FWIW, I noted that Lisa Gade of MobileTechReview.com has posted a pretty decent review of the newly updated/upgraded HP Spectre X2 which you can watch via the link below.
Note that her review model is the i7 model with 8GB of RAM and 360GB SSD. From my own (
personal) point of view, I would recommend saving the money on the Core i7 upgrade and applying it to the optional 16GB RAM option on the Core i5 model, but YMMV on that. You should also note that Lisa's opinion on using something other than the included HP active pen is highly subjective and based upon her "artist" perspective. The improvements she demonstrates by using the Wacom Bamboo and/or the new Surface pen do not really bear any
significant fruit with respect to regular line drawing, note taking and the like. IMHO, the included pen is quite sufficient for most users' needs. Nothing wrong with the upgrades, but for MY money, since I'm not using it like an artist, I'd rather apply the cost of an upgraded pen to something more pertinent to items a typical property inspection scenario could use - anti-glare screen film, accidental damage protection policy, a decent micro SD card for back-ups, etc... Again, just my personal view and YMMV on that stuff.
Overall, the main advantages outlines are a lower cost than the Surface Pro. Again. for my (personal) use, I'd lean toward the new, fan-less Core i5 version of the Surface Pro as the better choice. While attractive (personal opinion), I don't think that the dark colors of the HP Spectre X2 are fitting for a device to be used outdoors, and the "gold" trim is just too "glitzy" for me. I like the 2 USB ports - though they are marketed as "forward-looking (ha!) over a standard USB port, bear in mind that you have to deal with adapters/dongles to use standard peripherals and the version of USB-C used on this model is an older spec, meaning it does not support things like external graphics and other high-bandwidth items that may be important down the line if you think you might want to transition to something like this as a portable desktop replacement class. Essentially, the inclusion of this "older" version of USB-C ports does not really offer very compelling benefits at this stage of the game IMHO. For example, when charging, you're using up one of the ports and are left with a single USB-C port - essentially no real advantage when using (say) a MS Surface Pro and charging via the proprietary charger (which, BTW has an extra USB port in it!), leaving it's included USB port open to standard peripherals. Note that I am not against USB-C - I just feel that the move to USB-C in this device is mainly a "spec for marketing purpose" move. Once more USB-C peripherals are commonplace and they move to the newer spec, things will be different IMHO, but that day is not today. So, don't buy into this for the prospect of future-proofing - by the time USB-C is more mainstream, it'll be a newer & better version and you'll likely be looking at newer/better devices anyway...
I don't have anything particularly negative to say about this newer HP Spectre X2 - if it fits your needs, it is readily available at Best Buy, but I only see the Core i7 model available "today." Again, I feel that the Core i5 models found on the HP website (where you may do some configuration to better suit your preferences?) are easily (more than) adequate for daily use and if you just have a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket, put them toward more RAM (since most appraisal software is pretty bloated and can use more), screen treatments, a case/strap, accidental damage protection, or whatever suits your need. The CPUs used in devices like this are the "mobile" variants, not the heavy-lifting desktop variety and unless you are doing some specialized tasks like "rendering or video encoding" on a regular basis, the power draw & heat generated by the Core i7 simply does not pay off vs. a Core i5 and any of the option I listed above. Also note that IF you are in an environment which you routinely deal with rain/snow/dust/etc., a fan-less device is the wiser choice - if the new MS Surface Pro fan-less Core I5 model is not your cup of tea, you may want to look at HP's "Elite" line instead of the Spectre line, as it is a business class device.
In closing, despite what I wrote above (it may come across as being negative, but I do not mean it that way), the new Spectre X2 is not a bad choice IMHO - my "less than glowing" comments are really just to caution you to think about YOUR use and temper how Lisa ranks certain features since HER use case scenario is different for your daily use as an appraiser.
Hope this helps!
-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+
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