HP unveiled its Pro x2 612 laptop-tablet hybrid with almost all the features similar to what Surface Pro 3 is offering and this makes us wonder whether HP’s decision of releasing such a hybrid was to compete with Microsoft’s tablet.
HP’s stand is that the absence of smartcard and fingerprint readers in Surface Pro 3 denies it the status of a true laptop replacement. While these may be the only two things lacking in Microsoft’s tablet, other hybrids also don’t incorporate things such as USB 3.0 port and LTE broadband mobility.
Daron Chalk, product line manager for Windows hybrid products at HP, states “We made the decision to build this particular product as a true laptop replacement.”
“The other product has a very different approach.”
Another differentiator between HP’s Pro x2 612 laptop-tablet hybrid and Surface Pro 3 is the keyboard. The former’s keyboard dock is a rather sturdy one with a hard feel while latter’s Type Cover keyboard attachment is softer and flexible, which makes it rather hard to be used on laps.
Internal specification wise the HP Pro x2 612 comes in different processor options starting from Intel Celeron through to Core i5; storage from 64GB to 512GB; 12-inch screen with resolution options of 1,366 x 768 and 1920 x 1080 pixels; option of built-in 4G ration; operating system from Windows 7 through to Windows 8.1; a docking station with ports such as VGA, DisplayPort , Ethernet, SD card slot, and two USB 3.0.
You can also get HP’s latest tablet Pro Tablet 612 without the keyboard and with x2 name.