Key points of ZDNET
- The HP Envy x360 2 in 1 (2024) available from HP for $1,299.
- It has one of the best-looking displays I’ve seen on a 2-in-1, with a solid set of hardware.
- Swapping configurations can be error-prone and more burdensome.
A new crop of 2-in-1 laptops launched in 2024, as the form factor’s popularity continues to grow. More and more laptop enthusiasts (myself included) who were previously reluctant to commit to a tablet are getting into convertibles, which brings you good news. best of both worlds.
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The HP Envy x360 16″ 2 in 1 comes to the party with all the features consumers really want in a convertible: a stunning display, powerful speakers and a suite of supporting hardware, delivering solid performance and experience Satisfying multimedia entertainment at a mid-range price.
Yes, the 16-inch screen is large when used as a tablet. It’s even a bit difficult to use. The OLED display on this laptop is so good that it didn’t matter to me. In fact, it could be bigger and I’d still happily carry it around.
The Envy x360 features a 2.8K (2880 x 1800) resolution OLED touchscreen display with a variable 120Hz refresh rate and edge-to-edge glass for a silky smooth visual experience. The 500 nit brightness is more than enough for general use and the glossy finish looks great (but maybe not for everyone since fingerprints are a thing).
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Video playback is vivid, smooth and sharp with realistic color depth and contrast. HP also advertises the Envy x360 as an “IMAX certified” laptop, one of the first of its kind. It earned this certification for its ability to display IMAX content in its original 1.43:1 or 1.90:1 aspect ratio. Despite being a flashy name, this is the laptop we’re talking about here; it’s still a 16-inch screen. Still, it looks okay — I’ll assume.
The sound is also quite good. Although it appears that the two vents on either side of the keyboard are the speakers, the sound actually comes from the dual vents. DTS:X super bar speaker on the back of the device. There’s not much bass, but mid-frequency audio and dialogue sounded crisp and clear and held up when I streamed Netflix in a noisy kitchen.
The previously mentioned vents on either side of the keyboard are essentially to vent heat, my colleague Cesar Cadenas will appreciate that this is a laptop that you can actually work on on your lap without getting first-degree burns on your legs.
In terms of hardware, the Envy x360 is positioned right below HP’s Specter laptop line, providing excellent performance to serve most users’ needs. We have looked 2024 Specter x360 earlier this year and found it actually has next-gen hardware with an advanced “Meteor Lake” AI processor, but it will cost you hundreds of dollars more.
However, the Envy x360 comes with an integrated AMD Radeon GPU which, combined with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor, can run both graphics and CPU-intensive tasks well. This is suitable for the targeted creator/freelance customer base, allowing visual applications like DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Photoshop to run smoothly, targeting Innovative AI ability.
I found battery life to be better than average — especially for a laptop equipped with an OLED display — thanks to the increased performance of the Ryzen 7 8840HS processor. With only intermittent use, this laptop can last a few days, while continuous operation delivers over 10 hours of battery life, which is more or less equivalent to what is advertised. Even better is the fast charging feature, which I found to be even faster than the HP’s 50% charge in the claimed 45 minutes.
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The 2-in-1 form factor requires a certain level of physical fitness, and its hinge-style design (akin to Lenovo 7i 2 in 1) supports a build that is certainly up to the task. It has minimal screen vibration but is still resistant enough to stay in place like a touchscreen.
That said, this isn’t a particularly light laptop, weighing around 4 pounds, with most of that weight coming from the 16-inch OLED display. Despite its weight, it’s very thin – just 0.72 inches – which makes the laptop still feel portable enough.
The port selection on the Envy x360 2024 will also be sufficient for most users, with two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an HDMI port. The keyboard is especially unique: the keys are big and sturdy, matte gray, with oversized letters in a distinct sans serif font. It looks nice but lacks a number pad on the right, which I prefer to have on a laptop – especially one of this size.
Also: HP’s new Specter x360 is already one of my favorite laptops of the year. Here’s why
If you don’t know, I’m a big fan of the Envy x360, and out of all the 2-in-1 laptops I’ve tested, I like this one better. My main criticism of this laptop is the error that can occur when switching between different orientations. Switching from a tablet to a laptop may result in delayed or corrupted keyboard response, and the screen orientation may get stuck in one position or another, requiring repositioning of the device. laptop intentionally to reset the internal gyroscope.
These issues are common across all 2-in-1 laptops I’ve tested and are (usually) disruptive enough to not cause problems — but at certain times, dealing with Hardware not working can be frustrating and you should keep that in mind.
ZDNET Buying Tips
The HP Envy x360 16 (2024) Well priced for a mid-range device with a gorgeous display and solid performance. Creators will love this laptop’s versatile form factor and impressive battery life. After using it for a few weeks, I can say that this is my favorite big-screen 2-in-1, despite its quirks. This is a laptop for work as well as play and if you are looking for a 2-in-1 laptop, you must consider the Envy x360.
If you’re looking for a smaller option, consider this HP Specter x360 2024, has a 14-inch screen. For something more adventurous, check out Yoga Book Lenovo 9iThere are two screens.
