By To be honest, Windows 2-in-1s have long since lost their appeal. Previously, it was believed that visually appealing, lightweight, and powerful touchscreen PCs may replace laptops and tablets, but in the present day, many consumers—as well as laptop manufacturers—have shifted their attention to bigger, more potent devices.
However, the idea of a single, all-purpose gadget isn’t completely gone. With its stylish design and slim design, the HP Spectre x360 14-inch is a versatile 2-in-1 that can be used in any setting. Though Windows’ dated touchscreen issues still present a challenge, it’s a fantastic option for frequent flyers and business travelers.
HP Spectre x360 14: Features and specifications
The specs of the HP Spectre x360 14 are remarkable for a 14-inch 2-in-1. It has a 2880×1800 OLED touchscreen, 32GB of RAM, a 2TB solid-state drive, and an Intel Core Ultra 155H 16-core processor. Although the base model lacks several of these features, HP offers upgrades at a fair price.
- CPU: 155H Intel Core Ultra 7
- 32GB LPDDR5 memory; Intel Arc integrated graphics and GPU
- Display: 120Hz to 2880×1800 OLED touchscreen
- 2TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4 solid state drive for storage
- Webcam: 4K webcam
- Connectivity: 1 3.5mm combination audio jack, 1 USB Type-A, and 2 USB Type-C
- networking: Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 7.
- Biometrics: fingerprint reader and Windows Hello facial recognition
- 68 watt-hour battery capacity; dimensions: 12.35 x 8.68 x 0.67 inches
- 3.19 pounds in weight
- MSRP: $1,819.99 after testing, $1,449.99 initially
But that’s not all. The Spectre x360 14 also features an integrated rechargeable active stylus, a fingerprint reader, optional Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, and a 4K webcam with an IR reader for facial recognition login. Together, these features come with a pricey but fair MSRP of $1,819.99, which was reduced to $1,519.99 at the time of this review.
HP Spectre x360 14: High-quality design and construction
I fell in love with the HP Spectre x360 14 right away. Not because it’s unique or inventive, but rather because HP takes the time to do the tedious tasks correctly.
The caliber of the materials utilized is where it all starts. The hinges and upper and lower body of the Spectre x360 14 are made of metal. Although it isn’t out of the ordinary for a 2-in-1 over $1,000, HP chose a particularly striking texture and gloss. Though it looks sleek and contemporary, it feels comfortable and welcoming to the touch because of its subtle texture and grip. The chassis seems almost as stiff as 2-in-1s that choose that way, while not being unibody—that is, having a removable bottom panel.
That’s not to suggest it’s flawless; typical concessions must be made. With a 14-inch display, as its name suggests, the Spectre x360 14 is far larger than even the largest iPad Pro. In addition, its weight of 3.19 pounds makes it difficult to handle with just your fingertips. For brief periods, particularly while lying on your lap or knees, the Spectre x360 can be used as a tablet. However, it is not ideal for taking notes, reading books or documents, or using in a reclined position.
Lenovo Yoga 9i 14, which likewise offers a slim, light, and appealing design, is a strong competitor for HP. I believe HP is still lagging behind Lenovo, although obviously, it depends on personal preference. The Spectre x360 14 is more somber and businesslike, while the Lenovo Yoga 9i strikes a more opulent and attractive appearance. Even if the HP isn’t superior to the Lenovo, it is unquestionably better than more reasonably priced 2-in-1s like the Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED.
HP Spectre x360 14: Keyboard, trackpad
However, anticipate using the Spectre x360 14 more frequently as a laptop than a tablet. Thankfully, HP’s superb design also encompasses the keyboard and touchpad.
The 2-in-1’s keyboard takes up a good amount of its width, although it does give up a few millimeters for speakers that face upward on each side. Despite this, the majority of the keys on the keyboard are large, and the layout is roomy. There is a slight reduction in the size of the Shift, Caps, and Tab keys on the left side, but not enough to be apparent. Additionally, there’s a ton of room behind the keyboard, so my hands weren’t left hanging.
Despite the tiny profile, the key travel is decent, and each key has a tactile click that concludes the motion. On the other hand, I believe HP made a mistake with the plastic keycaps. It detracts from the otherwise opulent appearance and feels flimsy. It’s unfortunate because the keyboard is the area of the gadget that gets the most use.
Another standout feature is the touchpad. At five and a half inches broad by three and a quarter inches deep, it is enormous for a 14-inch laptop. My palms would have been completely inside the touchpad surface if there had been more room to expand its depth, which could have resulted in unintentional mouse clicks. The touchpad is large enough to accommodate Windows’ most intricate multi-touch movements, and it is snappy.
HP Spectre x360 14: Display, audio
The 2880×1800 OLED touchscreen on every 2024 HP Spectre x360 14-inch model has a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. Rich colors, amazing contrast, sharpness, and good motion clarity characterize this stunning display.
The display might occasionally be difficult to use in bright environments due to its lower brightness compared to some IPS displays and glossy display finish. However, that’s quickly forgotten whether you’re editing a photo, playing a PC game, or watching a Netflix series. Media seems amazing all the time.
HP Spectre x360 14: Battery life
The HP Spectre x360 14 comes with a battery that holds 68 watts. For a 14-inch 2-in-1, that’s a respectable capacity, although contemporary processors can be very power-hungry. These opposing forces counterbalance one another.
In our routine battery test, which plays a 4K trailer for the short film Tears of Steel, I managed to record more than 11 hours of battery life. That’s a respectable but not particularly noteworthy outcome for a contemporary 2-in-1, and more significantly, it ought to be sufficient to allow the majority of users to function without a charger for an entire workday—that is if the most taxing apps are avoided.
The Spectre also benefits from relatively low power consumption and USB Power Delivery. Since the provided charger is modest, this 2-in-1 may be fully charged using most third-party USB-C laptop chargers. As a result, portability is increased because the 2-in-1 charger is not required to be packed.
Conclusion
If you want a 14-inch Windows 2-in-1 and want to take full advantage of its 2-in-1 adaptability, HP’s Spectre x360 14 is a fantastic choice. It is well-built, thin, light, portable, and comes with an active stylus and standard touchscreen. In addition, the Spectre x360 has an excellent webcam, a sizable touchpad, robust speed, and a gorgeous OLED display. Although it isn’t cheap and has a few drawbacks, such as a subpar keyboard and restricted connectivity, it’s a fantastic option for customers who still want to have their Windows 2-in-1 computer.
