Me and HP Spectre x360 we have a relationship that has lasted for 4 years now. In fact, in the spring of 2017 I bought this laptop because it met all my needs: it was light, compact, powerful, with a good display and a convincing battery. In short, it was perfect for working on the go without giving up anything. Since then HP Specter x360 has continued to evolve until it reaches the latest version, the one that belongs to the program Intel Evo.
Confused? Don't panic: let's try to understand what Intel Evo is and how the HP Specter x360 performs in the field.
Intel Evo: what it is and why it matters
Last year we told you about Project Athena, the innovation program of Intel which involved working with notebook manufacturers to bring mobility-oriented laptops to market.
For those wishing to do a brief review, know that you can find here the article dedicated to Project Athena while below you can see our video.
What does it has to do with it Intel Evo in all this? Well, Evo is the brand that from September 2020 identifies the platform dedicated to the design of co-engineered and certified laptops through the Project Athena program.
Intel Evo products are based on XNUMXth generation Intel Core processors (Tiger Lake), are graphic data Intel Iris Xe and meet specific requirements. We are not talking about purely technical attributes. Intel's KEIs, i Key Experience Indicator, they are designed to verify the performance of a notebook in reality, not within a test environment and certainly not using benchmarks alone. What matters therefore is the actual experience of the end user.
So what does a notebook have to do to be Intel Evo certified? Here are the most important elements:
- system awakens in about 1 second
- biometric login
- excellent performance
- latest generation connection (Wi-Fi 6, USB-C, possibility of LTE module)
- autonomy of about 9 hours
- fast charging via USB-C
- compact size and maximum portability
To achieve these results, manufacturers collaborate with Intel throughout the product design and manufacturing phase. In addition, the American company provides training activities to help partners familiarize themselves with the particular methodology that characterizes Project Athena.
HP Specter x360 Intel Evo certified
The description of Intel Evo anticipates many of the features of this HP Specter x360, features that are fully reflected in the field.
In our hands we have a product devoted to mobility, which does not sacrifice performance even when it is far from its power supply and which really guarantees several hours of autonomy. But let's go in order and find out what this notebook has to offer.
HP Specter x360 review
Let's start with a necessary premise. The model we tested these days is not available in Italy. In fact, ours is the 13t-aw200, that is the 13 "variant with Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor as follows:
- Display: 13,3 ″ FullHD with 16: 9 aspect ratio
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- RAM: 16 GB
- GPU: integrated - Intel Iris Xᵉ
- Disk: 512 GB
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 combo
- Porte: 2 USB-C thunderbolt 4, USB-A, jack da 3,5 mm, slot microSD
- Audio: Bang & Olufsen
- Battery: 65W
- Operating system: Windows 10 Home
Portability first of all
Portability has always been a feature of the Specter series and the 2020 model is no exception. We are left with a product that weighs just over 1kg despite the robust metal shell. Specter x360 therefore does not burden the backpack, does not harass your back and can be used almost anywhere, from an office desk to the comfort of your sofa up to the narrow spaces of trains and airplanes.
The design also takes care of making it suitable for every situation. The gray coloring is sober and elegant, embellished with the glossy HP logo located on the lid and the oblique cut of the rear corners. On the back, printed on the hinge, you will find the word Specter while in the center we have a long grid dedicated to dissipation. The side edges accommodate due porte USB-C Thunderbolt 4, lo slot per la microSD, una USB-A “drop-jaw” (which closes when not in use) e the 3,5mm headphone jack. Add to this then a small switch that allows you to physically darken the 720p webcam. A solution much appreciated by lovers of privacy.
Let's not forget the wording "X360", which refers to the original vocation of this notebook. It is in effect a convertible and therefore you can rotate the screen completely to turn it into a tablet or use the curtain mode - inverted V - for a presentation or to watch a movie. Don't worry about the hinge: as per HP tradition it is very solid and designed to accompany you for years.
The display is devoted to versatility
Il display from 13,3 inches it definitely lives up to expectations. We have 100% coverage of the sRGB color space, 78% of the Adobe RGB and 81% of the DCI-P3. Confused by the numbers? Well, it essentially means you have excellent color rendering, also suitable for professional applications such as photo editing or color correction in the video field.
The brightness is also convincing, which slightly exceeds 400 nits, while the anti-glare treatment but works but is not yet perfect.
Overall, however, we have a more than convincing screen, suitable for any activity, from professional to entertainment.
One last note: the format is 16: 9, which is the traditional one. On the one hand it is very familiar, on the other hand it goes against the trend of what is done by the competition that is embracing the 16:10 or 3: 2. It is not a defect, we would like to specify it, but know that you will have less space vertically.
The keyboard is among the best on the market
The keyboard of the HP Specter x360 2020 is a great confirmation. The American company has used all the space available to have well-spaced keys of the right size. The running is excellent, the feedback very satisfying and the comfort guaranteed even for long writing sessions.
We also have the backlight at two levels: high and low. Alternatively, you can turn it off completely. In short, three options for every occasion that allow you to work even in the dark.
Just below the right corner, at the bottom, of the keyboard we have the fingerprint reader that guarantees quick unlocking and precise, while in the center we find there touchpad. It is not very large but it is comfortable, responsive and without annoying creaks. Really a pleasure to use.
HP Specter x360 review: the only limit is gaming
On the performance front, there is very little to say. C.on HP Specter x360 we have done everything. The 7th Generation Intel Core i4 processor holds up all sorts of loads without batting an eye. We handled emails, surfed the web, edited XNUMXK videos on Adobe Premiere Pro, edited graphics with Illustrator and photos with Photoshop. Often even simultaneously. There has never been a hesitation of any kind and not even worrying overheating. The heat is dissipated well and you will never find yourself with a hot notebook or a burning keyboard.
Even on the multimedia front, the new Specter performs very well. Not only because the display reproduces the requested content well but also because the audio, made in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen, is flawless: balanced, clear and with a decidedly high volume.
The only obvious limitation is gaming. Not that bland, mind you. We are talking about intensive sessions and therefore the lack of the dedicated GPU is felt. However, you can fall back on cloud gaming and get more than satisfactory results even with very demanding video games, including Cuberpunk 2077.
However, this is not the vocation of the HP Specter x360. As evidenced by the Intel Evo certification, this laptop was created primarily to meet the needs of those who work on the move and this is where it excels. The dimensions and low weight make it particularly portable, the display that rotates 360 ° supports you in every situation and the keyboard allows you to write for hours without feeling the pinch.
Finally, the battery makes the charger almost superfluous. With standard use you cover a full working day (about 8 hours), so you only have to recharge it in the evening to be ready for action the next day. However, we did not expect anything less. As illustrated above, the requirements underlying the Project Athena program are very strict and without a noteworthy autonomy HP Specter x360 would not have the Intel Evo “stamp”.
HP Specter x360 with Intel Evo: without fail
By now you will have understood: HP Specter x360 with Intel Evo certification for us is a big yes. This notebook makes versatility one of its greatest strengths without leaving anything to chance. Everything is taken care of and studied in detail and the final result is a machine that does not ask for any kind of sacrifice to the user.
But be careful: as anticipated, the 13t-aw200 model is not for sale in Italy at the moment. But do not despair: with the same processor you can find the 13-aw2009nl model for € 1449,99 with 8 GB of RAM, the 14-ea0009nl with a 14 ″ display and 8 GB of RAM for € 1449,99 or the 15-eb1004nl with display from 15,6 "to 1699,98 €. Here you will find all the models.
TagsHP HP Spectre x360 Intel Intel Evo Project Athena The review of HP Specter x360 with Intel Evo. Voted for mobility
