HP Chromebook x2 review: A price cut away from great

Enlarge / HP Chromebook x2 11-inch two-in-one.

For tech enthusiasts, Chromebooks can be an acquired taste. Advanced users don’t need a stripped-down operating system, and the low computing power generally disqualifies Chromebooks from being a serious, primary PC. But Chromebooks can often find a welcome spot in an enthusiast's home as a secondary or (after the phone) tertiary device. And when that Chromebook comes in a detachable form factor with a screen that's slightly larger than most competitors, it fits that role well.

The HP Chromebook x2 two-in-one makes a play for this space with an 11-inch display that offers more screen area than rivals like the 10.1-inch Lenovo Chromebook Duet, the 10.5-inch Microsoft Surface Go 3, or even similarly priced iPads. HP's portable, bendable (and did we mention blue?) Chromebook is ripe for travel and less intensive tasks.

Specs at a glance: HP Chromebook x2
	Worst	Best	As reviewed
Screen	11-inch 2160×1440 IPS touchscreen
OS	Chrome OS
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Compute Platform
RAM	4GB LPDDR4x-2133	8GB LPDDR4x-2133
Storage	64GB eMMC	128GB eMMC	64GB eMMC
GPU	Qualcomm Adreno 618 (integrated)
Networking	Qualcomm Atheros 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2x2) Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5
Ports	2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type-C), 1x microSD card reader
Size	9.9×7×0.3 inches (252.5×176.8×7.6 mm)
Weight	With keyboard and kickstand: 1.2 lb; Tablet only: 1 lb
Battery	32 Wh
Warranty	1 year
Price (MSRP)	$570	$680	$600
Other perks	HP Rechargeable USI Pen	4G LTE	HP Rechargeable USI Pen

Despite an MSRP of $600-$680, depending on the configuration, I've seen the HP Chromebook x2 at more appropriate sale prices of $370, $400, or $480. Considering its level of power, its touchpad that demands a hard surface, and a keyboard cover that feels like a temporary solution, you'll want to wait for that discount.

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