HP Pavilion X360 Review: What You Need to Know

If you are thinking about buying the HP Pavilion x360 2-in-1 laptop, there are a few things you should consider before making your final decision.
Students or working professionals need a laptop that can keep up with their busy lives.
With the introduction of 2-in-1 laptops like the HP Pavilion x360, people are now able to get more done wherever they go.
Today’s 2-in-1 laptops offer users functionality like never before, allowing them to use their machines in a wide variety of configurations.
But, is the HP Pavilion x360 the best 2-in1 for your needs?

What to Look for in a 2-in-1 Laptop

Before we take a closer look at the HP Pavilion x360, let’s first discuss a few things you need to look for when shopping for a 2-in-1 laptop.
A 2-in-1 is a touch-optimized convertible detachable tablet or laptop that has both a touchscreen and keyboard.
For example, the HP Pavilion x360 represents a non-detachable laptop.
Most non-detachable 2-in-1 models allow you to convert them into a variety of configurations such as a tablet, laptop, or tent, to name a few. These machines are usually designed to rotate on 360-degree hinges that allow for smooth transformation.
Now, this is important:
To date, there isn’t a 2-in-1 on the market designed to work as a gaming laptop. These systems are designed more for casual users such as working professionals and students.
That isn’t to say that most 2-in-1 laptops can’t run most newer games. However, you shouldn’t expect the same performance that you would find in most high-end gaming laptops.

Technical things to look for in a 2-in-1

Just like with regular laptops and tablets, most of the same technical guidelines apply when shopping for 2-in-1 laptops like the HP Pavilion x360.
Here are a few recommendations to give you an idea of what standards to look for in individual 2-in-1 laptop components.

CPU

For most users, a 2-in-1 system featuring an Intel i3 or i5 processor should suit their needs. The only time when one should consider getting an Intel i7 system is for gaming or using intensive programs such as CAD.
Otherwise, an i7 processor can be a waste of money for most casual users as they will never experience the difference in power.

RAM

Since 2-in-1 laptops are designed more for casual users, 4 Gigabytes of RAM may be sufficient for those who use it for little more than internet browsing.
However, the best standard is at least 8 Gigabytes of RAM, as this gives you more room for multitasking.
Systems with 16 Gigabytes and above are much like systems with an i7 CPU. That is to say that most casual users won’t notice the difference between 8 and 16 gigabytes.

Display

Choosing a 2-in-1 with a responsive touchscreen display is very important. If you live in an area with retail outlets such as Best Buy or Walmart, you may want to see if they carry the laptops you’re interested in first so you can test this feature.
But even if you order your system online without testing it, most reputable retailers will allow you to return it if it does not respond to your liking.
Many 2-in-1 laptops are also compatible with specially-designed pens for use in tablet mode.
Another consideration is the laptop’s resolution. If you’re a big movie fan, you’ll want to consider higher-end displays with 4K resolution. But, if you primarily plan to use it for work or school, a 4K display (much like an i7 CPU or 16 Gigabytes of RAM) is probably a waste of money.

GPU (graphics card)

The graphics card in most 2-in-1 laptops is perfectly adequate to serve the needs of most casual users.
But, as mentioned earlier, these systems are not designed for graphics-intensive tasks such as gaming.

Hard drive

Most laptops today offer solid state hard drives (SSD). These drives have become the newest industry standard because of their speed and more excellent reliability over older mechanical hard drives (HDD).
SSD drives are essentially large flash drives, which means they have no moving parts. This functionality allows them to process information faster with a lower risk of breaking down.
Some newer models are now offering M.2 and PCIe SSD drives which are even faster than standard SSD drives.

Battery life

Battery life is perhaps one of the most critical factors you should consider before buying any laptop. However, it is even more essential when buying a touchscreen laptop, because touchscreens can use more power than non-touchscreen systems.
It makes sense if you think about it. The touchscreen must always be on, to respond to your input, which means it continuously draws power from your battery.
Choosing a system with a long battery life means you have more freedom to use it without being tethered to a wall plug.

About the HP Pavilion X360 – 15-Cr0011nr 2-in-1 Laptop

The HP Pavilion x360 – 15-cr0011nr laptop weighs 4.30 pounds and features an 8th generation Intel i5-825OU 1.60 Gigahertz up to 3.40 Gigahertz with 6-megabyte cache CPU.
Plus, it offers a 15.6-inch Full High Definition IPS 1920 x 1080 micro-edge WLED-backlit multitouch-enabled edge-to-edge glass display along with an Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU.
The system comes with 8 Gigabytes of RAM (upgradable to 32 Gigabytes), Bluetooth, and 802.11 ac Wi-Fi. Not to mention, it has a 3-cell 48 WHr lithium-ion battery with up to 10.5 hours of battery life. Also, you can choose from an SDD Hard Drive with 128 Gigabytes up to one Terabyte of space.
The ports for this system are as follows: two USB 3.1, one USB 3.1 Type-C, one HDMI, one 3.5-millimeter headphone/microphone combo jack, and one webcam.
Finally, the system comes with Windows 10 Home pre-installed and has dual speakers featuring HP Audio Bost with Audio by B&O.
Amazon customers rate this system 4.6 out of 5 stars.
One customer says he loves this laptop, stating that it was easy to use, has a fast, responsive touchscreen, and works well as a tablet. Also, another says the convertible hinge works very well, also that the system has impressive speed and processing power.
However, there were a few knocks on the laptop. Namely, some customers say that the touchscreen smudges and collects a lot of dust, plus the casing dents and scratches easily.
The HP Pavilion x360 – 15-cr0011nr laptop 2-in-1 laptop can cost between $600 and $1,200 depending on your choice of components. Additionally, it includes a one-year limited warranty.

How We Assessed the HP Pavilion X360

In reviewing the HP Pavilion x360, we looked at the conventional technical aspects such as RAM, CPU, battery life, hard drive space, and the touch screen display.
But, we also evaluated input from a variety of different sources such as critic and user reviews, forums, and videos.
Plus, we picked four other 2-in-1 systems with similar components to compare against the HP Pavilion x360.
In the end, we made our final judgment based on a combination of the factors mentioned above.

How the HP Pavilion X360 Stacks up Against Other 2-in-1 Laptops

We managed to find four top 2-in-1 laptop models similar to the HP Pavilion x360. Interestingly, there are not a lot of brands or models to choose from in this market (compared to traditional laptops).
Pricewise, these laptops range between $600 and $1,200. Plus they all offer the industry standard one-year warranty.

Lenovo Yoga 730 (15”) Laptop

The Yoga 730 (15”) Laptop features an 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U processor, 8 Gigabytes of DDR4-2400 RAM, 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, and a 256 Gigabyte SSD PCIe Hard Drive.
Plus, it has a full High-Definition 10-point multitouch backlit IPS display with 1920 x 1080 resolution powered by an Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU.
Also, with its 360-degree flip and fold design, it can switch between laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes effortlessly. It has a 3-Cell Lithium-ion battery that supports up to 8 hours of battery life, weighs 4.17 pounds, and measures 0.7-inches thick.
The Yoga 730 (15”) Laptop also has the following ports: Two USB 3.0, one HDMI, one Thunderbolt (Type-C), and one 3.5-millimeter headphone/microphone combo jack.
Finally, the system includes a fingerprint scanner, JBL speakers with Dolby Atmos, a built-in High Definition webcam with a dual-array microphone, and Windows 10 Home pre-installed.
This system is rated 3.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon, which is just a tick below our usual 4.0 standard. However, CNET gave this system 4 out of 5 stars (or 8.0 out of 10), Tech Radar rated it 4 out of 5 stars, and Best Buy customers awarded the product 4.4 out of 5 stars.
One Amazon customer affirms it is a high performing, functional laptop that gives the user lots of options for use. Meanwhile, another customer complained of a flickering screen defect and bloatware.
You will find this product priced between $650 and $900. Also, it includes a one-year warranty.

Dell Inspiron 15 5000 2-in-1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT0kvQsKkVM
The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 2-in-1 features an 8th generation Intel i5-8250U 1.6 Gigahertz up to 3.40 Gigahertz with 6-MG cache CPU.
The system comes with Windows 10 Home 64-bit pre-installed and weighs 4.85 pounds. Also, it has a 16.6-inch Full High-Definition 1920 x 1080 IPS Truelife LED-Backlit touch display with a Wide Viewing Angles-IR camera.
The ports included for this system are two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, one USB 2.0, one HDMI v1.4b, and one Waves MaxxAudio Pro 3.5-Millimeter headphone jack.
Plus, the system comes with 8 Gigabytes of DDR4-2400 SDRAM, a 512 M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD Hard Drive, 3-in-1 media card reader, backlit keyboard, 720 High-Definition Camera, Bluetooth 4.2, and 802.11 ac Wi-Fi.
Lastly, it includes an integrated 42 watts-per-hour, 3-Cell Battery that, according to Laptop Magazine, gives up to 3 hours and 44 minutes of battery life.
Customers on Amazon gave this laptop 4.6 out of 5 stars.
One customer praises the laptop’s overall value. He states that it makes for the perfect workstation with plenty of power to run business applications. Someone else mentioned it is easy to set up out of the box and has a speedy processor.
That said, one customer complained about the keyboard design, saying that it wasn’t economic. He also notes that the trackpad was too big.  Another reviewer adds that it doesn’t make a good gaming laptop.
The average price of this laptop ranges from $700 to $1,000, and it comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Lenovo Flex 15″ Laptop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0LdyZBl-XI
The Lenovo Flex 15″ Laptop features a full High-Definition IPS touchscreen display and a fingerprint scanner.
Plus, it features an 8th Generation Intel i5 1.6-Gigahertz CPU, a 256 Gigabyte PCIe SSD Hard Drive, and 8 Gigabytes of DDR4 RAM (upgradable up to 16 Gigabytes).
This laptop also has Harman Audio speakers featuring the Flex 5, an advanced volume maximizer, for better sound quality. The system comes with Windows 10 Home pre-installed and supports Windows Ink and Pen.
Ports include two USB 3.0, one USB Type-C, one card reader, one HDMI, and one 3.5-millimeter audio jack
Not to mention, its 78-inches thin, weighs 4.4 pounds, and features a 360-degree hinge that allows you to flip it into tablet mode quickly. Also, it has a Lithium polymer battery that offers up to 10 hours of operation.
Amazon customers awarded this product 4.0 out of 5 stars.
One Amazon customer gave high marks to the performance of the laptop. He says he is impressed by its bright and vibrant screen and processing speed. On the other hand, the same customer mentioned that the system was a bit heavier than he would prefer.
This laptop retails from $580 to $750 and includes a one-year warranty.

ASUS VivoBook Flip TP501UA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4LjNsIuPk8
The ASUS VivoBook Flip TP501UA features a 15.6-inch Glossy High-Definition 1366 x 768 touch screen display powered by an Intel HD 520 GPU.
It has an Intel Core i3-6100U 2.3 Gigahertz Processor, 4 Gigabytes of DDR4 RAM, 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and a 128 Gigabyte M.2 SSD Hard Drive.
Also, the system has a two-cell 38-watt-per-hour 2S1P Li-ion Polymer battery which supports up to 6 hours of web browsing and video playback. Plus, it has built-in 1.6-watt speakers and a digital microphone featuring ASUS SonicMaster technology.
The system weighs 4.85 pounds and has several ports which include: one USB 3.1 Type-C, two USB 3.0, one USB 2.0, one HDMI, one RJ45 LAN, and one 3.5-millimeter headphone/microphone combo jack. Lastly, the system includes Windows Home pre-installed.
Reviewers on Amazon rated this system 3.7 out of 5 stars, which is just shy of our usual 4.0 standard. That said, users at Alatest.com gave this 4.7 out of 5 stars.
A few Amazon reviewers say this is a great budget 2-in-1 that offers reliable performance and handles multitasking very well. At the same time, a few other reviewers claim that the graphics are lackluster. They also say the touchscreen isn’t the best, and it is loaded with a lot of bloatware.
The ASUS VivoBook Flip TP501UA can cost between $700 and $900. Plus, it comes with a one-year warranty.

HP Pavilion x360 Review: Pros and Cons

The HP Pavilion x360, like any system, has its fair share of good and bad points. Here are just a few of the system’s benefits and flaws.

Pros

• HP Audio Bost with Audio by B&O
• Edge-to-edge glass display
• Upgradable up to 16 Gigabytes of RAM
• Powerful CPU
• Fast, responsive touchscreen

Cons

• Touchscreen smudges easily
• Case dents and scratches easily
• Tends to run hot on the bottom

HP Pavilion X360 Review: Awesome Laptop or Expensive Paperweight?

We now arrive at the moment of truth. Is the HP Pavilion x360 a worthy investment compared to its competition?
The answer is yes.
Out of the four other choices within its price range, the HP Pavilion x360 manages to outshine the competition with reliable performance, a beautiful display, and a great design.
The best value configuration I recommend is with a 512 Gigabyte SSD hard drive and 12 Gigabytes of DDR4 RAM for around $800.
If you’re looking for a great 2-in-one laptop that won’t break the bank, the HP Pavilion is an excellent choice.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this review of the HP Pavilion x360 2-in-1 laptop. What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments below.