Key difference: The Envy X2 is a hybrid device by Hewlett-Packard (HP). A hybrid is essentially a cross between a tablet and a laptop. The Envy X2 is primarily a tablet, but one that can be docked into a physical keyboard. The HP Envy X2 runs Windows 8 OS, which is powered by a Dual core 1.80GHz Intel Atom Processor Z2760 and a 2 GB 533 MHz LPDDR2 RAM. At the time of its release, the Microsoft Surface was touted as the perfect cross between a tablet and a laptop. It was initially released February 2013. The Microsoft Surface Pro features a 10.6-inch ClearType HD screen with approximately 208 ppi pixel density. The screen is full HD, a feature not readily avilable in most tablets. The device runs Microsoft Windows 8, which the same OS that is being run in various laptops and desktops. The device has Full Windows capability. It can practically run all Windows programs, including games.

Today is the world of smartphones and tablets. So, much so that tablets and smartphones are attempting to replace the traditional and bulky desktops and laptops. The HP Envy X2 is one such device. The advantage that the HP Envy X2 has over a number of other tablets is that it will run the Microsoft Windows operating system, whereas most other tablets run Android.

The Envy X2 is a hybrid device by Hewlett-Packard (HP). A hybrid is essentially a cross between a tablet and a laptop. The Envy X2 is primarily a tablet, but one that can be docked into a physical keyboard.

As stated above, the HP Envy X2 runs Windows 8 OS on it, which gives it an edge over most of the other tablets in the market. The device has Full Windows capability. It can practically run all Windows programs, including games. It is run on a Dual core 1.80GHz Intel Atom Processor Z2760 and a 2 GB 533 MHz LPDDR2 RAM.

The HP Envy X2 features an 11.6-inch screen with approximately a 135.09 ppi. It also has an 1080P HD Front-facing HP TrueVision webcam with integrated digital microphone, as well as an 8.0 MP Rear-facing camera. As a changeup, HP has put the power button and volume controls on the back of the tablet. However, this may not be preferable by everybody. The device also has an LED indicator on the power connector that plugs into the right side of the laptop.

The device in available in two memory size variants: 64 GB and 128 GB. In addition, the device also has a MicroSD card for expandable storage. Also, additional storage may be connected via one of the two full USB ports.

The device has also been touted for its battery life. The tablet gives almost 7 hours of continuous usage, which is powered by a 2-cell (25WHr) Li-Ion battery. However, laptop dock, i.e. the physical keyboard has a 2-cell (21WHr) Li-Ion polymer battery. So, when the device is docked it will run continuous for up to 12 hours and 15 minutes.

The Microsoft Surface is a series of tablets that come with an external keyboard. The advantage that the Surface has over a number of other tablets is that it will run the Microsoft Windows operating system, whereas most other tablets run Android. The iPad runs the iOS which is more similar to the iPhone OS rather than a Mac OS. Hence, at the time of its release, the Microsoft Surface was touted as the perfect cross between a tablet and a laptop. It was initially released February 2013.

The Microsoft Surface Pro features a 10.6-inch ClearType HD screen with approximately 208 ppi pixel density. The screen is full HD, a feature not readily avilable in most tablets. The screen affords the true 16:9 aspect ratio which matches most movies and shows, eliminating the black bars that pop up. The Microsoft Surface Pro also has a 10 point multi-touch.

Microsoft Surface Pro is powered by a Dual-core 1.7 GHz Intel Core i5-3317U processor, which is backed by 4 GB of RAM. It also features two cameras, a front-facing and a rear-facing. Both are 720p HD LifeCams with True Color.

The device runs Microsoft Windows 8 Professional, which the same OS that is being run in various laptops and desktops. The device has Full Windows capability. It can practically run all Windows programs, including games.

The device comes in three memory size variants: 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB. However, the actual memory storage available for the user is 23GB for the 64 GB variant and 85GB for  128 GB variant. The actual user memory available for the 256 GB is not currently specified. The size disparency is because of the system backup storage recovery partition, which can be manually deleted by experiences users.

The input devices for the Microsoft Surface Pro includes an on screen keyboard, a physical keyboard that doubles as a cover, as well as a pen stylus. The physical keyboard can be purchased separately or as part of a combo with the device itself. It attaches magnetically and electrically to the base of the tablet.

Physically, the device is quite similar to the Microsoft Surface RT, same look, and same color. However, it is thicker than the RT and has a full USB 3.0 port, in addition to a Micro-HDMI port, microSDXC card slot, Headset jack, Mini DisplayPort and Cover port. Similar to RT, it also has a built in kickstand, which has been critized by some as beinf too difficult to manage. Additionally, Microsoft has also acknowledged issues with the stylus pen. The stylus pen has been reported by some users as randomly not working correctly, especially with older applications that do not have complete pen support. There have also been some reported issues with Wi-Fi and while waking up from standby mode.

The Microsoft Surface is a series of tablets that aim to do just that. The advantage that the Surface has over a number of other tablets is that it will run the Microsoft Windows operating system, whereas most other tablets run Android. The iPad runs the iOS which is more similar to the iPhone OS rather than a Mac OS. Hence, at the time of its release, the Microsoft Surface was touted as the perfect cross between a tablet and a laptop. It was initially released February 2013.

The Microsoft Surface Pro features a 10.6-inch ClearType HD screen with approximately 208 ppi pixel density. The screen is full HD, a feature not readily avilable in most tablets. The screen affords the true 16:9 aspect ratio which matches most movies and shows, eliminating the black bars that pop up. The Microsoft Surface Pro also has a 10 point multi-touch.

Microsoft Surface Pro is powered by a Dual-core 1.7 GHz Intel Core i5-3317U processor, which is backed by 4 GB of RAM. It also features two cameras, a front-facing and a rear-facing. Both are 720p HD LifeCams with True Color.

The device runs Microsoft Windows 8 Professional, which the same OS that is being run in various laptops and desktops. The device has Full Windows capability. It can practically run all Windows programs, including games.

The device comes in three memory size variants: 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB. However, the actual memory storage available for the user is 23GB for the 64 GB variant and 85GB for  128 GB variant. The actual user memory available for the 256 GB is not currently specified. The size disparency is because of the system backup storage recovery partition, which can be manually deleted by experiences users.

The input devices for the Microsoft Surface Pro includes an on screen keyboard, a physical keyboard that doubles as a cover, as well as a pen stylus. The physical keyboard can be purchased separately or as part of a combo with the device itself. It attaches magnetically and electrically to the base of the tablet.

Physically, the device is quite similar to the Microsoft Surface RT, same look, and same color. However, it is thicker than the RT and has a full USB 3.0 port, in addition to a Micro-HDMI port, microSDXC card slot, Headset jack, Mini DisplayPort and Cover port. Similar to RT, it also has a built in kickstand, which has been critized by some as beinf too difficult to manage. Additionally, Microsoft has also acknowledged issues with the stylus pen. The stylus pen has been reported by some users as randomly not working correctly, especially with older applications that do not have complete pen support. There have also been some reported issues with Wi-Fi and while waking up from standby mode.

The information for the detailed table about the two devices has been taken from the HP website, the Microsoft website and Wikipedia.

Image Courtesy: hp.com, microsoft.com