I have the HP Chromebook X2, AMA!

[Tom Westrick]

Hey all,

Just picked this device up from Best Buy and doing basic laptopy things on it now. Will use it as a tablet more when I get home. First things first:

- No backlit keyboard - there's been some confusion since HP initially said there would be a backlit keyboard. Not sure if they're saving that for the 8GB RAM version, but it's not here.

- The keyboard and trackpad are pretty great. Not Pixelbook level, but a close second. The trackpad is good enough that I don't think I'll worry about a dedicated mouse.

- It's pretty fast. Again, probably not Pixelbook level, but more than fast enough for most Chromebook users.

- Detaching and re-attaching the base is pretty effortless. When it's connected, it's nice and sturdy, no flimsiness like with the Surface Pro. Actually using it in the lap is great as well.

That's it for now. I'll have a full review next week on Android Central, but feel free to ask me any questions you have now.

 

[Ry]

How are Android apps on it?

 

[Tom Westrick]

I really only use e-reader Android apps; everything else I do is web-based. Having said that, they work perfectly with no crashes.

 

[Issemann]

I've been watching a bunch of reviews and the newest m3 processor seems to have been vastly improved. I still think that the $600 price tag warrants at least 8GB of RAM.

Ultimately, I'll probably spend the extra $150 for a Pixelbook.

 

[ADRz]

I have the HP Chromebook X2. Yes, it would be have benefited with 8 GB or RAM but it is really very fast in what it does. The real disappointment with this Chromebook (which is excellent really for more uses) is that the pen is lagging badly in most applications. The only app in which the lag is less noticeable is in Autodesk's Sketchbook. But this active pen needs serious updating by HP to match the speed of the rest of the computer.

Considering where Chromebooks are right now, spending $1000 on the Pixelbook is just crazy. The Chrome apps are limited, the Android apps on Chromebooks are a motley crew - for example, some can see additional storage such as microSD cards but most cannot and their response to windowing differs widely, and the access to Linux apps is very much a work in progress (one can run Linux IDE in the beta channel). So, really, if one wants to do some real productivity work instead of playing around, one should get a nice Win10 laptop. Chromebooks are an "affectation" right now. They may get to be serious computers, but we are not there yet. So, do not blow $1000 on Pixelbook, when you can get a Huawei m5 matebook X for not much more than this!!!

 

[dancing-bass]

How's the screen brightness/contrast? I have a 1st Gen Acer r11 - love the compact portable form factor, keycaps are a bit flimsy but functional, but the screen is not nearly bright enough if working near a window or outside with full sunshine. The brightness (or lack of) is the first thing I'd change about my r11. Its specs indicate 225 nits of brightness, or more accurately, dimness.

A few cursory Google searches have failed to bring up brightness or contrast specs on the X2 - so any help would be great

 

[kraze4u]

How do you watch downloaded Netflix movies offline on Chromebook?

 

[B. Diddy]

How do you watch downloaded Netflix movies offline on Chromebook?

This is an AMA thread specifically about the HP Chromebook X2, so you might want to create your own new thread for your question.

You'd have to use the Netflix app for Android on a Chromebook that supports Android apps -- does yours? I don't believe you can download movies for offline use with the streaming site. And according to the Netflix support page, the Android app on Chromebooks only allows playback at 480p: https://help.netflix.com/en/node/296

 

[li2327]

My Hp Chromebook X2 will be arriving withing the hour. I cant wait to get it.