Zbook X2 Just Announced

How is this device nowadays with the latest drivers?

I was strongly considering getting one. I have been having eye sensitivity issues with my other drawing devices and I was hoping this would help as it's a matte screen.

Does it still lag? Does anybody have any eye strain or irritation using this device?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

The main issue I see when drawing is that touch has to be disabled. If I try to leave touch enabled when drawing the cursor goes bonkers, basically draws a whole bunch of random lines from the pen tip to the direction of where my hand touched the screen. Hoping to get a video of it soon. Other than that, I have no real complaints. Since it's easy to assign one of the touch buttons to toggle the touchscreen, it's easy to cope with the problem, but sort of disappointing, none of my other devices have had this problem to the degree that the zbook x2 has. My z canvas, surface pro 3, and thinkpad yoga 14 all had a similar issue of random dots showing up while sketching fast. The z canvas could disable the touch and when I did that I didn't have any random dot problems, and actually with one of the recent windows updates I don't have a problem at all even with touch still enabled. I've never had issues keeping the touchscreen enabled and drawing on my cintiq hybrid, cube mix pro, and ipad pros. I was hoping the experience on the zbook x2 was going to be closer to the cintiq hybrid, the zbook x2's pen seems more accurate, but I still feel like the hybrid edges out in overall feel, too bad it was never updated.

I bought mine after the update was issued that dealt with the lag other members encountered, so I never experienced any lag problems like that was mentioned before. Haven't experienced eye strain either. What device are you currently using that gives you eye strain?

Despite that glaring problem mentioned, I really do like this device. With touch disabled it is nice to draw on and has power I need for other tasks.

 

That won't bother me much as I turn off touch anyways when I draw haha. I do know that some like the touch while they are drawing.

It's great the lag isn't the problem. I've had issues with Lenovo thinkpad Yogas (both the 14 and Thinkpad x1 yoga) when I tried them. The x1 was PWM free too. I've heard many have eye strain issues with them too. I also tried the Fujitsu T904 and T935 as well. No luck there. It's certain machines and phones it seems. I changed my phone to a Motorola 6 play and have had no phone issues anymore (as opposed to the Galaxy S8) so I'm getting better. The Samsung notebook 9 pro gave me issues too and was brutal on my eyes.

I ended up getting one with 32 gb ram and 1tb storage for $1500. So I got a solid deal, I'll let you know what I think of it.

 

What?! How the flying heck did you score a top end model so cheap?? Is it new/refurbed/slightly used?

 

That is a very very good price for that config. But I have to ask......is it the Dreamcolor screen?.....and it using a 7th or 8th Gen CPU?

The current price from B&H for a 32GB/1TB/Dream Color and 7th Gen i7-7600U is $2399 (which B&H is saying is a $880 sale discount).....so if you were able to snag that same config for $1500.....you got a really good deal.

I've seen a few offerings on Ebay/Amazon for the 16GB/256/512 models in that price range....but not 32GB.

Right now B&H has.....what I though was a fairly decent deal on the low end model. $1199 for the 8GB/256GB/i7-7500U/No Dreamcolor…….which price wise isn't that bad compared to a Surface Pro 5 or 6....especially when you factor in the pen & keyboard are included.

 

You may have already done this, and I do not have the X2 but a 27QHD, but have you tried unchecking windows INK (it's a checkmark in the Wacom pen properties) and also adding the following lines to your PSUserConfig.txt:

# Use WinTab
UseSystemStylus 0

That file can be found here. If it's not there, create one and drop it in.
C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CC version \Adobe Photoshop CC version Settings\

 

Like new refurb, someone bought it and didn't want it.

That's why I pulled the trigger. If this item doesn't work I'm just going to do an Intuos or Huion and have to buy a general use laptop with long battery life and portability (I have a large gaming laptop) and a tablet.

This would do all three although it would be bulky. The Fujitsu T901 isn't exactly light but Ioved it for what it was. It just makes my head hurt.

I asked and this one has the Dreamcolor and everything, although for my eye issues I probably would want the longer battery life and I'm not sure if the Dreamcolor would bother it. I'm getting it today so I will report my findings. This one is an excellent condition refurb that someone sent back.

 

Sweet catch! If for some reason the ZBook X2 doesn't work out for you, can I call first dibs on buying it from you? completely serious.

 

UPDATE: 05Nov18

For anyone who wants to read extensive technical information about the ZBook X2, see HP's white paper, HP ZBook x2 G4 Detachable Workstation:

http://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/getpdf.aspx/4AA7-2991ENW.pdf

It provides a clear explanation of the SSD storage options (finally!), details about the EMR digitizer and pen operation and the user keys, among many other things...!

In addition, just found this "QuickSpec" document which goes into great detail on the X2 specs and operating conditions:

file:///D:/HP%20ZBook%20X2%20User%20Documentation%20-%20Oct18/ZBook_X2_QuickSpecs%20-%20Nov18.pdf (Note: Copy and paste into browser)

(Also, see the User Guide and another publication, listed two posts forward)

 

One question before this post. I thought I saw someone say there was software to enable 2 button pens to be used on this device. Is this true? If so where can I find it?

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Okay so I've been using this yesterday and today and I truly love it! I have no real complaints about it. I'm not generally picky. I am analytical but I understand the difference between preferences and deal-breakers.

I turned it on and it booted up fast. The keys are fully customize-able on the side. You can go through 3 profiles on each side. I do wish the pen was 2 buttons although I do have my Fujitsu pens (like 10 haha) I haven't used them much on this device. This pen feels great in the hand. Just be sure not to lose it as they seem to go for $130 or so. I will get a backup if I end up keeping this. The colors look nice and the best I've seen and it's a matte which is great. It doesn't have all of the reflection.

Most importantly is great on my eyes! It doesn't cause eye strain. I did however stop gaming/drawing on my back. I used to do it with my head on my pillow, but it tilts my neck up and my eyes have to look down to concentrate which aggravates it. I do it on my stomach which allows me to use the stand and I can use the keyboard away from the device if I wish which is great!

Also I was worried this wouldn't work in my lap but it does. The kickstand doesn't just go at 45 degrees or so like I initially thought, it can go far up. This is great because I can use it even if it's resting with my knees up so I don't have to be pinned to the desk.

The tablet has a small and thin ratio, it's not the same ratio as the T901. It's not really bad but viewing pictures is a bit different. I don't get fussed over weight. It's definitely not as thin as my Thinkpad X1 Yoga was, but it can still be maneuvered easily. For me anyways.

The battery life seems to be about what I was getting on other devices. You're definitely not going to get 11 hours on this but I'm used to charging my phone and laptop in small spurts during the day. Mind you I have been installing files and running games on it so it's faster than usual, but for viewing pictures it lasted a while.

Most importantly drawing on this thing is great and accurate. The colors just look amazing in Clip Studio. You can turn off touch, but now that I'm using it on my stomach I want to keep it on because it makes selecting tools and colors simple.

Overall I'm ecstatic with this and no headaches. Something told me to get this earlier and it seemed interesting to me, but I was worried about not having 2 tb and about how portable it was. Turns out it's fine. I see a 1tb sd card available that I'm going to try out. If I make it this weekend without searing headaches it's a definite keeper!