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HP Spectre x360 16

Intel® Core™ Processors Powerful combination of performance, connectivity, and entertainment.

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12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor

With a powerful, fast processor and graphics the Envy PCs can handle anything you throw at it. With the flexible 360° design, use it as a laptop, flip it around to sketch or put it in tent mode to stream away.

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tUse it as a laptop, flip it around to use it as a tablet or put it in tent mode to stream away.\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Intel® Evo™ platform brings together the perfect combination of performance, responsiveness, battery life and stunning visuals.\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tApps like Duet® for HP 1 , QuickDrop and Concepts make it easy to stay productive while you create across devices.\n\t\t\t\t\t

Flexible 360° design

The Intel® Evo™ platform brings together the perfect combination of performance, responsiveness, battery life and stunning visuals.

Apps like Duet® for HP 1 , QuickDrop and Concepts make it easy to stay productive while you create across devices.

Family, friends, obsessions, music, creations—Windows 11 is the one place for it all. With a fresh new feel and tools that make it easier to be efficient, it has what you need for whatever's next. 6

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“Best All In One Printer” and “the easiest printer you’ve ever had to set up” from Wirecutter. ©2020 The Wirecutter, Inc.. All rights reserved. Used under license. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-all-in-one-printer/

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HP Spectre x360 16 (2022) review: Now we’re talking

The hp spectre x360 16 is still the 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop to beat, but it could use a bit more power.

Laptop Mag Verdict

The HP Spectre x360 16 is a stylishly compact 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop that boasts a dazzling OLED display, but its 12th Gen Intel update only brings a middling improvement to performance.

Stunning 16-inch OLED touch screen

Comfortable keyboard

Ample battery life

Great audio

Solid performance…

…but could be better

Too heavy for tablet mode

Why you can trust Laptop Mag Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

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Price : $1,649 (starting), $2,129 (as tested) CPU : Intel Core i7-1260P GPU : Intel Arc A370M /  Intel Iris Xe RAM : 16GB DDR4 Storage : 1TB PCIe NVMe TLC M.2 SSD Display : 16-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400) OLED touch display Size : 14.09 x 9.6 x 0.7 inches Weight : 4.1 pounds 

It was only recently that I reviewed the HP Spectre x360 16 , the company’s giant take on the popular Spectre x360 lineup. I was dazzled by its 16-inch OLED touchscreen, stylishly compact design, great Bang & Olufsen audio, and comfortable keyboard — but I couldn’t say the same about its performance. Why? Well, it was sporting an 11th Gen Intel CPU in a world where 12th Gen Intel processors run rampant. It was hardly the Spectre x360 16’s fault, as it was just a little behind on the times. HP knew it could do better, though, so decided to show me what its latest model could do. Oh, and it even threw in its handy HP Rechargeable Tilt Pen stylus for good measure. And so, I have a fresh HP Spectre x360 16 to review. Same impeccable design, same triumphant touch display, same booming audio, same everything. But this time, it boasts an Intel Core i7-1260P CPU and a 1TB SSD. The results? Fantastic, but its performance gains still don’t quite match the top-end notebooks we’ve seen this year. Regardless of its middling performance improvements, the HP Spectre x360 16 is still one of the best HP laptops to get, and if you prefer a convertible laptop with considerable width, then it’s one of the best 2-in-1 laptops to grab. 

HP Spectre x360 16 (2022) price and configurations

The HP Spectre x360 16 we reviewed is priced at $2,129 on HP’s listing page . This model comes with a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P CPU, Intel Arc A370M graphics, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, 1TB SSD, and a 16-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400) OLED touch display. It’s a pricey configuration, but it comes packed with high-standard specs. It also includes HP’s Rechargeable Tilt Pen stylus. Currently, you can get $500 off, making it just $1,629. 

The base model comes in at a more enticing $1,649 and is currently $1,149 thanks to a $500 discount at HP . This Spectre x360 16 comes with an Intel Core i7-12700H CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, and a 16-inch 3K+ (3072 x 1920) touch display. There’s no doubt that this is a pricey laptop, but comparing it to other 16-inch laptops like the Asus ROG Flow X16 (from $2,000, £2,799 with RTX 3070) and the Huawei MateBook X Pro (£1,799) shows that it isn’t as costly, especially with those discounts. 

HP Spectre x360 16 (2022) design

When it comes to sleek, premium-looking laptops, the Dell XPS 13 Plus or 14-inch MacBook Pro are the cream of the crop. Personally, I think the HP Spectre x360 lineup takes the cake with a design that radiates luxury. The Spectre x360 16 comes in a cool Nocturne Blue with elegant cerulean hues outlining (and defining) the laptop. There’s also a Nightfall Black aluminum chassis with “pale brass” trims around the edges of the deck, lid, touchpad, and hinges (but let’s be real; those outlines are an alluring gold). I adore the Nightfall color option, which offers the slightest hint of a dark-violet hue as a step up from your classic black. 

Throw in the gem-cut edges on the base and lid, a stylish HP logo emblazoned at the center, and the smooth-feeling rounded edges at the top ends of the notebook, and you have yourself quite the stunner. And that’s not even mentioning the thin-bezel display around that eye-catching screen. The x360 16, obviously, has more space to play with, meaning it doesn’t look as clean-cut as its smaller siblings like the x360 14. That doesn’t take away from its style though, as its subtle accents of high-quality design can be seen and felt throughout the laptop.

I wouldn’t say its display is quite “edge-to-edge” like the x360 14 or Dell’s XPS 13 lineup, but it's still thin enough to wow onlookers — especially when it seamlessly transforms into tablet and tent modes. The 360-degree hinge is sturdy as it is sleek, and I had no problems bending it to any angle I needed — no nail-biting wobbling in sight. One dimension this model adds is the Rechargeable 2.0 MPP Tilt Pen that’s conveniently placed magnetically along the right side of the lid. It grips on firmly and reminds me of someone putting a pen behind their ear. It just looks neat, but it shouldn’t be kept here when being transported. It’s not the best place to store the stylus when traveling, as it can easily be moved and fall off. But the laptop also comes with a laptop sleeve, making that the best place to keep it.

As thin and portable as the x360 16 looks, it isn’t the 2-in-1 laptop that can be manipulated to your needs as easily. That’s due to its size and weight. It sports dimensions of 14.09 x 9.6 x 0.7 inches and weighs 4.1 pounds. Compared to the Huawei MateBook X Pro (12.2 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches, 2.9 pounds), the x360 16 isn’t a notebook that can be simply thrown into a laptop bag . It has an edge over the Asus ROG Flow X16 (14 x 9.6 x 0.8 inches, 4.63 pounds), but I’d prefer to have this laptop as a device I’d mainly use at home, whether that be working on a desk or streaming content on a kitchen counter while I cook. All in all, however, HP crafted a striking 16-inch laptop that will turn heads, even if its 2-in-1 design is a little too cumbersome. 

HP Spectre x360 16 (2022) ports

HP packed quite a few ports into the Spectre x360 16, and despite being 0.7 inches thin, there’s a high-speed, drop-jaw USB-A port fitted into the side. While some ports, like the 3.5mm headphone jack and Thunderbolt 4 port are seemingly placed strangely at the cut corners of the laptop, it surprisingly all looks great when plugged in. 

On the left, there’s a SuperSpeed USB Type-A port with 10Gbps transfer speeds, an HDMI 2.0b slot, and (thankfully) a 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack at the corner. The other side boasts two Thunderbolt 4 ports with USB4 Type-C connectivity (that means 40Gbps transfer speeds, Power Delivery, and DisplayPort 1.4 support), a slot for the power adapter, and even a microSD card reader. Plus, you’re getting Intel Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, although Wi-Fi 6E would have been a better option. I would have also liked to have seen a Gigabit Ethernet port for fast, wired internet connectivity. There’s plenty to work with, but if you’re after even more ports, check out the best docking stations to expand your connectivity needs. 

HP Spectre x360 16 (2022) display

You can’t go wrong with a 16-inch, UHD+ (3840 x 2400) OLED display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. I’m glad it’s a touch screen, too, as the bright, vivid colors and crisp details of the Spectre x360 16’s OLED panel made me reach out a tap on everything I viewed. From watching YouTube videos to scrolling through websites, the 91% screen-to-body ratio on the “edge-to-edge” glass display made everything on screen emit clear, super-smooth images. Add the anti-reflection Corning Gorilla Glass, and there’s little chance of anyone squinting to see small text or dark content. That way-too-dark House of the Dragon episode (if you know, you know) pushes the limits of how much you can see, but that’s not the fault of the x360 16. 

When watching Cyberpunk: Edgerunners ’ bonkers animation in full swing during the final blowout between a Chrome-stuffed David and Night City “boogeyman” Adam Smasher, the first small detail I kept replaying was when David satisfyingly squished Faraday with his gravity-powered mech suit. The pool of blood spilling out of the severed leg in the air showed off the x360 16’s red-rendering prowess as the subtle, ruby-esque hues caught my eye, even on Faraday’s bold, red suit. David going full cyber-psycho when using the Sandevistan to “delta” out of there really showed off the OLED panel’s capabilities. The spectrum of blue and green spilled through the display with the smooth after-images of David (and then, frighteningly, Adam Smasher) beautifully shown off.

HP’s claimed 100% DCI-P3 color-gamut coverage and 400 nits of brightness are evident in what I watched, and the display is even easy on the eyes with the Low Blue Light support. HP even includes a Display Control for users to switch between different modes based on the content you’re viewing, from web-optimized sRGB to Adobe RGB when editing images in Photoshop or other applications. Plus, there’s an Auto Color option that will do the work for you. Top marks on the display, HP. 

HP Spectre x360 16 (2022) audio

Audio is another highlight of the Spectre x360 16, thanks to support from Bang & Olufsen. Loud, booming, and crisp, the quad-speakers are a step up from the usual stereo speakers manufacturers throw in just to have sound. As an example, the audio matched the quality on screen when watching Cyberpunk: Edgerunners . The haunting build-up of David’s gravitational powers are a treat, and the melancholic background tune of “I Really Want to Stay At Your House” by Rosa Walton beautifully mixes in with the explosive mayhem happening. 

Turning to more four-on-the-floor House tunes, I cranked up the volume on Fred Again’s “Jungle” and was engulfed with the need to bop along with the beat. The vocalist’s repetitive lyrics were harmonious with the initial fout-beat tempo, ramping up to a blast of heavy thumps alongside a resounding techno tune balancing out the clash of different mixes. While great for both music and shows, there’s also a handy 3.5mm jack so you can keep the sound to yourself.  

HP Spectre x360 16 (2022) keyboard, touchpad, and stylus

Like the Chiclet-style keyboard found on other Spectre laptops, the x360 16’s keyboard is simplicity at its finest; it’s easy to type on and comfortable to use. 

The “all-in-one” keyboard offers a bunch of features at your fingertips, including the mute and webcam shutter keys along with the fingerprint scanner key that replaces the right-side “Ctrl” key (not something I ever use, anyway). With the 1.5mm key travel distance and silent, satisfying actuation point, it’s a joy to type away on. Keys are bouncy and snappy. Thanks to the small key travel distance, I achieved 75 words per minute on the 10fastfingers.com typing test, which beats my average of 70 wpm (pathetic, I know). Any keyboard that makes me type faster is a win in my book.

As for the touchpad, it’s premium to the touch with each click feeling satisfyingly solid while being easy to glide my finger on. It also supports multi-touch gesture that allows me to whizz through apps with three or four fingers.

HP throws in the Rechargeable 2.0 MPP Tilt Pen with your purchase of the laptop. Like always, it's pretty standard stuff here; the pen has two reprogrammable buttons, it supports tilt for line variation, and gets 30 hours of battery life after which you can recharge it via a hidden USB-C port on the side. It’s a great addition to have, especially if you can make the most out of it in tablet mode. 

HP Spectre x360 16 (2022) performance

Equipped with an Intel Core i7-1260P CPU, Intel Arc A370M graphics, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, this HP Spectre x360 16 packs a wallop compared to the last configuration we recently reviewed (Intel Core i7-11390H CPU, 512GB SSD). That said, while the improvements are notable during benchmark tests, they aren’t significant enough to compete with the top contenders. Regardless, the Spectre x360 16 we reviewed showed no signs of slowing no matter how much I threw at it in my daily working day. That means easily loading up 50 Google Chrome tabs and five 1080p YouTube videos — no sweat. This was reflected when we put it through the benchmark ringer, too. 

On the Geekbench 5 overall performance test, the Spectre x360 16 scored a multi-core score of 6,920. That’s nearly double what the 11th Gen Intel i7 model reached (3,556), and surpasses the premium laptop average (5,956). However, the Huawei MateBook X Pro (11,142, Intel Core i7-1260P) showed off the 12th Gen Intel CPU’s true might, while the Asus ROG Flow X16 (9,570, AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS) even gave the Spectre a run for its money. It couldn’t hold a candle to the MacBook Pro 14 (12,477, M1 Pro) either. The Spectre x360 took 12 minutes and 24 seconds to transcode a 4K video to 1080p on our HandBrake benchmark. That’s way better than the disappointing 18 minutes and 31 seconds the last model took, and that finally beat the category average (13:27). Still, when compared to the Flow X16 (5:48), MateBook X Pro (8:33), and MacBook Pro 14 (4:51), it didn’t stand a chance.

With the 1TB SSD in this HP Spectre x360 16 review unit, it clocked in at an impressive 2,481 megabytes-per-second transfer rate. Again, that’s miles ahead of the 512GB SSD on the 11th Gen Intel model (1,339 MBps).  On average, premium laptops clock in at 825 MBps, so the x360 16 did a stellar job. The MateBook X Pro achieved a stellar 1,960 MBps, so this is one spot where the x360 exceeds. However, to put that into perspective, the MacBook Pro 14 held a blistering speed of  5,321.5 MBps.

HP Spectre x360 16 (2022) battery life

When it comes to battery life, the Spectre x360 16 does an adequate job of staying alive without me reaching for the charger every couple of hours. For a 16-inch laptop boasting a bright OLED display, I found its 6-cell, 83Wh Li-ion polymer battery impressive. My average day consists of writing and editing stories through CMS or Google Docs, scrolling through websites and multimedia, answering emails, and watching multimedia on YouTube and other streaming platforms (for work purposes, of course…). That’s fairly moderate usage, but the Spectre x360 16 could last nearly the full workday. Kicking off at 9 a.m., the laptop only went into power-saving mode just past 4 p.m. before I reached for the battery. That’s around 7 hours of constant work, which doesn’t scratch any of the longest-lasting batteries on laptops we’ve tested. Still, that knocks the Huawei MateBook X Pro out of the park, and matches the “pretty good” battery on the Asus ROG Flow X16. Plus, the x360 16 boasts a 135W power adapter, which means very fast charging speeds. HP claims it can juice up the laptop to 50% in just 30 minutes, and it wasn’t too far off the 33 minutes I tested. I’ll take fast charging any day over a long battery life with sluggish charging speeds.  

HP Spectre x360 16 (2022) webcam

What’s this? A webcam that I don’t want to keep shut at all times? That’s right. The Spectre x360 16 boasts a 5MP “True Vision” IR webcam that does more than just offer a clean image of yourself. The camera captures light brilliantly without unsightly grains showering down on me, and the detail is incredibly crisp, right down to the strands of hair on my unkempt beard. But it’s the different features that it boasts that make this more than just your average webcam. There’s HP’s Advanced Lighting feature that offers different lighting frames on screen, including a ring light to brighten up your face in video calls, auto-ISO sensitivity, white balance and brightness sliders, and even an auto-focus that zooms in and centres your face so callers don’t get a sneak peek at your surrounding environment. 

However, one function that annoyed the heck out of me is the notification that keeps popping up stating that I’m too close to the display. That’s not something I need to be reminded about every time I move my head. The good news is this can be turned off, but I prefer it not to be on in the first place. We need more webcams on laptops with these capabilities.

HP Spectre x360 16 (2022) heat

We don’t have lab numbers to give you an exact temperature of different areas across the Spectre x360 16, but after using the laptop, I can say it doesn’t get overly hot — more like lukewarm in certain places. The warmest region was to the right of the touchpad, but everywhere else was temperate. Not even the underside, where there are grilles placed as a vent, got too hot. 

HP Spectre x360 16 (2022) software and warranty

HP sure loves stuffing its apps into its laptops, but this time, there aren’t many like on previous Spectre laptops. Immediately, you’ll see HP Pallette, HP Support, and McAfee taking up room on the Windows 11 taskbar, along with a bundle of pop-up notifications alerting you about even more HP features like the Display Control or Advanced Lighting features. It’s more of an annoyance than anything, but maybe keep the apps in just one set location, HP. 

Interestingly, HP also brings its Quickdrop feature, which allows you to speedily transfer files back and forth between your phone. It’s not something I used, but I can imagine it coming in handy when transferring files. As is standard, the Spectre x360 16 ships with a one-year warranty. See how HP fared on our Tech Support Showdown special reports 

HP Spectre x360 16 (2022): Bottom line

The question is: does the HP Spectre x360 16 fare any better with its 12th Gen Intel CPU update? Of course it does. While I wish the jump to the next-gen processor would offer even greater performance improvements, it still exceeds what it takes to be a premium 16-inch, 2-in-1 laptop that’s worth considering (especially with a $500 discount). HP’s take on a 16-inch convertible laptop already impressed me with its premium form factor and dazzling OLED touch screen, and now it's taken it a step further by bringing decent performance, too. Again, the 2-in-1 laptop is an added bonus, but it doesn’t suit the 16-inch form factor purely due to its weight. Still, for those that enjoy a sizable tablet — one that can be used with HP’s added Rechargeable Tilt Pen — it does a fine job. Now more than ever (until 13th Gen Intel processors start pouring in), the HP Spectre x360 16 (2022) should find a spot in our list of best HP laptops and best 2-in-1 laptops . Looking for a smaller Spectre? Check out our HP Spectre x360 13.5 review . For a stunning HP laptop that isn’t so ghostly,” check out our HP Envy 16 review . 

Darragh Murphy is fascinated by all things bizarre, which usually leads to assorted coverage varying from washing machines designed for AirPods to the mischievous world of cyberattacks. Whether it's connecting Scar from The Lion King to two-factor authentication or turning his love for gadgets into a fabricated rap battle from 8 Mile, he believes there’s always a quirky spin to be made. With a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from The University of Sheffield, along with short stints at Kerrang! and Exposed Magazine, Darragh started his career writing about the tech industry at Time Out Dubai and ShortList Dubai, covering everything from the latest iPhone models and Huawei laptops to massive Esports events in the Middle East. Now, he can be found proudly diving into gaming, gadgets, and letting readers know the joys of docking stations for Laptop Mag.  

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HP Spectre x360 (2021) review

The hp spectre x360 (2021) receives an major update.

TechRadar Verdict

The HP Spectre x360 (2021) presents a brilliant update on an already excellent laptop, bringing the latest Intel hardware to a stunningly designed 2-in-1 device. It can get a bit loud, and it's expensive – but it looks beautiful, and offers brilliant battery life as well.

Gorgeous design

Excellent battery life

Great performance for day-to-day work

Large, comfortable keyboard

Fans can get noisy

Not great as a tablet device

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

HP Spectre x360 (2021): two-minute review

It’s hard to improve on a winning formula but the HP Spectre x360 (2021) has done just that. It raises the bar of what to expect out of these laptops now that it comes with Intel’s Evo certification. 

To meet Intel ’s standards, HP had to not only improve upon the laptop’s performance but its design and battery life as well. In fact, it lasted almost 13 hours in our PCMark 10 battery life test.

This makes the 2021 refresh of the Spectre x360 one of the best laptops out there right now, building on everything we loved in our HP Spectre x360 (2020) review . Whether you’re concerned about battery life and want something that can hang with Chromebooks and MacBooks during long workdays, need something portable enough to easily take on the go, or want something powerful, the HP will be able to satisfy just about any user outside of hardcore gamers.

Price and availability Design Performance Battery Life Features Should I buy? Also consider

With that said, the HP Spectre x360 takes some missteps. It’s a bit clumsy when in tablet mode since it’s a bit too big to comfortably use in that mode. If that’s a crucial feature for you and you want a laptop that’s as easy to use no matter what form factor it’s in, you might want to consider a Surface Pro 7 or iPad instead, which are thin and light tablets that can be used with keyboards.

Our other issue is that the fans become quite loud when you’re using the laptop – and, on occasion, even when you’re not. A few times we heard the fans kick even when the Spectre x360 was closed. It’s the one area of the design that doesn't feel completely premium.

Aside from those issues, this is a supremely accomplished laptop that’s great for day-to-day use, including work. However, with starting prices of $1,349/£1,199/AU$3,339 (various markets have different starting configurations), it's pricey. If you have the budget for it, though, you won’t be disappointed.

HP Spectre x360: price and availability

• How much is it? Starting at $1,149 / £1,199 / AU$3,399
• When can you get it? The HP Spectre x360 (2021) is available now
• Where can you get it? The HP Spectre x360 (2021) is available in the US, UK, and Australia

The HP Spectre x360 (2021) is available in a variety of configurations and prices. Prices start at $1,149.99 in the US, for a model with an Intel Core i5 -1135G7 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD.

In the UK, the base model costs £1,199.99 and comes with an Intel Core i5 -1135G7 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.

Then there’s a version with an Intel Core i7 -1165G7 processor, 16GB of R AM and a 512GB SSD, which is the version on review here. It costs $1,349.99/£1,399.99.

There's also a model with the same CPU and RAM, but with a 1TB SSD and a 4K OLED screen for £1,699.99.

In addition, the Spectre x360 comes with various screen sizes: 13 inches (the version we’re testing), 15 inches, and 13.5 inches (which has a taller 16:10 aspect ratio).

Here is the HP Spectre x360 (2021) configuration sent to TechRadar for review: 

CPU : Intel Core i7-1165G7 (quad-core, up to 4.7GHz Boost) Graphics : Intel Iris Xe RAM : 16GB LPDDR4 (3200MHz) Screen : 13.3-inch FHD (1080p) touch Storage : 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD Ports : 1x USB-A 3.1, 2 x Thunderbolt 4, microSD card reader, combi audio jack Connectivity : Intel Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5 Camera : HP TrueVision HD 1080p IR Webcam Weight : 2.8 pounds (1.3kg) Size (W x D x H) : 12.08 x 7.66 x 0.67 ins (306 x 194.5 x 16.9 mm)

In Australia, you can get the 13-inch model with an Intel Core i7-1165G7, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for AU$3,399. It's also available with the Core i7, 16GB of RAM, a 4K OLED screen and a 2TB SSD for AU$4,599.

Like models in the UK and US, there are numerous configurations available, including models with 14-inch and 15-inch screen sizes.

So, as you can see, there's plenty of choice available for those in the market for a new HP Spectre x360 – but we'd hesitate to say there's a model for every budget. Even the cost of the base models exceed those of many other laptops. This is a seriously premium laptop – which means it needs to work hard to justify its high price.

HP Spectre x360: design

• Stunning design
• Good amount of ports
• A better laptop than tablet

With a premium price you expect a premium design, and HP certainly delivers with the HP Spectre x360 (2021). To be honest, we never had any doubt that it would; the previous model was one of the nicest-looking laptops we've had the pleasure of reviewing.

So, it comes as little surprise that the new model is yet another gorgeous laptop from HP. Design-wise, the Spectre x360 is basically identical to the previous model  – which is no bad thing, considering how impressed we were with its looks.

The Spectre x360 arrives with a brushed-metal design that's available in several color combinations. The 360-degree hinge, which allows the screen to flip back completely, turning the Spectre x360 into a tablet-like device, feels solid and reliable. The right-hand side is engraved with the word ‘Spectre’ – a nice touch that further cements the Spectre x360’s overall premium feel.

In terms of connections, you get an audio-in jack and full-size USB port on the right (the inclusion of a full-size USB port is a nice touch for such a thin and light laptop), plus two USB-C ports, a microSD port and a physical webcam kill switch on the left.

The latter allows you to turn off the webcam when it isn't in use; it's a great feature for people concerned about their privacy. It’s definitely a big selling point, and that – along with the full-size USB port and microSD slot – show that it is possible for a thin and light laptop to incorporate multiple connections without compromising design. It certainly puts the two USB-C ports of the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) and MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020) to shame.

Open up the HP Spectre x360 and you’re presented with a bright and vibrant screen, surrounded by extremely thin bezels. This gives the device a modern look, while keeping the overall size of the laptop down. 

It’s another case of a Windows 10 laptop looking more stylish than an Apple MacBook – something both HP and Intel will be pleased to learn, and is yet another reason for Apple to consider updating its MacBook designs.

The keyboard is large and enjoyable to use, with the keys offering decent travel. They’re also backlit, so you can comfortably use them in the dark.

The touchpad is nice and responsive. It's wider than you’d expect on a 13-inch laptop, providing a bit more room to move your fingers. There’s also a fingerprint scanner to the right of the touchpad for logging into Windows 10 .

Similar to HP's provision of ports, the company has found a way of cramming a large keyboard and trackpad into a small body. It’s a seriously impressive design feat, and means the HP Spectre x360 doesn’t only look good, it feels good to use as well.

Flipping the screen entirely back, using the Spectre x360 as a tablet-like device, the large touchscreen works well. However, while this is a thin and light laptop, compared to tablets such as the iPad, the Spectre x360 actually feels heavy and bulky. 

Having the option to use the laptop in this way is certainly welcome, but it isn't an ideal replacement for a standard tablet. The Spectre x360 is far more successful as a laptop.

HP Spectre x360: performance

• Upgraded 11th-gen Intel processors
• Not really good for gaming

The biggest upgrade on the HP Spectre x360 (2021) over the previous model are its components and performance, with the laptop being a showcase for Intel’s latest mobile processors.

The review unit we were sent in for review features an Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor. This is a quad-core unit that can achieve boost speeds of up to 4.70GHz, which marks a decent leap over the Intel Core i7-1065G7 (the previous generation CPU) included in last year’s model.

As you can see in our Cinebench and Geekbench results, the new Spectre x360 delivers a lift in performance compared to last year’s model, with a single-core score of 1,317 compared to the previous model’s 1,259. It isn't a huge leap, but it’s an increase nonetheless. The Intel Core i7-1065G7 was a pretty great mobile processor anyway, so it’s good that Intel has built on its solid foundation.

Here’s how the HP Spectre x360 (2021) performed in our suite of benchmark tests :

Cinebench R20 : 1,430 points GeekBench 5 : 1,317 (single-core); 4,541 (multi-core) PCMark 10 (Home Test) : 4,721 points  PCMark 10 Battery Life : 12 hours 52 minutes  Battery Life (TechRadar movie test) : 11 hours 22 minutes

Overall, as a result of the new CPU, along with a hefty 16GB of RAM, the HP Spectre x360 is a great little performer, with Windows 10 feeling fast and responsive. Multi-tasking, with numerous apps open at once, alongside plenty of Edge tabs too, didn’t really serve to slow down the Spectre x360’s performance, either.

For day-to-day use, then, the Spectre x360 delivers the sort of performance you'd expect of a premium laptop at this price point. You certainly won’t be disappointed.

However, one of the biggest upgrades to come alongside the new Tiger Lake CPUs such as the Intel Core i7-1165G7 is the inclusion of Intel Iris Xe graphics. This is an integrated GPU that promises to offer vastly improved performance compared to previous integrated graphics, and could even rival some discrete GPUs.

While the Spectre x360 certainly isn't one of the best gaming laptops out there, it could feasibly run some of the best PC games that don't have especially steep hardware requirements and will definitely do better than a lot of other thin and light laptops out there. 

While Cyberpunk 2077 at full graphical settings isn't on that list, Intel has claimed it could play GTA 5 at over 60fps, while esports games such as Rocket League, League of Legends and CS:GO – which are less graphically demanding, but require fast performance – could be playable on the right settings.

So, of course, we attempted to play a few games on the HP Spectre x360. As we've mentioned, this definitely isn't a gaming laptop, but we wanted to see if it would be possible to play games at the end of the day, when you want to unwind after a hard day at work.

The answer is: sort of . Total War: Three Kingdoms managed only 30fps on low settings. Anything more demanding was unplayable. We also fired up Ori and the Will of the Wisps – a visually stunning 2D platform game, which despite looking great, is less taxing than a lot of other modern games. 

Unfortunately, we had to drop graphical settings to low, and scale down the resolution, to achieve smooth gameplay. As such, while it was possible to play modern games such as Ori and the Will of the Wisps, it was only with big sacrifices to graphical fidelity. So, don’t give up the day job, Spectre x360.

One thing to note, is that even while performing relatively low-powered tasks, such as downloading an app, the fans of the Spectre x360 will kick in. In a way, it’s understandable, since this is a super-thin laptop that needs to keep its components cool. 

However, it proved annoying, and was in sharp contrast to the silent operation we saw in our Apple MacBook Air (M1) review , which has a fanless design.

HP Spectre x360: battery life

• Solid, half-day battery life
• Fast Charging capable
• Intel Evo Certified

One of the biggest quality of life improvements Intel is pushing with its Intel Evo platform is long battery life, and the HP Spectre x360 (2021) doesn’t disappoint here. It lasted an excellent 11 hours and 22 minutes in our own battery life test, which loops a 1080p video file at 50% brightness until the battery dies.

The previous HP Spectre x360 also performed well in this test, scoring 10 hours and 55 minutes. Nevertheless, the extra half an hour is welcome, and it means the more powerful components haven’t come at the cost of battery life.

We also ran the intensive PCMark 10 battery life test on the laptop, which replicates day-to-day use such as web browsing and video calling. Here, the Spectre x360 managed almost 13 hours – again, a very impressive achievement and a big leap over the previous model’s four-hour result (on PCMark 8).

As such, the Spectre x360's battery is nice and balanced; it's able to last equally well in both light- and medium-use cases. You’ll easily get through a full work day on this laptop, which makes it an excellent tool for business users who are looking for a device that offers superb performance, fantastic looks, and won’t need to be plugged in until they return home.

HP Spectre x360: software and features

The HP Spectre x360 (2021) is premium enough that it isn't overwhelmed by bloatware, and – being a 2-in-1 touchscreen – also comes with an HP Tilt Pen. There is also a physical webcam killswitch, which is something that should be standard on every laptop in 2021, but many still haven't gotten with the program. 

Even better, the HP killswitch is a physical shutter over the camera rather than a software webcam deactivation, since in the latter case, malicious actors can reactivated your webcam remotely with a little bit of malware. Software killswitches are really only good enough to let you easily shut off your camera when you need to step away from the meeting, but that's about it. 

HP has been a real leader on the physical shutter front (along with Lenovo ), and as such, we will never miss an opportunity to commend either company for caring about its customers' privacy and consistently implementing privacy shutters. More manufacturers need to follow their example.

Should you buy an HP Spectre x360 (2021)?

If you're still seriously considering the HP Spectre x360 (2021), we can safely say you're almost certainly not going to be disappointed, but even though it's one of the best 2-in-1 laptops you're going to find anywhere, it's not going to be the right fit for everybody.

Buy it if...

You want a stylish laptop The HP Spectre x360 really does look and feel premium, sporting one of the best designs we’ve seen in a laptop.

You want a powerful laptop for day-to-day use The new 11th-generation mobile CPU from Intel means Windows 10 runs extremely well, and the laptop is even capable of a bit of light gaming.

You’re after all-day battery life The battery life of the HP Spectre x360 is excellent; it will easily last you a full work or school day. Even on long transatlantic flights (remember those?), this laptop should last the journey.

Don't buy it if...

You just want a tablet The Spectre x360 can double as a tablet-like device, but it’s bigger, bulkier and more expensive. If you just want a tablet, there are better options out there.

You want a silent laptop The fans of the Spectre x360 kick in a little bit too readily, which means this is a laptop that can get noisy in use. The new MacBook Air, with its fanless design, shows how it’s done.

You’re on a budget This laptop with a premium design and premium features also comes with a premium price tag.

Also consider

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 Lenovo ThinkPad Yogas are consistently among the best 2-in-1 laptops, and the X1 Yoga Gen 6 is one of the best of the best. In terms of price and performance, it can go toe-to-toe with the HP Spectre x360. It does have more of an enterprise focus though, so there are some extra business-y features that bump the price up a bit more than the Spectre x360's. 

Read the full Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 review

Asus ZenBook Flip 15 The Asus ZenBook Flip 15 is a premium 2-in-1 that offers some great features like a 4K display, a ScreenPad trackpad for extra functionality, and more. It's priced competitively against the Spectre x360, so it's definitely one to check out before clicking on the order button.

Read the full Asus ZenBook Flip 15 review

This review was originally published on February 1, 2021.

Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Core Tech, looking after computing and mobile technology. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there's no aspect of technology that Matt isn't passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming. Ever since he got an Amiga A500+ for Christmas in 1991, he's loved using (and playing on) computers, and will talk endlessly about how The Secret of Monkey Island is the best game ever made.

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HP’s Spectre x360 14 review: the best 2-in-1 you can buy

Perfection, for a price.

By Monica Chin , a senior reviewer covering laptops and other gadgets. Monica was a writer for Tom's Guide and Business Insider before joining The Verge in 2020.

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I have used a heck of a lot of laptops in the past year, and some of them are quite nice. MacBooks have nailed the “premium” look and feel for years, and I’ll never waste an opportunity to gush about the build quality of Dell’s XPS line . 

But I’ve never touched a consumer laptop as gorgeous as the Spectre x360 14. The new Spectre’s sturdy black body, lustrous accents, and boldly sharp edges would make it a standout among convertible laptops across the board, even if it didn’t have a slew of other excellent qualities — which, from its 3:2 screen and packaged stylus to its stellar performance and battery life, it absolutely does.

With a starting MSRP of $1,299.99 ($1,589.99 as tested) the Spectre x360 is easily my new favorite 2-in-1 laptop. Today’s market is full of capable convertibles that look good, work well, and do certain things really well. But while the Spectre x360 14 isn’t a perfect laptop, it tops the pack in almost every area. It’s a stylish chassis, premium panel options, stylus support, a powerful processor, and fantastic battery in one. It’s proof that you can have it all — for a price. 

The HP Spectre line is second to none when it comes to design, and this latest model is no exception. Like its 13-inch predecessor , the Spectre x360 14 is made of CNC-machined aluminum. Also like its siblings, you can get the 14 in “nightfall black,” “Poseidon blue,” or “natural silver.” Take a look at some pictures before selecting your color because they each have pretty different vibes. The nightfall black option has a sophisticated, svelte aesthetic that looks tailor-made for a boardroom. Poseidon blue is friendlier and probably the one I’d go for myself. 

The accents, though, are what make the Spectre stand out from the legions of other black laptops out there. Lustrous trim borders the lid, the touchpad, and the deck. The hinges share its color, as does the HP logo on its lid. It’s bold without being obnoxious. The two rear corners are diamond-shaped, and one of them houses a Thunderbolt 4 port on its flat edge. (On the sides live an audio jack, a USB-A, a microSD slot, and an additional Thunderbolt 4, which is a decent selection — gone is the trapdoor that covered the USB-A port on the 13-inch model.) And the edges are all beveled, making the notebook appear thinner than it actually is (it’s 0.67 inches thick). Careful craftsmanship is evident here — I’m not exaggerating when I say this Spectre feels like artwork.  

And, as the “x360” moniker implies, the Spectre is a 2-in-1. At 2.95 pounds, it’s a bit heavy to use as a tablet for long periods, but it’s smooth and easy to fold and the hinges are quite sturdy. Unlike with many convertibles, there’s barely any wobble when you use the touchscreen. The display is also stylus-compatible; the Spectre ships with HP’s MPP2.0 pen, which attaches magnetically to the side of the chassis.

Despite its design similarities, this Spectre looks noticeably different from its ancestors, and that’s because of the screen. The new model has a 3:2 display, which is 13 percent taller than the 16:9 panel on last year’s device. (It’s kept the same 90 percent screen-to-body ratio.)

There’s barely any wobble when you use the touchscreen

Microsoft’s Surface devices have been using the 3:2 aspect ratio for years, and I’m glad that the Spectre line is finally making the switch . If you’re used to using a 16:9 display (which many modern Windows laptops have) and you give a 3:2 a shot, you’ll see what I mean. You have significantly more vertical space, which means less scrolling up and down and less zooming out to fit everything you want to see. It makes multitasking significantly easier without adding much size to the chassis. 

This 3:2 panel can come in a few different forms. My test unit has an FHD option that HP says should reach 400 nits of brightness. I measured it multiple times, but it only reached 285 in my testing — which is dimmer than I’d hope to see from a device at this price point. I’ve reached out to HP to see what’s up and will update this review if it turns out to be a bug. (Of course, 285 nits is still more than enough for indoor office work.) 

In addition to the FHD display, you can opt for a 3000 x 2000 OLED panel (HP didn’t provide a brightness estimate for this one; LaptopMag measured it at 339 nits) or a 1,000-nit option with HP’s Sure View Reflect technology, which makes the screen difficult to read from the sides. This will mostly be a benefit for business users.

In terms of other specs, the base model pairs the 400-nit screen with a Core i5-1135G7, 8GB of memory, and 256GB of storage (plus 16GB of Intel Optane). Then, there are a few upgrades you can go for. My test unit, priced at $1,589.99, keeps the base model’s screen but has a heftier processor (the quad-core Core i7-1165G7) and double its RAM and storage. I think this model is a good option for most people — it gets you a top processor and a good amount of storage without too stratospheric of a price tag. If you want to get fancier, you can get the OLED screen and 1TB of storage (plus 32GB of Intel Optane) for $1,699, or the Sure View screen and 2TB of storage for $1,959.99.  

Of course, laptops aren’t just for looking at, but you’re not compromising on performance to get this build quality. The Spectre is verified through Intel’s Evo platform, which means that it offers a number of Intel-selected benefits including Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6, all-day battery life, quick boot time, fast charging, and reliable performance. In my testing, it more than surpassed those standards. 

The system handled my heavy workload of Chrome tabs, downloads, and streams speedily with no issues. Battery life was excellent; I averaged 10 hours of continuous use with the screen around 200 nits of brightness. That means if your daily tasks are similar to mine, the Spectre should make it through your workday with no problem. (You’ll likely get less if you opt for the OLED panel.) The processor also includes Intel’s Iris Xe integrated graphics. While you wouldn’t want to use those for serious gaming, they’re capable of running lighter fare. 

Elsewhere, I have almost no complaints. The backlit keyboard is snappy with a solid click — it’s easily one of my favorites. The speakers sound good, with very audible bass and percussion. There’s a fingerprint sensor to the left of the arrow keys and a Windows Hello camera, neither of which gave me any trouble.

I have almost no complaints

Apart from the dimness, there are only two things about this laptop that I’m not in love with. They’re both minor; the fact that I’m even mentioning either of them in this review is a testament to how excellent this device is. 

The first is the touchpad. It’s quite smooth and roomy (16.6 percent larger than that of last year’s Spectre x360 13) and handles scrolling and gestures just fine. But it’s noticeably stiffer than some of the best touchpads on the market. The press required to physically click is firm enough that I ended up doing it with my thumb most of the time. On the likes of the Dell XPS 13 and the MacBook, clicking with a finger is much less of a chore. When I first clicked with the integrated buttons, I also had to overcome some initial resistance to hit the actuation point (put plainly, every click felt like two clicks). This issue resolved itself during my second day of testing, but it’s still a hiccup I generally only see with cheaper items. 

Secondly, bloatware. There are a number of junk programs preloaded onto the Spectre and several pinned to the taskbar. Dropbox, ExpressVPN, McAfee, and Netflix are all on here, and I got all kinds of notifications from them. This is an oddity at this price point, and seeing cheap McAfee alerts popping up on the Spectre is like seeing really ugly bumper stickers on a Ferrari. This software doesn’t take too long to uninstall, but I’m disappointed to see it nonetheless. 

But those are really the only two complaints I have, and neither of them should stop you from buying this laptop. It’s beautiful to look at and a dream to use. I found myself using it in my free time instead of my personal device (which almost never happens with review units — I really like my products). 

Agree to Continue: HP Spectre x360 14

Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It’s impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit “agree” to use devices when we review them, since these are agreements most people don’t read and definitely can’t negotiate.

To start using the HP Spectre x360 14, you’ll need to agree to the following:

• A request for your region
• A request for your keyboard layout
• License agreements for Windows, HP, and McAfee

You can also say yes or no to the following:

• Microsoft account (can be bypassed if you stay offline)
• Windows Hello fingerprint recognition and face recognition
• Privacy settings (speech recognition, location, Find My Device, sharing diagnostic data, inking and typing, tailored experience, advertising ID)
• Customize your device for gaming, schoolwork, creativity, entertainment, family, or business
• Sync an Android phone
• OneDrive backup
• Allow Microsoft to collect and use information for Cortana’s personalized experiences and suggestions, including: location and location history, contacts, voice input, speech and handwriting patterns, typing history, search history, calendar details, content and communication history from Microsoft services, messages, and apps
• Provide your name, region, and contact information to HP
• Allow HP to use information about your system to provide customer support, and enable your PC to show HP contact options, warranty information, and support messages
• Allow HP to use information about your system to improve HP products and services
• Allow HP to use your contact details and information about your system to send personalized news and offers

That’s six mandatory agreements and 20 optional agreements to use the Spectre x360 14.

When we’re evaluating a convertible laptop at the Spectre’s price point, the big question is how it compares to the gold standard of Windows convertibles, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 . The XPS has a few advantages: it’s a bit thinner and lighter, its touchpad is less stiff, and it has a more modest look that some users might prefer. 

But for me, the ball game is close but clear. The Spectre x360’s meticulous craftsmanship, classy aesthetic, and 3:2 screen put it over the top. It also edges out the XPS in a few key areas: the keyboard is more comfortable, the battery life is better, and Dell’s closest-priced configuration to this unit only has half its storage. The Spectre’s smaller amenities that the XPS lacks — like the bundled stylus, the USB-A port, the blue color, and the OLED option — are icing on the cake. 

If you’re looking for a premium Windows convertible with a classy aesthetic, that makes the Spectre a no-brainer purchase. This is HP at its best; it’s a luxury laptop in pretty much every area. I can’t imagine that it won’t be the next laptop I buy. 

Photography by Monica Chin / The Verge

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HP Spectre x360 16 review: The right 2-in-1 at the wrong time

Expert's Rating

• Attractive and sturdy design
• Excellent OLED display option
• 1080p webcam
• Forward-looking wired and wireless connectivity
• Keyboard and touchpad are merely fine
• 11th-Gen Core processor is obsolete
• Lackluster battery life
• Why does the USB-A port have a door?

Our Verdict

The HP Spectre x360 16 packs an amazing optional OLED display and a long list of features, but its perks are undercut by disappointing processor performance.

2022 is a key year for Intel’s processor line-up. The company’s new 12th-generation Core processors, which have significantly more cores than prior models, are set to deliver big gains in multi-core processor performance . However, HP’s Spectre x360 16 is on the wrong side of this trend. It’s a solid 2-in-1 with an excellent screen and a long list of features, but its outdated 11th-gen Core processor holds it back. It’s important to note that it’s not a bad machine. With its 1080p webcam and connectivity options, it’s going to be a good pick for the right person. However, it just falls behind the power of a 12-gen processor.

HP Spectre x360 16 specs and features

The HP Spectre x360 16 is more unique than it seems. Many 16-inch Windows laptops pack an Intel Core i7 processor with Nvidia discrete graphics. Here’s the trick. This is a 2-in-1, not a laptop. I suspect many shoppers considering this machine will cross-shop it with laptops like the Dell XPS 15, but if you want a 2-in-1, you have less choice.

• CPU: Intel Core i7-11390H
• Memory: 16GB
• Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 3050
• Display: 16-inch 3,840 x 2,400 OLED touchscreen
• Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe solid state drive
• Webcam: 1080p
• Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 Type-C (with DisplayPort Alt Mode, Power Delivery), 1x USB Type-A, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm combo audio, 1x barrel-plug power jack
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
• Biometrics: Fingerprint reader, IR camera
• Battery capacity: 83 watt-hour
• Dimensions: 0.78 x 9.66 x 14.09 inches
• Weight: 4.45 pounds

There’s a few key details worth mentioning. This laptop supports not only Wi-Fi 6, which is common, but also Bluetooth 5.2, which is harder to find. It also has two Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C 4 ports with Power Delivery and DisplayPort. There’s also a 1080p webcam, a fingerprint reader, and an IR camera. The optional OLED touchscreen’s resolution goes beyond 4K. HP even bundles an active pen.

This makes my review model’s $2,119.99 MSRP (currently $1,929.99 on HP.com) more tolerable. It’s not affordable, to be sure, but you’ll pay more for a Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio . 

Design and build quality

IDG / Matthew Smith

HP, like Dell, has carved out its own unique design. It’s a collection of hard lines, sharp angles, and bronze-gold colors that add up to a glamorous look. Personally, I prefer the more approachable feel of Dell’s faux-carbon fiber interiors, but I can’t deny the HP Spectre x360 16 is a looker. 

Build quality falls in line with the design. The laptop’s metal chassis is as sturdy and stable as others in its class. Flex can be found in the display should you go looking for it, but the bottom half is extremely rigid.

This is a large and heavy 2-in-1. The Spectre x360 16, like other machines in its class, is too heavy and large to use as a tablet for any length of time. Tent mode, which folds back the keyboard for use as a stand, is where it’s at. The large touchscreen and included active pen make it a great choice for sketching out an idea or drawing in digital art software. 

Keyboard, trackpad, and pen

A spacious, easy to understand layout makes the HP Spectre x360 16’s keyboard approachable. However, the more I used it the less I liked it. 

The problem? Key feel. Travel is moderate and the bottoming action struck me as soft. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad keyboard. I used it for hours without a tangible, functional problem. Compared to a Dell XPS 15 or MacBook Pro 16, however, I was unimpressed.

The touchpad is good. It’s large, responsive, and works well with Windows 11 multi-touch gestures yet nothing about it stands out. It’s not especially large or remarkably comfortable. It’s not a major issue, but at this price point shoppers can expect better elsewhere.

As mentioned, the Spectre x360 16 comes bundled with an active pen. This is a great perk. Most tablets and 2-in-1 devices, including Microsoft’s Surface devices and Apple’s iPad Pro, charge extra for this feature. The pen is not as comfortable as a Surface Pen or Apple Pencil, but did the job well enough for my use, which was centered on jotting down notes in OneNote.

Display, audio

The base HP Spectre x360 16 has an LCD IPS touchscreen with 3,072 x 1,920 resolution, but my review model came with the upgraded 3,840 x 2,400 OLED touchscreen. It performed extremely well, delivering a high contrast ratio of up to 29320-1, 100% coverage of both the sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts, and highly accurate color. 

All of this translates to a fantastic experience in most situations. The display looks deep, rich, and vivid, especially when fed high-resolution 4K video. It’s a great display for both photography and video editing because it has the resolution and color performance to handle large video and image files.

The touchscreen’s superb 3,840 x 2,400 resolution is due to its 16:10 aspect ratio. As a result, the screen is only an inch more narrow and actually a hair taller than a typical 17-inch laptop display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. In short, the Spectre x360 16 provides a lot of display real estate. 

The display has a weakness it shares with other OLED laptops, which is brightness. The display reaches 352 nits in SDR (up to 428 nits in HDR). That’s hardly dim, but not as bright as the best IPS laptop displays. Glare remains a problem.

Four speakers with Bang & Olufsen branding line the Spectre x360 16’s keyboard. Their placement improves audio clarity, which is good news if you’re into podcasts or YouTube. The speakers sound just okay in music, movies, and games at low to mid volume, but a lack of bass is an issue if you want to blast tunes. Still, they’re fine for casual use.

Webcam, microphone, biometrics

HP ships the Spectre x360 16 with a 1080p webcam. This is a big upgrade from a 720p webcam with greater detail and more accurate color. The improvement is most noticeable in fair to decent lighting that lets the webcam pull out detail in hair and skin. Low light is an issue, but that’s true for any webcam.

The webcam has a physical privacy shutter, but it’s electronically controlled using a keyboard shortcut. I’d prefer to see manual control.

A dual microphone array provides audio and performs like any in this category. It sounds clear and can pick up a voice from across the room, but audio can sound tinny or distant compared to a dedicated microphone. Still, it’s good enough for video conferencing. 

Biometric login is available through a fingerprint reader or an IR camera supporting facial recognition. Both work but, as with other Windows laptops, I found the IR camera quicker and more reliable.

Connectivity

The HP Spectre x360 16 has two Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 Type-C ports, each of which support 40Gbps data, USB Power Delivery, and DisplayPort Alternate Mode. It also has a USB-A port, one HDMI 2 output, a combo headphone microphone jack, and a MicroSD card reader.

On the plus side, the Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C 4 ports provide great compatibility with modern peripherals and devices. However, this leaves the laptop with just three USB ports, which isn’t amazing. This is equivalent to a Dell XPS 15 and a bit behind a MacBook Pro 14 or 16. 

The Spectre x360 16’s connectivity includes some quirks. Two ports – one Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C 4 port and the 3.5mm audio jack – are located on the rear corners, so they face at an angle rather than perpendicular with the flanks of the laptop. While unusual, this location can help with cable routing. An annoying flap covers the USB-A port, however, which makes connecting USB-A peripherals more difficult than it should be. 

HP provides Wi-Fi 6, which is common, and also Bluetooth 5.2, which is less so. This latest version of Bluetooth is not a must-have but it’s nice to see included. Wi-Fi performance was reliable throughout my testing in my home, which includes use in a detached office. 

Performance

HP will sell you a Spectre x360 16 with any processor you’d like – so long as it’s an Intel Core i7-11390H. This 11th-gen quad-core processor is the only option available on HP.com. My review sample paired it with 16GB of RAM, 1TB of PCIe NVMe storage, and Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics.

Testing begins with PCMark 10, a test meant to represent typical day-to-day productivity. The Spectre x360 16’s delivered a disappointing score of 5,098. Though hardly slow, the HP doesn’t provide much advantage over the less expensive Acer Swift 3 16-inch and falls behind Lenovo’s new Yoga 9i, a smaller and sleeker 2-in-1 with Intel’s 12th-gen Core.

If PCMark 10 was disappointing, Cinebench R15 is a minor disaster. The Spectre x360 16 reached a score of just 993. That’s roughly half the new Lenovo Yoga 9i with Intel 12th-gen Core and also well behind 2-in-1s with AMD’s Ryzen 7 series processors. The quad-core i7-11390H lacks the core count to keep up in this demanding mutli-threaded workload. 

Handbrake delivers more bad news. Encoding a 4K .mov file of the short film Tears of Steel to H.265 MKV using the processor alone required just over one and a half hours. That’s not an unusual result for a quad-core laptop but, once again, it falls behind competitors with six, eight, or more cores. 

Finally, we have a benchmark that relies on graphics rather than processor performance. This provides a more positive story for the Spectre x360 16. It reached a score of 3,772 in 3DMark’s Time Spy. That’s roughly double Intel’s best Iris Xe integrated graphics. However, the Spectre x360 16’s score lands it behind the Asus Vivobook Pro 15 OLED, a competing laptop with Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics. 

It’s hard to find a positive spin for the Spectre x360 16’s performance results. The Intel Core i7-11390H processor feels like the last gasp of an era of Intel processor design best forgotten. 

Graphics performance is better, but not outstanding. The as-tested price of my HP Spectre x360 review sample is barely south of $2,000, which puts it in league with a number of mid-range gaming laptops and workstation systems that deliver better graphics performance. These include Dell’s XPS 15, the MacBook Pro 14, and Asus’ Vivobook Pro models, to name a few.

There is one redeeming factor, and that’s the device’s 2-in-1 design. Want a laptop with RTX 3050 graphics, or better? You have plenty of choice. Want a 2-in-1 with the same? Your options are much more limited. Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Studio is the leader in this category, but it’s even more expensive. 

Battery life

I’m here once again to tell you about a Windows laptop that falls short of its promised battery life.

HP’s specifications state the laptop can offer up to 17 hours of battery life. That’s absurd. I don’t doubt HP managed to coax the laptop into a situation where this was possible, but it seriously misrepresents the real-world experience. 

I recorded just five hours and 17 minutes of endurance in our standard battery test, which loops a locally hosted 4K video file until the battery dies. That’s not a great result, but I wouldn’t call it surprising. My review unit’s high resolution 4K display and Nvidia discrete graphics put the 83 watt-hour battery to the test and find it wanting.

Real-world battery life is in line with the test. I believe it’d be possible to achieve eight or nine hours of endurance if you placed the 2-in-1 on a desk and maybe, occasionally, had the audacity to visit a website. When I used the laptop for my actual work, which, is little more than writing in Word and occasionally editing photos, I saw about six hours of endurance. 

The HP Spectre x360 16 comes with a light load of bloatware. This includes McAfee antivirus. However, most apps are from HP itself. This includes HP Command Center, which is used to change power profiles, and HP Palette, a photo management app. McAfee aside, the bundled apps were not obtrusive and didn’t change my experience.

The HP Spectre x360 16 is a decent 2-in-1 with a gorgeous OLED display and an outstanding design. It has a discrete graphics card, too—a rarity for convertibles. There’s only one big problem… the processor is obsolete. Intel’s Core i7-11390H was never an outstanding choice and today, with Intel 12th-gen Core processors hitting stores and AMD Ryzen 5000 processors widely available, it’s not suitable for a high-end device. The lackluster CPU performance and battery life makes it fall behind the competition.

In fact, you can already buy the HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 with an Intel Core i7-12700H processor – but only at Best Buy (for now) . This model is not available on HP.com. It also doesn’t have Nvidia graphics, which is a bummer. Still, it shows additional 12th-gen Core models are likely to come sooner than later. I recommend waiting for their arrival. 

Author: Matthew S. Smith

Matthew S. Smith is a freelance technology journalist with 15 years of experience reviewing consumer electronics. In addition to PCWorld, his work can be found on Wired, Ars Technica, Digital Trends, Reviewed, IGN, and Lifewire. Matthew also covers AI and the metaverse for IEEE Spectrum and runs Computer Gaming Yesterday, a YouTube channel devoted to PC gaming history.

Recent stories by Matthew S. Smith:

• Acer Chromebook Spin 714 review: One step forward, one step back
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HP Spectre x360 16 Review: Big, Luxurious 2-in-1 for Creatives

The design and features of the Spectre x360 16 are tough to beat, but its performance for its price might disappoint some.

• More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.

HP Spectre x360 16 (2021)

• Beautiful design
• Lots of features for home and office work
• Great webcam
• Active pen and laptop sleeve included
• Top-end configuration performance underwhelms

The HP Spectre x360 16 doesn't have "pro" in its name, but it deserves to. It's not a business laptop, so you won't find an Intel vPro processor or IT management features. However, its premium features, beautiful OLED display, good looks and speedy performance are just about perfect for anyone looking for a versatile laptop with an awesome work-play-and-create design -- as long as you don't mind the size and weight.

Configurations for the HP Spectre x360 16 start at $1,640  while  my review model is $2,030 . A similar configuration to what I tested is £1,900 in the UK and AU$3,799 in Australia . All models include an 11th-gen Intel Core i7-11390H processor, at least 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD; memory can be bumped up to 32GB (it's onboard so you have to add before you buy) and up to a 2TB SSD. The base model has integrated Intel graphics but an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 discrete GPU is also an option and is required if you want it configured with a stunning 16-inch 3,840x2,400-pixel OLED touch display. 

The x360 16's OLED display is pricey but great if you need accurate color performance.

HP, like most other PC makers, has moved toward taller 3:2- or 16:10-ratio displays and away from 16:9 widescreens; the 16-inch display on the Spectre x360 16 is 16:10. Combined with thinner bezels framing the display, it gives you more vertical space to work with little impact on the laptop's overall footprint. 

With a trimmed-down chassis, too, this means you can have a 16-inch laptop that's roughly the same size of an older 15.6-inch widescreen laptop. While the OLED is the top choice, it does add to the cost, especially since it has to be paired with the RTX 3050 graphics, and can shorten battery life. HP said with integrated graphics and the base 3,072x1,920-pixel IPS display, the laptop can get up to 17 hours. I reached 9 hours, 45 minutes on our video-streaming battery test with the OLED display. 

Like past models, the Spectre x360 16 has ports on the corners: Thunderbolt 4 USB-C on the right (pictured) and a 3.5mm headset jack on the left.

The 16-inch size is rare for a two-in-one and makes the Spectre x360 16 more of a desktop replacement than an ultraportable (it has the ports to accommodate a desk setup without a hub, too). It's not too heavy at 4.5 pounds (2 kilograms), although it's definitely not a toss-in-your-bag-and-forget-it's-there weight, either. The laptop requires a big power supply for full performance, too, but it can be charged with a smaller USB-C charger as well.

The smooth, sturdy body -- made from recycled aluminum -- and additional screen space compared to a 13- or 14-inch is worth the extra heft, though, especially if you're splitting time between working from home and hot-desking or hoteling at an office mixed with occasional pit-stops for coffee-shop conferences. The Spectre x360 16 can of course be used as a laptop, but the larger two-in-one design makes it good for giving presentations, using it as a whiteboard, sketching or notetaking with the included pen or kicking back and watching videos or gaming. 

The configuration I tested is almost fully loaded and includes a high-quality OLED touch display that's factory calibrated and covers 100% sRGB, 100% P3, 97% Adobe RGB and 95% NTSC color gamuts with a max brightness of 383 nits according to our tests. If you're doing color-critical work, this display is what you want (though it's not bright enough to fight reflections outdoors). 

HP Spectre x360 16

For the $2,030 price, the performance is somewhat underwhelming when looked at away from the rest of the package. In fact, price is really my only hang-up with recommending this laptop. That's simply because you can find better performance for less money with something like the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus . 

The Dell is a clamshell, not a two-in-one, and while its features, body and display are excellent for the money, they don't compare to the HP. But if you're looking for a 16-inch laptop that's closer to $1,000 than $2,000, consider the Inspiron 16 Plus. The HP might not be a bargain, but it does deliver a more premium experience. Also, in my anecdotal testing, which included editing raw image files with DxO PureRaw 2.0 , performance was speedy and smooth. And it can even do some gaming if you dial back on the quality settings. 

All the little extras 

The increase in people video-chatting on their laptops during the pandemic really shone a spotlight on how poor most built-in webcams are. For the Spectre x360 16, HP put in a 5-megapixel camera and some software to help you look your best. HP GlamCam touches up your skin, teeth and eyes, for example, while Lighting Correction adjusts your video for poor lighting conditions. There's also Auto Frame, which uses the extra resolution to track your face if you move off-center on camera. It's a little slow to respond compared to Apple's Center Stage. However, HP said its slight delay is intentional so it doesn't constantly adjust, which makes sense -- you wouldn't want it jumping around for every little movement. 

The keyboard and touchpad on the Spectre x360 16 are excellent, too. 

Also, along with a privacy shutter to block the webcam and mic mute button, you can also have your computer lock automatically if you walk away from the laptop. It will dim the display, too, when you stop looking directly at it. HP also added a setting to have the display blur if it sees someone shoulder surfing behind you as you work. 

There are also things like  Wi-Fi 6E  for the fastest wireless performance; an IR camera for face recognition, as well as a fingerprint reader to simplify sign-ins; and helpful software for managing system performance and content creation. Even if you're not a creative, all of the Spectre x360 16's features add up to a great two-in-one experience. It's something you likely won't mind working on every day. And with the additional graphics boost, you can do a little gaming in your downtime, too. 

Geekbench 5 (multicore)

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HP Spectre x360 13.5 review: back on top

“The HP Spectre x360 13.5 has everything you could want in a high-end Windows convertible 2-in-1.”

• Elegant aesthetic
• Excellent productivity performance
• Rock-solid build
• Superior keyboard and touchpad
• Stunning OLED display
• Surprisingly good battery life
• Creativity performance is lacking
• Slightly expensive

The HP Spectre x360 has long been some of the best laptops over the years, especially in the category of convertible 2-in-1 .

Price and configurations

Ports and connectivity, performance, display and audio, keyboard and touchpad, battery life.

Last year’s 14-inch model, which was excellent, has now been rebranded as the Spectre x360 13.5, still carrying the same size screen but sporting a clean new design.

• HP’s new Envy x360 14 looks like a killer value for what you get
• Asus ZenBook S 13 Flip vs. HP Envy x360 13: it comes down to price
• HP Spectre x360 13.5 hands-on review: Refinements that matter

It’s a bit expensive, but it’s even more attractive this time around, a bonus to the improved performance and battery life. The competition has stiffened, but HP still managed to climb its way back to the top with its flagship.

I reviewed a $1,700 configuration of the Spectre x360 13.5 with a Core i7-1255U and a 13.5-inch 3:2 3000×2000 OLED display.

The Spectre x360 13.5 is available in several configurations, starting at $1,200 for a Core i5-1235U CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD, and a WUXGA+ (1920 x 1280) IPS touch display. At the high end, you’ll spend $1,840 for a Core i7-1255U, 16GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, and a 13.5-inch 3:2 3K2K (3000 x 2000) OLED display. If you want the maximum RAM, a $1,780 configuration is available with a Core i7-1255U, 32GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, and the WUXGA+ display.

I’m not sure why HP hasn’t enabled both the maximum RAM and the OLED display, and perhaps that’s something that will change. My review configuration was $1,700 for a Core i7-1255U, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and the OLED display.

The most pertinent competitive laptop at around the same price is the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7 , although that 2-in-1 is heavily discounted and a few hundred dollars less than the Spectre. The Lenovo Yoga 7i Gen 7 is less expensive and offers the same CPU but, at the moment, no OLED display option.

The Spectre x360 14 featured HP’s dramatic gem-cut design with sharply angled edges and notches cut into the rear display and chassis corners. With its rose gold or copper accents, the 2-in-1’s aesthetic was a lovely laptop that stood apart from the crowd. HP scaled back that design with the Spectre x360 13.5, just like it did with the Spectre x360 16 , rounding off and slimming the edges and toning down the extravagance. The chassis notches remain functional, with the left hosting the 3.5mm audio jack and the right a USB-C port for keeping the charging cable out of the way.

The result is a more refined look that’s just as elegant and distinctive but not as loud. The rounded edges are also a bit more comfortable to hold in tablet mode, although not as comfortable as the even more rounded edges of the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7.

My review unit sported the Nightfall Black color with brass accents, with optional Natural Silver and Nocturne Blue color schemes with matching edges. In each case, the keyboard matches the primary color. The Spectre x360 13.5’s only aesthetic equals in the 14-inch 2-in-1 crowd are the Yoga 9i Gen 7 and Yoga 7i Gen7, which have rounded and sculpted chassis that are just as attractive in their own way. I’m not saying the rest of the field is boring, exactly, but none are as attractive as these three machines.

Constructed of CNC machined recycled aluminum, the Spectre x360 13.5 is rock-solid.

Constructed of CNC machined-recycled aluminum, the Spectre x360 13.5 is also rock-solid, with no bending, flexing, or twisting anywhere in the lid, keyboard deck, or bottom chassis. It joins the best-built laptops like the Dell XPS 13 and the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7. The only laptop I’ve handled that truly feels more solid is the Apple MacBook Pro 14 , and the difference is marginal. Unfortunately, the hinge is just the tiniest bit too stiff to open the lid with one hand, but it holds the display firmly in place in clamshell, tent, media, and tablet modes.

I include the Spectre x360 13.5 in the 14-inch category, but it could easily be lumped in with 13.3-inch laptops just as easily. With the taller display, though, it feels like a 14-inch machine, so that’s how I’m going to treat it. Thanks to narrow bezels and a 90% screen-to-body ratio, the Spectre x360 13.5 is a compact machine. Compared to the Yoga 9i Gen 7, the HP is almost an inch narrower and half an inch shallower, and it’s 0.67 inches thick and 3.01 pounds compared to the Yoga at 0.60 inches and 3.09 pounds.

The latest Dell XPS 13 is smaller, with the Spectre x360 13.5 being an inch wider and deeper. The XPS 13 is thinner at 0.58 inches and lighter at 2.8 pounds. That slots the Spectre x360 13.5 between the Yoga and XPS 13 in every dimension except thickness.

The Spectre x360 13.5 has decent connectivity, with two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, a single USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. That’s more than the typical 13-inch laptop but less than many 14-inch laptops that include an HDMI port. HP throws in a USB-C hub with two USB-A ports and an HDMI port, which is good to have, but it doesn’t substitute for built-in connections.

Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 provide the latest in wireless connectivity.

HP opted for a lower-power CPU with the Spectre x360 13.5, specifically the 15-watt 10-core (two performance and eight Efficient), 12-thread Core i7-1255U with a Turbo Boost of 4.7GHz. The Core i5-1255U with a Turbo Boost of 4.4GHz is also available. My review unit equipped the Core i7-1255U, and it performed well compared to the other similarly equipped laptops we’ve reviewed. It was also a massive improvement over the 11th-gen Core i7-1165G7 in the Spectre x360 14. At the same time, unsurprisingly, the Spectre x360 13.5 wasn’t as fast as the Yoga 9i Gen 7 and Acer Swift 3 which were equipped with the 28-watt, 12-core (four Performance and eight Efficient), 16-thread Core i7-1260P.

I used the HP Command Center utility to test both balanced and performance modes. The utility made a significant difference in the CPU-intensive benchmarks, but I did notice that the fans were never extremely loud in either mode. HP updated the thermal design of the Spectre x360 13.5, including adopting new fans that were designed to produce less noise. They did the job. The laptop also didn’t throttle much in either mode, hitting 91 degrees C at most and spending the majority of time in the mid-70s. Given the thin chassis, I suspect HP tuned the machine to avoid generating too much heat, which likely limited performance a bit compared to laptops that are tuned to run hotter but throttle at the high end.

The Spectre x360 13.5 provided excellent productivity performance while running cool and quiet.

In the Geekbench 5 benchmark, the Spectre x360 13.5 fell behind the Lenovo Yoga 7i Gen 7 but was faster in multi-core than the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 . It was well behind the Core i7-1260P machines and ahead of the Asus ZenBook S 13 OLED with a 28-watt, eight-core/16-thread AMD Ryzen 7 6800U. In our Handbrake test that encodes a 420MB video as H.265, the Spectre was the fastest among its peers and only slightly behind the higher-watt laptops (in performance mode). In Cinebench R23, the Spectre x360 13.5 was in line with its peers, again in performance mode but well behind the faster machines. Finally, in PCMark 10 Complete, which tests a variety of productivity, multimedia, and creative tasks, the Spectre was competitive with the rest of the comparison group.

Overall, the Spectre x360 13.5 provided excellent productivity performance while running cool and quiet, but as with other laptops with the same CPU, it fell behind in creative tasks. It’s significantly faster than Intel’s previous generation, though, and can tackle some lightweight creative work in a pinch. As we’ll see in the battery life section, the Spectre leveraged the lower-watt CPU’s efficiency better than the other laptops I’ve reviewed.

The Spectre x360 13.5 scored about as expected in the 3DMark Time Spy test, with its score in performance mode being at the top end of the class. Of course, the laptop is limited to Intel’s Iris Xe and won’t be able to play modern titles at anything except 1080p and low graphics. I couldn’t get  Fortnite to install, so I couldn’t test the Spectre’s performance in our go-to game for integrated graphics. I’m sure, though, that it wouldn’t have performed any better than other Iris Xe machines.

As usual, the Spectre x360 13.5’s 13.5-inch 3:2 OLED display was gorgeous from the second I fired it up. It’s sharp enough at a resolution of 3000 x 2000 and colorful and bright with deep, inky blacks. HP also offers a WUXGA+ (1920 x 1280) IPS display and a WUXGA+ display with HP’s privacy screen.

My colorimeter loved this display. It was bright at 380 nits, above our 300-nit standard, and bright enough for any indoor setting. Its colors were wide at 100% of sRGB and 97% of AdobeRGB and incredibly accurate with a DeltaE of 0.61 (1.0 or less is indistinguishable to the human eye). And its contrast hit the OLED standard at 28,230:1. The three OLED displays in the comparison group were almost equal in quality, with the Spectre having the widest and most accurate colors.

Whether you’re doing productivity work, binging Netflix, or working with images and video, you’ll love this display. And it’s not just the brightness, colors, and contrast but also the aspect ratio, which at 3:2 is the closest to a physical piece of paper in portrait mode and thus optimal for tablet use.

Four downward-firing speakers provide plenty of volumes, with crisp and clean mids and highs. There’s not a lot of bass, and so the Spectre x360 13.5’s audio can’t keep up with the best around, Apple’s MacBooks. Still, the audio is good enough for binging Netflix and listening to the occasional tune. Of course, audiophiles will still prefer a good pair of headphones .

HP’s Spectre line has long offered some of the best keyboards in Windows laptops, with only Apple’s latest MacBook Pro Magic Keyboard being better. That remains true with the Spectre x360 13.5, although the keyboard isn’t exactly the same as previous models.

Interestingly, HP dropped the convenient row of navigation keys along the right-hand side, which I miss, but I appreciate the extra key spacing. The keycaps are also large, making for a very efficient layout. As before, the switches are light and snappy with a precise bottoming action. It’s one of the most comfortable keyboards I’ve used for long typing sessions. One nit to pick is that HP dropped the right Ctrl key in favor of a fingerprint reader.

The touchpad is large and takes up most of the space on the palm rest, which is larger than usual thanks to the taller 3:2 display. The touchpad surface is smooth and provides a precise surface for Windows 11’s multitouch gestures, and the buttons have a nice click without being too loud. Outside of Apple’s Force Touch touchpad or Dell’s haptic touchpad on the XPS 13 Plus , it’s one of the best touchpads you’ll find.

The display is touch-enabled, of course, and supports HP’s active pen that’s included in the box. I found the pen’s Windows Ink support to be excellent thanks to 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt support, and it conveniently attaches magnetically to the right side of the display. The pen charges via USB-C, which is another convenience.

Windows 11 Hello passwordless login is supported by an infrared camera, facial recognition, and the fingerprint reader mentioned previously. Both methods worked quickly and reliably.

HP has outfitted the Spectre x360 13.5 with a 5MP webcam that provides a high-resolution image, and several software tools optimize the videoconferencing experience. HP Presence provides Auto Frame to keep the user’s face in view as they move around the office during a call, Backlight Adjustment that ensures consistent lighting no matter the ambient environment, and Appearance Filter that smooths out blemishes that other webcams might highlight. Several audio enhancements also improve the experience, including directional beamforming mics and bi-directional AI noise reduction.

There’s a key to electronically close a physical shutter over the webcam, along with a key to turn off the microphones. That provides for some extra privacy.

The Spectre x360 13.5 has 66 watt-hours of battery capacity, a slight decrease from the previous generation’s 67 watt-hours. That’s a fair amount, more than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7’s 57 watt-hours but less than the Yoga 9i Gen 7’s 75 watt-hours. Both the Spectre and Yoga 9i used power-hungry OLED displays, and so I was looking forward to seeing if HP managed to exploit the lower-watt CPU’s presumed efficiency advantage.

According to our suite of benchmarks, HP did something right — the Spectre x360 13.5 lasted surprisingly long in our suite of battery tests. Looking back at the performance section, it’s clear that HP tuned the laptop to run more efficiently in balanced mode at the expense of performance. That’s a reasonable tradeoff, with the Spectre being more than fast enough for typical productivity tasks while achieving excellent battery life.

In our web browsing test, for example, it lasted for 10 hours, which is an excellent score, particularly for a laptop with an OLED display. The Spectre made it to 11 hours in the PCMark 10 Applications battery test, which is the best predictor of battery life running a typical (i.e., non-demanding) productivity workflow. And in our video test that loops a local 1080p movie trailer, it lasted for 14 hours, another strong showing given the OLED display. The only laptop in our comparison group that competed with the Spectre x360 13.5 in all but the web browsing test, where it was almost three hours behind, was the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7, and it benefitted from a low-power Full HD+ IPS display.

You don’t often get OLED quality and long battery life, but the Spectre x360 13.5 delivers. You should be able to work for a full day of typical productivity tasks and maybe even have a little time left over.

The Spectre x360 13.5 is precisely what HP needed to produce to follow up on the success of the Spectre x360 14. The new 2-in-1 is faster, offers significantly better battery life, has a more refined look, and retains the excellent keyboard and touchpad of the previous model.

I’m giving the Spectre x360 13.5 a 9/10 score, one notch less than the Spectre x360 14, not because the update isn’t as good. It’s because the competition has gotten so much better. HP’s latest regains its spot as the best convertible 2-in-1, but the gap between it and the next best isn’t quite so large.

Are there any alternatives?

The strongest alternative is the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7. It’s just as good-looking, as well built, and slightly faster. But its battery life isn’t nearly as good, and its keyboard and touchpad are a step behind. It’s a little less expensive, though, and so makes for a solid choice.

If you don’t need a 2-in-1, then Dell’s new XPS 13 Plus is an attractive option. It’s faster and enjoys its own stunning new design, incorporating innovations like an excellent haptic touchpad. You’ll spend about the same money and get a clamshell that’s among the best available today.

My final recommendation is the Apple MacBook Air M2 . It’s equally solid, if not slightly more so, it offers better performance and battery life, and its display is excellent even if not quite up to OLED standards. You’ll spend around the same money, and the MacBook is a compelling alternative if you’re okay with MacOS.

How long will it last?

The Spectre x350 13.5 is incredibly well-built and will last for years, which its modern components will also support. The industry-standard one-year warranty is a disappointment, as always.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Solid productivity performance and excellent battery life in a nicely sized, thin and light 2-in-1 with a spectacular OLED display — what’s not to like?

Editors' Recommendations

• Why the latest ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 isn’t worth the upgrade
• HP Envy x360 13 vs. Dell XPS 13: the best tiny laptop?
• Asus ZenBook S 13 Flip vs. HP Spectre x360 13.5: you can’t go wrong
• New HP Spectre x360 16 ditches Nvidia, embraces Intel Arc
• HP’s Spectre x360 16 looks like best new Windows laptop 11 yet, with one caveat
• Laptop Reviews
• Product Reviews
• Windows Reviews

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