HP Spectre x2 (2015) review

Intel's first generation of power-sipping Core M CPUs got a bad rap for being underpowered in rigs like the Lenovo Yoga Pro 3. But this new generation of Skylake chips are a whole new bag. HP worked closely with Intel and Microsoft to squeeze every bit of performance out of the CPU, and it really shows when Lightroom runs as quickly and smoothly on the Spectre x2 as it does on some of the higher-end Ultrabooks I've tested.

Aside from some oddly slow performance that crops up a few minutes after startup, the Spectre x2 is consistently fast. Applications launch quickly and I can multitask like a boss. The power-sipping nature of the Core M architecture also comes in handy for long Netflix binging sessions and other light computing tasks when you're on the go.

Benchmarks

Here's how the HP Spectre x2 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

• 3DMark: Cloud Gate: 4,660; Sky Diver: 2,813; Fire Strike: 669
• Cinebench CPU: 209 points; Graphics: 29 fps,
• GeekBench: 2,903 (single-core); 5,701 (multi-core)
• PCMark 8 (Home Test): 2,396 points
• PCMark 8 Battery Life: 3 hours and 54 minutes

According to HP's claims, the Intel Core m7 chip built into this review sample I'm testing should offer the same level of performance as an Intel Core i5 U processor, and the benchmark results confirm that.

Just looking at the PCMark8 score, we can see HP's hybrid is right on the heels of the Surface Pro 4's 2,406 point score, which was achieved with one of Intel's latest Skylake Core i5 processors. The Spectre x2 is even able to keep in step with the Microsoft's flagship tablet on the graphics end. In the most difficult 3DMark Fire Strike benchmark test, the HP slate scored 669 points, not terribly far from the Surface Pro 4's 856 point performance.

Though the Apple MacBook was released just earlier this year, it's already starting to show its age with a last generation, mid-range Intel Core M CPU. The ultralight Mac was only able to achieve a Geekbench 3 multi-core score of 4,423. Meanwhile, the Spectre x2 surged ahead with 5,701 points and the Surface Pro 4 racked up 6,649 points.

Thick edges

The display on the Spectre x2 offers a gorgeous picture, with vivid colors and distinct shades of contrast. However, it's not the brightest display I've ever seen. I find that the screen doesn't shine brightly enough to combat the sun whenever I try to use it outdoors.

Another major knock against the display is that the Spectre x2 is limited to only a 1,920 x 1,280 resolution. The Full HD display is still sharp, since it's only a 12-inch device, but you can't ignore the fact that the Surface Pro 4 features a resolution of 2,736 x 1,824 and the Dell XPS 12 incorporates a 4K display.

It's even harder to look past the massive bezels around the display. The Surface Pro 4 has spoiled me with its slimmed-down sides, so it's just tough to look at the inch-thick black bars that wrap around the Spectre x2's screen.

HP also is a bit behind on its stylus game as writing on the touchscreen with the Active Pen feels unnatural. There's disconnect between the digital ink on the display and the stylus tip due to lag and the positioning not being 1:1. The lack of accuracy isn't too noticeable when you're jotting down notes but artists will want to pick up the Surface Pro 4 for precise ability to capture 1,024 levels of pressure.

Making non-sense with RealSense

HP has made a big point to include Intel's RealSense cameras in the Spectre x2. The company has even gone so far as to incorporate the depth-sensing imaging technology into both the front and rear cameras.

For the times when you would normally take a shot with a smartphone, I wouldn't recommend taking photos with the regular 8-megapixel (MP), rear-facing camera. (Since you'll look like a dork, for starters.) The few photos I did take with the tablet looked awful, with off colors, an extremely shallow dynamic range and visibly fuzzy resolution.

All said, the other rear-facing Intel RealSense 3D camera is a bit more fun to use. After downloading a few applications, I scanned a few of my friends' faces and playfully stuck their visages to 3D busts of the terminator, Ghostbusters and some unsung superhero. There are also a handful of amusing games to play around with using your body as the controller, much like the Xbox Kinect.

However, aside from a few goofs, there still aren't many practical uses for RealSense cameras. Surprisingly, the high-quality, front-facing camera can't be used for signing in with your face through Windows Hello. This sorely missing feature aside, there simply aren't many uses for RealSense technology built into the Windows 10 interface and apps, not to mention most third-party programs.

HP is forward thinking for including these bits of hardware today, but for now, you'll hardly ever use it outside of the apps specifically programmed to utilize the depth-sensing technology.

Pinch runner

Battery life on the Spectre x2 is all over the place, ranging from four to eight hours. Our PCMark8 battery test benchmark easily drained the tablet in just four hours. Meanwhile, I got 5 hours of regular usage (including Microsoft Word, Firefox, a client for Google Music, HipChat and roughly 30 minutes of Lightroom and Photoshop usage).

With local video playback, which consisted of a continuous loop of Guardians of the Galaxy playing at 50% screen brightness and volume, the Spectre x2 lasted for 5 hours and 47 minutes – more than enough to last a flight across the continental US. This 12-inch slate was also able to last me through a 7 hour and 47 minute session of Netflix bingeing.

Overall, the HP tablet lasts surprisingly long, considering how little space there is for batteries in its thin frame. Comparatively, the longest battery life we were able to squeeze out of the Surface Pro 4 was 5 hours and 15 minutes with local video playback. The MacBook, meanwhile, ran for 7 hours and 5 minutes while looping HD video over Wi-Fi.

Bundled software

Thankfully, the HP Spectre x2 comes with relatively little software preloaded on the SSD. Better yet, there are only two bits of annoying software (McAfee Security and the HP Welcome Message) you'll want to uninstall immediately.

For the most part, the device comes with a basic build of Windows 10, which is ideal if you just want to get started with setting up the tablet exactly how you want it.