The HP Envy X360 15-inch, AMD Ryzen 7 processor with integrated Radeon graphics. It impresses with its commendable performance, thanks to the highly efficient CPU.
Note: This article contains Amazon affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Specifications
| Display | 15″6 FHD, IPS, WLED-backlit, 400 nits (1920 x 1080) |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 4700U (2.0GHz, up to 4.2 GHz, 4MB L2 cache, 8 cores) |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon Graphics |
| Memory | 16GB DDR4-3200 PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Storage | 512 GB PCIe NVMe (2×8 GB) |
| Battery | 3-cell, 51 Wh Li-ion polymer |
| Connectivity | Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 200 (2×2), Bluetooth 5 combo |
| Dimensions and Weight | 14.09×9.06 x 0.74 in, 2.0 KG |
| Price | $829 |
Design and Ports
The Envy X360 boasts a premium all-metal design that exudes an understated and classy aesthetic. The Nightfall Black color option, in particular, adds a touch of elegance. However, it’s worth noting that this color choice is prone to collecting fingerprints, so you may find yourself frequently wiping it down to maintain its sleek appearance.
On the left side of the laptop, you’ll find a 3.5-millimeter headset jack, an HDMI port, a USB-A port, and a USB-C port that supports data transfer, charging, and display output. Moving over to the right side, you’ll spot a full-size SD card reader, and it’s great to note that the card slots are flush with the laptop’s surface. Additionally, there’s another USB-A port and the power port for charging the device. It’s worth mentioning that you can also charge the laptop through the USB-C port. However, please be aware that there’s no Thunderbolt 3 support since the Envy X360 runs on a Ryzen processor.
User Upgradeability
After opening up the Envy x360 15 (2020) laptop, you’ll notice that there are Phillips head screws that need to be removed, along with one T5 Torx screw, before you can detach the bottom plate. Once inside, you’ll find two fans, which help with cooling, and two RAM slots that are easily accessible for potential upgrades. This user-friendly design allows you to expand your laptop’s memory. Moreover, the SSD is also user-replaceable, so if you’re looking to enhance your laptop’s storage capacity or performance, you have the flexibility to do so with ease. Speaking of the ssd see the below it did on the crystal disk mark test and the wi-fi card is easily upgradable as well.
| All | Read (MB/s) | Write (MB/s) |
|---|---|---|
| SEQ1M Q8T1 | 1555.53 | 977.29 |
| SEQ1M Q1T1 | 1444.04 | 892.79 |
| RND4K Q32T16 | 345.02 | 435.45 |
| RND4K Q1T1 | 50.23 | 113.9 |
Display
The Envy X360 display is truly impressive, especially if you opt for the 400-nit option offered by HP, which I highly recommend. This display features a full HD resolution of 1920 by 1080 and stands out with its deep blacks, well-balanced white points, and exceptional contrast. What’s particularly noteworthy is its outstanding color accuracy, boasting a delta E score of 0.86, which is simply phenomenal and indicates incredibly precise color representation. Furthermore, it covers various color gamuts remarkably well, with 76% coverage of Adobe RGB, 76% of the P3 wide color gamut, and 74% of NTSC. This makes it an excellent choice for creative professionals who work with applications like Lightroom, Photoshop, and video editing.
The display boasts an impressive 398 nits of brightness, coming very close to the 400-nit mark as claimed by HP, which is excellent. This level of brightness makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. However, it’s worth noting that the display is glossy, so you may encounter some issues with reflections when using it in direct sunlight.
Overall, this display is not only bright but also vibrant, offering a visually pleasing experience. It features slim bezels, with particularly thin side bezels and a slightly thicker top bezel, but the chin is minimal. This design contributes to a sleek and modern appearance, which is quite appealing, especially when compared to other laptops in this category. Additionally, the display is highly responsive to touch inputs, adding to its usability.
Webcam and Fingerprint Scanner
The front-facing camera on the Envy X360 15-inch, featuring the Ryzen 7 processor, is a 720p webcam that can capture video at 30 frames per second. It performs well for applications like Skype, Zoom, or any kind of video conferencing, making it suitable for remote work scenarios. However, it’s important to note that this camera is not Windows Hello compatible, meaning it lacks infrared capabilities for facial recognition logins.
Nevertheless, the laptop does feature a fingerprint scanner located on the keyboard, and it consistently registered my fingerprint each time I used it. Thus far, it’s been working reliably and effectively for authentication purposes.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Regarding the keyboard, I find it quite satisfying. It offers good tactile feedback, decent key travel, and a multi-stage backlight that functions effectively, allowing you to work comfortably in a dark or dimly lit environment. Additionally, the keyboard includes a 10-key numeric keypad, which is a notable bonus for those who frequently work with Excel spreadsheets or require numeric input.
One noticeable improvement here is the touchpad size, which is larger than that of the HP Spectre X360. This should address concerns from users who found the Spectre’s touchpad too small. The larger touchpad on the Envy X360 performs well, with smooth two-finger scrolling and responsive operation of all Windows 10 gestures, Overall it’s a commendable touchpad design.
Modes and Pen
The Envy X360 2020 offers a high degree of versatility as a two-in-one convertible laptop. You can configure it into various modes, including tent mode and stand mode, both of which are excellent for consuming media content like Netflix and YouTube. Additionally, it can be transformed into tablet mode, making it a great choice for use with a stylus, especially if you want to take notes or sketch out artwork.
Speaking of the stylus, it utilizes the Microsoft Pen Protocol 2.0, and it performs admirably. It offers good pressure sensitivity, which is particularly useful for note-taking and artistic endeavors. What’s even more convenient is that it’s rechargeable via USB, eliminating the need to hunt for those elusive and expensive quadruple-A batteries.
Performance
| PCMARK 10 | 5057 |
| GEEKBENCH 5 (Single-Core) | 1164 |
| GEEKBENH 5 (Multi-core) | 6157 |
| CINEBENCH R20 | 3148 |
| CINEBENCH R15 | 1279 cb | 79.59 fps |
| 3DMARK – Fire Strike | 3238 |
| 3DMARK – Time Spy | 1166 |
In terms of performance, the Envy X360 15-inch, equipped with the Ryzen 7 processor featuring eight cores and integrated Radeon graphics, delivers impressive results. Notably, it outperformed the HP Spectre X360 15-inch in certain benchmarks, despite the Spectre having a dedicated GPU. It’s important to note that the Spectre features six cores, whereas the Ryzen 7 boasts eight cores, which certainly contributes to the performance difference.
| Games | 1080p | 720p |
|---|---|---|
| RAINBOW 6 SIEGE ( Ultra Settings) | 42 FPS | 75 FPS |
| CS: GO (High Setting) | 158 FPS | 158 FPS |
| FORTNITE (Low Settings) | 62 FPS | 95 FPS |
| FAR CRY 5 ((Low Settings) | 27 FPS | 45 FPS |
Gaming performance on the HP Envy X360 largely depends on the specific title you’re playing. Older games tend to run with more playable frame rates, but it’s worth noting that this laptop can achieve some commendable numbers in terms of gaming performance, despite lacking a dedicated or discrete GPU. The integrated Radeon graphics prove to be a valuable asset, making gaming a viable option on this laptop. This versatility, allowing you to both work and play games, adds to the appeal of this laptop, particularly when compared to Intel variants. It’s definitely a factor to consider when making your decision.
Regarding the laptop’s thermal performance, I found it quite intriguing, especially when playing a game like Far Cry 5. When playing in both 720p and 1080p resolutions, I closely monitored the temperatures and power output. In 720p, the laptop reached around 87 degrees Celsius with a power output of approximately 27 watts. However, when switching to 1080p, the power output decreased from 27 watts to about 20 watts, and the temperature dropped from 87 degrees to approximately 80 degrees Celsius. This resulted in a noticeable shift in frame rates, with performance decreasing from around 45 frames per second in 720p to about 27 frames per second in 1080p.
Battery Life
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2019) | 10:55 |
| Dell XPS 15 9500 (2020, UHD+) | 9:58 |
| HP Envy X360 15 (AMD Ryzen 7, FHD 400 nits) | 9:05 |
| HP Spectre X360 (15-in, OLED | 7:10 |
The HP Envy X360 15 (2020) is equipped with a three-cell 51-watt-hour battery, which is the same as its 13-inch counterpart. In my continuous web surfing test over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness, it managed an impressive nine hours and five minutes of battery life. This result is slightly less than what the 13-inch version, running on a Ryzen 5 processor, achieved. However, considering that the 15-inch laptop is powered by a Ryzen 7 CPU with eight cores and features a larger display, which consumes more power, this performance is still highly respectable for a 15-inch laptop.
Another noteworthy feature is that it supports AMD’s Radeon FreeSync technology, which enhances the gaming experience by reducing screen tearing and improving overall visual smoothness.
Conclusion
Verdict:
The HP Envy X360 15 with the Ryzen 7 processor from 2020 emerges as an excellent choice. Its bright and vibrant full HD display, particularly the 400-nit option, is commendable. With the Ryzen 7 4700U processor and integrated Radeon graphics, it delivers robust CPU and GPU performance. The inclusion of adaptive sync, uncommon in laptops of its kind, enhances its suitability for gaming. Moreover, its support for USB charging, coupled with good battery life, adds to its appeal. The laptop’s impressive speakers and the convenience of a webcam shutter button further elevate its user experience.
Though lacking Thunderbolt 3 support for AMD Ryzens and an IR camera, these drawbacks are overshadowed by its overall package. I’m thoroughly impressed with its AMD Ryzen 7 4700 CPU, showcasing prowess in handling gaming, video editing, and daily tasks with ease. Notably, its battery life exceeds nine hours, supported by a three-cell 51-watt-hour battery. The 15.6-inch full HD screen impresses with 398 nits of brightness, excellent contrast, and outstanding color accuracy, making it suitable for content creators.
Moreover, its competitive pricing makes it an attractive option, offering great value with its premium design, strong performance, and good battery life. In comparison to the HP Spectre X360, which commands a higher price, the Envy X360 stands out for its balance between performance and value. In my view, it earns my editor’s choice for the 15-inch convertible category, excelling across various aspects while maintaining an appealing price point.
The HP Envy x360 15-inch AMD Ryzen 7 laptop, which I've chosen as my editor's choice for 15-inch convertible laptops, offers a sleek and lightweight design, excellent performance, and a sharp, vibrant FHD display. It provides great value for your money. However, as of 2023, there may be better options available at a similar price point. It's always a good idea to check for the latest models and compare their features and performance before making a purchase decision.
Pros
- Bright and vibrant full HD display.
- Strong CPU and GPU performance
- Inclusion of adaptive sync for gaming
- Good battery life
Cons
- Lack of Thunderbolt 3 support for AMD Ryzens
- Absence of an IR camera
-
Design10
-
Display9
-
Hardware9
-
Performance8
-
Keyboard8
-
Touchpad8
-
Thermals8.5
-
Battery8
-
Audio7.5
-
Ports7.5
-
Price / Value8
