HP Chromebook x2 11 review: A premium 2-in-1 at a reasonable price

Price When Reviewed

$599

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I’m not the most important fan of folio-style laptops. The extra attachments are cumbersome and the keyboards are notoriously small and cramped. However, the HP Chromebook x2 11 da0023dx took me without warning and I imply that in one of the best ways attainable. With its strong efficiency, very good show, and delightful brushed aluminum end, this mid-range Chromebook has lots to supply. Not solely is the keyboard pleasantly clicky and appropriate for lengthy typing classes, however the kickstand additionally retains the pill good and secure. The worth isn’t half unhealthy, both. I did have just a few minor nitpicks, although.

The trackpad, although over-sized, is just too delicate at occasions. There’s not quite a lot of separation between the trackpad and palmrests, so it’s simple to fireplace off just a few misclicks. The port choice is a bit restricted, too. There’s solely two USB Type-C, which is form of meh. It’s not a significant deal, actually, because it’s nothing an adapter can’t repair. That stated, should you can dwell with these drawbacks and also you’re out there for an inexpensive and moveable 2-in-1 Chromebook, look no additional than the x2 11. Read on to be taught extra.

This evaluation is a part of our ongoing roundup of the best laptops. Go there for info on competing merchandise and the way we examined them.

HP Chromebook x2 11 Specs

The HP Chromebook x2 11 comes geared up with a Snapdragon 7c CPU, Adreno 618 graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. The 11-inch show has a 1440p decision, a 3:2 side ratio, and is touch-enabled. For ports, it’s simply two USB Type-C. This mannequin retails for $599 however is at present on sale for $399 at Best Buy, which is an actual steal. It’s a superb worth for a Chromebook with 8GB of RAM (most Chromebooks include solely 4GB) and a 2K touchscreen.

• CPU: Snapdragon 7c
• GPU: Adreno 618
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
• Battery: 32 Wh
• Display: 11-inch 1440p touchscreen
• Weight: 2.57 lbs
• Ports: 2x USB Type-C
• Operating System: ChromeOS

Design and construct high quality

When it involves Chromebooks, low cost and plastic designs could spring to thoughts. After all, they’re meant to be cheap machines. But that’s merely not the case with the HP Chromebook x2 11. The pill itself feels nice in hand. The aluminum chassis is rugged and the show is protected by Gorilla Glass. You can inform it’s a well-made product, that’s for certain. With the pill itself, I’ve bought no complaints. As for the removable keyboard, I had one minor nitpick.

The keyboard has some bend to it, which I didn’t love. I favor keyboards with little to no flex. That stated, it’s completely usable for the on a regular basis particular person. After taking a while to get accustomed to it (I’m used to typing on a mechanical keyboard), I discovered it appropriate for lengthy typing classes. The keys are on the smaller facet, however I didn’t thoughts, as I’ve smaller arms. The keyboard itself additionally attaches to the pill portion of the Chromebook by way of magnets and that connection felt each robust and safe.

As for aesthetics, the HP Chromebook x2 11 seems like a premium product. The silver end is refined, subtle, and doesn’t draw a lot consideration to itself. Personally, that’s the sort of aesthetic I’m going for in laptops. It’s clear. The removable keyboard and kickstand are a pleasant deep blue coloration. When it’s all closed up, the 2-in-1 resembles an e-reader tucked away within a swanky cowl.

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

Keyboard, trackpad, and kickstand

I’m accustomed to typing on a full-sized mechanical keyboard, so the HP Chromebook x2 11’s removable keyboard took some getting used to. That stated, it’s appropriate for lengthy typing classes. Once I grew to become extra accustomed to the keyboard, I used to be in a position to comfortably write this evaluation. The removable keyboard is marketed as full-sized, however the keys are a lot smaller than you’d anticipate. Some of us could discover the keyboard to be too cramped uncomfortable, however it was high quality for me, as I’ve smaller arms.

The over-sized trackpad is good and easy. However, I had one main caveat. It’s tough to make use of the trackpad if the laptop computer itself isn’t on a flat floor. When I used to be typing to a good friend on Discord whereas lounging in mattress, I unintentionally triggered the trackpad a few occasions. It’s very delicate to stress, so should you’re a heavy-handed typist, it’s possible you’ll want to concentrate on how a lot weight you’re placing on or close to the trackpad. It’s a bit of annoying, certain, however not essentially a deal-breaker. It simply limits the place you possibly can comfortably use the trackpad, because it’s simple to fireplace off just a few false clicks.

The rear plate, which transforms right into a kickstand, is the ultimate attachment. It sticks to the again of the pill by way of magnets. When I positioned the oblong plate onto the pill, it related cleanly. I used to be truly impressed with how robust the connection was, because it took some effort to take away it. The kickstand can be loads inflexible and efficiently retains the pill upright and secure. I ought to word that the kickstand’s hinge is exceptionally robust and tight. Again, it took some effort on my finish to pop open and that’s a superb factor.

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

Pen

The wi-fi USI pen is a cool little gadget. It comes within the field, which is good as a result of there’s no extra price. It’s a magnetic pen that self prices once you stick it to the best facet of the pill. The pen is each responsive and fluid, which is nice for word taking or doodling. There are two interchangeable pen suggestions as properly, one being a lot narrower than the opposite. I’ve no qualms with it.

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

Display

The 11-inch IPS 1440p show is simply plain beautiful. The 3:2 side ratio makes it simple to get productiveness work finished and the 400 nits of brightness is wild, particularly for a Chromebook. In different phrases, it’s shiny sufficient to be seen in an out of doors surroundings. I’m at present re-watching the primary season of Sailor Moon by way of Amazon Prime Video and though it’s an older present from the 90s, the colours actually do pop. Reading comics in pill mode is an actual pleasure, too. As for the touchscreen, it’s fairly responsive. Scrolling, swiping, and tapping are each simple and fluid.

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

Ports

The port choice isn’t all that spectacular, sadly. This is probably going because of the pill’s slim profile. There isn’t a lot room to incorporate USB-A ports, HDMI out, and so forth. The solely ports you’ll discover are on the left facet of the pill. It’s simply two USB 3.0 Type C ports. Again, not quite a lot of ports. However, this isn’t surprising, as it is a light-weight gadget that’s meant to be moveable. If you want extra ports, you possibly can all the time decide up an adapter. We’ve bought suggestions for the best USB-C hubs and dongles should you want them.

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

Portability

The HP Chromebook x2 is designed with portability in thoughts, making it an amazing choice for individuals who journey typically. The pill and equipment weigh about two and a half kilos. But once you take away the removable keyboard and kickstand, the pill itself weighs a bit of over a pound. That’s gentle sufficient to carry with one hand, which makes marking up paperwork or studying the information a heck of lots simpler. I discovered myself continuously ditching the equipment to make use of the pill by itself. I favored having the ability to hunker down in mattress and use the pill for studying.

Performance

The HP Chromebook x2 11 delivers good efficiency. The Snapdragon 7c is best than the MediaTek processors you’ll discover in lots of low price Chromebooks, however it could’t compete in opposition to one thing like an Intel i3 (clearly). That stated, it’s quick sufficient for normal use like browsing the online, writing papers, and so forth. I used to be in a position to open up numerous purposes and even play just a few light-weight video games like Final Fantasy V and Fallout Shelter with no issues. Even once I was scrolling by way of a busy article on Buzzfeed (gifs and pictures galore), there was no noticeable lag. This Chromebook can be packing 8GB of RAM (most include 4GB), which helps with processing pace and internet browser efficiency.

Here are just a few benchmark outcomes:

• CrXPRT 2 efficiency rating: 51, 52
• Speedometer 2.0: 44.8, 44.4
• Basemark Web 3.0: 254.66, 321.82
• Kraken Javascript 1.1: 1996.2ms, 2018.8ms
• Jetstream: 54.79, 62.44

Battery life

The actual star of the present is the 32Wh battery. I used CrXPRT 2’s battery check, which loops video, music, and productiveness duties till the laptop computer dies. When I ran the check in a single day, the 2-in-1 breathed its final breath on the 11 hour mark. That’s greater than a full workday. That determine additionally strains up with what HP claims, too. In phrases of actual world use, I squeezed about ten hours out of it on a single cost. That’s higher than the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5, which lasted a bit of over eight hours.

Conclusion

So, must you get the HP Chromebook x2 11? Yes, particularly should you’re on the lookout for a premium 2-in-1 at an inexpensive worth level. The 2-in-1 issue makes it actually versatile and handy, as you need to use it like a conventional laptop computer or ditch the equipment and bam, you’ve bought a handheld gadget. Performance isn’t too shabby, both. It’s loads quick for day-to-day duties like looking the online, writing papers, and so forth. Plus, because of the low-power processor, you possibly can anticipate the battery to final all day.