HP Envy X2

VERDICT One of the first Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered laptops showcases both its limitations and its potential.

- Jonathan Bray

THIS IS NOT simply another laptop review. It’s a review of what could represent a huge change in the direction of laptop and 2-in-1 design; a moment that, when we look back in years to come, we’ll be able to say, ‘That’s when everything changed’.

Not that you’d believe it just by looking at the HP Envy x2. Outwardly, it’s just another Windows 10 2-in-1 with a keyboard cover and stylus, just like all the others.

Except this is anything but. Instead of an Intel or AMD processor, the Envy x2 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, the same chip as many of 2017’s flagship smartphones, such as the OnePlus 5, OnePlus 5T and Sony Xperia XZ Premium. In hardware terms, it’s essentially a huge smartphone with an attachable keyboard, right down to its built-in 4G capability. It even has a phone number people can call you on, and throws in a 4G EE SIM with 24GB of data per month for two years.

S MARKS THE SPOT

One further key fact is that, like Microsoft’s Surface Laptop (Shopper 356), this laptop runs Windows 10 S out of the box, so unless you take advantage of the free upgrade to Windows 10 Pro, you’ll be limited to installing apps and games from the Windows Store.

If you were hoping a Snapdragon chip would mean a lower price, you’re out of luck: the cheapest Envy x2, with a 128GB SSD, costs £1,000, and the 256GB version is £1,200. At least you get a lot for your money: the £1,000 model we tested includes the keyboard and a stylus, which matches the total cost of a Core m3 Surface Pro (Shopper 355), its Type Cover and a Surface Pen. It’s also around the same price as the basic 12.9in iPad Pro (Shopper 340) with a Smart Keyboard, but no stylus.