HP Spectre 13t-h200 x2 Pro Reviews

The Spectre 13 x2's performance doesn't measure up to that of dedicated notebooks and tablets, but it can be useful in some scenarios.

The HP Spectre 13t-h200 x2 is a detachable hybrid ultrabook/tablet with an elegant design, but it doesn't compare well to ultrabook competitors.

The ambitious HP Spectre 13 x2 is one of those products that may be better on paper than in person. But that's only because the idea of a 13-inch high-res hybrid that builds off of HP's excellent Spectre line is such an appealing one. The Spectre 13 x2 works well as a big-screen tablet, and its laptop mode is only held back by some awkward weight and balance issues, not to mention a touch pad that doesn't always register taps and swipes. Fix those two things and you've got a real winner.

Overall, though the Spectre 13 x2 trailed comparable convertibles in most of our performance tests, it remained in the same general ballpark, and felt responsive and snappy in everyday use. It's not the best option if performance is critical, but keep in mind it's dramatically faster than ARM- and Intel Atom-based tablets. If you appreciate the utility and eye-friendliness of a large-screen tablet, you'll find a lot to like with the Spectre 13 x2. Whether to recommend the system comes down to whether you like the detachable design. If you find yourself only using tablet mode occasionally, convertibles like the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro are lighter overall and offer more configurability. But if you like the weight savings that come with a removable keyboard and you're not satisfied with 11.6-inch or smaller displays, the Spectre 13 x2 should definitely be on your short list.