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HP Inc. has unveiled its latest enterprise-targeted portable, the Elite x2, a tablet that doubles as a notebook for mobile professionals. Protected by a milled aluminum case, the Elite x2 runs on Microsoft Windows 10 and starts at $899, a price that includes a backlit travel keyboard and a stylus.
The machine is equipped with a sixth-generation Intel Core M5 1.1GHz processor (up to 2.7GHz with Intel Turbo Boost) or Intel Core M3 900MHz processor (up to 2.2GHz with Intel Turbo Boost), up to 8GB of LPDDR3 1866 SDRAM, integrated Intel 515 graphics and storage that ranges from 128GB to 256GB M.2 SATA SSD drives, a 180GB or 256GB M.2 SATA SED drive or a 256GB M.2 PCIe SSD drive. The tablet is also available with two optional keyboards.
The machine, which includes a 12-inch HD LED display, is available with the Windows 10 Pro 64 or Windows Home 64 operating system. Announced by HP on Nov. 19, it can be preordered starting Nov. 23 for shipment in January 2016.
Included with each Elite x2 is an HP Active Pen stylus that has a programmable Bluetooth App Launch feature to make it easier to launch Windows applications with the press of a button when using the stylus. Based on industry-standard WACOM technology, the pen has integrated pressure sensors to help control the width of lines when writing or drawing on-screen, according to HP.
The Elite x2 also includes audio system tuning by Bang & Olufson as well as 4G LTE, WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity; a microSD slot; a USB Type C Thunderbolt 3 connector; and a USB Type A connector. The integrated Qualcomm Snapdragon X5 LTE modem supports all major 3G and 4G networks, according to HP.
In addition, it is equipped with a built-in kickstand that has about 150 degrees of adjustability to allow users to use it in a wide variety of positions.
The Elite x2 is built to pass MIL-STD testing to meet the rigors of rough business use, while its display is covered with scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 4 for durability.
The machine can be configured with either of two optional, enterprise-class, full-sized, backlit keyboards—the HP Advanced Keyboard, which has a near-field communication (NFC) sensor in the touchpad and a built-in smart card reader for greater log-in security, or the HP Travel Keyboard, which provides a thinner profile.
The Elite x2 measures 11.8 inches wide, 8.4 inches tall and 0.32 inches thick without a keyboard. Its thickness increases to 0.6 inches with the travel keyboard attached. It weighs 1.85 pounds by itself or 2.72 pounds with the travel keyboard.
Several optional docking station models are available for the Elite x2 for business users, including an HP Elite USB-C Docking Station for use with dual 2K displays, the HP Elite Thunderbolt 65W Dock for use with dual 4K displays and the HP Advanced Wireless Docking Station that connects through WiGig.
The Elite x2 also includes enterprise security and manageability features, such as BIOS-level security with integrated HP Sure Start and HP Touchpoint Manager, to make the machine easier to manage and deploy by business IT departments.
The system is designed to be easier to upgrade and repair, with simpler parts replacement and disassembly procedures, according to HP.
“We designed the HP Elite x2 to be thin, light and powerful in a way that captures the simplicity and elegance users will love while also delivering the durability, serviceability, security and manageability IT departments need to enable true mobile productivity,” Michael Park, vice president and general manager of personal systems mobility at HP, said in a statement.