What you need to know
- HP's new 11-inch Tablet PC looks like a Surface Go at first but brings quite a few unique features that make it stand out.
- The HP 11-inch Tablet PC features a unique vertical orientation with a matching keyboard.
- A 13MP rotatable camera can flip from back to front and scan your desktop for online collaboration.
- Pricing starts at $599 (with keyboard) and will be available this December with Windows 11 in S mode.
So far, only Microsoft has sought to compete in the 11-inch range of tablet PCs with its famous Surface Go. But HP is now entering the fray with its new HP 11-inch Table PC that brings some innovative and unique features starting this December.
At first glance, it's easy to dismiss the 11-inch Tablet PC (we'll forgive HP for the rather generic name) as just a Surface Go clone, but it's far from it as two features make it very different:
- Besides normal landscape usage, the tablet is meant to be used vertically with the keyboard mounting in either position magnetically.
- A massive 13MP camera flips from the back to the front with the ability to live-share your desktop during collaboration conference calls.
The keyboard optionally attaches vertically is also very different and something we're excited to try out. Choice is good, right?
HP is using a tablet vertically because Windows 11 now allows the snapping of two apps in that orientation. Additionally, the posture lets that 13MP camera rotates down to see your desktop letting you live-share with colleagues during a video call (the image is auto rotated).
The camera scanning is all reminiscent of the HP Sprout that could 3D scan objects but for updated 2021's shift to work-from-home environments. HP also makes use of the concept in its just-announced HP ENVY 34 all-in-one PC.
Indeed, the 11-inch Tablet PC can be thought of as a companion device to that ENVY 34. With HP Duet, you can use the tablet as a wireless extension of the ENVY 34 (like Apple's Sidecar). Other collaborative tools like HP Palette (smart photo searching between devices), HP QuickDrop for instant file sharing, and the app Concepts make it even more seamless for sketching and doodling on 11-inch Table PC and going deeper with the ENVY 34.
| Category | HP 11-inch tablet |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 Home in S mode |
| Processor | Intel Pentium Silver N6000Four cores |
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR4x-2133MHz |
| Graphics | Intel UHD |
| Storage | 128GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Display | 11 inches2160x1440 (2K)Touch, IPS400 nits, 100% sRGBCorning Gorilla Glass 584.6% screen to body ratio |
| Ports | USB-CmicroSD card reader |
| Audio | Three speakers |
| Connectivity | Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201Bluetooth 5 |
| Camera | 13MP rotatable |
| Keyboard | Detachable |
| Touchpad | Precision |
| Security | Fingerprint reader |
| Battery | 32.2Wh30W AC adapter |
| Dimensions | Tablet:9.94 x 6.95 x 0.32 inches(253mm x 177mm x 8mm)Keyboard:9.94 x 7.09 x 0.18 inches(253mm x 180mm x 5mm) |
| Weight | Tablet:1.45 pounds (0.66kg)Keyboard:0.54 pounds (0.24kg) |
| Color | Natural silver |
Specs-wise, the HP 11-inch Tablet is respectable, especially for $499 (without keyboard; $599 with).
The CPU is a 2021 quad-core Intel Pentium Silver N6000. Compared to the entry-level Intel Pentium 6500Y expected in Surface Go 3 the N6000 is 10nm (vs. 14nm) with the same 1.1GHz base frequency (3.3GHz burst), but a slightly higher 6W TDP (instead of 5), faster LDDR4 RAM, and more powerful UHD Graphics. But the Pentium Gold features 3.4GHz Intel Turbo Boost, Intel Hyper-Threading, and is a smaller overall package size.
Interestingly, the HP 11-inch Tablet 11 has a larger 32.2WHr battery than Surface Go's 27WHr one, which bodes well for battery life. The chassis and matching keyboard cover features a unique cloth-like material as well. That may explain why the HP 11-inch Tablet PC weighs 1.99lbs (903g) with a keyboard compared to Surface Go at just 1.71lbs (771g) with a keyboard.
Storage is 128GB, but it is faster PCIe format than slower eMMC found in the 64GB entry-level Surface Go.
The 11-inch display is also very good with a 2160x1440 resolution resulting in 231 pixels-per-inch (PPI) compared to Surface Go's 10.5-inch 1800 x 1200resolution at just 217 PPI. It also hits 400 nits of brightness (a solid number) with 100% sRGB making it ideal for photos and colorwork.
Ports are highly minimal, with just one Type-C that does it all, including 5Gbps data, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.4, and charging. There is also a microSD card reader for media.
Overall, the HP 11-inch Tablet PC is an intriguing value, especially if you're interested in the HP ENVY 34 or any other HP PC or you want a small Windows tablet PC with a really good webcam and distinctive vertical orientation.
HP.com and Best Buy will both be selling it later in December, with the overall price being $599 with the keyboard. Best Buy will also have it without the keyboard for $499.
In addition to this tablet, HP announced the ARM-based HP 14-inch Laptop PC, ENVY 34 AIO with 5K display, and Spectre x360 16 laptop.
This tiny tablet packs a better display than Surface Go with a unique vertical orientation and a 13MP camera that flips positions. Use it on its own or as a companion device for a bigger HP desktop PC.
