Now more strong and feature-rich than ever, the HP Spectre x360 is. When you think this premium line might not get any better, in 2020, H.P. takes it to a whole new level. This latest addition brings essential updates and new features while bringing back all the characteristics we already know and love.
HP Spectre x360 (2020) Short Review
The HP Spectre X360 is competitive. It rocks a brand-new processor, the Intel Core i7-1065G7. This processor is an absolute powerhouse. It also includes the flashy Iris Plus integrated graphics. The RAM is doubly integrated. The laptop stands out from its large, bulky peers.
Other updates, however, also allow the best qualities of both laptops and tablets to be genuinely exemplified. First, on the outside, the HP Spectre x360 is breathtaking, keeping everything thin and light. The lower-end configurations also boast a stunning 4K touch display, which gives the more casual users the option of glorious 4K viewing that only its higher-end configuration owners have enjoyed before.
The HP Spectre x360 for 2020 has never really been your daily office grinder, with its cutting-edge design and features. It’s always been this fantastic portable piece that is not only meant to be seen but also intended to see you through the more challenging tasks. However, this amazing thing is much more than that in 2020. It’s something new, a sexier thing.
All of that glitz comes with a price tag to match, of course. Our model clocks in at $1,749.99 (around £ 1,350, AU$ 2,600), which is not a small amount to pay for a laptop, but later we’re going to get more into it. Right now, the HP Spectre x360 costs more than many 2-in-1s available on the market, although you will struggle to discover one with the same raw design and performance quality.
Of course, packing that robust hardware into such a slender chassis does have its drawbacks. Mostly if you use it for demanding tasks such as 3D rendering or 4K video editing, the HP Spectre x360 runs pretty hotly.
This is no gaming machine either; the lack of a sound graphics card means you will be beyond your reach for the latest big games. However, the Iris Plus graphics can handle more than you might expect at lower resolutions – perfect for puzzle games or low-poly indie titles.
The disadvantages do not outweigh the advantages, though – not even close. And the HP Spectre x360 (2020) is not unique to these problems; there is no laptop lighter than the HP Spectre x360 (2020) that can play games better or manage heat more effectively. It is an undeniably top-notch product, and we are awarding it five stars for that.
Price and accessibility
Our H.P. Spectrum x360 (2020) review model is high-end but, based on the configuration, total prices in the U.S. range from $1.299.99 to $1.899.99 less expensive. There are several options available on H.P.’s website, with the possibility to customize your x360.
The 4K AMOLED screen (our model’s stand-out feature) has an exclusive configuration, however.
Four HP Spectre x360 (2020) fixed configurations are available in the U.K., ranging from £ 1,199 to £ 1,799. More designs, ranging from AUS$2.199 to AUS$3.599, are available in Australia.
Overall, the price is what we would expect for a 2-in-1 premium laptop. It leans towards the pricey side, but here you get what you pay for; the superior design and performance of the HP Spectre x360 are worth the higher price. It’s also worth noting that H.P.’s Tilt Pen, a decent smart stylus, comes with the HP Spectre x360 (2020).
Design : HP Spectre x360
Straight out of the box, it’s evident that a high-quality piece of hardware is the HP Spectre x360 (2020). The brushed metal finish means that the entire laptop feels robust, and the same build quality extends to the namesake 360-degree hinge that allows the laptop and tablet modes to switch.
Weight, naturally, is a factor here. DESPITE ITS ROBUST CHASSIS, the HP Spectre x360 (2020) is as lightweight as they come, weighing in at just over a kilo. Holding it in one hand is simple, and the near bezel-less screen means the overall size is slightly larger than the display itself.
It’s also impressively thin; maybe not the most delicate and lightest laptop on the market, but with the other major contenders, it’s up there. That super-thin design, however, means that there is limited space inside the case for heat management.
The cooling of the HP Spectre x360 (2020) is handled by two small fans sitting together on the laptop’s base, and they are not particularly powerful while running quietly (unless you are thrashing the CPU with demanding software). The HP Spectre x360 (2020) can get quite hot during extended periods of use, never to a relatively high degree, but perhaps to an awkward one if it is sitting on your lap.
Fortunately, such engineering mishaps are free from the rest of the design. As we said, the screen bezel is practically non-existent, and the display is a glorious AMOLED panel itself. Blacks are black as pitch, while bright colors pop with vibrancy and, even in well-lit spaces, the maximum brightness is excellent.
The keyboard is also a joy to use, despite the compact design, softly backlit in white with nice large keys. There is no Numpad – and the arrow keys are frustratingly truncated – but these issues plague almost every 13-inch convertible laptop. However, with a wide touch area and a pleasantly firm click, the trackpad certainly beats out many of its contemporaries.
The two Thunderbolt 3-enabled USB-C ports and a single USB-A port handle physical connectivity well. The USB-A port opens on a sprung clasp and is larger than the laptop’s super-thin edge. It snaps shut when not in use. This design is a nice feature we’ve seen before, but it’s rarely done this well.
A headphone jack and microSD card reader connect to these ports. However, we wonder if HP should have included a dedicated AC charging port. Via USB-C, the HP Spectre x360 charges, leaving you plugged in with one less port if you want to use it.
Performance: HP Spectre x360
Intel’s 10th-generation laptop CPUs pull their weight and more. Pairing one with 16GB of high-speed RAM makes the HP Spectre x360 (2020) efficient. It quickly handles daily work tasks. The HP Spectre x360 excels at web browsing, streaming videos, and using the Microsoft Office suite. All tasks are seamless and easy to perform.
Of course, this 2-in-1 is not content with just that. More complex tasks such as rendering and video encoding are more options thanks to the extended memory and the new, more powerful processor. Of course, if you regularly work with high-intensity software, you may want a system with a more powerful graphics solution.
The Iris Plus graphics dominated older integrated graphics in our tests, powering up with high scores compared to previous models in our graphical tests. Our Cinebench rendering benchmark performance was not impressive, but it was still suitable for an ultralight laptop.
Gaming on the HP Spectre x360 is also definitely an option, though only at the spectrum’s decidedly casual end. Recent triple-A releases are not likely to run well without the resolution and graphic quality being severely dropped. Still, slightly older games or titles should run fine without demanding graphics.
We enjoyed playing Tomb Raider at 1080p with good performance. We also played the great indie gem, FTL: Faster Than Light.
The HP Spectre x360 offers integrated features focused on privacy. It’s the ideal laptop for anyone wary of online risks. Several features are designed to keep you and your data safe.
First up is the Windows Hello feature, a now-common laptop feature. You can log in to your laptop using your face. This works even in poorly lit conditions, like when you’re curled up in bed watching Netflix. The I.R. camera array links to the x360’s H.D. webcam.
The laptop also features a kill switch for the camera. This physical switch manually cuts power to the webcam for added safety. Additionally, a fingerprint scanner below the keyboard allows quick logins. You can use it if you don’t want to use Windows Hello.
Life of the Battery
One of the only areas where the HP Spectre x360 (2020) doesn’t excel is battery life. The battery life is still good. It lasts throughout the working day for everyday use. You can get about 10 hours without charging. However, higher-intensity tasks drain the battery faster. It may last as little as 4 hours with heavy use.
It’s not bad, though it’s slightly below the previous HP Spectre x360.0 configuration. In battery tests, the 2019 model performed better, but only by a small margin. All that new fancy hardware took its toll.
Thanks to the USB-C connector, the battery charges quickly, charging from empty to 100% in barely over an hour. Thanks to the angled USB-C port, it is easy to set up while in use. This design ensures the power cable won’t get in your way.
