HP ENVY 13 x360 i5 1230u Review: Sleek Design and Impressive Performance
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Unboxing and Design
- Display and Touchscreen
- Keyboard and Touchpad
- Ports and Connectivity
- Performance and Efficiency
- Software and Features
- Voice Control and Intelligent Assistant
- Camera and Privacy Features
- Audio and Cooling System
- Dimensions and Weight
- Battery Life
- Pros and Cons
- Conclusion
Introduction
Welcome to the review of the ENVY 13x360 i5 1230u laptop. In this article, we will explore all the features, performance, and design aspects of this powerful machine. Whether you're a student, professional, or casual user, the ENVY 13x360 promises to deliver a seamless computing experience. So let's dive in and find out if this is the right laptop for you.
Unboxing and Design
The ENVY 13x360 comes in a sleek and compact design. Upon unboxing, you are greeted with a thin and lightweight laptop that exudes elegance. The metallic body, available in two colors - dark blue and silver, gives it a premium look. The iconic HP logo sits centered on the lid, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal. One of the key highlights of this laptop is its 360-degree rotation feature, allowing you to use it as a tablet or in tent mode effortlessly. The touch screen is highly responsive, making navigation a breeze.
Display and Touchscreen
The ENVY 13x360 boasts a 2.8k OLED tempered Glass touch screen, delivering stunning visuals and vibrant colors. With a 16:10 aspect ratio, your multimedia content comes to life with exceptional Clarity. The screen is also EVO certified, ensuring a top-notch viewing experience. The absence of a power button on the keyboard enhances the minimalistic design. Typing on the backlit keyboard, with its large and well-spaced keys, is incredibly comfortable. The touchpad, perfectly positioned in the center, is responsive and smooth, providing accurate Cursor control.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The HP ENVY 13x360 is equipped with a backlit keyboard that offers a satisfying typing experience. The keys are well-spaced, allowing for comfortable and accurate typing. The 1.3mm key travel provides sufficient feedback, making long typing Sessions effortless. The touchpad, located right in the middle of the Palm rest, is smooth, precise, and highly responsive. It supports multi-touch gestures, enabling seamless navigation and efficient control. Whether you're working on spreadsheets or browsing the web, the keyboard and touchpad combination on the ENVY 13x360 ensures a user-friendly experience.
Ports and Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the ENVY 13x360 offers a range of options to cater to your needs. On the left side, you'll find a headset port and a TF card reader interface, allowing for easy audio connectivity and additional storage expansion. On the right side, there is a USB A integrated port and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. These Thunderbolt 4 ports support PD charging, making it convenient to charge your device on the go. The availability of multiple ports ensures seamless connectivity with various peripherals and accessories.
Performance and Efficiency
Powered by an Intel i5 1230u processor, the ENVY 13x360 delivers impressive performance for everyday tasks. With a total of ten cores and twelve Threads, this laptop strikes a balance between power and efficiency. The fundamental frequency ranges from 2.3GHz to 4.4GHz, ensuring smooth multitasking and fast processing speed. The Intel Iris Xe graphics card with a maximum dynamic frequency of 850MHz provides excellent visuals, supporting up to 8k video output. The onboard Hynix 16GB RAM contributes to seamless multitasking and efficient memory management.
Software and Features
The ENVY 13x360 comes pre-installed with Windows operating system, offering a familiar and user-friendly interface. The system settings allow for customization, including brightness adjustment and screen auto-adjustment options. The control panel provides additional configuration options and the ability to uninstall unwanted software. In terms of security, the ENVY 13x360 offers Windows Security Center, firewall settings, and virus protection. These features can be customized to suit your privacy preferences.
Voice Control and Intelligent Assistant
The ENVY 13x360 boasts an intelligent voice control software developed by Hui Xiaowei and Tencent. This voice assistant functions similar to your smartphone's voice assistant, allowing you to control various aspects of your computer with voice commands. Whether it's adjusting brightness, volume, or even shutting down, the intelligent assistant is there to assist you. Another notable feature of the voice control software is its ability to convert speech to text, making it convenient for hands-free typing and real-time translation.
Camera and Privacy Features
The ENVY 13x360 is equipped with a 5-megapixel camera that produces clear and sharp images. One standout feature of this laptop is the physical shutter for the camera. With a simple click, you can physically block the camera, ensuring your privacy and security. This feature provides peace of mind, knowing that your camera is fully protected when not in use. Additionally, the ENVY 13x360 offers a microphone mute button (F8) and a power button with a physical shield, preventing accidental touches and ensuring system stability.
Audio and Cooling System
The ENVY 13x360 features a top-notch audio system that delivers immersive sound. The dual speakers, positioned on the left and right sides of the laptop, offer balanced and clear audio output. Whether you're watching movies, listening to Music, or video conferencing, the audio quality enhances your multimedia experience. In terms of cooling, the ENVY 13x360 maintains optimal temperature levels. The noise levels are low, ensuring a quiet and comfortable user experience. The laptop's temperature remains within an acceptable range, with the hottest spot located under the screen.
Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 29.6cm in length and 21.4cm in Height, the ENVY 13x360 showcases a compact and portable design. Its thickest part, located on the front side of the footpad, measures 16.1mm. The overall weight of the laptop is 1330g, making it lightweight and highly portable. The power adapter adds an additional 300g, resulting in a travel weight of 1630g. These dimensions and weight make the ENVY 13x360 an ideal choice for users who are always on the go.
Battery Life
The ENVY 13x360 offers a battery life of over eight hours, making it suitable for all-day usage. Whether you're working, studying, or streaming media, the battery is designed to sustain your activities without the need for frequent charging. The laptop supports PD charging, allowing for efficient and fast charging. The 65-watt power adapter ensures quick top-ups when needed. With the ENVY 13x360, you can enjoy uninterrupted productivity and entertainment throughout the day.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Samsung 2.8k 360-degree flip touch screen for high playability
- Elegant design and premium build quality
- Battery life of over eight hours
- Low noise levels, ensuring a quiet user experience
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports with PD charging support
- USB A port and TF card reader for convenient connectivity
Cons:
- Performance slightly weaker compared to i5 1240p
- OLED screen may have flickering issues (Samsung certified)
- GRID pattern visible on the screen (may not be noticeable to most users)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ENVY 13x360 i5 1230u is a versatile and powerful laptop that caters to a wide range of users. With its sleek design, high-resolution touchscreen, and impressive performance, it offers a seamless computing experience. The battery life, ports, and connectivity options further enhance its usability and convenience. While it may have some minor drawbacks, the ENVY 13x360 excels in delivering a portable and efficient solution for everyday computing needs. Consider this laptop if you value premium design, versatility, and reliable performance in a compact Package.
FAQ
Q: Does the ENVY 13x360 support external displays?
A: Yes, the ENVY 13x360 is equipped with two Thunderbolt 4 ports that support external displays.
Q: Can I use the ENVY 13x360 as a drawing tablet?
A: Yes, the ENVY 13x360 has a "Convert computer to canvas" feature, allowing you to use it as a drawing tablet with the stylus.
Q: Does the ENVY 13x360 have a physical camera shutter?
A: Yes, the ENVY 13x360 has a physical shutter for the camera, ensuring your privacy and security.
Q: How long does the battery of the ENVY 13x360 last?
A: The ENVY 13x360 offers a battery life of over eight hours, making it suitable for all-day usage.
Q: Is the ENVY 13x360 suitable for gaming?
A: While the ENVY 13x360 is not specifically designed for gaming, it can handle casual games with ease.