X Plus Ultra-Compact 2-in-1 Laptop: A Pocket-Sized Device With Surprising Performance

The latest X Plus ultra-small form factor laptop pushes the boundaries of what a netbook-sized device can deliver. Designed as a foldable 2-in-1, the machine brings a significant upgrade over the earlier Intel N100 version introduced months prior. This updated model now runs on Intel’s i3-N305 processor, offering far greater performance in everyday use, multitasking, and light gaming without compromising portability. With an 8-inch touchscreen, backlit QWERTY keyboard, optical track point, and a thoughtfully arranged button layout, the device is built for maximum usability within a compact footprint.

Its ability to fold completely flat converts the system into a tablet-like experience, enhancing versatility for travel, note-taking, media consumption, and quick typing sessions. The inclusion of a fingerprint-enabled power button, dual stereo speakers, and a surprising amount of I/O reinforces the laptop’s ambition to serve as a fully functional micro-productivity device.

Compact Design With Practical Connectivity

Despite its size, the X Plus laptop incorporates more connectivity than many ultraportables. The left side houses a USB-C port that doubles as the charging input, a mini HDMI port for external displays, and a full-size USB 3.1 port. The right side provides another USB 3.1 port, a microSD reader for storage expansion, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Dual side-facing speakers deliver sound output suitable for casual entertainment and conferencing.

The keyboard layout features low-travel keys with a single-level backlight, a split-spacebar configuration, dedicated left and right mouse buttons, and an optical track point for cursor navigation. Combined with the responsive touchscreen, the laptop enables smooth interaction across productivity apps, browsing, and media playback.

Internal Hardware and Expandability

The Intel i3-N305 is the heart of this device, offering eight cores and eight threads with clock speeds up to 3.8 GHz. The integrated GPU includes 32 execution units running up to 1.25 GHz, marking a noticeable improvement over the previous N100 and N150 models. Paired with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM at 4800MHz, the system handles multitasking, web applications, and creative tools far more efficiently than typical low-power mini laptops.

Storage arrives in the form of a pre-installed 512GB M.2 2242 SSD. A small bottom hatch allows tool-free access for drive upgrades, supporting capacities of at least 2TB. RAM remains soldered and non-upgradeable, consistent with most ultraportable designs. The 8-inch IPS display offers a 1920×1200 resolution at 60Hz, delivering a crisp 16:10 viewing experience well suited for content viewing, coding, documentation, and productivity on the go.

Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1, enabling seamless pairing with accessories and maintaining stable network access.

Performance Benchmarks and Real-World Capability

Synthetic benchmark comparisons highlight the performance leap from the older N150 processor. Geekbench 6 scores show the i3-N305 achieving 1329 in single-core and 5269 in multi-core performance, compared to 1294 and 3169 from the N150. The gain is even more evident in GPU-related tasks. The N305 reaches a 3DMark Wildlife score of 519, far above the N150’s 3551, signaling more headroom for graphical workloads and light gaming.

Although the laptop operates at a standard 15W TDP with short bursts up to 20W, the processor itself supports up to 35W. Whether the cooling system can sustainably handle such power requires deeper testing, but even within its default TDP envelope, the device delivers responsive performance across web browsing, productivity software, email management, cloud apps, and media consumption.

Light Gaming and Emulation Capabilities

While not marketed as a gaming machine, the N305 enables enjoyable performance in a wide variety of lighter titles. In Hades II at 1080p medium settings, frame rates remain stable at 60 FPS, outperforming the earlier N150 configuration. Classic titles like Skyrim at 900p can also maintain near-60 FPS, with occasional fluctuations depending on drivers and optimization.

Cyberpunk 2077 serves as a stress test for the hardware, managing to launch and render gameplay at 720p with the lowest visual settings and XeSS upscaling. Frame rates average around 27 FPS—far from playable, but notable given the hardware class. Enabling FSR 3 frame generation boosts the metric to approximately 36 FPS but introduces latency and instability, making it more of a technical curiosity than a usable option.

Emulation performance is particularly strong. PS2 titles such as God of War II run at 720p with stable 60 FPS using the DirectX 11 backend. Systems like Dreamcast, PSP, and Sega Saturn perform extremely well, and GameCube or Wii titles run smoothly at 720p, with lighter games hitting 1080p. Even original Xbox emulation via XEMU is achievable, with Forza Motorsport reaching its original 30 FPS at 1280×960. Bluetooth controller support works reliably throughout.

Everyday Use and Battery Life Expectations

With Windows 11 pre-installed, general usability is smooth and responsive. Touch navigation remains the preferred interaction method due to the compact keyboard, though the optical track point provides an additional precise input option. The display folds backward for tablet mode, automatically disabling the keyboard and enabling rotation for portrait use.

Battery life is one of the more constrained aspects due to the compact 26.6Wh capacity. The claimed six hours of runtime applies only to minimal-intensity use at very low brightness. Real-world testing at 50% brightness yielded approximately 4 hours and 12 minutes of YouTube playback at 720p. Light gaming scenarios such as Stardew Valley resulted in around 3 hours and 22 minutes. Charging speeds peak at around 18W, which is modest but consistent with the system’s compact design.

A Specialized Laptop for Portability and Travel

The X Plus 2-in-1 laptop stands out due to its compact form factor, responsive display, upgraded N305 processor, and overall build quality. Its 8-inch size fills a unique gap between smartphones, tablets, and full laptops—providing a highly portable Windows experience suited for commuters, travelers, field technicians, and users who need a secondary miniature workstation. The ability to upgrade the SSD, fold into tablet mode, run emulators smoothly, and handle modern productivity applications makes it a compelling device within its category.

The combination of stronger CPU performance, improved GPU capability, well-implemented touchscreen mechanics, and flexible I/O makes this iteration a meaningful upgrade over the earlier N100-based unit.