HP Inc unveils world's 'most powerful' 2-in-1 mobile workstation - with a price tag to match

HP ZBook x2 offers 32GB RAM, M.2 SSD with up to 2TB storage and Nvidia Quadro GPU

HP Inc, the PC and printer maker demerged from Hewlett-Packard, has unveiled what it claims is the world's most powerful 2-in-1 detachable workstation, the HP ZBook x2.

With an Nvidia Quadro-based graphics card, the device is clearly aimed at graphics professionals and the new range is being launched at Adobe MAX.

The company claims that the Nvidia Quadro graphics technology will deliver 73 per cent better graphics performance compared to the similarly expensive Microsoft Surface Pro, while also offering twice the memory of standard detachable PCs.

"As the world's most powerful and first detachable PC workstation, there is no device better suited to turn the vision of artists and designers into reality," said Gwen Coble, director of Workstations, Thin Clients, Retail Solutions and Immersive Computing at HP Inc EMEA.

"With the HP ZBook x2, we are delivering the perfect tool to accelerate the creative process - with unprecedented power, performance, and natural ease-of-use. This device will make it easier than ever for creators to do what they do best - bring inspiring new ideas to life and enrich the world around us."

When detached, users can draw with the specialist Wacom-designed pen with 4,096 pressure points, while still having access to the keyboard via Bluetooth. When docked, the ZBook x2 can power five additional displays, or two in 4K.

Many of the security features seen in the recent updated x360 range are present, including HP Sure Start Gen 3, TPM 2.0, a smart card reader and a fingerprint reader.

Its 14-inch 4K screen can offer 100 per cent of Adobe's RGB colour spectrum, and its aluminium shell means it weighs 1.6kg and is 14.6mm thin in tablet mode, going up to 2.2kg and 20.3mm with the keyboard attached.

The x2 will reach 4.2GHz in Turbo Boost mode, offers 32GB of RAM, and has a M.2 SSD with up to 2TB local storage. There's also Thunderbolt 3 ports via USB C.

Battery life (according to HP, as yet untested) is 10 hours, and it can recharge to 50 per cent in 30 minutes, HP claims.

The HP ZBook x2 range launches in the UK in December and prices start at £1,729.

The news comes just a week after the HP x3, the last major Windows Phone handset, was discontinued, effectively ending Microsoft's Windows as a mobile platform.