If you can live without the few remaining apps that require Windows or Mac OS -- and trust me, most of you can -- the Chromebook x2 is your jam.

Accessories included

Priced at $599, the x2's closest competitor is Google's new Pixel Slate, which also runs Google's stripped-down Chrome OS and starts at $599 (though higher-end configurations cost more). But the Pixel Slate comes without two vital accessories, and adding the $99 Pixel stylus and $199 keyboard jacks up the price to $899.

You run into the same problem with Microsoft's Surface Pro 6, which starts at $899, and the 12.9-inch version of Apple's newest iPad Pro, which starts at $799. Adding the stylus and keyboard adds hundreds more to those already hefty price tags.

Simple, straightforward and fast

Now, the x2's specs aren't particularly impressive, especially compared to the devices named above, with the exception of the entry-level Pixel Slate, which runs an inferior Celeron CPU. The x2 comes with an Intel Core m3-7Y30 processor, 4GB of RAM and a pitiful 32GB hard drive. 

HP doesn't offer alternate configurations in the US, though the version it sells in the UK has twice the RAM and storage capacity for £799, which converts to roughly $1,015 -- a price that totally undermines the x2's appeal. It's not yet available in Australia.

And yet, somehow, these components come together in way that surpassed my expectations. Often, two-in-ones seem confused -- staggering when you switch from laptop to tablet, or just moving slowly in general. But the x2 is positively zippy. I experienced zero performance lag, in tablet or laptop mode, when loading up websites or opening apps. I hit the button to install Spotify, blinked, and it was done. 

Yes, a 32GB hard drive is lame -- but this is a Chromebook, after all. Some degree of reliance on internet-connected apps and storage services is part of the deal, and when it works, it's fast. That noted, Chromebooks have evolved; they're no longer confined to online-only apps and tools. Most, including this one, support the Google Play Store, which lets you download and use almost any Android app, whether you're connected to the internet or not.

Convertibility, uncompromised

Like the Surface Pro 6 and Pixel Slate, the x2 has a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Though it has the lowest resolution of the bunch (2,400x1,600 pixels) and is no match for the iPad Pro's Liquid Retina display, it's more than good enough for writing documents and reading articles. Whether I used a finger or the included stylus, the x2 was responsive and accurate. And the x2 converts elegantly to a standalone tablet -- simply lift the display off of two plastic protrusions connected to the keyboard.

I watched the Netflix stand up comedy miniseries Bumping Mics -- I recommend it, by the way -- and some short documentaries on the New York Times' website. Video looked bright, vibrant and super crisp. I don't mind the x2's significant bezel, which makes for a good grip when in tablet mode. And the Bang & Olufson stereo speakers are better than average: surprisingly loud and balanced, though, like nearly all laptops and tablets, weaker on the low-end.

Everything else you need in a tablet and laptop

The keyboard is a bit mushy, but big and comfortable enough to type on when resting on a lap or tabletop. The x2's touchpad is slightly undersized and not great -- but the iPad Pro's keyboard has none. The x2's included stylus runs on one AAA battery and can be stowed in a loop connected to the keyboard. It's not the most secure setup, and given the loop's propensity to catch on things, I'd be a bit concerned about its durability over the long haul.

With two USB-C ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD slot, the x2 beats out both the iPad Pro and the Surface Pro in the ports and connections department. It also has two cameras -- a 5-megapixel front-facing cam for selfies and a 13-megapixel setup on the back. They're not quite as good as what you'd find on a proper Android or iOS tablet, but they're fine for photos and video, with a user interface that's simple and intuitive.

Battery life is solid. HP says the x2 rated for up to 12.5 hours, and we got a bit more than 10 hours in our streaming video drain test; better than the Surface Pro and equal to the iPad Pro. Completely charging the x2's battery took about 30 minutes.

HP delivers a standout 2-in-1

It isn't as flashy as the pricier Surface Pro, Pixel Slate or iPad Pro. And, yes, there are some inherent limitations in any Chromebook. But, for hundreds less than any of them (in the US, at least), the HP x2 delivers everything most folks will need for entertainment and productivity from a laptop and a tablet. I recommend it.

With its Moto Z Play, the company trimmed down the hardware but beefed up the battery, retained the quirky Moto Mod feature and slapped on a cheaper price. And what can I say? I'm all for it. Affordable, reliable and boasting super-long battery life, the Z Play is an excellent midrange phone even without the Mods.

The device is available in the US on Verizon for $408, but an unlocked version that's compatible with GSM networks will be available globally in October for $450 (or £347 and AU$590, converted). Compare that with the original Z and its other counterpart the Z Force, which costs an additional $200 or more, the Z Play offers you all the goodies from Motorola's Z series, without breaking your wallet.

What makes this phone unique again?

The Z Play is a fully functioning handset, but on its back are two rows of magnetic bumps that let you attach and swap out accessories called Moto Mods. These Mods have a variety of uses and can be as simple as a decorative back cover (those covers come in a variety of patterns and textures) or as complex as an extra battery case, a snap-on speaker with kickstand or a projector. Motorola's newest Mod, a point-and-shoot camera accessory with a 10x optical zoom, is called the Hasselblad True Zoom.

The Mods are incredibly easy to use. With the audio speaker, music automatically starts playing when attached,and the projector requires hardly any setup. Even the True Zoom takes only a few seconds to ramp up and start capturing pictures.

What's the difference between this Z Play and the Moto Z and the Moto Z Force?

The Z Play looks like the Z and Z Force (they share that annoying fingerprint sensor on the front that can be mistaken too easily for the home button), but as the more affordable midrange option, its specs vary. For one, instead of ditching the 3.5mm headphone jack like the other two, the Z Play still has its jack. That means its USB Type-C port and headphone jack exist side by side, together and happy, and you don't need a dongle adapter to listen to your music. You can also charge your phone while listening to beats. With even the Apple iPhone 7 losing its jack, maybe there's hope for your wired headphones in this cruel post-headphone-jack world, after all.

Though Z Play's 5.5-inch display is the same size as the other two, but it has a 1,080-pixel resolution compared with the others' 1,440p, and it isn't as durable as the Z Force's ShatterShield display. The Z Play also has a less powerful processor and a bit less RAM and its 16-megapixel rear camera sits between the Z and the Z Force's in terms of megapixels (compare all specs below). The camera lacks optical image stabilization too, so your photos might look blurrier if you have an unsteady hand.

Lastly, the Z Play is a tad thicker and heavier than the already weighty Z Force. This is because the former packs a slightly larger battery. Motorola says this is the "longest-lasting phone battery" on a Moto phone, which I'll get to later. For a quick comparison, check out our chart below:

How's the camera?

The phone's 16-megapixel camera took clear, decent photos and its shutter operated quickly. Though I didn't have as a noticeably rough time with the camera's white balance as I did with the Z and Z Force, some images I captured still had white hues that were slightly tinted blue. Dimmer environments understandably featured more graininess, but the camera was altogether satisfactory for quick, casual shots. For more about photo quality, check out the images below and click on them to view them at their full resolution.

Does it perform well?

The most outstanding thing about the Z Play is its battery life. For our lab tests (we conducted two trials) of continuous video playback in Airplane mode, the device lasted an eyebrow-raising 23 hours and 3 minutes. Outside the lab, with mild usage it lasted four whole days without a charge. Four! The handset also comes with a 15W Turbo Charger for fast charging. Within an hour it regained 56 percent of its power and it was fully charged after 1 hour and 48 minutes.

As for its processor, the Z Play's Snapdragon 625 chipset isn't as advanced as the Snapdragon 820 on paper. Our benchmark tests confirmed this when I compared it with the Z and Z Force. The OnePlus 3, which also has the 820 processor but costs the same as the Z Play, outscored the Z Play as well on all tests, and the Alcatel Idol 4S, which has a 652 processor, beat the Z Play too.

But with day-to-day usage, you won't be able to discern much of a difference. The Z Play is fast enough to satisfy your common phone needs, and I didn't notice any sluggishness or delay with real-world tasks like opening the app drawer, calling up the keyboard, and launching apps like games and the camera.

Should I get it?

Although it isn't as fast on paper as its Z and Z Force brethren, or its fellow $400 rivals like the OnePlus 3, Alcatel Idol 4S or ZTE Axon 7, the Motorola Moto Z Play is still worth your consideration. Sure, if you're on a tighter budget and don't find its Moto Mods completely necessary, I say go for the OnePlus 3. You'll be saving some dough and you'll have a more attractive handset by far.

But if $450 is still within your price range (or £347 and AU$590, converted) and you want a phone that you can go days without charging, get the Moto Z Play. You won't have to use its Mods if you don't want to buy them (though they are fun to play around with), and you'll still get an enduring handset (with a headphone jack!) that'll outlast the next $400 or even $700 phone by far.

Spacious and flexible, approachable and safe -- the minivan is a marvel of suburban utility. The problem is that most people don't actually want to be seen driving one, so many shoppers skew toward cooler-looking SUVs. To combat this, the major players in the class have pushed minivan design in a direction that's perhaps best described as "sci-fi bullet train" with mixed results.

Kia's solution to the problem of uncool perception is to dress its new 2022 Carnival "multipurpose vehicle" in SUV cosplay. The result is a minivan that boasts all of the advantages and amenities of its classmates, while standing aesthetically apart with sport utility style.

The Carnival wears an upright, boxy design with a front end shaped more like Kia's Telluride than the Sedona it replaces. Details like the L-shaped, chrome C-pillars break up the minivan's profile and, along with the sculpted wheel arches and dark lower sills, help pull the eye upward to create the appearance of a taller, more rugged ride. At first glance, the Carnival looks almost exactly like a full-size SUV from most angles, but then you notice the reversed handles and tracks for the sliding doors and, suddenly, the minivan-ness of the silhouette becomes apparent.

VIP seating

The Carnival's power sliding doors open to reveal a spacious interior that's available in seven- or eight-passenger configurations. The standard eight-seat setup features a 40/20/40-split second-row bench with a center section that can fold over to create a table-like armrest for the outboard seats. The bench can also slide far enough forward allowing front seat passengers to easily reach a car seat. The second row can also be completely removed when you need to access the Carnival's maximum 145.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Upgrade from the base LX to an EX or SX model and the cloth upholstery is replaced with artificial leather. Step up to the top spec SX Prestige for real leather trim and a pair of power-adjustable VIP seats in place of the second-row bench. These luxurious buckets automatically recline or return upright at the touch of a button, and they feature heated and cooled surfaces and can even deploy footrests for maximum relaxation. The Prestige setup elevates the Carnival from a nicely appointed family hauler to a fairly luxurious shuttle with more passenger space, more cargo capacity and easier entry than a taller SUV can offer. With the third row folded flat, I can slide the VIP seats far enough back for a full recline and leg extension, even with the front seats in a comfortable driving position. Try doing that in an Escalade.

The seven-seat SX Prestige isn't without its compromises, however. The nonremovable VIP seats mean this trim maxes out at 86.9 cubes of cargo capacity behind the second row, and getting to the third row is more of a squeeze.

Speaking of that standard third row, there's plenty of legroom back there for two average-size adults, and enough shoulder space for three kids. Pulling a strap quickly folds the 60/40 split bench flat into the Carnival's floor and a single pull lifts it back up, leaving a still-impressive 40.2 cubic feet for cargo.

On the options list, you'll find Kia's smart power tailgate, which automatically opens the hatch when you approach the rear of the vehicle with the key in your pocket. I usually find this feature extremely annoying, but Kia must have improved its detection logic from earlier applications. I experienced almost no false-positive accidental openings during my testing, and the tailgate now automatically closes when you walk away, making loading groceries or other cargo a truly hands-free process.

Backseat tech

The Carnival can be outfitted with a dual-screen rear seat entertainment setup. Each features USB and HDMI inputs that can be shared with the other display. Each can connect to a phone or Wi-Fi hotspot to power apps like Netflix or mirror a smartphone's display. There's also a colorful Kid Mode interface that serves up child-friendly content. Bluetooth connectivity allows users to listen using almost any headphones they already own, rather than relying on low-quality pack-ins.

An optional wide-angle Passenger Camera on the Carnival's ceiling displays a bird's-eye view of second and third rows on the multimedia screen, complete with night vision. This upgrade works well in tandem with the Passenger Talk feature that amplifies the driver's voice over the Carnival's speakers, so they don't have to shout to speak to folks in the third row. 

When equipped with the optional Passenger Voice Recognition tech, second-row passengers can also issue commands to the dashboard UVO system. This is helpful for getting destination suggestions from adults in the VIP seats, but is also defeatable when you need to keep a van full of children from requesting Baby Shark for the fifty-leventh time.

Front seat tech

Up front, Kia's latest-generation UVO infotainment lives in the dashboard. An 8-inch display is standard, but EX, SX and SX Prestige models all upgrade to a 12.3-inch display. Either way, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity are also standard with USB -- but not wireless -- connectivity. UVO packs its intuitive interface with unique features like voice memo recording, Sounds of Nature (like calm waves, a forest or bustling cafe) and a quiet mode that limits media volume and disables the rear speakers -- useful for when kids are dozing in the back.

The customizable star shortcut button on the dashboard -- a small feature that you'll find on Kia's other UVO systems -- is joined by a second customizable button on the steering wheel, allowing drivers to map features like the Passenger Camera or Passenger Talk to a single press.

LX, EX and SX trims all feature traditional physical gauges and a small 4.3-inch information display. The SX Prestige upgrades to a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster with four user-selectable themes, including a dynamic setting that changes along with the time of day. The digital cluster also integrates Kia's Blind Spot View feature, displaying a camera feed of the adjacent lane when the corresponding turn signal is activated. 

DriveWise safety suite

Kia's DriveWise advanced driver-assistance system suite is standard on all Carnival models. That gets you front, rear and lane-change collision detection, forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and a rear camera. DriveWise also rolls in driver attention monitoring and a sonar-based rear occupant alert that prevents accidentally leaving a child or pet in the parked vehicle.

The EX trim adds park distance warnings, enhanced collision avoidance that can also detect cyclists and Highway Driving Assistant, Kia's umbrella technology that rolls in navigation-based adaptive cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic and enhanced lane-keeping steering assist. Upgrading to SX brings a surround view camera system online. Finally, the full-fat SX Prestige completes the safety suite with the aforementioned blind-spot camera tech.

Performance and efficiency

The only powertrain offered in the 2022 Carnival is a 3.5-liter V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Despite looking like an SUV, all-wheel drive is not an option. On the bright side, 290 horsepower imbues the Carny with pretty good hustle for a minivan, and the 262 pound-feet of torque is enough twist to tow up to a 3,500-pound trailer.

Handling is soft, but comfortable. The Carnival isn't the most graceful dancer on a twisty road, but the minivan manages to stay off of its own toes well enough that it feels safe. The steering is responsive, but body roll and understeer are noticeable at speed. This is, of course, fine. Despite Toyota's marketing for the new Sienna, I don't think that anyone shopping for a minivan is looking for "sport-tuned handling." More importantly, the Carnival does a great job absorbing bumps with poise and communicating its limits to the driver well and early enough to stay out of trouble.

The EPA estimates 19 miles per gallon city, 26 mpg highway or 22 mpg combined from the 2022 Carnival. That's on par with other front-drive, V6-powered minivans in this class. The various drive modes -- Normal, Eco, Smart and Sport -- will have some effect on the Kia's performance and efficiency balance, but over the course of three days, testing both the SX and SX Prestige trim levels in a variety of situations, my average of 21.7 mpg was almost spot-on with those estimates.

Pricing and competition

The 2022 Kia Carnival starts at $33,275 (including its $1,175 destination charge) for the base LX model and tops out at $47,275 for the fully loaded SX Prestige. Add $200 for floor mats and $495 for the premium Astra Blue paint to reach an as-tested price of $47,970. I only ever want to be picked up from the airport in a Carny with VIP seating from now on, but for families looking to maximize space for people and cargo, the sweet spot is the eight-passenger SX model starting at $42,275.

The Carnival is priced and appointed competitively against the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. However, Chrysler and Toyota offer all-wheel drive, hybrid and plug-in hybrid configurations that raise the price ceiling but also bring significant performance and fuel economy advantages. Also consider that the Carnival's sport-utility style has the potential to tempt a few families on the fence away from a new SUV purchase, so one could make the case for it being an indirect competitor to something like Kia's own Telluride as well.

Kia can call it an MPV and style it like an SUV, but what matters is that the Carnival is a damn good minivan. Kia's designers have pulled off this stylistic double-take with aplomb. With the 2022 Carnival arriving in dealerships now, the automaker can only hope that shoppers think it's as cool as I do.