Thursday, January 14, 2021
Best Overall
HP Spectre x360 13
Pros
- Very capable specs
- Beautiful 4K display
- Great port options, including Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Better RAM and storage options
- Windows Hello capabilities
Cons
- Less powerful CPUs
- More expensive
Despite featuring processors that fall slightly below what the HP ENVY x360 13 is packing in terms of performance, the HP Spectre x360 13's better ports and better options for RAM, storage, and 4K give it an overall edge when it comes to media-focused productivity tasks and recreation. It's a little more expensive so it may not be ideal if you're looking to save money.
Best for Business
HP ENVY x360 13
Pros
- More powerful CPU
- Less expensive
- Excellent overall value
- Slightly better battery life
Cons
- Worse display and port options
- Worse RAM and storage options
- No Windows Hello
The HP ENVY x360 13's affordable price, excellent Ryzen CPU, and slightly longer battery life make it ideal for people who need a business-focused convertible for less intensive workloads like writing or editing documents. The RAM, storage, ports, and display aren't as impressive as what the Spectre has to offer, but they're good enough for people who don't need to go beyond the basics.
While both of these laptops are excellent, we feel that most people will get more out of the HP Spectre x360 13 due to its better overall specs. That being said, don't look past the incredible value that the HP ENVY x360 13 has to offer with its low price and powerful CPU, especially if you're in need of something for general business productivity.
HP Spectre x360 13 vs. x360 ENVY 13: Comparison and specs
The HP Spectre x360 13 (left) and the HP ENVY x360 13 (right).
Based on both the specs and real-world performance, it's clear that the Spectre and ENVY are being aimed towards different people. With its gorgeous 4K display, configurations for more RAM and storage, and dual Thunderbolt 3 ports (along with one USB-A port and a microSD reader), the Spectre is a more impressive device that's geared towards the creation and consumption of visual media while also designed to knock standard work tasks out of the park.
Meanwhile, the lower price, slightly better battery life, and modest, yet still capable specs of the ENVY solidify it as an excellent budget-friendly business convertible that's better for general productivity. However, there's only one RAM option (8GB) and while there are multiple storage options, it only goes up to 1TB. In contrast, the Spectre goes up to 2TB. It also doesn't have Thunderbolt 3 ports — just two USB-A, one USB-C, and a microSD port.
Notably, the ENVY's AMD processor is a little better than the Intel one found on the Spectre, although not by a wide margin. It's also worth pointing out that the Spectre has Windows Hello facial recognition thanks to its IR camera, while the ENVY is limited to a fingerprint reader.
| HP Spectre x360 13 | HP ENVY x360 13 | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel i5-1035G4 Intel i7-1065G7 |
AMD Ryzen 7 4700U |
| GPU | Intel Iris Plus | AMD Radeon Graphics |
| Memory | 8GB 16GB |
8GB |
| Storage | 256GB 512GB 1TB 2TB |
128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB |
| Display | 13.3-inch FHD touch display (300 nits) 13.3-inch UHD AMOLED touch display (400 nits) |
13.3-inch FHD touch display (300 nits) 13.3-inch FHD touch display (400 nits) 13.3-inch FHD touch display (1,000 nits) |
| Speakers | Dual speakers | Dual speakers |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 3 1x USB-A microSD reader |
1x USB-C 2x USB-A microSD reader |
| Biometrics | Fingerprint reader, IR camera | Fingerprint reader |
| Connectivity | Wi-FI 6 Bluetooth 5.0 |
Wi-Fi 5 Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery Life | 8 hours | 9 hours |
| Weight | 2.88 lbs | 2.92 lbs |
Aside from the differences listed above, the Spectre and ENVY are very similar, especially design wise. Both devices feature thin bezels, a lightweight design, high-quality audio thanks to dual Bang & Olufsen speakers, and excellent keyboards. In addition, both of these laptops are convertible, which means that they're both more flexible than a traditional clamshell.
HP Spectre x360 13 vs. x360 ENVY 13: Which should you buy?
Both of these laptops are wonderful, can get a lot of tasks done, and are relatively affordable, but ultimately, we think that the HP Spectre x360 13 will be ideal for the majority of people since it's better suited for media consumption while still serving excellently as a productivity machine, including for more intensive workloads. Additionally, while it's true that it is more expensive, the price is still attractive compared to other convertibles on the market.
If you're looking for something more budget-friendly or a device that's designed specifically for basic business productivity, don't overlook the HP ENVY x360 13. It may not be as flashy as the Spectre, but its FHD display and extended battery life make it a fantastic choice if all you need is a no-nonsense convertible that you can use to get things done.
If neither of these devices is the right fit for you, make sure you check out our roundup of all the best Windows laptops in 2021 for other great options.
Best Overall
HP Spectre x360 13
Versatile power
From $930 at HP From $1,150 at Amazon
Despite featuring processors that fall slightly below what the HP ENVY x360 13 is packing in terms of performance, the HP Spectre x360 13's better ports and better options for RAM, storage, and 4K give it an overall edge when it comes to media-focused productivity tasks and recreation. It's a little more expensive, however.
Best for Business
HP ENVY x360 13
Productivity excellence
From $740 at HP $900 at Walmart
The HP ENVY x360 13's affordable price, excellent Ryzen CPU, and slightly longer battery life make it ideal for people who need a business-focused convertible for less intensive workloads like writing or editing documents. The RAM, storage, ports, and display aren't as impressive as what the Spectre has to offer, but they're good enough for people who don't need to go beyond the basics.
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