HP Takes Aim At Microsoft Surface Pro 3 With HP Pro x2 612

HP Aims To Trump Surface Pro 3 With HP Pro x2 612

Hewlett-Packard aims to trump Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 with its own Windows 8.1/Windows 7-based HP Pro x2 612. The HP product, which functions as both a high-powered notebook and tablet, features 14-hour battery life and a screen that is 0.5 inches larger than the Microsoft Surface Pro 3. HP is slated to reveal pricing of the system as it gets closer to a scheduled ship date in early September.

Power Keyboard Gives HP A Battery Advantage

The HP Pro x2 612 redefines the notebook tablet category with a spill-resistant full-size Power Keyboard that includes an embedded battery that delivers six hours of battery power in addition to the eight-hour battery in the system. The keyboard also features VGA, RJ-45, two USB 3.0 ports and a DisplayPort. The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 provides nine hours of battery power.

The HP Pro x2 612 Security Advantage

HP has outfitted the HP Pro x2 612 with robust security features to make it enterprise-ready, including HP's TPM hardware-based system security that can securely store information such as passwords and encryption key and an optional fingerprint reader. The HP Pro x2 612 also features HP SureStart, a self-healing BIOS that automatically repairs the system BIOS when it has been compromised, corrupted or destroyed.

HP Pro x2 612 Pricing Vs. Surface Pro 3

HP has not yet released pricing, but some sources close to the company expect the entry-level HP Pro x2 612 to be priced at close to several hundred dollars below the entry-level Microsoft Surface Pro 3. Microsoft is selling an Intel Core i3-power Surface Pro 3 for $799 and a Core i5 model for $899. Starting in August, there will also be a Surface Pro 3 Core i7 Surface 3 starting at $1,549 and going up to $1,949 depending on configuration. Users that want keyboards will pay an extra $130 for the Surface 3 Type Cover.

HP's Full Notebook Functionality

HP has gone to great lengths to offer robust HP Pro x2 612 accessories that make it ideal for enterprise environments. Among the accessories are an optional HP UltraSlim dock that connects to a side docking connector and an optional battery-free Wacom pen that is ideal for mobile sales applications. Daron Chalk, worldwide category manager for Windows Business Hybrids, said the big breakthrough for the HP Pro is its ability to once and for all solve the perennial problem of knowledge workers using both a tablet and a notebook.

The HP Pro x2 612 Channel Advantage

HP's biggest trump card in the battle against Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is its tens of thousands of U.S. solution providers and system integrators that can sell the product. HP's Pro x2 612 will be widely available through distributors for solution providers to sell, integrate, service and support. Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is still only available from select retailers, Microsoft itself and 10 Microsoft Large Account Resellers. "Microsoft continues to hold Surface hostage," said Majdi "Mike" Daher, CEO of Denali Advanced Integration, Redmond, Wash., No. 91 on CRN's Solution Provider 500 list. "We can't sell it and, if we can't sell it, why would we promote it?"