Hewlett-Packard has had a relatively quiet IFA 2014, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have anything new to show. The company has brought a range of laptops and Chromebooks to the show, including two additions to the HP Envy lineup. As convertibles, these new products fall on the lower end of the performance spectrum; which looks to be the overall theme for computer manufacturers at the German electronics convention this year.
Running on Intel’s new Core M processor, the new HP Envy X2 detachable PCs carry on the Envy line for the company. Two versions are being made available, one in a 13.3-inch form factor and one with an impressively large 15.6-inch display. The larger of the two Envys might be a bit bigger than the usual convertible laptop, and might accidentally wander into too-big-to-be-comfortable territory. These HPs also still include Beats Audio, and feature a fabric-covered Bluetooth keyboard dock. Internally, not much is known; although the 15.6-inch version will carry a 500GB hybrid drive and the smaller of the two will be equipped with a 256GB SSD.
In case the Envy X2 is a little too much for users, HP is also introducing the Pavilion x2, a 10-inch Windows tablet powered by an Intel Atom processor. It is a lot smaller and thinner than the Envy X2, although HP is promising 11 hours of battery life from the tablet.
A pair of Chromebooks join the previous three convertibles; an 11-inch model and a larger 14-inch version. Both come with 100GB of Google Drive storage, while the 14-inch HP Chromebook is powered by an NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor. An Intel Celeron processor powers the smaller of the two Chromebooks, which gives it a little boost of power over the previous generation’s Exynos chip. The 11-inch HP Chromebook will be available in three colours: Ocean Turquoise, Snow White or Twinkle Black; while the larger version has a few more options in Smoke Silver, Sorbet Orange, and Neon Green. B
The HP Envy X2 13.3-inch is expected to reach the US at the end of October for a price of US$1,049.99; and the larger 15.6-inch version will be arriving in early November for US$949.99. The Pavilion X2, and both Chromebooks are due out in the US in October. The HP Pavilion X2 will retail for US$329.99; while the 11-inch Chromebook will cost US$279.99 and the 14-inch variant has a starting price of US$299.99.
