HP Elite x2 1011 G1 review: A high-quality hybrid with some tablet issues

If you're seeking a compact convertible Windows tablet for business use, there's plenty choice -- including Lenovo's ThinkPad Helix 2 and Toshiba's Portégé Z20t. You might also consider ASUS's Transformer Book series, including the Transformer Book T300 Chi that we recently reviewed.

HP is entering quite a crowded space with its 11.6-inch Elite x2 1011 G1, and does so at a premium price: it starts at £1,462 (inc. VAT; £1,219 ex. VAT), while our review unit costs a whopping £1,876 (inc. VAT; £1,564 ex. VAT).

The 11.6-inch Core M-powered HP Elite x2 1011 G1 with Power Keyboard. Image: HP



Build quality is superb. The underside of the detachable Power Keyboard is made from slip-resistant rubber, with tough metal protecting the top side. The same metal is used for the tablet's back, making for a very robust device. The tablet's tapered sides and top belie its thickness: at 10.7mm thick, it's bulkier than you'd expect a standalone 11.6-inch tablet to be; it's heavy too, at 780g.

The bottom edge of the tablet is flat because it needs to sit securely in its keyboard dock. The dock relies on a pair of hinges that lock into place on the tablet when you push it down; the hinges are unlocked using a release button allowing you to lift the tablet away. It's a secure system, and had no worries about the docked system coming apart while rattling around in our travel bag.