The lightweight 2-in-1 detachable is probably epitomised for many by Microsoft's Surface Pro devices[1], but HP -- among others -- takes a stab at this form factor too, and its previous outing, the Elite x2 1012[2], was an impressive Surface Pro alternative.
Now there's a new version, Elite x2 1013 G3[3]. With pricing ranging from £1,619 to £2,775 (inc VAT) there are plenty of configuration options, including mobile broadband.
The core premise of the Elite x2 1013 G3 is that it's a lightweight tablet-first computing device, with a quality keyboard that's good enough for everyday writing tasks.
The tablet and keyboard are held together by a magnetic connector that felt secure in my backpack. Note, though, that the dimpled grey plastic that backs the keyboard, and forms one of the outer surfaces of the device during transit, might be prone to damage from feral pointy objects in a bag.
The back of the tablet section is solid metal, and while it might scratch over time, that's about the worst that's likely to happen to it in a bag. Still, longer term, a protective case might be a good idea.
The tablet is held up by a kickstand which, in the interests of keeping overall weight down, is just a frame rather than a filled-in wedge. It's easy to lift from its housing encircling the bottom half of the back of the tablet, and rotates around 150 degrees, so it'll hold the tablet pretty close to a table. The tablet can be used with or without the keyboard, of course, and at its maximum extension