HP Unwraps New Chromebooks, Hybrid Tablets

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) upped its stake in Chromebooks and hybrid, convertible tablet PCs with two new entries in each category the vendor will make available starting in October in the United States.

HP’s Envy x2 tablet PCs are offered in 13.3-inch and 15.6-inch formats, run on Intel’s (INTC) Core M processor and feature 500GB hybrid hard drive storage in the larger model and up to 256 GB SSD storage on the smaller unit. The tablets also feature a fabric-covered, backlit Bluetooth keyboard that doubles as a screen protector.

Both models come equipped with BeatsAudio, a feature not long for HP’s computers with Apple’s (AAPL) recent $3 billion Beats purchase.

In addition, the vendor rolled out a new 10-inch Windows-based convertible tablet featuring a detachable keyboard that also serves as a position stand. The Pavilion x2 runs on an Intel Atom processor and comes equipped with front speakers and holds more than 11 hours of battery life, HP said.

As for the new Chromebooks, HP unveiled 11-inch and 14-inch screen size models, both of which include 100GB of free Google (GOOG) Drive storage for two years. HP has replaced the ARM-based Exynos processor it used on its previous 11-inch Chromebooks with an Intel Bay Trail Celeron chip, upped the RAM to 4GB from 2GB and included 16GB of onboard file storage.

The 14-inch HP Chromebook now features an Nvidia (NVDA) Tegra K1 processor and can be configured with 2GB or 4GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of storage.

In perhaps a nod to the Chromebook’s growing appeal to students, HP decided to make both models available in a variety of colors, including Ocean Turquoise, Twinkle Black or Snow White on the smaller unit and Twinkle Black and Snow White on the larger models along with accent colors Smoke Silver, Sorbet Orange, Ocean Turquoise or Neon Green.

“Customers have told us they want devices that offer flexibility and performance while reflecting their personal sense of style,” said Mike Nash, HP Consumer Personal Systems product management vice president. “The products we are announcing today include innovative designs, vibrant color options, choice of operating system and computing power to enable the way that customers communicate, play and live.”

HP expects to have the 13.3-inch HP Envy x2 on U.S. store shelves and online on Oct. 29 priced at $1,049.99. The 15.6-inch model will be available on Nov. 5 for a starting price of $949.99 and the Pavilion x2’s planned availability in the United States is set for Oct. 29 priced at $329.99.

The 11-inch HP Chromebook is expected to be available in the United States Oct. 5 at $279.99 while the 14-inch model is slated to be offered starting Oct. 22 for a starting price of $299.99.