HP's answer to the newly launched Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is a tablet laptop hybrid version of its own, the HP Pro x2 612, complete with fingerprint scanner, smart card reader, pen support and more.
Hewlett Packard is making it tough for consumers to choose the best tablet-laptop hybrid by introducing an all-new HP Pro x2 612 packed with competing specs.
The new entry in the HP's lineup is in direct competition to the newly-released Microsoft Surface Pro 3, which lacks some of the features that are in the HP Pro x2 612. The new HP tablet sports unique features like fingerprint scanner, Smart Card reader and pen support among other standard Surface Pro 3 features.
According to HP, The tablet features a 12.5-inch screen and can be used as a laptop when docked onto a keyboard. The tablet is powered by Intel chips with options to choose from Core i3 or i5 processors. The keyboard is the main attraction, which comes with all the options available on a laptop such as VGA, RJ45 jack, display port, two USB 3.0 ports and a built-in battery that can push the tablet's life to more than 14 hours from eight hours.
Comparatively, the Surface Pro 3 keyboard is soft and flexible, which deprives it of all the additional features HP's x2 keyboard boasts. But the hard keyboard along with the HP Pro 612 tablet makes the tablet in laptop mode heavier and thicker. The Pro Tablet 612 weighs 910 grams, while the Surface Pro 3 ticks 800 grams. HP also offers a lightweight keyboard for travel-friendly needs.
The HP Pro x2 612 comes with storage capacity ranging from 64GB to 512GB with varying screen resolutions, starting at 1366 x 768 and goes up to1920 x 1080 pixels on the display. Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 is a winner in this category, as it boasts 2160 x 1440-pixel display.
With the security features in the HP Pro Tablet 612, the PC maker aims to push its new gadget to enterprise and government bodies. The tablet includes HP BIOS, HP Client Security, HP Sure Start, Smart Card Reader, HP TPM and an optional fingerprint reader that will be sold separately, according to the company's press release, Wednesday. The Wacom pen support is yet another unique feature of the Pro 612. The Wacom pen digitizer with a built-in holder is complimented by 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity for precise writing and drawing capabilities.
The HP Pro x2 612 and HP Pro Tablet 612, which is without the keyboard, are expected to hit the stores in September. The pricing details were not revealed in the company's press release.
