ZDNET’s key takeaways
- HP’s Envy x360 2-in-1 16-inch (2024) is available in a wide range of configurations, however the model with 1TB of storage and an OLED show is on sale for $949.
- It sports activities some of the attractive shows I’ve seen on a convertible laptop computer on this value vary.
- It is slightly on the heavy facet, and the configuration swapping might be buggy.
A bunch of nice 2-in-1 laptops launched in 2024, forcing an increasing number of laptop computer diehards (myself included) beforehand unwilling to decide to the shape issue getting on board with convertibles, which provide the better of each worlds.
The HP Envy x360 16″ 2-in-1 reveals as much as the get together with all of the options that customers truly need in a convertible: a beautiful show, beefy audio system, and a set of {hardware} to again it up. This leads to a stable 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 — slightly unwieldy, even. Nonetheless, the OLED show on this laptop computer is so good that it would not matter to me. Actually, it might be greater, and I might nonetheless fortunately tote it round.
The Envy x360 contains a 2.8K (2880 x 1800) decision OLED touchscreen with a variable 120Hz refresh price and edge-to-edge glass that leads to 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 attractive (however might not be for everybody, as a result of fingerprints are a factor).
Additionally: The work laptop computer with one of the best show I’ve examined just isn’t a ThinkPad or MacBook (and it is $300 off)
Video playback is vibrant, {smooth}, and sharp, with a practical depth of shade and distinction. HP additionally advertises the Envy x360 as an “IMAX licensed” laptop computer, one of many first of its sort. It earned this certification for its means to show IMAX-formatted content material in its authentic 1.43:1 or 1.90:1 facet ratio. Whereas a flashy designation, this can be a laptop computer we’re speaking about right here; it is nonetheless a 16-inch display screen. It does look good, although — I will give it that.
The audio can also be first rate. 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 extremely bar-shaped audio system on the again of the gadget. There is not numerous 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 admire, as this can be 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 12 months and located it has really next-gen {hardware} with the cutting-edge “Meteor Lake” AI processor, however it’ll run you lots of of {dollars} extra.
The Envy x360 mannequin that I examined, nevertheless, got here with an built-in AMD Radeon GPU that, coupled with the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor, can run each CPU-intensive and graphics duties properly. 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 factors 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 quicker than HP’s 50% in 45-minute claims.
Additionally: The most effective battery life laptops of 2024: Knowledgeable examined and reviewed
The two-in-1 kind issue requires a sure diploma of bodily fortitude, and its hinge-style design (which is nearly equivalent 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 is very skinny — solely 0.72 inches — which leads to a laptop computer that also feels sufficiently moveable.
Port choice on the 2024 Envy x360 may even be ample 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 shade, with outsized letters in a definite sans serif font. It appears to be like good however lacks a right-side quantity pad, which I want to have on a laptop computer — particularly one in all this dimension.
Additionally: How we check laptops at ZDNET in 2024
If you cannot inform already, I am a giant fan of the Envy x360, and out of all of the 2-in-1 laptops I’ve examined, I want this one. My primary critique of this laptop computer is the bugginess that may happen when swapping between the completely different orientations. Going from pill to laptop computer can lead to 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 interior 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, dealing with non-functioning {hardware} might be irritating, and you need to maintain that in thoughts.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The HP Envy x360 16 (2024) is priced properly for an upper-mid-tier gadget with a beautiful show and stable efficiency. Creators will love this laptop computer’s versatile kind issue and spectacular battery life. After utilizing it for just a few weeks, I can say that it is my favourite big-screen 2-in-1, regardless of its quirks. It is a laptop computer for work as a lot as it’s for leisure, and should you’re in search of a 2-in-1 laptop computer, you must 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 an incredible machine price consideration, however the Yoga is heavier with a duller display screen. Microsoft’s Eleventh-Gen Floor Professional arguably has higher {hardware}, however it’s a lot smaller, sporting a 13-inch touchscreen.
When you’re in search of a smaller possibility, contemplate HP’s 2024 Spectre x360, which has a 14-inch show. For one thing extra adventurous, take a look at the Lenovo Yoga E book 9i, which has two shows.
