ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The HP Envy x360 2-in-1 (2024) is now out there at its new low value of $979 on the corporate’s digital storefront.
- It sports activities one of the crucial beautiful shows I’ve seen on a convertible laptop computer.
- HP’s machine is somewhat on the heavy facet, and the configuration swapping will be buggy.
A bunch of latest 2-in-1 laptops have already launched in 2024, as the shape issue’s recognition continues to develop. Increasingly laptop computer diehards (myself included) who’ve beforehand been unwilling to decide to a pill are getting on board with convertibles, which provide the better of each worlds.
The HP Envy x360 16″ 2-in-1 exhibits as much as the celebration with all of the options that buyers truly need in a convertible: a stunning show, beefy audio system, and a collection of {hardware} to again it up, leading to strong efficiency and a satisfying media expertise at a mid-range value level.
Sure, a 16-inch display screen is giant when used as a pill. Somewhat unwieldy, even. The OLED show on this laptop computer is so good that it does not matter to me. In actual fact, it may very well be greater, and I’d nonetheless fortunately tote it round.
The Envy x360 contains a 2.8K (2880 x 1800) decision OLED touchscreen with a variable 120Hz refresh charge and edge-to-edge glass that ends in a smooth-as-silk visible expertise. The five hundred-nit brightness is greater than sufficient for regular use, and the shiny end appears to be like beautiful (however is probably not for everybody, as a result of fingerprints are a factor).
Additionally: The 2-in-1 that I recommend for college juggles work and play seamlessly
Video playback is vibrant, {smooth}, and sharp, with a practical depth of coloration and distinction. HP additionally advertises the Envy x360 as an “IMAX licensed” laptop computer, one of many first of its variety. It earned this certification for its capability to show IMAX-formatted content material in its unique 1.43:1 or 1.90:1 facet ratio. Whereas a flashy designation, it is a laptop computer we’re speaking about right here; it is nonetheless a 16-inch display screen. It does look good, although — I am going to give it that.
The audio can also be respectable. Whereas it could appear that the 2 vents on both facet of the keyboard are audio system, audio truly originates from the twin DTS:X ultra bar-shaped audio system on the again of the gadget. There is not a variety of bass, however mid-frequency audio and dialogue sound crisp and clear and held their very own once I performed Netflix in a loud kitchen.
The beforehand talked about vents on both facet of the keyboard are literally for expelling warmth, one thing my colleague Cesar Cadenas will respect, as it is a laptop computer you possibly can truly work with in your lap with out getting first-degree burns in your legs.
The Envy x360 is positioned slightly below HP’s Spectre line of laptops to offer nice efficiency that serves most customers’ wants. We reviewed the 2024 Spectre x360 earlier this yr and located it has actually next-gen {hardware} with the cutting-edge “Meteor Lake” AI processor, however it’s going to run you lots of of {dollars} extra.
The Envy x360, nonetheless, comes with an built-in AMD Radeon GPU that, coupled with the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor, can run each CPU-intensive and graphics duties effectively. This aligns with its focused creator/freelancer client demographic, permitting visible apps like DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Photoshop to run easily, with an eye fixed towards generative AI capabilities.
I discovered that the battery life was higher than common — particularly for an OLED-equipped laptop computer — because of the effectivity positive aspects of the Ryzen 7 8840HS processor. With solely intermittent use, the laptop computer lasted me a number of days, whereas sustained exercise resulted in over 10 hours of battery life, kind of equal to what’s marketed. Even higher is the quick charging function, which I discovered even sooner than HP’s 50% in 45-minute claims.
Additionally: This HP Copilot+ laptop is a remote worker’s secret weapons, and I proved it
The two-in-1 kind issue requires a sure diploma of bodily fortitude, and its hinge-style design (which is nearly an identical to the Lenovo 7i 2-in-1) helps a sturdy construct that is as much as the duty. It has minimal display screen wobble, but sufficient resistance to remain in place as a touchscreen.
That stated, this isn’t a very mild laptop computer, weighing in at round 4 kilos, with most of that weight coming from the 16-inch OLED. Regardless of the load, it’s totally skinny — solely 0.72 inches — which leads to a laptop computer that also feels sufficiently transportable.
Port choice on the 2024 Envy x360 can even be adequate for many customers, with two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an HDMI port. The keyboard is especially distinctive: the keys are massive and chunky, in a matte grey coloration, with outsized letters in a definite sans serif font. It appears to be like good however lacks a right-side quantity pad, which I favor to have on a laptop computer — particularly one in all this dimension.
Additionally: How we test laptops at ZDNET in 2024
If you cannot inform already, I am a giant fan of the Envy x360, and out of all the 2-in-1 laptops I’ve tested, I favor this one. My most important critique of this laptop computer is the bugginess that may happen when swapping between the totally different orientations. Going from pill to laptop computer may end up in delayed or glitchy keyboard response, and the display screen orientation can stick in a single place or one other, requiring a deliberate re-positioning of the laptop computer to reset the inner gyroscope.
These points are prevalent throughout all 2-in-1 laptops I’ve examined and are (normally) intermittent sufficient to not be issues — however in sure moments, going through non-functioning {hardware} will be irritating, and it is best to hold that in thoughts.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The HP Envy x360 16 (2024) is priced effectively for an upper-mid-tier gadget with a stunning show and strong efficiency. Creators will love this laptop computer’s versatile kind issue and spectacular battery life. After utilizing it for a number of weeks, I can say that it is my favourite big-screen 2-in-1, regardless of its quirks. This can be a laptop computer for work as a lot as it’s for leisure, and for those who’re on the lookout for a 2-in-1 laptop computer, you need to contemplate the Envy x360.
In comparison with its rivals, HP’s mannequin presents a extra full bundle. Check out Lenovo’s Yoga 7i. It is also a terrific machine value consideration, however the Yoga is heavier with a duller display screen. Microsoft’s 11th-Gen Surface Pro arguably has higher {hardware}, however it’s a lot smaller, sporting a 13-inch touchscreen. The MacBook Pro is one other nice choice, however do you actually wish to spend cash on one thing that’ll in all probability really feel outdated in a yr or so? Consider the Envy x360 as a Goldilocks laptop computer — every thing about it’s excellent.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a smaller choice, contemplate HP’s 2024 Spectre x360, which has a 14-inch show. For one thing extra adventurous, try the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, which has two shows.