As technology continues to render computer components smaller and smaller, the need to compromise between portability and power is rendered increasingly moot. The 2017 model of the HP Spectre x360 is a paragon of this idea, seamlessly incorporating 4K-capable processing power with a body barely over a kilo in weight. While the review unit I received had some issues maintaining battery life after a while -- no doubt due to the 4K screen -- the overall experience, including the touchpad, keyboard and even the touchscreen-controlled tablet mode are better than any convertible of this size I've ever experienced. It's certainly the most powerful, too.
Design
Much like the 2016 model, reviewed over a year ago, the Spectre x360 comes in a contrasting matte-metal body with bright metallic accents around the edges. The colour profile gives the laptop a subtle-but-classy look, with those matte-metallic surfaces also working to hide fingerprint smudges while feeling smooth and pleasant to the touch.
About 1.3cm in thickness and about 1.3kg in weight, the device has a slightly angled base, with the few ports it has located on the thicker back edges, towards the hinges. On one side is an old-gen USB port, 3.5mm audio jack, micro-SD card reader and power button, while the other has two USB-C ports -- either one of which can be used for charging -- a fingerprint sensor and the volume rockers. A standard array of ports, considering the device's ultra-thin status. The review unit I received also came with a USB-C converter with more legacy USB ports and HDMI, which is always helpful for anyone who enjoys connecting their computers to their TV.
While many 13-inch devices of the past tended to have problems with keyboard size, many manufacturers have managed to find the sweet spot when it comes to key-placing, and the Spectre x360 is no different.
Typing on the device feels natural and snappy, and I managed to type just as fast as I normally do on my personal 15-inch laptop, despite that one's conspicuously wider keyboard. The trackpad is also very nicely sized and placed. I never ran into the common issue of accidentally touching it with my palm while typing, though the touch controls worked without a hitch when I wanted them to.
There were times when I felt like the trackpad was a little too sensitive, registering the smallest touches as double-clicks or two-finger right clicks, but it was more a matter of getting used to it than anything else. The Spectre does come with a USB 3.1 port for existing legacy devices, so you can probably use any USB or wireless mouse.
Also noteworthy are the Bang & Olufsen speakers, which were powerful, if not exactly precise. The audio often sounded a little heavy, especially up-close, though it was better at a distance. And you can certainly hear the speakers from afar, turning the Spectre into a nice little player for small gatherings.
Performance
I still find it impressive that the Spectre x360 is capable of displaying at 4K resolution, even if it does come at its own costs. For one, despite its core-i7 processor and 8GB of RAM, the Spectre x360 still runs on the built-in Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU, which means it's still in no way a gaming machine. Sure, it can handle more than its size would suggest, but don't expect it to display the latest AAA-games at perfect frame-rates and 4K resolution anytime soon.
The machine is more than sufficient for casual e-sports play, however, running games like League Of Legends and Overwatch at decent resolutions and frame-rates, so that may also be a plus for people who want something they can use for work and play.
For day-to-day use, however, the Spectre x360 is everything you want in a laptop computer. Powerful enough for multitasking and even photo- and video-editing, the 4K displays are also perfect for sitting back and enjoying an episode of your favourite show online. That you can fold the keyboard back to make it a stand makes it an even better media-viewing device, though that would mean the computer's speakers -- located on top of the keyboard -- are facing out from behind the screen. Not that that's a problem, as the speakers are certainly powerful enough either way.
You can also transition the laptop into tablet mode just by turning the screen all the way back, and does the same once you flip the screen back up into laptop mode, something I've yet to see from any other convertible device. The touchscreen controls are also very tactile and precise. I'm not an artist, but I can say that the touchscreen, when used with the included stylus -- which is also rechargeable by USB-C -- feels more precise than the previously reviewed Zenbook Flip S.
The battery life is perhaps the device's one relative weak point. When running the device at 4K resolution, the battery takes a significant hit, with a 4K film on Netflix (about two hours) taking about 30% off the reserve. Keeping the device in 1080p prolongs the battery somewhat, though that defeats the purpose of having the 4K screen in the first place.
Verdict
Certainly among the most powerful laptops of its class, the Spectre x360 is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for a reliable computer for mobile working, while making no compromises on power. It's certainly on the pricier side, at about 63,000 baht, but the Spectre x360 makes a good case for itself.
