Have twice the fun!

Gitex Shopper 2017 may be over, but if sales of laptops are any indication (especially in the 2-in-1 segment), it looks like we're heading towards more exciting times.
2-in-1s are getting more powerful, more flexible and more portable, so it's understandable that competition is heating up. And HP's Elite X2 1012 G2 is an excellent addition. The successor to the already sturdy G1, packs in some powerful punches. For starters, it has Intel's latest 7th-generation processors - Kaby Lake, as it is codenamed - so its performance isn't in question; it's fast and can handle multitasking pretty easily. And if it's space you're looking for, the G2 has up to four times the storage of its predecessor.
It has a crisp and bright display, with a touch screen that boasts a 2,736 x 1,824 resolution, and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4.
Of course, we cannot forget that the Elite X2 is detachable, meaning you can do away with the keyboard. The magnet that connects the screen to the keyboard is quite tough, which ensures that you won't get any wobbly feeling even if you carry it around holding the latter (in fact, there were times I had to use extra force to detach it). And if you're not fond of tablets, there's always the good ol' kickstand that allows you to place the device wherever you want so you can sit back and relax. There's also an option to use the HP Active Pen.
At only 8mm 'thick', it's among the thinnest out there, and it's got a well-rounded arsenal of ports, including a USB Type-C with Thunderbolt support, USB 3.0, micro-USB, SIM card slot and 3.5mm audio jack, which makes sure it can handle practically anything - except for a device that requires an HDMI connection, which one might need if they want to connect their device to a TV.
This machine promises over 10 hours of battery life - you can say it's standard issue in this category - plus a quick-charging feature that zips up its juice to the halfway mark in just half-an-hour. It definitely holds up to that level with mixed normal use; but, when I played a string of movies at full brightness, it conked out at a hairline over six hours.
AND SO.
What's not to like about the HP Elite X2 1012 G2? Well, honestly, not much. It could have, however, done better with battery life. The style and form is beautiful, and the trackpad is very responsive. At its price point, it's a fair deal; in its tablet form, it's great especially for those of you who are either always on-the-go or looking for a convenient way to crunch stuff or view things sans keyboard.
alvin@khaleejtimes.com

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