HP Pro Slate 8 The Ultimate InDepth Review – Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview

The HP Pro Slate 8 is a notable addition to HP's line of business-oriented tablets, introduced in January 2015. Despite its discontinuation, it remains a subject of interest due to its distinctive features that were ahead of its time, catering to both casual and professional users.

Design and Build

The HP Pro Slate 8 features a sleek and compact design with dimensions measuring 207 x 137 x 8 mm and weighing only 350 grams. This portable design makes it an ideal choice for professionals who need to stay productive on the go. The device is equipped with a Nano-SIM slot, adding to its versatility by allowing mobile connectivity across GSM and HSPA networks.

Display

The tablet boasts a 7.86-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels, resulting in an impressive pixel density of approximately 326 ppi. This ensures crisp and vibrant visuals, which are further protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, enhancing the durability of the screen.

Performance

At its core, the HP Pro Slate 8 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset, featuring a Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU and Adreno 330 GPU. This combination provides sufficient power to handle everyday tasks, as well as more demanding applications, making it suitable for both work and entertainment.

Memory and Storage

In terms of memory, the device comes with 2GB of RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking capabilities. It offers two internal storage options: 16GB and 32GB. Additionally, it supports microSDHC cards through a dedicated slot, allowing users to expand storage for additional data and applications.

Camera

The main camera of the HP Pro Slate 8 is an 8 MP sensor with autofocus capabilities and HDR support, capable of shooting 1080p videos at 30fps. The front-facing 2 MP camera is also capable of recording videos at 1080p, suitable for video calls and selfies.

Audio and Connectivity

The device supports stereo speakers and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring high-quality audio output. Connectivity options are extensive, with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and GPS functionality. However, it does not include a radio. USB 2.0 is supported through a microUSB port with SlimPort compatibility for connecting to external displays.

Sensors and Additional Features

HP Pro Slate 8 is fitted with a variety of sensors including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer, enhancing its usability for a range of applications.

Battery

The device houses a non-removable Li-Po 5900 mAh battery, which is quite substantial given the tablet's size, providing ample power to sustain its operations throughout the day.

Software

It runs on Android 4.4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box, which was one of the staple Android versions at the time of its release, offering a stable and smooth user experience.

Market Position and Price

Upon its release, the HP Pro Slate 8 was positioned as a mid-range tablet, priced around 390 EUR. It was aimed at users who desired a powerful yet portable device that could handle both work-related tasks and personal activities.

Conclusion

In summary, the HP Pro Slate 8 was a well-rounded tablet designed for the professional on the move. Its balanced feature set, including robust connectivity, decent performance, and high-quality display, made it a competitive option during its time on the market. Despite being discontinued, it left a mark as a versatile tool blending productivity and entertainment.