HP ZBook x2 G4 Detachable Workstation

In the detachable workstation space, HP has released what they say is their most powerful detachable PC made to ‘unleash the power of Adobe Creative Cloud’. HP worked at this goal by using the latest 8th Gen Intel quad-core “U” series processors with frequencies boosting up to 4.2 GHz. It uses an (optional) 14-inch 4K UHD DreamColor touch panel able to display 1 billion colors. In addition, HP includes the ZBook x2 pen, supporting 4000 pressure points.

The ZBook x2 is a 2-in-1 detachable, giving users have the flexibility of the Bluetooth keyboard so one can switch from laptop to tablet just by separating the two devices. The ‘tablet’ portion includes customizable HP Quick Keys, providing 18 shortcuts for Adobe applications. On the sides of the tablet is where all the ports and connectors are found. The left side contains the headphone/microphone combo jack, while the right side has the power connector, HDMI (1.4), USB 3.0 (w/charging capability), two USB 3.1 Type-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, as well as a smart card/SD media card reader. The keyboard is backlit with function key controls and has an extra-large click pad with a physical on/off button. Outside of those details, there isn’t much flashy about the machined aluminum and die-cast magnesium body, except that it should be lighter, but this is a workstation and really isn’t meant to be the center of attention in that respect.

Hardware wise the ZBook H2 G4 adds three 8th Gen Intel processors, either an i5-8250U or an i7-8550U, and the flagship i7-8650U with turbo speeds to 4.2 GHz. Also available are two dual-core 7th Gen Intel processors for those who may not need the horsepower of the latest Intel quad-cores. The maximum memory capacity here is double any other HP detachable with up to 32 GB DDR4-2133, as the device is aimed at Adobe professionals.

The graphics side of the house has uses either the integrated GPU or an NVIDIA Quadro M620 with 2 GB GDDR5 as the single discrete option. Panel options are either a 14” 4K UHD IPS panel without touch to a 4K UHD DreamColor panel with touch capabilities. Audio duties are handled by Bang & Olufsen dual stereo speakers while inputs are handled by a dual array digital microphone. It also includes two webcams, the first a 720p HP webcam and the second, also 720p webcam with IR that is world facing and should support Windows Hello.

Network connectivity is handled by an Intel 8265 Dual Band 802.11ac 2x2 device supporting Bluetooth 4.2. There is an optional mobile networking controller in the HP hs3110 HSPA+ mobile broadband module.

HP ZBook Studio x2
Type Detachable Workstation
Processors i7-7500U (2C / 4T - 3.5 GHz Turbo)
i7-7600U (2C / 4T - 3.9 GHz Turbo)
i5-8250U (4C / 8T - 3.4 GHz Turbo)
i7-8550U (4C / 8T - 4.0 GHz Turbo)
i7-8650U (4C / 8T - 4.2 GHz Turbo)
Displays 14-inch 3840x2160 non-touch
14-inch 3840x2160 Dreamcolor touch
Maximum Memory 32 GB DDR4-2133
Network Connectivity Intel 8265 Dual Band Wireles, 2x2, Bluetooth 4.2
Optional HP hs3110 HSPA+ Intel Mobile Broadband Module
Internal Storage SSD 128 GB M.2 SATA
512 GB M.2 SATA FIPS
512 GB PCIe NCMe M.2 SED
256 GB - 2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2
256 GB - 512 GB HP ZTurbo Drive PCIe NVMe
HDD N/A
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 620 (7th Gen CPUs)
Intel UHD Graphics 620 (8th Gen CPUs)
NVIDIA Quadro M620 2GB GDDR5
Ports and Connectors 1 x Headphone/microphone combo
1 x Power connector
1 x HDMI (1.4)
1 x USB 3.0 (supports charging)
2 x USB 3.1 Type-C TB3 / DP 1.2
Input Device Backlit Keyboard w/function control
HP ZBook x2 pen
Camera 720p HP webcam, 720p webcam with IR (Front-facing)
8 MP (world facing)
Audio Bang & Olufsen dual stereo speakers, dual digital array microphone
Power 65W AC Power adapter
90W AC Power adapter

70wh Lithium-Ion Polymer (Up to 10 hours)
Dimensions Tablet Mode: 0.53" x 14.35" x 8.94"
Laptop Mode: 0.75" x 14.35" x 8.94"
Weight Tablet Mode: 3.64 lbs
Laptop Mode: 4.78 lbs
Price (Starting) $1799

The ZBook x2 is available now and starts at $1799.  

HP ZBook Studio x360 and ZBook Studio Workstation HP ZBook G5 Workstations: 15v, 15, and 17
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  • Frenetic Pony - Thursday, April 5, 2018 - link

    Who makes a detachable tablet/laptop 16:9, and with such huge bezels?

    This is why laptops will die and so will Windows. You pay through the nose to get antiquated designs while iOS and Android stuff give you cutting edge tech and battery life and design for less than half the price. I wish productivity and more hardcore gaming would go towards one or both so I can ditch the vastly inferior and overpriced Windows ecosystem.
  • Klimax - Friday, April 6, 2018 - link

    You mean half price for tiny fraction of capabilities? What a bargain...
    If all you need is iToy then no wonder why you wrote that hilariously wrong comment.
  • Valantar - Saturday, April 7, 2018 - link

    Wait, what? iOS I can kinda-sorta get (though not really), but Android? Name me one decent Android tablet with current hardware that isn't grossly outmatched by phones at the same price or less.

    While I entirely agree about the aspect ratio - 16:9 at anything below 27" can die tomorrow and I'd be extatic - comparing even the Surface Pro to mobile OS tablets just shows that you haven't needed one for any kind of demanding work. The iPad Pro line is reportedly good, and Apple's hardware is amazing, but iOS hobbles it so bad it's nigh on worthless.
  • grahad - Thursday, April 5, 2018 - link

    What in the world is a Dream Colour USB port??
  • Tams80 - Friday, April 6, 2018 - link

    You have all sorts of other details, but for the zBook 2 pen you only have " HP includes the ZBook x2 pen, supporting 4000 pressure points." What sort of pen is it?

    Really?! Come on AnandTech.
  • HStewart - Friday, April 6, 2018 - link

    The Pen is similar to one that is for XPS 15 2in1 - it uses Wacom AES 2.0 technology and allows you to have pressure points when drawing. So the harder you press - the thicker it paints on screen. Good for applications like Photoshop.
  • HStewart - Friday, April 6, 2018 - link

    It is interesting that HP ignore the 980xG like the Dell XPS 15 2in1 but one thing x360 is much bigger but has option for 6 Core Xeon and Quadro

    Well I wondering if I made a bad decision with XPS 15 2in1
  • zugok - Friday, April 6, 2018 - link

    Anton and Joe.

    Did you get a chance to do any actual "hands-on" use of the Zbook X2? Myself and another person who own the latest quad core model are discovering that the Pen, advertised by HP as "almost zero latency" actually has considerable lag when drawing quickly. The issue clears up if HP's Create Control panel is uninstalled, but that also disables Zbook X2 quick Keys on each side of the screen?

    Resetting windows does not help...
  • Lolimaster - Saturday, April 7, 2018 - link

    Do they still not realize why pointless and restrictive is to have 16:9 on small screens?

    16:10 should be the way to go and 3:2 for convertibles.
  • jsyrovat - Saturday, April 7, 2018 - link

    All looks great, but
    - probably not big deal, but no Core i9? Dell has that option.
    - for 17" I would love to have 2K (2560x1440) display, but there seems to be nobody offering such...
    Looking for my next workstation.

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