HP Spectre x360 16 (2024) Review: A Stunning 2-in-1 Hampered by Performance

HP’s Spectre x360 14 reigns supreme in the convertible 2-in-1 laptop arena, offering seamless transitions between laptop and tablet modes. The company also offers a larger sibling, the Spectre x360 16, boasting a spacious display ideal for content creation and consumption. However, while most 16-inch laptops cater to creators with powerful hardware, the Spectre x360 16 falls short. Despite its solid productivity performance, it lags behind in creative applications. Furthermore, the 2-in-1 functionality feels less practical on such a large device, making it a niche product.

Specifications and Pricing

HP’s pricing fluctuates, so checking current prices before purchasing is crucial. The base configuration, featuring the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, Intel Arc graphics, and a 16.0-inch WQXGA IPS display, starts around $1,250. A higher-end configuration with 32GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, and a 16.0-inch 2.8K OLED display can reach approximately $1,980. While competitively priced, especially when considering sales, the Spectre x360 16’s components are less powerful than competitors like the Dell XPS 16 and Apple MacBook Pro 16, which start at higher price points.

Size and Design: A Balancing Act

The Spectre x360 16 is undeniably large, even for a 16-inch laptop. While slightly lighter than the Dell XPS 16 and Apple MacBook Pro 16, its thicker bezels, necessary to accommodate the 360-degree hinge, contribute to its larger footprint. This size impacts its usability as a tablet. While the included active pen and touch display function well, the sheer size makes it cumbersome to hold, best suited for desktop use in tablet mode. The 14-inch Spectre x360 14 offers a more manageable size for frequent tablet use.

Beyond its size, the Spectre x360 16 boasts a premium build. Its aluminum chassis feels sturdy, with minimal flex in the lid and keyboard deck. The hinge is robust, essential for supporting the display in various modes, although opening the lid requires two hands. Aesthetically, HP has refined the design, smoothing the edges for a more comfortable feel. The display and chassis notches, housing a Thunderbolt 4 port and audio jack, add a touch of practicality. While the blue keyboard might not appeal to everyone, the larger key lettering improves visibility in low-light conditions.

The Spectre x360 16 is available in Nightfall Black and Slate Blue, both prone to fingerprints. While its design differs from the sleek XPS 16 and minimalist MacBook Pro 16, it holds its own in terms of aesthetics.

Display and Audio: OLED Excellence

The optional 3K OLED display is a highlight of the Spectre x360 16. Its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and HDR support make it ideal for media consumption. The IMAX Enhanced certification further enhances the viewing experience for compatible content. While the OLED panel isn’t as bright as the Mini-LED display on the MacBook Pro 16, it still delivers a satisfying visual experience. The quad-speaker system, tuned by Bang & Olufsen, produces clear audio with decent bass, complementing the impressive visuals.

The OLED display boasts wide color coverage and good color accuracy, surpassing the MacBook Pro 16 in some metrics. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations. While a lower-resolution IPS display is available for budget-conscious buyers, the OLED option is highly recommended for its superior visual quality.

Input and Connectivity: Top-Tier Experience

The Spectre x360 16 features a comfortable and responsive keyboard with large keycaps and ample spacing. The new haptic touchpad is a significant improvement, offering a large surface area and precise tracking comparable to the MacBook Pro 16’s touchpad.

Connectivity is generally strong, with a mix of Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI, and an audio jack. However, the absence of an SD card reader is a major drawback for creators. The 9MP webcam delivers high-quality video, enhanced by AI features powered by the Intel Meteor Lake chipset’s NPU. HP’s user presence-sensing technology adds a convenient touch, automatically locking and unlocking the laptop based on your proximity.

Performance: The Achilles’ Heel

The Spectre x360 16’s performance is its biggest letdown. While the Core Ultra 7 155H CPU is adequate for general productivity, it struggles with demanding creative tasks. The optional Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU offers a modest performance boost over the integrated Intel Arc graphics, but it’s far less powerful than the GPUs available in competing 16-inch laptops.

Benchmarks reveal mixed results. While the Spectre x360 16 performs well for its GPU class, its CPU performance lags behind. In creative applications like Adobe Premiere Pro, it’s significantly slower than the MacBook Pro 16 and other high-end laptops. While it can handle casual gaming at 1080p or 1200p, it’s not a gaming powerhouse.

Battery Life: Respectable but Not Exceptional

The Spectre x360 16’s 83 watt-hour battery provides decent longevity, but it’s not class-leading. In testing, it achieved average results in web browsing and slightly above average results in video playback. Real-world usage will vary, but expect around five to six hours of productivity work on a single charge. The MacBook Pro 16, with its significantly longer battery life, sets a higher bar in this category.

Conclusion: A Difficult Recommendation

The HP Spectre x360 16 is a well-crafted 2-in-1 with a stunning OLED display, excellent input devices, and a premium build. However, its subpar performance for creative tasks, its primary target audience, makes it a difficult recommendation. While its versatility and attractive price point might appeal to some, creators seeking optimal performance should look elsewhere.