HP Envy x360 13 (2019)
Spec sheet
Here is the HP Envy x360 13 (2019) configuration sent to TechRadar for review:
CPU: 2.1GHz AMD Ryzen 5 3500U (quad-core, 6MB cache, up to 3.7GHz with Boost)
Graphics: AMD Vega 8
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Screen: 13.3=inch, 1,920 x 1,080, IPS touchscreen
Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
Optical drive: N/A
Ports: 1x USB-C, 2x USB-A 3.1, MicroSD
Connectivity: 802.11b/g/n/ac (2x2) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 combo
Camera: HD IR web camera
Weight: 2.8 pounds (1.27 kg)
Size: 12.07 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches (30.67 x 21.46 x 1.49 cm; W x D x H)
In a way, the HP Envy x360 13 (2019) is a new laptop. Make no mistake: the Envy line itself isn’t entirely new and has been around since the early 2000s. However, while its previous version made do with the AMD Ryzen 2000 series chip, this 2019 model comes with one of AMD’s newer mobile offerings from its 3000 APU line.
Of course, since the previous version of the Envy x360 13 didn’t exactly blow us away, the HP Envy x360 13 (2019)’s success now hangs in the balance of this new mobile processor. So, has AMD upped its game enough for this portable to impress us? Will its integrated AMD Vega graphics throw a bit of light gaming capability into the equation? More importantly, will a nicely engineered 2-in-1 13-inch laptop offer an intriguing alternative to the obvious Intel-powered options, including the Lenovo Yoga 920?
When it comes to battery life, the HP Envy x360 13 (2019) is certainly an improvement over its predecessor – and, that’s courtesy of this new chip. But, is its performance up to par? Read our review to find out.
Price and availability
The revised HP Envy x360 13 is fresh out of the blocks and pricing has yet to settle. In the US it’s currently a steal in this configuration with the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U CPU and 8GB of RAM at just $699.
UK pricing hasn’t been released, though the equivalent previous generation model with the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U is listing at £799. We’d expect that to come down pretty shortly, so UK buyers may want to hold out a little after initial availability. In Australia, meanwhile, you’re looking at around AU$1,799.
The US price compares fairly favourably with the obvious alternatives. The Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 can be had a little cheaper with an AMD chip. But it’s not quite as upscale a laptop, lacks thin bezels and has yet to be launched with AMD’s 3000 series chip.
The Lenovo Yoga 920 will typically set you back an additional $150 to $200 for a comparable specification, though that is a 14-inch model and exclusively powered by Intel CPUs.
Design
With its anodised all-aluminium chassis, the HP Envy x360 13 does a pretty passable impression of a true high-end 2-in-1 portable. As reviewed it tips the scales at under $700 Stateside and will probably soon be available for under £700, so that’s not a bad trick. After all, Dell’s XPS 13 2-in-1, to take one premium example, starts at not far off double the money.
In terms of build, the HP Envy x360 13 (2019) feels solid and sturdy with little to no flex in the chassis. The same goes for its 360-degree hinge, allowing for conversion into tablet mode. You get the sense it’s been engineered to last.
With slim bezels on two out of three sides of the display, the HP Envy x360 13 is reasonably compact, too. However, the Envy’s bottom bezel makes for a hefty old chin. It’s most noticeable in table mode, even if it’s an issue shared with most 2-in-1 convertibles. The recent trend for near all-screen laptops has yet to trickle down to the 2-in-1 segment.
Subjectively, the HP Envy x360 13 also feels at least as slim and sleek as the likes of, say, the Lenovo Yoga 920, despite the fact that the official numbers say otherwise. That said, it’s still just thick enough to offer a pair of full-size USB Type-A ports in 3.1 spec.
There’s also a USB Type-C socket and a microSD reader. While the full-sized USB ports will score points with those averse to using dongles, it’s worth noting that the single USB-C port doesn’t support charging, which is a pity.
All told, HP Envy x360 13 weighs in at 1.27kg which makes it eminently portable and means there’s isn’t too much penalty to be paid for the 2-in-1 convertible functionality.
Elsewhere, HP has also teamed up with Bang & Olufsen for the sound system. Improved audio is always welcome, but in this case the relatively wide speaker grille above the keyboard has a knock-on effect. It means the track pad below is shallower than we would have preferred.
If you’re used to a really large trackpad, you’ll find the Envy’s quite restrictive, that’s for sure.
Sound and vision
Speaking of those Bang & Olufsen speakers, their performance is pretty disappointing. The likes of a 12-inch Macbook, which is a thinner and lighter device, knocks out not only more volume but also much better definition. Not all tie ins with audio specialists, it seems, truly deliver.
As for the HP Envy x360’s 13-inch touch screen, it’s about as good as you could reasonably expect at this price point. Thanks to IPS technology, colors are accurate and the viewing angles of the panel itself are excellent, while maximum brightness levels are good though not stellar and the Gorilla Glass cover does introduce some reflections.
The native 1,920 by 1,080 resolution is a limiting factor in terms of outright detail and font sharpness. But it’s still a pleasing display and a higher resolution panel would have an impact in terms of both price and battery life.
Benchmarks
Here's how the HP Envy x360 13 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Fire Strike: 1078; Time Spy: 499
Cinebench CPU: 632 points; Graphics: 49 fps
GeekBench: 3,690 (single-core); 9,702 (multi-core)
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 9 hours and 19 minutes
Total War: Warhammer II (1080p, Ultra): 3.5 fps; (1080p, Low): 9 fps
Middle Earth: Shadow of War (1080p, Ultra): 7 fps; (1080p, Low): 11 fps
In terms of pure CPU performance, the new AMD Ryzen 5 3500U doesn’t really move the game on. Its performance doesn’t set new standards for a low-voltage quad-core processor. In fact, Intel’s latest 8th generation Core chips have the edge.
That’s probably because this new mobile chip from AMD - known as an APU because it includes integrated graphics - is actually based on the original Zen CPU architecture (Zen+ if you’re being really picky), not the second generation Zen design recently announced as part of the new AMD Ryzen 3000 series desktop family. That’s rather confusing given the 3000 series branding of this mobile processor.
Nor does the Ryzen 5 3500U shake things up from a graphics perspective. Despite AMD’s reputation for high quality graphics technology, it’s barely any quicker than Intel’s integrated graphics. So it can only cope with the lightest of 3D games.
Battery life
There’s better news when it comes to battery life, however. By racking up over nine hours in our movie playback test, this new AMD variant of the HP Envy x360 13 gets a lot closer to the Intel-powered competition.
Admittedly, some 2-in-1s like the Lenovo Yoga C930 will do over 13 hours in the same test. But then they’re typically also more expensive. You pays your money and you takes your choice, in other words.
Final verdict
Thanks to a US price that’s currently pretty punchy, the HP Envy x360 13 is a compelling proposition. The chassis has a premium feel and the 2-in-1 element works well even if the screen’s large chin bezel ensures you never forget it’s not a true tablet.
The performance of the new AMD Ryzen APU may not be anything special. But it’s competitive with the Intel quad-core alternative, especially given the price point. The same goes for battery life. It’s not as good as more expensive Intel-powered systems. But then it costs less. And if 9 hours of video playback is good enough for you, why pay more?
Similarly, the HP Envy x360’s 13-inch 1080p screen is another element that falls into the ‘good enough given the price point’ column. Some might prefer a high resolution panel, but that’s not hugely realistic without paying considerably more.
All told, the HP Envy x360 13’s is all about offering a value proposition without making you feel like you cheaped out. If you fancy that premium feel but only want to pay mid-tier money, you should put the HP Envy x360 13 on your shortlist.
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