Is there a better alternative?

The obvious comparison is the Surface Pro, which is another Intel-based detachable tablet. Microsoft’s tablet starts at $900 for a Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD, but its best Type Cover adds $160 to the price, and the optional Surface Pen is $100 extra. That makes the Surface Pro considerably more expensive than the Envy x2 on sale, but you’ll find Microsoft’s tablet to be faster with better battery life and a vastly more useful laptop form factor.

　　We should also compare the Envy x2 to ARM competitors such as the Asus NovaGo and the Samsung Galaxy Book 2. That’s reasonable given that this version of HPs detachable tablet is meant to leverage Intel’s faster CPUs. When compared to the NovaGo with its Snapdragon 845, the Envy x2 was much faster and therefore a better choice in spite of its lesser battery life.

　　Against the Snapdragon 850-based Galaxy Book 2, however, the Envy x2 isn’t so much faster that you can safely ignore the extra battery life. The Samsung is priced around $1,000, meaning it’s a strong competitor against HP’s 2-in-1.

　　

How long will it last?

The Envy x2 is built well enough that it promises to last as long as its competitors. Its CPU is fast enough to keep up with Windows 10, but its storage space is relatively small and its RAM isn’t going to help advance the tablet’s potential uses. There’s an industry-standard one-year warranty to keep you covered, but this isn’t the longest-lasting tablet around.

　　

Should you buy it?

No. We simply can’t recommend the poorly design keyboard cover for anyone who wants to use their tablet as a laptop. The battery life is good but not enough to counter this glaring flaw. And even on sale, it’s not priced to move compared to some superior options.