The coronavirus pandemic has moved almost our entire lives online, with an Ofcom report from August 2020 suggesting that people were spending 40% of their day watching TV and video services online. With the UK now in its third lockdown and temperatures dropping, that figure is likely to have risen.
HP is one of the manufacturers looking to capitalize on this increased appetite for content, with its 14in and 15in x360 laptop well optimized for entertainment. The company’s new convertibles feature only minor improvements over their predecessors, but all will have advantages for watching media or gaming.
Biggest is the move to 11th generation Intel “Tiger Lake” processors – both models have the choice of Core i3, i5, and i7 chips, while entry-level 14-inch configurations also offer Pentium chips. These combine with integrated UHD or Iris Xe graphics and up to 16GB of RAM for solid performance at all levels. HP also included a version of its Omen Gaming Hub, which displays real-time performance and lets you customize keystrokes or lighting.
Both devices also had noticeable thinning of the bezels. The 15-inch model now sports an impressive 88.92% screen-to-body ratio, while the 14-inch version is not far behind at 87.95%. They both have a Full HD touchscreen and full-size keyboard, and there’s still room for a 720p webcam, although it doesn’t appear to have been upgraded.
The new HP Pavilion x360 14. Image: HP
As the name suggests, these laptops also have convertible features. The 360-degree hinge means the keyboard can easily be unfolded for a more immersive experience. Audio is tuned by Bang & Olufsen, with the 15-inch model sporting a two-speaker setup.
Elsewhere, there’s the option for an SSD up to 1TB, Wi-Fi 6, and a fingerprint reader. As with classic Pavilion laptops, the x360 14 and 15 are made from post-consumer and ocean-bound recycled aluminum, as well as recycled aluminum.
The HP Pavilion x360 15 is available for pre-order now, starting at $ 750 (around £ 540). The x360 14 will go on sale later this spring, with pricing yet to be confirmed.
To see what they’ll be up against, check out our roundup of the best laptops you can buy right now.
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