The HP Spectre x360 14 is a top-of-the-line 2-in-1 laptop with strong performance, a beautiful appearance, and outstanding features. With a simple screen flip, this powerfully versatile device converts from a laptop to a tablet. Everyone who requires a high-performance device for business, play, or creative endeavours will find it ideal.
The gorgeous 14-inch display of the HP Spectre x360 14 is one of its most notable characteristics. The screen's 1920 x 1080 resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio produce clear, vibrant images that are ideal for gaming, streaming, and other creative tasks. The smartphone has a sleek and contemporary appearance with a display with an ultra-thin bezel that maximises the screen area.
The HP Spectre x360 14 is equipped with the newest 11th-generation Intel Core processors, which deliver outstanding performance for a variety of applications. This gadget is ideal for multitasking and storing large files because it has up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage.
Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2, and HDMI 2.0 are just a few of the ports and connectivity choices that the HP Spectre x360 14 offers, letting you connect to a variety of peripherals and devices. The gadget also has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 compatibility for quick and dependable wireless networking.
The HP Spectre x360 14 is a wonderful work of art in terms of design. The device's structure is strong and lightweight thanks to the use of quality materials, including CNC machined aluminium, and it has a sleek, contemporary design. Moreover, the gadget has a 360-degree hinge that makes switching between tablet, laptop, tent, and stand modes simple.
The HP Spectre x360 14 is a remarkable 2-in-1 laptop that has potent performance, excellent design, and impressive features. This device is a great option for anyone who requires a flexible and dependable machine that can perform a variety of jobs with ease, whether you're a creative professional, a gamer, or a student.
Design and build:
The HP Spectre x360 14's chassis is built of machined aluminium and comes in three colours. I had the opportunity to try the Poseidon Navy model, which is gorgeous and the envy of the family.
As the laptop is folded into tablet mode or back into regular laptop mode, the 180-degree hinges feel sturdy and solid; there is almost no side-to-side motion, which is great for long-term durability.
The laptop is slim and light, weighing just under 3 pounds, and fits a 14-inch screen into an 11-inch shell. It may be carried on commutes, business trips, or when going to the library to finish a term paper.
The protective sleeve that comes with it is made of stylish black faux leather and has lots of padding to shield your sizeable investment from bending, scratches, and light bumps and bangs.
The rechargeable MPP2.0 Tilt Pen that is included has the appearance and feel of a high-quality traditional ink pen, and the input buttons are ideally situated for use with either the left or right hand. The pen also comes with two extra nibs for quick and simple replacement if one is damaged or worn.
Display:
For your new Spectre x360 14, you may select between a 1920 x 1280 FHD or a 3000 x 2000 OLED touchscreen. The full HD screen will work just fine for most applications at home or work. Depending on your customization choices, HP claims it can produce up to 1000 nits of brightness, allowing you to watch videos or participate in virtual meetings and video conferences in practically any lighting condition. Moreover, it offers a very broad viewing angle.
In our tests, we saw an average brightness of 365 nits throughout the entire display, making the screen bright enough for most settings. That compares favourably to the most recent MacBook Air from Apple (365 nits) but falls short of rivals like the Dell XPS 13 (469 nits). The HP Spectre x360 14 with a 1920 x 1080 FHD display performed admirably in our tests, covering 105.3% of the sRGB colour spectrum, outperforming the XPS 13 (97.9%), but trailing the MacBook Air (114%).
As I used our review unit to watch YouTube and Hulu in tablet and laptop modes, the colours were still vibrant and true to life. If you're a digital artist or work in video production, you might want to invest in the OLED touchscreen for its improved colour and detail, as well as its more consistent brightness.
For durability, while utilizing touch controls with your hands or the Tilt Pen, both options are constructed of Gorilla Glass. You won't have to be concerned about breaking your screen when you swipe, write on, or tap away at your apps and files because the glass feels smooth and durable and flexes very little.
Performance:
The Intel Core i7 CPU in our review model is capable of handling almost any task you can throw at it, including casual gaming as well as common office applications like Google Documents, PowerPoint, and Chrome.
Although I wouldn't describe the Spectre x360 14 as a gaming laptop, you shouldn't have any trouble spending a few hours with friends playing games like Minecraft, Among Us, or Fortnite. Keep more graphically demanding games like Call of Duty: Black Ops: Cold War on your desktop or console instead of your laptop because they will undoubtedly strain it.
On our Geekbench 5 general performance test, the HP Spectre x360 14 review unit we examined produced a good average score of 4,937, surpassing the comparably priced Asus ZenBook Flip S UX371 (3,880), but trailing rivals like the Dell XPS 13. (5,254).
The SSD is quick enough, as shown by the fact that the Spectre x360 14 copied files at a respectable rate of 764 MBps in our file transfer test (which gauges how quickly a laptop copies 25 GB of files). That's respectable but falls short of rivals like the ZenBook Duo 14 and Dell XPS 13 (806 MBps) (921 MBps).
Battery Life:
The battery life of this laptop's upgraded 4-cell lithium-ion battery, according to HP, is 21.5 hours when watching videos; however, in our web browsing tests, it was closer to 12 hours, which is more appropriate for a typical workday. That outperforms the Dell XPS 13 (11:7 as tested) and comes close to matching the Lenovo Yoga 9i in quality (11:15 as tested). What's more, it means you won't even have to consider plugging in for the entire day or several days.
When you do require a battery top-up, the USB-C port supports quick charging, providing you with up to 50% energy in just 45 minutes, allowing you to recharge during a conference or your lunch break.
Keyboard and touchpad:
A premium 2-in-1 laptop with outstanding performance, style, and features is the HP Spectre x360 14. The device's top-of-the-line keyboard and touchpad, in addition to its potent internals, give users a comfortable and effective typing experience.
The HP Spectre x360 14's keyboard has a full-sized, backlit keyboard with evenly spaced keys and a convenient layout. It is simple to type quickly and precisely thanks to the keys' good travel and feedback. A dedicated number pad is also present on the keyboard, which is unusual for a laptop of this size. For those who frequently work with numbers, this is a terrific addition because it makes typing faster and more streamlined.
The HP Spectre x360 14's touchpad is likewise fantastic, providing a roomy, sensitive surface ideal for multi-touch gestures and accurate cursor control. The touchpad is compatible with Windows Precision drivers, which offer precise tracking and a variety of gestures for navigating the operating system and apps.
The touchpad also has a real button that, when pressed, produces a pleasing and tactile click. The inclusion of a fingerprint sensor, which is situated in the touchpad's upper-left corner, is one of its most notable features. Users can use this functionality to quickly and securely access their data by logging in to their devices with a single tap.
Overall, the HP Spectre x360 14's keyboard and touchpad are both superb, providing users with a smooth and effective typing experience. The keyboard and touchpad on this tablet are up to the task, offering a first-rate user experience that is both straightforward and efficient, whether you're typing up papers, browsing the web, or editing photographs and videos.
Port and connectivity:
The HP Spectre x360 14 is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that is designed for high performance and portability. One of its key features is its wide range of ports and connectivity options, making it easy to connect to a wide range of peripherals and devices.
First and foremost, the HP Spectre x360 14 comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which are the latest and fastest connectivity standard for data transfer and charging. These ports provide lightning-fast speeds of up to 40Gbps, allowing you to transfer large files, connect to external displays, and charge your device quickly and efficiently.
In addition to Thunderbolt 4, the HP Spectre x360 14 also comes with a USB 3.2 Type-A port, which provides backward compatibility with older USB devices. This port allows you to connect to a wide range of peripherals, including external hard drives, printers, and keyboards.
The device also features an HDMI 2.0 port, which allows you to connect to external displays and projectors with ease. This is especially useful for presentations and creative work, where a larger screen can be very helpful.
Wireless connectivity options on the HP Spectre x360 14 include Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, providing fast and reliable wireless networking. Wi-Fi 6 provides faster internet speeds and improved network efficiency, while Bluetooth 5.0 allows you to connect to a wide range of wireless devices, including headphones, speakers, and smartphones.
One of the unique features of the HP Spectre x360 14 is its built-in privacy screen, which allows you to work in public spaces without worrying about prying eyes. This feature is especially useful for professionals who work with sensitive data, and it can be activated with a simple button press on the keyboard.
Overall, the HP Spectre x360 14's ports and connectivity options are top-notch and provide everything you need for seamless connectivity and productivity. Whether you're working on the go or in the office, this device has you covered with its impressive range of ports and wireless networking options.
Software and OS:
The HP Spectre x360 14 comes with a pre-installed Windows 10 operating system, which is known for its user-friendly interface and smooth performance. This device also supports the latest version of Windows 11, which offers even more features and enhancements.
The device comes with a variety of software applications pre-installed, including Microsoft Office, McAfee LiveSafe, and HP Smart. These apps can be helpful for productivity and security purposes, but some users may find them unnecessary or prefer alternative options.
One unique feature of the HP Spectre x360 14 is the HP Command Center, which allows you to customize the device's performance, cooling, and battery life based on your specific needs. This software tool can be especially helpful for users who require high-performance computing for demanding applications, as it enables them to optimize the device's settings for maximum performance.
The HP Spectre x360 14 also includes HP's Sure View Reflect technology, which provides a privacy screen that prevents others from viewing your screen at an angle. This can be a helpful feature for users who require additional privacy while working in public spaces.
Overall, the HP Spectre x360 14's software and operating system are designed to provide a smooth and efficient user experience. The pre-installed applications and HP Command Center offer additional customization and productivity features that can be useful for a wide range of users. Additionally, the device's support for the latest Windows 11 operating system ensures that users can take advantage of the latest features and enhancements.
Price and value:
The HP Spectre x360 14 is a premium 2-in-1 laptop that is priced at the higher end of the market. While it is not the most affordable option on the market, its price reflects the high-end features and performance it offers.
The base model of the HP Spectre x360 14 starts at around $1,199, which is quite steep for a laptop. However, for this price, you get a high-performance machine that can handle a wide range of tasks with ease, thanks to its powerful 11th-generation Intel Core processors and up to 16GB of RAM. You also get up to 1TB of SSD storage, which is more than enough for most users.
The device's design is also worth noting, as it is crafted from premium materials, including CNC-machined aluminium, and features a 360-degree hinge that allows you to switch between laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes with ease. Additionally, the device's ultra-thin bezel display is another standout feature, providing a stunning visual experience that is perfect for entertainment or creative work.
In terms of value, the HP Spectre x360 14 offers a lot for its price. While it may be more expensive than some other options on the market, its premium build quality, powerful performance, and versatile 2-in-1 design make it an excellent choice for anyone who needs a high-performance machine that can handle a wide range of tasks.
Moreover, the device also comes with some additional features that add value, such as a built-in privacy screen, a stylus for creative work, and fast charging capabilities. These features are not typically found in many laptops in this price range, making the HP Spectre x360 14 a standout option for those looking for premium features and exceptional performance.
Final verdict:
Anyone wishing to improve their mobile workstation can consider the HP Spectre x360 14. For the best balance of power, performance, and design, you can configure the laptop on the HP official shop website. Of course, the Apple MacBook Air with M1 will provide you with longer battery life, better colours, and better photo/video editing speed for around the same price if you're not locked into Windows.
On the other hand, MacBook owners who want to switch to a Windows-based computer will adore the HP Spectre x360 14's magnificent FHD and 2K OLED displays, familiar-feeling keyboard, and USB-C connectivity.
Anyone who wants to simplify their workflow and get rid of extra devices like tablets should use a 2-in-1 convertible form factor; the 180-degree hinges make it simple to go from a regular laptop to a tablet for watching videos or creating. Although expensive, the premium parts are worth the extra money to stay up with today's and tomorrow's demands for graphics and processing, as well as internet and wireless connectivity.
