HP’s Envy class of laptops is quite popular. Recently, I got the chance to grab one of the HP Envy class lineup laptops, the x360 powered by the latest Ryzen 4500U processor. There are multiple variants of the Envy x360 where you get to choose between the size of the laptop, the processor, and the RAM that is offered in the package.

My Envy x360 is a 13ay0045u model which comes with a 4500U Ryzen processor, 8 GB of soldered RAM, and a bright 400-nits display. The 13-inch variant is a classy work from HP which offers a metallic aluminum finish, small bezels and also comes with a touch pen. The overall design philosophy makes it a great pick for those who work remotely, travel, or work-from-home scenarios.

The Envy x360 is a two-in-one laptop giving you the ability to work in laptop or tablet mode. The stylus is handy when it comes to using the laptop in its tablet mode.

Here is a quick look at the specifications of the HP Envy x360 13ay0045u model.

The Looks and Design

HP Envy x360 is a 2-in-1 laptop. The overall design philosophy is small – providing portability and convertibility to the user. So, if you are one of the users who travel a lot, then the HP Envy x360 is a good fit. In fact, it also fits well with the work-from-home laptop. Its portability makes it a great pick for those who are traveling as well as those who need a portable machine for

Processing Power

The AMD X360 13 unit that I am using comes powered with AMD Ryzen 4500U. It is a powerful chip, capable of providing excellent performance for business-related laptops. It is a six-core processor with a base clock of 2.3 GHz and can go Max Boost Clock of 4.0 GHz.  The Envy x360 is coupled with 8 GB of DDR4 Dual-channel RAM running at 3200 Keeping technicalities aside, the laptop performs extremely well.

Here is the HWMonitor screenshot!

TouchPad

In the 13-inch version, you are bound to space constraints. That’s why the touchpad on the HP Envy x360 is on the smaller side. In case you love the MAC big touchpads, you will have a hard time getting accustomed to them.

However, being a Macbook Air user myself, I managed to adjust to the smaller touchpad in a matter of few days. With time, the touchpad seems to work nicely in my workflow. The tactile feedback is good with good precision. HP provides its own haptic and touchpad software to improve its precision. The touchpad also enjoys the benefits of Microsoft Touchpad Precision drivers.

Overall, I am satisfied with the touchpad, but things might be a little different for you if you opt for the 15-inch variant.

Keyboard

In the HP Envy x360 design, the majority of the space is given to the keyboard. So, if you are someone who loves to type, you will find the keyboard up to the mark. The laptop comes with a mushy membrane keyboard that offers nice feedback while typing. If you are a mechanical keyboard user, you will find the lack of pushback from the keys a concern. However, the range of laptops is never about tactile feedback.

I managed to do 100 wpm with the keyboard. I also have a similar typing speed with a mechanical keyboard. Matching the same speed with a mechanical keyboard speaks volumes about the quality of the keyboard. Basically, I am able to be as productive as with my desktop setup — and I can carry the laptop anywhere I want.

Screen

The HP x360 class of laptops always sports a good screen. The x360 0045u comes with a bright 400-nits screen. It is an IPS panel with a refresh rate of 60Hz. The laptop screen is also touch-enabled which makes it both a productivity and entertainment device.

It is a well-designed screen. However, a mediocre brightness means that it can not be used outside. If you want to use the screen outdoors, then you need to find a good shade for

 

Gaming on the GO

The Envy laptops are not aimed at gamers. But the use of AMD Ryzen 4500u/4700u processor makes it a powerful machine capable of light to medium gaming.