The HP Envy x360 15 (2021) provides the perfect balance of features, performance, and affordability when considering a 2-in-1 laptop. Far from a mere also-ran, it ranks amongst the best of the best in 2021, offering a solid foundation for any user’s needs.
It may not fit everyone’s needs perfectly, but if you’re looking for a laptop that does it all and doesn’t break the bank, the HP Envy x360 15 (2021) should be at the top of your list.
The HP Envy x360 15 (2021) sports a simple, yet well-built design that just looks decent enough. Nothing stands out too much, but the fact that it is an HP laptop might still be seen as a plus.
On the other hand, the display of this laptop is truly fantastic. While it isn’t a fancy 4K OLED, it has up to 400 nits of brightness, which makes it look wonderfully vibrant whether you are sitting indoors or at a coffee shop outdoors.
This makes it a great laptop to bring on the go, to either work or play. Using the HP Envy x360 15 (2021) in tablet mode can be a bit awkward and uncomfortable compared to other 2-in-1 laptops.
The ability to flip the screen on some hybrids, such as the ones running Windows 10 OS, provides a more natural tablet-like experience, but unfortunately, this laptop does not have that kind of rotating mechanism.
Still, the Envy x360 15 can be used as a tablet when necessary, allowing you to retrieve vital data or watch movies with ease.
It will never really let you forget what it is, and though Windows 10 tablet mode itself ran just fine, the laptop’s weight and noticeable bulk when being used as a tablet might put some people off.
The HP Envy x360 15 (2021) is the epitome of an ideal 2-in-1 laptop. It’s fast, reliable, and, most importantly, affordable. It’s simple, yet well-constructed body leaves no feature overlooked, packing an array of powerful components and software into its sleek design.
Perfect for any occasion and any budget, the Envy x360 15 (2021) is the total package for anyone looking for a 2-in-1 laptop that does it all.
You will be hard-pressed to find better laptops at this price, and the Envy x360 15 (2021) absolutely deserves its place amongst the best 2-in-1s of 2021.
The AMD Radeon GPU-equipped HP Envy x360 15 has demonstrated remarkable performance against its Intel Iris Xe-equipped rivals, often surpassing them by a considerable degree.
Even when draw time was closer than expected, the HP Envy x360 15 proved capable of taking the lead over its competitors.
While its battery life might not be the highest on record, it is certainly superior to many of its peers and sits comfortably toward the top of the leaderboard.
Price And Availability
The HP Envy x360 15 (2021) is now available with the latest in high performance computing, boasting both Intel Tiger Lake and AMD Zen 3 mobile processors.
With the AMD model range offering up a starting configuration for only $659, the 15.6-inch full HD (1080p) WLED display offering up to 250 nits of optimal brightness – is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor with Radeon graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of PCIe SSD storage.
But of course, for increased customization, HP offers an array of configuration options on their website so you can get the exact performance and features you need.
Design
The HP Envy x360 15 (2021) is crafted with an exquisite, aluminum alloy chassis that contributes to a sturdy, but heavy form factor, giving it a premium, professional style.
The laptop comes with a subtle, darker metal tone than the Intel models, which makes it stand out from the competition. Intended for the more serious and professional enterprise crowd, the HP Envy x360 15 (2021) does not take too many risks with its design, but it still stands out with its sleek look.
The HP Envy x360 15 (2021) is a relatively hefty 2-in-1, measuring 0.72 inches / 18.28 millimeters thick and weighing 4.11 pounds / 1.86 kilos slightly thicker and heavier than some of its contemporaries, yet not the clunkiest device available either!
The HP Envy x360 15 (2021) is designed with integrated graphics in mind, which means it will not produce a lot of heat. During our two weeks of testing, the air intake grill on the bottom of the machine remained cool to the touch.
Unfortunately, the speakers are mounted at the bottom of the device, which tends to create a muffled sound. That said, at least the downward-firing speakers are not the only ones present on the machine.
It’s notable that the HP Envy x360 15 (2021) also features a top-mounted speaker, which provides a fuller sound experience.
Moreover, there are two additional top-firing speakers positioned on either side of the keyboard. The sound quality is certainly enhanced as a result of this, but as a 2-in-1 laptop speaker system, it’s still somewhat limited.
Music, such as The Sword’s “Used Future,” can be heard comfortably in a living room while cleaning, but it’s best suited to quieter activities such as video conference calls. It won’t be able to compete with the noise of a vacuum cleaner.
Despite the fact that the two speakers crowd the keypad, we still found typing on it to be comfortable since only a small percentage of the most-used keys have been displaced.
Primarily, the home key, the ‘page up’ key, and other keys along those lines have been shifted or positioned to fit on the more cramped surface. Nevertheless, the changes are in no way disruptive, and we are still able to type with ease.
The keys on this laptop offer a smooth typing experience with excellent key travel, while the trackpad is satisfactory though nothing extraordinary.
The laptop is equipped with several useful ports, like SDCard slot, two USB Type-C ports, and an HDMI out port. Unfortunately, the lack of a docked stylus is disappointing as the laptop’s thickness would certainly accommodate one.
Performance
The Ryzen 7 5500U proved to be a standout when it comes to performance. Its benchmark scores were impressive, and it ran remarkably smoothly and responsively during our several weeks of testing.
We were beyond pleased with its performance, and it far exceeded our expectations. Additionally, the Ryzen 7 5500U is a great option for multitasking due to its 8 processing cores offering up to 16 threads. In short, if you are after a reliable and powerful processor, then the Ryzen 7 5500U should be your pick.
The AMD Ryzen 7 4700U processor packs a serious punch, as it can easily go toe-to-toe with the pricier 2-in-1 laptops powered by an Intel Core i7-1165G7.
Devices such as the HP Spectre x360 15 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 14s Yoga cannot hold a candle to the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U when it comes to multicore performance and offering a more affordable option.
Not to mention, the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U can run circles around these more expensive laptops in terms of power, compound efficiency, and battery life.
The Envy x360 15 fell short in single core performance compared to other laptops like the Spectre and the ThinkBook 14s Yoga in benchmarks such as Geekbench and PCMark 10.
This is generally in line with expectations, as Intel processors are known to perform better in single-core performance, while AMD Ryzen processors offer a sizeable advantage in multi-core processing and GPU performance by scoring 2,000 to 3,000 points higher in comparison.
We were astonished to witness the impressive gaming performance of the HP Envy x360 15’s Radeon graphics both in benchmarks and real-life gaming.
While it doesn’t feature the best specs for PC gaming, you can still enjoy games such as Valheim with decent results. A word of caution, though; you may experience some issues when running more graphically demanding titles.
The powerful HP Envy x360 15 was a force to be reckoned with when it came to our Blender benchmarks not only did Fishy Cat and Classroom renders take less than half of the time it took the ThinkBook 14s Yoga, but its price tag makes it an attractive option to creatives who are looking for a machine that punches above its weight without breaking the bank.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the main highlights of the HP Envy x360 15 (2021), since it features a 51WHr battery. Our PCMark 10 battery test has shown that this laptop easily survives a full workday of moderate use on a single charge, and even more!
We got more than 13 hours of life from it, which is a solid five hours longer than the ThinkBook 14s Yoga and 20 minutes more than the HP Spectre x360. This makes the HP Envy x360 15 (2021) ideal for those who are often on the go and require long-lasting battery life.
The ThinkBook 14s Yoga impressed with a lengthy eight hours and 16 minutes in our HD movie test.
Although this isn’t quite as long as the Yoga’s battery life, it’s still more than enough to last you through a transatlantic flight something which is becoming more of a reality as travel restrictions ease.
Eight hours and 16 minutes is plenty of time to watch movies, browse the internet, and do some work in flight.
Webcam And Microphone
The HP Envy x360 15 (2021) features a decent webcam, but with its 720p resolution, the image quality may not be as clear as expected.
Light shadows, highlights, and other aspects that can affect the picture quality may still be present; however, these issues are fairly standard for laptop webcams of similar stature.
If you’re looking for a laptop with a camera that produces crisp and clear images, other models featuring higher resolutions may be worth looking into.
For those of you who wish to preserve your privacy, there is a convenient switch on the keyboard that immediately triggers a physical shield over the webcam lens which can be shut off with only one keystroke.
Software And Other Features
Like other laptops, the Hp Envy is also not exempted from bloatware. Along with the preinstalled Windows 10 apps, it includes software that is specific to the device’s hardware such as the AMD Radeon Software center and the Bang & Olufsen Audio Center.
These programs provide features pertaining to graphics and audio, however, can also consume a good amount of system resources.
Additionally, some bloatware might even contain security risks, such as unnecessary ads and data tracking. Therefore, it is essential to perform a clean installation of the OS and remove any unnecessary applications.
HP is a brand that offers a range of utilities and applications to improve the user experience. HP Quick Drop and HP PC Hardware Diagnostics are useful for diagnosing computer problems and optimizing performance, while HP Enhanced Lighting provides an interesting way to enhance your video calls and streaming sessions.
It adds a simulated ring light around the screen, but whether this is a necessary feature is up to you. Other preinstalled HP programs may also be available, depending on the individual user’s needs, and each may offer a variety of benefits.
Final Words
The HP Envy x360 15 (2021) is a powerful and stylish laptop that’s designed for creatives. It features impressive performance, long-lasting battery life, and useful software applications that make it great value for money. While the webcam may struggle to produce clear images, the device more than makes up for this with its versatile design and powerful hardware. With all this in mind, the HP Envy x360 15 (2021) is an excellent option for those who need a reliable and powerful laptop that will last them through the day.
Additional features such as Bang & Olufsen audio and HP Enhanced Lighting make it even more attractive, especially for casual creatives. With a range of hardware options, the HP Envy x360 15 (2021) is an ideal choice for those looking to upgrade their current laptop.
Ultimately, it all depends on your needs and what you’re looking for from a laptop. Whether it’s portability or performance that you need, the HP Envy x360 15 (2021) should be able to meet your needs.
With the right configuration, the HP Envy x360 15 (2021) can provide you with an excellent laptop experience that will last for years to come. So why not give it a try? You won’t be disappointed.
