Smartphones and tablets have stolen a lot of the thunder from PCs in recent years. But many consumers still feel the need to have a computer in addition to their mobile device, in large part because productivity functions including word processing are much easier to do on PCs. Convertibles offer a good hybrid solution, but can be a little costly.
Hybrx is a sub-$100 Remix OS 2.0 laptop made by Azpen Innovation that uses an Allwinner A64 Cortex A53 64-bit quad core processor running the Android Lollipop 5.1 operating system. The slim laptop has an 11.6-inch screen with a 1,366 x 768 HD LCD display. It’s been optimized to run multiple programs and files at the same time without slowing down the laptop. In addition to promising high energy efficiency, it also offers system boot-up within seconds, according to Azpen. Hybrx also supports H.265/H.264 4K video decoding with 4K HDMI output. Hybrx starts shipping in September at about $140 for a 1-GB RAM version with 16 GB of flash memory and about $180 for a 2-GB RAM version with 32 GB of flash. Azpen hopes to raise $75,000 by Aug. 4.
There have been similar hybrid devices before this, including Gole1. Hybrx represents a good chance for consumers who haven’t used the Remix operating system yet to give it a try. The OS offers the productivity capabilities of a PC with full access to Android apps. Hybrx touts a sleeker design that Gole1, but consumers used to working on Windows PCs may prefer a hybrid device like Gole1 that provides Android and Windows functionality.
Also a potential negative is that the Hybrx Lithium-ion battery, which promises 5-7 hours of use time and 150 hours of standby time, can’t be easily removed and exchanged, at least for now. Hybrx also doesn’t have a touch screen.