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HP Spectre x360
HP keeps making its flagship laptop stronger and stronger. The HP spectre x360 has never been more powerful or packed with more features. The Spectre x360 2020 features some great upgrades and features without losing all the features we have become accustomed to.
The HP spectre x360 packs a powerful intel Core i7-1065G7 CPU and an Iris Plus integrated graphics. The 2020 model of this flagship lineup also comes with twice the RAM its predecessor had. This puts it toe to toe with some of its bigger competitions out there.
The updates on the HP spectre x360 2020, not only makes it one of the best laptops but also one of the best windows tablets in the market.
The spectre x360 has an impressive svelte chasis which also adds to its portability. It sports a 4K touchscreen which can now be found on the low-end models of this device. This was not available in the previous model, as only the high-end configuration came with the best display.
The HP spectre x360 is more than just a beautifully design machine, it is also powerful. It is powerful enough to perform most demanding tasks.
However, the lack of proper graphics card makes the HP spectre x360 2020 model not a very good gaming laptop. The Iris Plus graphics can handle most games at lower resolution but will probably not go well with latest heavy games.
Setback
One setback to the HP specre x360 2020 is the cooling problem. Given the slender chassis of the laptop, it is unable to properly discharge heat out, which makes the device run hot. It gets really hot when performing demanding tasks like editing videos in 4k and 3D rendering.
Not to be alarmed, it is hard to see any laptop these days as slim as the Spectre x360 with better cooling. Using the laptop will convince you that its benefits outweigh its drawbacks.
HP spectre x360 2020 price
The HP spctre x360 2020 cost more than most 2-in-1 laptops in the market. This is quite expected given its premium design and build quality. The odds of finding a 2-in-1 laptop out there with impressive design as well as quality performance is slim.
The high-end model of the HP spectre x360 2020 has a starting price of $1,299.99 to $1,899.99 in the US depending on the configuration. HP website also gives you the choice of customising how you want your spectre x360 to be.
In the UK, the HP spectre x360 2020 is available from a starting price of £1,199 up to £1,799. It is also available in Australia from AUS$2,199 to AUS$3,599.
For a device with such impressive design and build, the price is what we would expect. It is worth noting that the HP Spectre x360 2020 does come with HP’s smart stylus Pen, the Tilt Pen.
 HP spectre x360 | ||
 HP spectre x360 | ||
 HP spectre x360 |
HP spectre x360 2020 Design Review
What to expect when you take it out of the box, Premium and impressive design. The HP spectre x360 has a metallic finish to it, this means the laptop is strong. As its name implies and as we have seen from previous spectre x360’s, the hinges can rotate 360-degrees converting it into a tablet.
Weight is a key factor in any device ever produced, the HP Spectre x360 2020 is no exception. Weighing a little over a kilo, the device is considered light weight. Though not the thinnest laptop in the market, the spectre x360 2020 model does stand out alongside major contenders.
However, its slim nature comes at a cost. The cost being limited room for heat discharge. The spectre x360 2020 has two cooling fans like most devices but small and not that efficient. This means that the laptop gets awfully hot when running demanding task, at least just enough to discomfort you without causing any damage.
Ports
The spectre 2020 has a well selected number of ports for most of your needs. The device comes with two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports and a single USB-A port that opens on a sprung clasp. The slim design of the device makes the port larger than the laptops edges, there for the reason for the sprung clasp mechanism.
The sprung clasp mechanism opens when you are inserting ur USB cord and snaps shut when you remove the cord. This is however not a new design as it has been spotted on so many laptops over the years, although, not as well done as on the Spectre x360 2020.
The HP spectre 2020 also comes with a headphone jack and a microSD card reader. The spectre 2020 charges via USB. This may be inappropriate for most users that make use of more than one USB ports while working.
The charger takes up one USB port leaving the user with only one for connecting external device. We do wonder if this choice was a good one or they should have opted for the dedicated AC charging port.
HP spectre x360 2020 Display Review
The HP spectre x360 comes with an almost bezel less screen. The device sports a 4K resolution AMOLED display panel which makes watching movies on it a delight. Experience with this display is transformative. Blacks are black as pitch, while bright colors pop with vibrance and the maximum brightness is great even in well-lit spaces.
Keyboard and TrackPad
The keyboard is fun to use. It has considerably good key to key travel despite the compact design, and tying experience is quite pleasing. The keyboard has a deem white back light to aid users while tying in the dark.
Just like any 13-inch 2-in-1 windows convertible laptops, the HP spectre x360 2020 has no numpad. When it comes to the trackpad, The HP spectre x360 2020 trackpad definitely beats most of its competition. Its edge being a wide touch area and satisfyingly firm click.
HP Spectre x360 2020 Performance Review
Everyday work task for the spectre x360 2020 is easy-pizzy. With its 16GB RAM and 10th generation Intel CPU, web browsing, videos and using Microsoft office on this device is smooth and easy.
This device is also able to handle more complicated tasks like rendering and video encoding. This is all possible because of the more powerful processor and expanded memory of the spectre 2020. However, handling demanding tasks like 4K video editing and 3D rendering is not its strong suit because of the not so powerful graphics card.
Running heavy games on this device as well is a bad idea. The Graphics card can run some games at lower graphics, but heavy games will not run smoothly, at least not recent ones. Older games may work ok, like Tomb Raider.
If you will be performing a lot of high resolution and high intensity software, then the spectre 2020 is not for you. Kindly checkout other options available in the market.
The HP spectre x360 is however most suite for students and office works that mostly use Microsoft office and other low intensity softwares.
Privacy
For those worried about security, the spectre x360 2020 is the ideal laptop for you because of its integrated privacy features designed to keep you and your data safe.
The first feature is the Windows Hello function that uses IR camera array connected to the x360’s HD webcam. This feature allows you to log into your laptop using your face, even in poorly lit conditions.
Another feature is the camera kill switch which we find more interesting. This is a physical switch on the side of the laptop that manually cuts power to the webcam for added security. This makes this laptop a top choice for people scared of hackers spying on them through their webcam.
There’s also a fingerprint scanner just below the keyboard, letting you login quickly if you don’t want to use Windows Hello.
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HP Spectre x360 2020 Battery life Review
Battery wise, this is an area where the spectre x360 2020 doesn’t quite excel in. The battery life is good and will last an entire workday, which is roughly 10 hours. However, running high intensity tasks with cut down the battery life to as low as 5 hours or less depending on the tasks performed.
One good thing is that charging is fast on the spectre 2020 thanks to USB-C connector. The laptop goes from zero to 100% in barely more than an hour when charging. It’s easy to charge while in use, too, thanks to the angled USB-C port ensuring that the power cable won’t get in your way.
HP spectre x360 2020 Specifications
| Specification | HP Spectre x360 2020 |
| Processor | 1.3GHz Intel Core i7-1065G7 (quad-core, Intel Smart Cache, up to 3.9GHz with Turbo Boost) |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Plus integrated |
| Screen | 13.3-inch 4K (3,840 x 2,160) AMOLED |
| RAM | 16GB, 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB SSD |
| Ports | Two Thunderbolts 3 USB-C port, 1 USB-A port, Headphone jack SD card reader |
| Connectivity | Intel WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5 |
| Camera | HP True Vision HD 1080p IR Webcam |
| Weight | 2.87 pounds |
| Size | 12.04 x 7.66 x 0.67 inches (30.6 x 19.45 x 1.69 cm; W x D x H) |
Should I Buy The HP Spectre x360 2020?
Buy it if you:
- Want a lightweight laptop with quality performance.
- Need a laptop that is easy flexible, moving from laptop to tablet mode easily.
- Are considered about hackers spying on you with your webcam.
- Want a laptop that can last up to 10 hours while performing everyday office tasks.
- Are not on a budget.
- Want a laptop that comes with HP’s smart stylus Pen, the Tilt Pen.
- Do not need more graphics power.
| HP spectre x360 | ||
| HP spectre x360 | ||
| HP spectre x360 |
The Final Verdict
The HP spectre x360 is as impressive as most devices. Froms its premium design to its build but just like all laptops on the market, the spectre x360 2020 is not for everyone.
Performing everyday task on this device is pretty cool. Its 4K display, large keyboard keys, pleasing trackpad and backlit keys allows for good typing experience even in the dark. This is a laptop definitely suited for office work as well as student projects.
The HP spectre x360 2020 is not the best or thinnest laptop out there, but it gets the job done. Its battery life also makes the device reliable.
If you are interested in this laptop but don’t quite have the cash, I suggest checking out other options suited to your pock size. For students, some of the best student laptops you can get at low budgets are everywhere, you just have to look for the right one for you.
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