core i5 3317U chip clocked at 1.7GHz - the same low power variety found in Ultrabooks. While 1.7GHz may seem low, it can Turbo Boost itself to a whopping 2.7GHz under heavy strain, which means it's no slouch.It’s certainly an attractive looking device, with an excellent high-definition, touchscreen.The Sony Vaio Duo 11 packs an 11.6-inch 1920 x 1080 IPS panel, which looks glorious. Not only is Windows 8's new interface sumptuously represented, but also apps, games and movies too.The Sony Vaio Duo 11 has a fine set of specs for an ultrabook and an excellent full-HD touch screen on which to take advantage of the Windows 8-style interface.Battery life is respectable considering the specifications. We got just over four hours when using Wi-Fi to stream video from iPlayer, so you can probably stretch that to around five hours for lighter web browsing or using simple office software.
But, The Duo's design misses the mark for use as a tablet and a laptop, feeling like too much of a compromise.
The bottom line: While there are certainly things to like about the Sony Vaio Duo 11, the design gets in the way of enjoying them.
Specifications
ProcessorIntel 3rd Gen Core i5 3317U / 1.7 GHz( 3 GHz ) ( Dual-Core )
Memory6 GB/ 8 GB (max)
Hard Drive128 GB
Operating SystemMicrosoft Windows 8
Display Type11.6 inIPS
Max Resolution1920 x 1080( Full HD )
Graphics ProcessorIntel HD Graphics 4000
Optical DriveNone Price;$1,199.99
However, proper multi-tasking; running intensive HD video simultaneously with another program; or using demanding programs like an image editor can still quite easily bring this kind of machine to its knees. In other words, as a tablet the x2 performs admirably, but as a laptop replacement you have to be prepared to put up with its limitations.
3D gaming in anything but the most casual titles, meanwhile, is also a big no-no. Even at minimum settings our test games simply refused to run or crashed after getting through the menus. Mind you, this is not surprising given that Intel’s integrated GMA 3600 chip paired with the Atom Z2760 is derived from an old PowerVR design the benefits of which Windows drivers don’t fully bring out. Hopefully updated drivers will eek out more performance. Battery life: Battery life is impressive, living up to HP’s claim of seven hours when we streamed video from BBC iPlayer. And, of course, there’s a second battery in the keyboard, which provides an additional seven hours of battery life. No ultrabook that weighs a similar amount can claim to last this long. But, The laptop mode is top-heavy, and the awkward tablet detachment mechanism isn’t perfect; it has limited ports; and a slower Atom processor means in performance it's far behind most ultrabooks, even though it’s priced like one. The bottom line: The HP Envy x2’s capacity to be a full Windows 8 tablet or dock with a keyboard works as well as advertised, provided you’re willing to live with slower performance at a high price. You’re paying for style.
Windows 8 (32-bit); 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760; 2GB DDR2 SDRAM 1,066MHz; 747MB (Total) Intel GMA; 64GB SSD Processor 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760
Memory 2GB, 1,066MHz DDR2
Hard drive 64GB SSD
Graphics Intel GMA
Operating system Windows 8
Dimensions (WD) 11.9x8.1 inches
Height 0.6-0.7 inch
Screen size (diagonal) 11.6 inches
System weight / Weight with AC adapter 3.1 pounds / 3.6 pounds (tablet + keyboard)
Category Ultraportable hybrid Price; $849 VS Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx The IdeaTab Lynx is well-balanced when plugged into its keyboard base, and offers good battery life, and a bigger-screen alternative to Lenovo's other Atom tablet. Performance and Battery Life: The Lynx feels smooth and responsive when using its touch screen controls, but the main disadvantage of the Atom processor is that it supports a maximum of 2GB of memory.The Lynx might struggle with more demanding tasks, due to the processor and RAM, so it isn’t quite a replacement for a conventional laptop for serious work. Don’t expect to edit and render HD video in record time, for example.It’s a little light on storage too – almost 27GB of the 64GB solid-state storage is taken up by Windows itself, which only leaves you about 37GB for your own files. Fortunately, there’s a micro-SD slot that will allow you to add another 32GB storage if you need to.
The Atom processor also relies on the old Intel GMA integrated graphics, which means that your gaming activity will probably be restricted to casual games such as Angry Birds.The tablet gives you up to 8 hours battery life but you can double it to 16 hours when you connect it with the optional keyboard dock.
But, The keyboard has too much flex, and the docking hinge sticks. For only a little more, better products are available.
The bottom line: The IdeaTab Lynx is a perfectly functional Windows 8 hybrid but lacks the lower price of some competitors, or better design and features of others.
System configurations Windows 8 (32-bit); 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760; 2GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz; 737MB (Total) Intel GMA; 64GB MMC SSD Specifications
ProcessorIntel AtomZ2760 / 1.8 GHz ( Dual-Core )
Memory2 GB / 2 GB (max)
Operating SystemMicrosoft Windows 8
Display Type11.6 in IPS
Max Resolution1366 x 768 ( HD )
Graphics ProcessorPowerVR SGX545
Optical DriveNone
Weight22.6 oz Price:$649.00 VS Sony Vaio Duo 11 Sony’s Duo 11 is one of that strange new breed of hybrid Windows 8 devices that can be used as either a tablet or a laptop computer. It's an Intel Core i5 3317U chip clocked at 1.7GHz - the same low power variety found in Ultrabooks. While 1.7GHz may seem low, it can Turbo Boost itself to a whopping 2.7GHz under heavy strain, which means it's no slouch.It’s certainly an attractive looking device, with an excellent high-definition, touchscreen.The Sony Vaio Duo 11 packs an 11.6-inch 1920 x 1080 IPS panel, which looks glorious. Not only is Windows 8's new interface sumptuously represented, but also apps, games and movies too.The Sony Vaio Duo 11 has a fine set of specs for an ultrabook and an excellent full-HD touch screen on which to take advantage of the Windows 8-style interface.Battery life is respectable considering the specifications. We got just over four hours when using Wi-Fi to stream video from iPlayer, so you can probably stretch that to around five hours for lighter web browsing or using simple office software.
But, The Duo's design misses the mark for use as a tablet and a laptop, feeling like too much of a compromise.
The bottom line: While there are certainly things to like about the Sony Vaio Duo 11, the design gets in the way of enjoying them.
Specifications
ProcessorIntel 3rd Gen Core i5 3317U / 1.7 GHz( 3 GHz ) ( Dual-Core )
Memory6 GB/ 8 GB (max)
Hard Drive128 GB
Operating SystemMicrosoft Windows 8
Display Type11.6 inIPS
Max Resolution1920 x 1080( Full HD )
Graphics ProcessorIntel HD Graphics 4000
Optical DriveNone Price;$1,199.99
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