HP Spectre x360 13t Throttling: A Powerful Convertible with Minor Issues

The HP Spectre x360 13t boasts a bold claim - it's as fast or faster than the competition, thanks to its Core i5 processor. But does it deliver? Our tests reveal some mixed results.

On the design front, the Spectre x360 truly stands out from the crowd. The shell is milled from a solid block of aluminum, giving it a premium look and feel. HP has also polished the edges of the body and screen to add a touch of elegance. Unlike some other manufacturers, HP hasn't sacrificed port selection for the sake of minimalism. You'll find three USB 3.0 ports, mini DisplayPort, and a full-sized HDMI, as well as an SD card reader and combo analog audio jack.

However, there are a few minor issues to note. On occasion, I experienced trouble with the right mouse-click not being detected, which can lead to false taps. Additionally, the power button on the left side of the frame is a bit finicky - you have to hunt for it to turn the device off or put it to sleep.

In terms of performance, the Spectre x360's keyboard is its real strength. I found it far more comfortable to type on than the XPS 13's keyboard, and while the smaller form factor of the XPS 13 may be appealing at first glance, the Spectre x360's keyboard makes up for the slightly larger size.

The midrange configuration we reviewed features an Intel Core i5-5200U processor, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, a 256GB M.2 SATA SSD, and an IPS 1920x1080 screen. This configuration is actually fairly competitive in terms of pricing, especially considering the convertible design and touchscreen capabilities.

If you're willing to spend the extra $100, I would recommend opting for this configuration over a non-convertible or non-touchscreen option. Alternatively, you can step down to a lower-end configuration by halving the SATA SSD and RAM for $900.

Overall, the HP Spectre x360 13t is a powerful convertible with some minor flaws, but its comfortable keyboard and competitive pricing make it a solid choice for those in the market for a versatile laptop.

Hp spectre x360 13t throttling