HP Spectre X2 (2017) Unboxing, First Impressions: Good Lookin’ Ultraportable

HP Spectre X2 (2017) Unboxing, First Impressions: Good Lookin’ Ultraportable


We take HP’s Spectre X2 out of the box!

As someone who frequently travels for work, I know how much a literal pain in the back carrying notebooks are. You’d think that carrying a two-kilo notebook (plus its accouterments) would be a trivial thing for a big guy like me, but if you walk around with that sort of weight on your back the entire day, walking endless halls covering events, all that stuff starts to weigh you down.

We’re always looking for a replacement notebook for our chunky office issue, and on paper HP’s Spectre X2 looks like a great candidate. Coming in at slightly over a kilo in weight (around 2.49 pounds in freedom units) the Spectre X2 tries to offer a full PC experience in a package that’s smaller than most notebooks today.

HP Spectre X2 (2017)

  • Intel Core i5-7260U 2.2G2hz processor/Intel Core i7-7560U 2.4Ghz processor
  • Intel Iris Plus 640 GPU
  • Up to 16GB of RAM
  • 12.3-inch QHD touch-enabled and stylus supported display, 3000 x 2000 resolution
    Up to 1TB of HDD storage
  • 2x USB Type-C ports, microSD slot
  • 3.5mm jack
  • Windows 10

What’s in the box?

HP’s Spectre X2 comes in a package that’s smaller than most. HP’s stylized logo is on the side, along with the name of the notebook in silver lettering.

There’s a lot of things that come with the Spectre X2. Aside from the slate itself, there’s a keyboard, a spiffy sleeve for the slate, a USB Type-C port adapter for a USB connection, HDMI port plus a Type-C connector, a stylus, miscellaneous adapters and cables for power, a USB Type-C to USB 3.0 adapter plus the power cable.

What is it?

The Spectre X2 is a detachable 2-in-1 slate, able to work alone as a tablet or as a notebook of sorts with the keyboard attached. This is the same idea behind Microsoft’s Surface Pro, but HP’s take is cheaper and includes many accessories as standard that Microsoft considers optional.

The Spectre X2 has a 12.3-inch display set in a 3:2 aspect ratio, similar to the slates of other companies like Apple. The aspect ratio allows you more screen real-estate when you’re working compared to a notebook’s typical 16:9 aspect ratio. You get to see more of whatever document or website you’re using making it great for people who need a thin and light notebook for maximum productivity, which fits the target demographic of this particular slate.

The body of the Spectre X2 reflects that demographic as well, sporting an elegant, understated elegance that easily fits into a corporate environment. The only standout visual flair is the copper-colored kickstand that keeps it upright when you’re using it in notebook mode.

There’s not a lot of USB ports on the Spectre X2, and the two that are on both sides of the slate are all USB Type-C, which explains all the adapters that come with the device.

The keyboard that comes with latches on the bottom via magnets, and requires a good tug before it detaches from the Spectre X2. There’s a loop on the right side of the Spectre X2 for the stylus that comes with it for easy storage.

HP lists the Spectre X2 in two configurations: a more expensive Intel Core i7-7560U and a relatively more benign (and cheaper) Core i5-7260U variant. Our review unit came with a Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. There’s a microSD slot on the side of the notebook to increase storage if you need more.

How much is it?

HP is hoping that the Spectre X2’s lightweight and relatively powerful internals make it the natural choice of mobile workers everywhere. We’ll see for ourselves if it’s really the best choice for road warriors: we’ll be taking it with us as we leave for an overseas trip this weekend and see if it’s worth the Php 79,990 that HP Philippines is asking for it.

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