Verizon is now selling the $1000 HP Elite x2, an LTE-connected Surface Pro 4 competitor

Verizon is now selling the HP Elite x2 Windows 10 2-in-1. The 4G LTE slab, priced at $999 without a contract or $899 on a two-year agreement, is an interesting alternative to Microsoft's Surface Pro 4. Verizon seems to be focusing on marketing the HP Elite x2 among business customers, a move that makes a lot of sense given the hardware specs.

The metal-built HP Elite x2 features a 12-inch IPS display running at 1920 by 1080 pixels. While that's a step down compared to the Surface Pro 4's 2560 by 1200 display, the sharpness will still suffice for most office tasks. A layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 ensures scratch and drop protection.

Speaking of drop protection, the HP Elite x2 is MIL-STD-810G certified, meaning that it's able to survive potential drops or spills. This is a rare feature on a tablet but purchasing managers are surely not going to complain about.

The brain of the operation is an Intel Core m3-6Y30 chipset paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage, the same base setup as the entry-level Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and a decent configuration overall.

In the camera department, the HP Elite x2 is equipped with a 5MP primary sensor and a 2MP sensor for video conferences. Interestingly, the x2 fares much better when it comes to audio thanks to its Bang & Olufsen stereo speakers and dual microphone array.

Other notable features include support for LTE bands 4, 5, and 13, a USB 3.1 Type C port with Thunderbolt support, a USB 3.0 Type A port, a 40Whr Li-ion polymer battery.

Looking at the specs and features, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and the HP Elite x2 share a lot of characteristics. They are similar in terms of build and overall size, feature Wacom digitizers, come with built-in retractable kickstands and detachable keyboards, and come with sufficient processing power for most office tasks.

The entry-level Surface Pro 4 costs $899 and features a higher-resolution display but does not come with LTE connectivity or splash and drop protection. Also, the $129.99 Type Cover is not included in the base price. The $999 Elite x2, however, includes the attachable backlit keyboard. Which one would you guys choose between the two?

source: Verizon