The HP Elite x3 phablet, revealed on Sunday at this year's MWC, is therefore as surprising as it is ambitious. The world's first Windows 10 Mobile device with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, the Elite x3 is an enterprise-focused handset that aims to replace not just potential users' existing...

After quite the hiatus, HP is back in the phone business with a bang: the Elite x3 is a Windows 10 phablet with big aspirations. It's not content with merely being a king-sized smartphone, either: the Elite x3 wants to depose your phone, your PC and your laptop, too.

For the last month or so I had time to experience the HP Elite X3, a full blown Windows 10 Mobile experience.

HP's Elite x3 smartphone has achieved at least one thing: It has triumphantly realized Microsoft's dream of phones that could eventually replace your PC. Microsoft's vision was meaningless unless those phones could support the PC's legacy apps.

HP first showed off the Elite x3 back in February at the annual Mobile World Congress show, and a few months later, we got a sneak peak of an updated version of the device during HP's big business printers and business PCs launch event in Macau.

When I first saw the HP Elite x3 a few months ago, it reminded me of a similar device from some seven years ago – the Motorola Atrix.

Imagine being able to carry around your PC in your pocket, using it as a smartphone by itself and as a full-fledged PC when connected to a display, keyboard, and mouse. For people who work on the road or in multiple locations, that sounds like nirvana.

At the presentation of the company's representative emphasized several times that HP Elite x3 is not just a smartphone, a multi-function device designed to replace a laptop, desktop and phone one gadget.

When I approached HP about looking at the Elite X3 bundle, my goal was to be able to use the X3 for daily applications and try and use this as my only device. It's hard to grasp that you could move from a desktop + laptop + optional tablet + phone to a phone.

Great screen; Ample + expandable storage; Fast processor; Solid Office/App support; Integration with all Microsoft Services; Continuum works well; HP Workspace fills the desktop gap; Dual-SIM

Expandable storage replaced SIM 2; Diminishing app support; No multi-windows support in Continuum; HP Workspace subscriptions are expensive with limited connected hours

HP is a name more associated with laptops than smartphones, but with the Elite X3 the brand is hoping to bring a little of its business nous to one of the most crowded and, arguably, tough to succeed in fields in tech. The idea behind the Elite X3 is something we've seen before.