HP Spectre x360 13 (2019)
Computer Shopper|July 2019

VERDICT

A competent annual update, but there are better ultraportables available

Tom Bruce
HP Spectre x360 13 (2019)

MUCH LIKE LENOVO’S Yoga series, the Spectre x360 line has been at the forefront of convertible laptops since the concept took off. The Spectre x360 13 in particular has had many iterations, and the 2019 model looks to be the most drastically overhauled version yet.

Much of it is familiar: there’s the 13in touchscreen, HP’s Active Pen stylus and the 360° rotating hinge. The internal hardware isn’t too surprising, either: our mid-spec review unit had an Intel Core i7-8565U processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB PCI-E SSD, along with a 1,920x1,080 display. 4K models, and one with a dedicated GTX 1050 Ti graphics card, are also available.

SPACE SHAVING

Similarly to last year’s Spectre x360, this new model has a sleek, all-aluminium build. It’s gained weight but only barely, rising from 1.29kg to 1.33kg, and is marginally thicker at 14.7mm over last year’s 13.6mm. However, much of the extra bulk is offset by the angular ‘gem cut’ rear edges.

Beyond looking a bit strange, these sliced-off edges serve a practical purpose. The back right corner now has a Thunderbolt 3-enabled USB Type-C data and charging port, while the power button is located in the rear left corner. The corner charging slot also helps to reduce cable clutter around the laptop, leaving a little bit more space to work.

Granted, there’s not a great deal of connectivity elsewhere, largely thanks to how the super-slim edges taper off to become even thinner towards the front. Still, HP has found space for a full-size USB3 port on the left side, as well as a 3.5mm audio jack, a microSD card slot and a second USB Type-C slot with Thunderbolt 3 on the right. A webcam killswitch is located here, too.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2019 من Computer Shopper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2019 من Computer Shopper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من COMPUTER SHOPPER مشاهدة الكل
XIAOMI Mi Mix 3 5G
Computer Shopper

XIAOMI Mi Mix 3 5G

VERDICT This is the most affordable of the first 5G smartphones, but even with great hardware, the service isn’t yet worth the expense

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2019
RHA T20 Wireless
Computer Shopper

RHA T20 Wireless

VERDICT They’re not cheap, but these well-designed earphones deliver superb sound quality

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
Protect And Preserve
Computer Shopper

Protect And Preserve

Data might be A Valuable Commodity, But It’s Remarkably Easy To Lose Or For Others To Get Their Hands On. Mike Bedford Provides Guidance On How To Preserve, Recover And Destroy Data, And Looks At The Technologies Involved

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2019
NZXT H510i
Computer Shopper

NZXT H510i

VERDICT Some qualities shine through, but this is an underwhelming case from a maker we know can do better

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2019
Kicking Off A New Era Of Football?
Computer Shopper

Kicking Off A New Era Of Football?

With the new football season well and truly under way, David Crookes talks to Jon Hare about reviving the spirit of Sensible Soccer with a new, more sociable offering that he hopes will avoid an own goal

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2019
NAIM Mu-so 2
Computer Shopper

NAIM Mu-so 2

VERDICT A luxurious and fine-sounding slab of metal, but for most homes it won’t be worth the expense

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2019
Motorola One Vision
Computer Shopper

Motorola One Vision

VERDICT The One Vision comes close to being a brilliant mishmash of tech – shame about the camera

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
JBL Xtreme 2
Computer Shopper

JBL Xtreme 2

VERDICT With top-quality sound and a versatile design, this is a great – if expensive – rugged Bluetooth speaker

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
HUAWEI MateBook 13
Computer Shopper

HUAWEI MateBook 13

VERDICT What the MateBook 13 lacks in flourish, it makes up for in value and performance

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2019
GIGABYTE X570 Aorus Master
Computer Shopper

GIGABYTE X570 Aorus Master

VERDICT A loaded and forward-thinking motherboard, but not one that fully justifies its high price

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2019