Microsoft Surface Pro (2017) vs. HP Spectre x360 13: Tech spec showdown

While not directly competing against each other, there are some crossovers between Microsoft's latest Surface Pro and one of the best Ultrabooks you can buy, the HP Spectre x360. The prices hit the same mark at some levels, and while the keyboard doesn't come off the Spectre, you can fold the screen around and get to some serious digital inking.

So, let's see how one of the 2-in-1 PCs stacks up against one of the best Ultrabooks.

Related: HP Spectre x360 13 review

Surface Pro (2017) vs. HP Spectre x360: Tech specs

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CategorySurface Pro (2017)HP Spectre x360
OSWindows 10Windows 10
Screen size12.3 inches13.3 inches
Screen resolution2763 x 18243840 x 2160 (4K)
ProcessorSeventh-gen Intel Core m3, i5, i7Seventh-gen Intel Core i7-7500U
Graphicsm3 and i5: Intel HD 620; i7: Intel Iris Plus 640Intel HD Graphics 620
Storage128GB, 265GB, 512GB, 1TB + microSD expansion256 or 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
LTEYesNo
Rear camera8 MPN/A
Front camera5 MP (With face authentication)Front-facing HP TrueVision 1080p FHD IR Webcam
PortsFull USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, Surface Connect, headset jackTwo USB 3.1 Type-C Thunderbolt ports, one USB 3.1 Type-A, one headphone/microphone combo
Weight1.69 lbs (0.76 kg)2.9 lbs (1.32 kg)
Battery (listed)Up to 13.5 hoursUp to 16 hours
Price$799 to $2,699From $1,199

Based on specs alone, it's a close race. The Spectre offers the advantage of coming with a free keyboard and pen, as well as the standard USB-C Thunderbolt 3 connectors. With the Surface Pro you have to pay extra for the pen, the keyboard and the dock. When you take that into account, it's about even on price with the Spectre.

What the Surface Pro offers is versatility. You can use the Spectre like a tablet, but it's still a laptop with its screen folded around. It's bulkier, and it's not as easy to just grab the Surface Pro, flip out the kickstand and be on your merry way. That's even more so if you go for the LTE version, because the Spectre doesn't have LTE at all.

The bottom line

What is clear is that the Windows 10 hardware ecosystem is where it's at. You've got similarities and differences across the board, but there's no question of there being some form of awesome hardware that meets your every need.

The decision probably comes down to which form factor suits you better. While the Spectre x360 is a convertible, it doesn't offer the flexibility of the Surface Pro. You can never take the keyboard off, so you can't properly use it as a tablet.

Likewise the Surface Pro isn't always a laptop, and if that's what you want, you have to pay extra for the keyboard, and now the pen. Both these are high-end Windows 10 machines, which is best for you depends on exactly what type of experience you're looking for.

Richard Devine
Managing Editor - Tech, Reviews

Richard Devine is a Managing Editor at Windows Central with over a decade of experience. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Central. Currently, you'll find him steering the site's coverage of all manner of PC hardware and reviews. Find him on Mastodon at mstdn.social/@richdevine