HP Pavilion x360 (2023) Review: Versatile, Yet Falls Short

The 2-in-1 laptop market has witnessed explosive growth, and HP's Pavilion x360 series has been a pioneer since its introduction in 2014.

Rating: 3/5

Price: INR 79,999/- $999 USD

Specifications:

• Display: 14-inch LCD, 60Hz

• Processor: Intel Core i5-1335U

• GPU: Intel Iris XE

• OS: Windows 11

• RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200

• Storage: 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD

With the latest HP Pavilion x360 (2023) hitting the shelves, we delve into whether it lives up to its versatile reputation.

Design and Build Quality

The Pavilion x360 boasts a professional design that suits various settings. Its lightweight polycarbonate body with a touch of metal exudes a premium look.

Notably, HP uses recycled materials from the ocean in its construction—a commendable eco-friendly touch. While sturdy, the lid's weight distribution can be slightly uneven, making single-handed operation challenging.

The 360-degree hinge allows tablet-like use, complemented by a decent webcam and a stylus for creative tasks.

Connectivity is robust, featuring USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Type-A ports, a microSD card slot, and a headphone jack.

A fingerprint sensor adds security. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 ensure seamless wireless connections. The design impresses with its simplicity, but those seeking flashier aesthetics may find it dull.

Display and Touch Experience

The Pavilion x360 sports a 14-inch IPS LCD touch-enabled display with a 1920×1080p resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. While the 250-nit brightness falls short for outdoor use, the 16:9 aspect ratio and 45% NTSC color gamut suffice for daily tasks, including streaming and work.

The touch interface works well but occasional responsiveness issues may arise.

For casual use, this display delivers a comfortable and enjoyable viewing experience, but it may not meet the demands of editing or digital art.

Performance and Everyday Use

Equipped with an Intel Core i5-1335U processor and Intel Iris XE graphics, the Pavilion x360 handles routine tasks seamlessly. Whether it's productivity work, streaming, or web browsing, it performs without lag.

However, intensive tasks and gaming are not their strong suits, as it tends to heat up and the experience becomes choppy.

With 6GB DDR4 RAM and a generous 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD, it offers respectable performance for general use.

Running Windows 11 Home smoothly, it handles productivity and daily tasks effortlessly.

Typing is comfortable with adequate key travel, and the backlit keyboard adds flair. The trackpad size may feel limited for some users but is responsive.

The downward-facing speakers may muffle sound on soft surfaces, but they deliver good volume and sound quality overall.

Battery Life and Charging

The laptop features a 43Whr battery with a 65W charger. In practical usage, including browsing, video streaming, and video calls, the battery lasts around 5.5 hours with a quick charge time of approximately 2 hours from 10% to full. It offers decent battery life for daily use.

Verdict

The HP Pavilion x360 (2023) presents a conundrum. While it aims to excel as both a traditional laptop and a creative tool, it falls short on touch sensitivity and color gamut for more display-oriented tasks.

Additionally, its power-efficient chipset restricts performance, making it best suited for work and entertainment.

If you seek a versatile laptop for professional and entertainment purposes without heavy performance demands, the Pavilion x360 is a solid choice.

However, for those aiming higher, considering options like the MacBook Air 2020 might be worthwhile.