A tour of your HP EliteBook x360 – “Convertible”

Tour of the device

The screen is a touch screen. Touching or tapping the screen is like clicking with your mouse or TouchPad. The difference is that with a touch screen you can use multi-fingered gestures to do more than just click.

At the top of the screen is the camera used to take your image or record a video. When the camera is in use, you’ll see a little light come on to the side of the camera. To either side of the camera are microphones, used to capture your voice, unless you are using a headset at the time.

Along the left side of the device

To the left of the keyboard, along the edge of the device you’ll find a couple of sockets and buttons.

The rectangular USB port is used to connect items such as encrypted memory sticks to your device. You could also connect your smart phone to the device and your device would charge your smartphone, via the socket.

Next is the power button. Press it to turn on your device. The button illuminates to indicate that the device is switched on.

Next is a vent. Be sure never to block this or any other vent.
There are then two buttons, these are the volume buttons. Use them to increase or decrease the volume coming out of the speakers or headset.

The final large slot is a smart card reader.

Along the right side of the device

To the right side of the keyboard, along the edge of the device, you’ll find a number of sockets.

Working from the back to the front of the device, the first is the power socket. Simply connect the barrel shaped power adapter to this socket to charge the device.

Beside the power socket is a battery light. It’ll shine white when the battery charge exceeds 90%. It’ll shine amber when the charge is 90% or less. It’ll be off when the battery is not charging, and it will flash orange when the battery is low and needs charging if data loss is to be avoided.

Next is a USB port, like the one on the left side of the device.

Then there is an HDMI socket to allow the device to be connected to video and/or audio equipment, such as a high definition television or projector.

There are then two USB Type-C sockets, for connecting the device to equipment for rapid data transfer and/or charge. You would use either of these two sockets in the office to connect your device to your monitors. While connected to the monitors, this connection will also charge your device's battery, so there's no need to use the power socket.

Next there is a 3.5mm audio-in/out combination socket, which could be used with compatible headphones etc.

The next opening is a security cable slot to help physically secure the device to a desk or heavy object.

Towards the front of the device, is a SIM card slot.

Looking just below the keyboard, to the right, is a fingerprint reader. This can be used in conjunction with Windows Hello to sign-in to Windows 10 using just your fingerprint - much like many smartphones and tablet devices.

Flipping the keyboard

When presenting from your new device, or when taking notes in a meeting or while collaborating with a colleague at their desk or in a collaboration space, it can often be easier to use your new device as a tablet. Simply use the pen and touchscreen to present or take handwritten notes.

The keyboard can be folded right back on itself, behind the screen, to either form a hand-held tablet or a tent on the desk. The screen will orientate itself to reflect the way you are holding it. The keyboard will also be disabled as soon as the device goes beyond being flat.

When the keyboard becomes disabled, you’ll be given the opportunity to switch your device to Tablet mode. In this mode the device is subtly reconfigured to make better use of the features of the tablet and places less reliance on there being a physical keyboard available to you as a user. Though there is always an on-screen keyboard available to you should it become necessary for you to type while using the device in tablet mode. To reveal the on-screen keyboard, tap the keyboard symbol in the lower right corner of the screen, in the taskbar.

You should practice using your device in both tablet and standard modes so that you get used to the differences.

Using the TouchPad

The TouchPad helps you navigate your device’s screen and control the pointer using simple touch gestures. You can also use the left and right TouchPad buttons in the lower left and right corners of the TouchPad as you would use the corresponding buttons on an external mouse.

The TouchPad responds to multi-finger gestures. So, as well as tapping the TouchPad to simulate a left click, you can tap it with two fingers and that’s like a right-click.

Move those same two fingers up or down the TouchPad and the screen will scroll with your fingers.

In some applications, you can place your thumb and forefinger on the TouchPad and then bring them together to zoom in; or move them apart to zoom out.

There are more gestures available than these, but that should be enough to get you started.

Meet the pen

Your new Windows 10 device has been supplied to you with a pointing and control device in the shape of a pen. The way you use it is like a regular pen, the only difference is that instead of writing on paper, you write on your device’s screen.

Never use any other pen with your device – a regular ballpoint or fountain pen will damage the touchscreen.

You may need to charge your pen before you first use it.

Charging your pen

The pen will need to be charged from time to time. Towards the top side of the pen you’ll find a small rubber cap. Open the cap to reveal a socket for the pen charging cable that came with your pen.

Connect one end of the cable to the rectangular USB socket on the right or left of the keyboard and connect the other end to the pen. When charging the pen, the indicator light between the pen’s two buttons (on the opposite side of the barrel) will pulse white.

When charged the light will stop pulsing.

Pairing your pen via Bluetooth

While the pen will work as a pointing device without it being paired with your device, pairing it will give you greater control. Pairing only needs to be done once.

First plug in your pen using the pen charging cable.

Now reveal the Action Centre by holding down the Windows key and tap A. Click Expand to reveal all the tool options and make sure that Bluetooth is turned on.

Next we need to search for the Bluetooth settings. If you are using Citrix, to open the search box, click the magnifying glass to the right of the Start button. If you are not using Citrix, click into the Type here to search text box.

Into the search text box, type Bluetooth. Select Bluetooth and other device settings.

Click Add Bluetooth or other device and then click Bluetooth.

Review the list of available Bluetooth devices. You are looking for your pen, the HP Active Pen. If you don't see it in the list, hold down the button on the top of the pen until the pen's indicator light turns blue. After a moment, your pen should then appear in the list. If not, try holding down the pen's button again until the indicator light turns blue.

From the list of available Bluetooth devices, click HP Active Pen and after a moment your pen will be paired with the device. Click Done.

You’ll be able to see the pen’s battery level within the Bluetooth and other devices screen. If it looks low, charge it now.

Using the pen’s buttons

On the side of the pen’s barrel you’ll discover two buttons, one nearer the nib and one further away. At the top of the pen is another button.

Each button can be configured as to what it does. If you have a local Evolve365 Hero, they will be able to help you with configuring the pen’s buttons. Click here to locate your local Evolve365 Hero.

Locating your camera

Your device is equipped with a front-facing camera in the space immediately above the centre of the screen. This is perfect for video calls and recording video blogs (vlogs).

Framing your picture

Before you take any photos or record any videos, consider your surroundings. You need to be certain than no sensitive information is within the shot, especially if you don’t know who will be viewing the images or videos that you capture.

Make sure your face is well lit, ideally with a light source behind the camera, shining on your face.

Docking at the desktop

When you come to use your device in the office, you can connect it to your screens and the network all through the one USB-C cable. Simply connect the cable to one of the USB-C sockets on the right of your device. Not only will this connect the device to the screens and network, it will also keep the device charged.