HP announces Elite x2 1011 G1 convertible

Elite x2 1011 G1's detachable keyboard dock houses several ports and an additional battery.

This Broadwell-powered device offers a variety of wireless communications and supports Wacom pen input.

Andrey Konstantinov, Published 01/22/2015

HP's Elite series of premium work-oriented devices has been expanded with a new model called Elite x2 1011 G1. It's an 11.6-inch convertible running 64-bit Windows 8.1 (or, optionally, Windows 8.1 Pro) and based on Intel's first Broadwell processor, the frugal Core M (M-5Y71 with vPro support, M-5Y51 or M-5Y10c can be chosen). 4 or 8 GB of onboard (soldered) DDR3L RAM can be configured, allowing for heavy multitasking, and an M.2 SSD (capacity ranging from 128 to 512 GB with self-encrypting 180 and 256 GB options) provides smooth system responsiveness. The storage can be expanded by installing a microSD card in the tablet.

Buyers can choose between two IPS panels, HD (1366x768) and Full HD (1920x1080), driven by the processor's integrated Intel HD 5300 graphics. Both are touch-enabled (and hence, glossy), but support for a Wacom digitizer pen can be included as well, allowing the user to take handwritten notes or draw pictures. Two cameras are installed on the tablet, 2 MP in the front and 5 MP in the back, both capable of recording 1080p video (unfortunately, HP did not specify the framerate).

HP offers several wireless modules. Mobile broadband, if chosen, is covered by either a 3G/HSPA+ or a 4G/LTE module, in which case a microSIM slot will be available on the tablet. Shorter-range wireless connectivity is provided by one of three modules from Intel, all of which support Bluetooth 4.0 and 2x2 Wi-Fi but differ in supported Wi-Fi protocols: dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) 802.11n (Wireless-AN 7265), dual-band 802.11n/ac (Wireless-AC 7265) or tri-band (2.4, 5 and 60 GHz) 802.11n/ac (Wireless-AC 17265). The 60 GHz band in this last module is utilized for the new 802.11ad ("WiGig") protocol which allows the device to wirelessly communicate with compatible docking stations (one is offered by HP) or directly with other WiGig-enabled devices. Elite x2 1011 G1 is one of the first devices on the market with this technology and we are very interested in trying it out for ourselves.

The detachable keyboard dock offers two USB 3.0 ports (one Sleep-and-Charge capable) and a DisplayPort 1.2 video output. There's also a proprietary dongle connector used for optional adapters such as Ethernet or HDMI+VGA combo, both sold by HP separately. The dock also houses a 6-cell 21 Wh battery, which should considerably extend the working time. The tablet itself includes a 2-cell 33 Wh battery. In addition to the TPM chip inside the tablet, two security features are based in the keyboard dock: a fingerprint reader and a SmartCard reader. There's also an optional lighter "Travel Keyboard" devoid of the additional ports and the battery.

As for dimensions, the Elite x2 1011 G1 is a very compact and light device, the tablet alone measuring only 1.07 cm (0.42 inch) thick and weighing about 0.87 kg (1.92 lbs) in its basic configuration. An extra 0.78 kg (1.71 lbs) is added by the "Power" (full-featured) keyboard dock and slightly less (0.53 kg/1.18 lbs) by its stripped-down "Travel" variant. With the Power keyboard the convertible measures 2.08 cm (0.82 inch) in its closed state.

The convertible will be available at the end of January with the starting price of $900. Configurations with higher storage capacity, more RAM, more advanced wireless connections and a Full HD display will of course cost more.