Notebookcheck Logo

HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng Convertible Review

Convertible for home use. HP's 13.3-inch convertible pleases with a high-contrast IPS display and offers plenty of storage. The battery life could be better.

For the original German review, see here.

The HP Pavilion is from the 13.3-inch convertibles category. The computer is powered by a processor of the Kaby Lake generation, so the small device does not lack processing power. Rivals of the device are convertibles such as the Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T, the Dell Inspiron 13 5368, and also the Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T. However, the latter is significantly more expensive than the Pavilion.

HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng (Pavilion x360 Series)
Processor
Intel Core i5-7200U 2 x 2.5 - 3.1 GHz, Kaby Lake
Graphics adapter
Intel HD Graphics 620, Core: 1000 MHz, Single-Channel, 21.20.16.4542
Memory
8 GB 
, DDR4-2132, Single-Channel, two memory slots (one occupied)
Display
13.30 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 166 PPI, capacitive, LG Philips, IPS, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel Kaby Lake-U Premium PCH
Storage
HGST Travelstar 5K1000 HTS541010A7E630, 1000 GB 
, 880 GB free
Soundcard
Realtek High Definition Audio
Connections
1 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 HDMI, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: Combo audio jack, Card Reader: SD, Sensors: Accelerometer, gyroscope, eCompass, TPM 2.0
Networking
Realtek RTL8723BE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC (b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/), Bluetooth 4.1
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 19.8 x 326.4 x 222 ( = 0.78 x 12.85 x 8.74 in)
Battery
41 Wh Lithium-Ion
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: HD
Additional features
Speakers: Stereo, Keyboard: Chiclet, Keyboard Light: no, Cyberlink Power Media Player 14, Cyberlink PowerDirector 14, McAfee LiveSafe (trial version), MS Office (trial version), 12 Months Warranty
Weight
1.66 kg ( = 58.55 oz / 3.66 pounds), Power Supply: 303 g ( = 10.69 oz / 0.67 pounds)
Price
599 Euro
Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.

 

Case

HP demands about 600 Euros (~$636) for the convertible, so it should not come as a surprise that the case is predominantly made of plastic; silver plastic, to be more precise. This goes for the back of the lid as well as for the bottom shell of the base unit. The top of the base unit is made of one piece of metal. This is where a dark anthracite hue was used. The palm rest is additionally covered with silver streaks. As can be expected, the battery is soldered in. The Pavilion does not have a maintenance hatch. To access the internals, you need to open the case. More on that later. 

We could not find any major flaws with the build quality. The gap dimensions are correct and there are no sharp edges. The stability also cannot be criticized: The base unit cannot be bent and its torsional stiffness is still within limits. This goes for the lid as well. When applying pressure on the back side there are image distortions, but only in a few places. The lid, which can be rotated 360 degrees, is firmly held in place by the hinges in every position that HP envisages for the convertible. Opening the lid with one hand is possible with some jolting.

The size and weight of the Pavilion are on par with the dimensions of most rivals. The Aspire R13 is somewhat wider, because Acer uses a different folding method for the display.

Size Comparison

343.8 mm / 13.5 inch 230.4 mm / 9.07 inch 17.9 mm / 0.705 inch 1.5 kg3.31 lbs336 mm / 13.2 inch 232 mm / 9.13 inch 20.9 mm / 0.823 inch 1.7 kg3.81 lbs326.4 mm / 12.9 inch 222 mm / 8.74 inch 19.8 mm / 0.78 inch 1.7 kg3.66 lbs324.8 mm / 12.8 inch 224.4 mm / 8.83 inch 20.4 mm / 0.803 inch 1.6 kg3.56 lbs323 mm / 12.7 inch 227 mm / 8.94 inch 19.9 mm / 0.783 inch 1.7 kg3.66 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs

Connectivity

There are no surprises when it comes to the ports. Two of the three USB ports (Type-A) come with the 3.0 standard. The laptop has no Type-C ports. There is an HDMI port for connecting an external display/TV. HP did not equip the convertible with an Ethernet port. If you rely on that, you will need an appropriate USB adapter.

Left side: power button, slot for cable lock, USB 2.0 (Type-A), combo-audio jack, volume rocker
Left side: power button, slot for cable lock, USB 2.0 (Type-A), combo-audio jack, volume rocker
Right side: SD-card reader, 2x USB 3.0 (Type-A), HDMI, charging port
Right side: SD-card reader, 2x USB 3.0 (Type-A), HDMI, charging port

SD-Card Reader

The built-in SD-card reader is one of the faster models of its kind. When copying large data blocks, a maximum transfer rate of 87.5 MB/s is achieved. The transfer of 250 .jpg image files (each around 5 MB) is accomplished at a speed of 68.1 MB/s. We test SD-card readers with a reference card (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II).

SD Card Reader
average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs)
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
 
68.1 MB/s
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
 
59.7 MB/s -12%
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
 
31 MB/s -54%
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
 
20.4 MB/s -70%
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
 
14.3 MB/s -79%
maximum AS SSD Seq Read Test (1GB)
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
 
87.5 MB/s
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
 
85.3 MB/s -3%
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
 
38.7 MB/s -56%
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
 
25.2 MB/s -71%
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
 
24.73 MB/s -72%

Communication

The laptop brings along a WLAN module with a Realtek chip (RTL8723BE). It supports the Wi-Fi standards 802.11 b/g/n but not the fast AC standard. The transfer rates we measure under optimal circumstances (no other WLAN devices nearby, short distance between the notebook and the server PC) are not particularly good. At least the connection between the router and the convertible was consistently stable, even across one floor.

Networking
iperf Server (receive) TCP 1 m
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 (Seb)
232 MBit/s +466%
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 (Seb)
134 MBit/s +227%
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
Qualcomm Atheros QCA9377 Wireless Network Adapter
125 MBit/s +205%
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Realtek RTL8723BE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC (jseb)
41 MBit/s
iperf Client (transmit) TCP 1 m
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 (Seb)
457 MBit/s +779%
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 (Seb)
281 MBit/s +440%
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
Qualcomm Atheros QCA9377 Wireless Network Adapter
103 MBit/s +98%
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Realtek RTL8723BE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC (jseb)
52 MBit/s

Webcam

The webcam does not stand out among available webcams today, neither positively nor negatively. The model in this device produces somewhat blurry, washed-out pictures. The maximum resolution is 1280x720 pixels.

Accessories

The computer comes with the usual documents: a quick-start guide and warranty information.

Maintenance

The maintenance/upgrade of the Pavilion is not very user friendly. Since the convertible has no maintenance hatch, the case needs to be opened. On the bottom of the laptop, you first notice four openings with rubber plugs in them (not glued in). They need to be taken out. Under the plugs, there are screws which you have to remove. In the middle of the bottom side, there is an additional screw, covered by a small sticker. You need to be careful when removing it, because the bottom side scratches easily. Finally, the back rubber strip has to be taken off (it is glued onto the case). This is where you find further screws to remove.

The rubber plugs are plugged in, they are not glued.
The rubber plugs are plugged in, they are not glued.
The screw is covered by a sticker.
The screw is covered by a sticker.
Under the back rubber strip there are more screws.
Under the back rubber strip there are more screws.

After having removed all the screws, the convertible can be turned around again and the top shell removed with a flat tool. But be careful: The top shell is connected to the motherboard via two flat-band cables. Now you can access the hard drive and the BIOS battery. You also get limited access to the fan. If you wanted to upgrade the RAM, you would need to take out the motherboard.

Innards
Innards

Warranty

HP equips the convertible with only a one-year warranty - including pick-up service. This is not enough. We expect at least a two-year warranty, which many rivals provide, after all. The warranty period of the Pavilion can be extended to three years for about 80 Euros (~$84).

Please see our Guarantees, Return Policies & Warranties FAQ for country-specific information.

Input Devices

Keyboard

The flat, slightly roughened keys of the built-in chiclet keyboard have a short travel and a clear pressure point. The keys feature a very pleasant pressure point, and the keyboard does not give in during typing. All in all, the keyboard leaves a good impression and is also suitable for users who frequently type. HP did not equip the keyboard with a backlight, which could have rounded off the good impression. 

Touchpad

The multi-touch capable ClickPad occupies a space of approximately 9.5 x 6.5 cm. This is sufficient for using the various gestures, which can also be individually turned on and off in the configuration menu of the pad. Fingers glide easily on the smooth surface of the pad. It has a short travel and a clear pressure point.

Touchscreen

The capacitive touchscreen can register 10 simultaneous input points. It promptly responds to input and did not cause us any problems.

Input devices
Input devices

Display

The Pavilion's 13.3-inch touchscreen display works with a native resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. It delivers good contrast (894:1) and decent brightness (263 cd/m²). These values are perfectly fine considering the price range of the computer. On another positive note: The display never exhibits PWM-flickering. 

Pixel grid
Pixel grid
Touch-sensitive surface
Touch-sensitive surface
265
cd/m²
270
cd/m²
267
cd/m²
260
cd/m²
277
cd/m²
259
cd/m²
244
cd/m²
270
cd/m²
255
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
LG Philips tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 277 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 263 cd/m² Minimum: 18.4 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 88 %
Center on Battery: 277 cd/m²
Contrast: 894:1 (Black: 0.31 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 5.57 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 4.56 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
59% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
38% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
40.76% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
59.1% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
39.43% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.28
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
IPS, 1920x1080, 13.30
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
TN, 1920x1080, 13.30
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
IPS, 1920x1080, 13.30
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
IPS, 2560x1440, 13.30
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00
Display
6%
-1%
72%
6%
Display P3 Coverage
39.43
41.63
6%
38.88
-1%
69.6
77%
41.78
6%
sRGB Coverage
59.1
62.6
6%
57.7
-2%
98
66%
62.9
6%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
40.76
43.02
6%
40.17
-1%
70.7
73%
43.17
6%
Response Times
32%
-20%
-8%
-48%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
38 ?(14, 24)
38 ?(19, 19)
-0%
44 ?(20, 24)
-16%
36 ?(12, 24)
5%
53 ?(20, 33)
-39%
Response Time Black / White *
25 ?(6, 19)
9 ?(4, 5)
64%
31 ?(15, 16)
-24%
30 ?(8, 22)
-20%
39 ?(12, 27)
-56%
PWM Frequency
50 ?(90)
1000 ?(10)
350 ?(60)
Screen
-7%
6%
41%
0%
Brightness middle
277
166
-40%
240
-13%
320
16%
243
-12%
Brightness
263
165
-37%
229
-13%
308
17%
248
-6%
Brightness Distribution
88
90
2%
92
5%
91
3%
91
3%
Black Level *
0.31
0.44
-42%
0.24
23%
0.17
45%
0.32
-3%
Contrast
894
377
-58%
1000
12%
1882
111%
759
-15%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
5.57
4.07
27%
4.75
15%
3.18
43%
5.44
2%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
13.6
6.38
53%
9.09
33%
9.91
27%
9.73
28%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
4.56
3.99
12%
4.3
6%
4.13
9%
4.74
-4%
Gamma
2.28 96%
2.49 88%
2.5 88%
2.03 108%
2.38 92%
CCT
6648 98%
7491 87%
5893 110%
6752 96%
7799 83%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
38
40
5%
36.79
-3%
65
71%
39.6
4%
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)
59
63
7%
57.39
-3%
98
66%
62.5
6%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
10% / 1%
-5% / 1%
35% / 41%
-14% / -5%

* ... smaller is better

Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)

To dim the screen, some notebooks will simply cycle the backlight on and off in rapid succession - a method called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) . This cycling frequency should ideally be undetectable to the human eye. If said frequency is too low, users with sensitive eyes may experience strain or headaches or even notice the flickering altogether.
Screen flickering / PWM not detected

In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 18110 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured.

Pavilion vs. sRGB
Pavilion vs. sRGB
Pavilion vs. AdobeRGB
Pavilion vs. AdobeRGB

The screen shows a DeltaE-2000 color deviation of 5.57 in default settings. A value below 3 should be aimed for. The display does not suffer from a blue tint. The color reproduction can be slightly enhanced using the color profile we provide. The screen cannot display the color spaces AdobeRGB and sRGB. The coverage rates are 38% (AdobeRGB) and 59% (sRGB).

CalMAN - ColorChecker
CalMAN - ColorChecker
CalMAN - Grayscales
CalMAN - Grayscales
CalMAN - Color saturation
CalMAN - Color saturation

Display Response Times

Display response times show how fast the screen is able to change from one color to the next. Slow response times can lead to afterimages and can cause moving objects to appear blurry (ghosting). Gamers of fast-paced 3D titles should pay special attention to fast response times.
       Response Time Black to White
25 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 6 ms rise
↘ 19 ms fall
The screen shows relatively slow response rates in our tests and may be too slow for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 53 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (21.6 ms).
       Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey
38 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 14 ms rise
↘ 24 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.2 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 49 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (33.9 ms).

HP equips the Pavilion with an IPS panel that has stable viewing angles. This means the display is readable from every position. The convertible can be used outside, if the sun is not shining. Otherwise, the reflective surface can make using the laptop difficult. 

The Pavilion outdoors (taken in overcast weather)
The Pavilion outdoors (taken in overcast weather)
Viewing angles
Viewing angles

Performance

With the Pavilion, HP delivers a convertible in the 13.3-inch form factor. Thanks to the Kaby Lake processors used in the series, the laptop performs well even beyond office and web-browsing applications. Our review unit can be bought for about 600 Euros (~$636). During our testing period, only one other model was available: the Pavilion x360 13-u104ng. It has the same features as our current test device, but its case is partially gold in color.

CPU-Z
CPU-Z
CPU-Z
CPU-Z
CPU-Z
GPU-Z
HWInfo
LatencyMon

Processor

The convertible is powered by a dual-core Core i5-7200U (Kaby Lake) processor, meaning the laptop has Intel's current ULV middle-class CPU (TDP: 15 watts) built in. Thus, there is no shortage of processing power. The processor is an all-rounder that performs well in all common areas of application. We could not find Pavilion models equipped with the somewhat more powerful Core i7-7500U processor, but the steep extra charge for a bit more performance would not be worth it for most users anyway. The Core i5-7200U works at a base speed of 2.5 GHz; Turbo can raise that up to 3.1 GHz (both cores). The full processing power is available while charging as well as while running on battery power.

Kaby Lake is the optimized version of Skylake, so to speak. On the technical side, there are practically no differences between the two CPU architectures. Still, Kaby Lake processors perform better than their Skylake predecessors. The reason for this is that Intel boosts the operating speed of the Kaby Lake CPUs. This is why the 7200U processor (2.5 to 3.1 GHz) delivers better results in our CPU tests than its predecessor, the Core i5-6200U (2.3 to 2.8 GHz).

Single-thread
Single-thread
Multithread
Multithread
Cinebench R10 Shading 32Bit
7653
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
11347
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single 32Bit
4986
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64Bit
28.26 fps
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64Bit
3.67 Points
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64Bit
1.38 Points
Cinebench R15 Ref. Match 64Bit
97.7 %
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64Bit
37.52 fps
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
328 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
126 Points
Help
Cinebench R15
CPU Single 64Bit
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
Intel Core i7-6500U
130 Points +3%
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
Intel Core i5-7200U
130 Points +3%
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
126 Points
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
Intel Core i7-6500U
104 Points -17%
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
Intel Core i3-6100U
95 Points -25%
CPU Multi 64Bit
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
Intel Core i5-7200U
332 Points +1%
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
328 Points
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
Intel Core i7-6500U
321 Points -2%
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
Intel Core i7-6500U
312 Points -5%
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
Intel Core i3-6100U
244 Points -26%
Cinebench R10
Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
11347 Points
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
Intel Core i7-6500U
11056 Points -3%
Rendering Single 32Bit
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
4986 Points
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
Intel Core i7-6500U
4892 Points -2%
Geekbench 3
32 Bit Single-Core Score
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
Intel Core i7-6500U
3125 Points +10%
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
2852 Points
32 Bit Multi-Core Score
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
Intel Core i7-6500U
6633 Points +3%
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
6431 Points
Geekbench 4.0
64 Bit Single-Core Score
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
3576 Points
64 Bit Multi-Core Score
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
6725 Points
JetStream 1.1 - Total Score
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
Intel Core i7-6500U
218.6 Points +3%
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
211.4 Points
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
Intel Core i7-6500U
186 Points -12%
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
Intel Core i3-6100U
88.7 Points -58%

System Performance

PCMark 7
PCMark 7

The system runs smoothly and without problems. The very good results of the PCMark benchmarks confirm the convertible's high level of overall performance. The laptop can therefore also handle tasks beyond office applications and browsing. If you want to edit videos on the small device, you should invest a bit more money and replace the existing hard drive with a Solid State Drive. Upgrading the RAM is also advisable. There is a second memory slot available. Users who do not edit videos can also significantly increase the overall performance through these measures. 

PCMark 7 Score
3227 points
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
3274 points
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2
3806 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2
4050 points
Help
PCMark 8
Home Score Accelerated v2
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
HD Graphics 520, 6500U, Toshiba THNSNK256GCS8
3699 Points +13%
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
Radeon R5 M430, i5-7200U, Samsung MZYTY256HDHP
3550 Points +8%
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, HGST Travelstar 5K1000 HTS541010A7E630
3274 Points
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
HD Graphics 520, 6500U, Lite-On CV1-8B256
3161 Points -3%
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
HD Graphics 520, 6100U, Samsung CM871 MZ7LF128HCHP
2960 Points -10%
Work Score Accelerated v2
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
HD Graphics 520, 6500U, Toshiba THNSNK256GCS8
4577 Points +13%
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
HD Graphics 520, 6100U, Samsung CM871 MZ7LF128HCHP
4121 Points +2%
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, HGST Travelstar 5K1000 HTS541010A7E630
4050 Points
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
HD Graphics 520, 6500U, Lite-On CV1-8B256
3971 Points -2%

Storage Devices

HP provides a common HGST 2.5-inch hard drive capable of 5,400 RPM and with a capacity of 1 TB. Owners of the Pavilion will not run out of storage space quickly. The transfer rates of the HDD are at a normal level for a 5,400-RPM model.

Replacing the hard drive would be possible.
Replacing the hard drive would be possible.
HGST Travelstar 5K1000 HTS541010A7E630
Transfer Rate Minimum: 46 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 107.5 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 82.6 MB/s
Access Time: 18.9 ms
Burst Rate: 237 MB/s
CPU Usage: 3.9 %
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
HGST Travelstar 5K1000 HTS541010A7E630
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
Samsung CM871 MZ7LF128HCHP
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
Toshiba THNSNK256GCS8
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
Lite-On CV1-8B256
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
Samsung MZYTY256HDHP
CrystalDiskMark 3.0
1925%
9303%
9785%
11295%
Read Seq
104.8
396
278%
479
357%
507
384%
518
394%
Write Seq
91
133.5
47%
270.1
197%
354.4
289%
476.5
424%
Read 512
20.67
259.5
1155%
428.3
1972%
355.3
1619%
408
1874%
Write 512
45.05
23.86
-47%
267.9
495%
353.9
686%
274.5
509%
Read 4k
0.215
5.783
2590%
23.77
10956%
32.66
15091%
35.66
16486%
Write 4k
1.037
8.507
720%
81.4
7750%
81.6
7769%
106.7
10189%
Read 4k QD32
0.968
97.5
9972%
333.6
34363%
277.6
28578%
368.7
37989%
Write 4k QD32
1.09
8.515
681%
200.9
18331%
261.2
23863%
246.3
22496%

Graphics Card

The Pavilion does not have a dedicated GPU, only Intel's HD Graphics 620 graphics core. It supports DirectX 12 and runs at a speed of up to 1,000 MHz. The results of the 3DMark benchmarks reveal no surprises and are at a normal level for the built-in graphics core. But this is not the limit: If you put a second RAM module into the convertible, the dual-channel mode is activated and increases the graphics performance. The iGPU then rivals dedicated entry-level GPUs, for example, the AMD Radeon M5 430 or Nvidia GeForce 920M.

3DMark 06 Standard Score
8117 points
3DMark 11 Performance
1509 points
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score
48460 points
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score
5429 points
3DMark Fire Strike Score
708 points
Help
3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance GPU
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
AMD Radeon R5 M430, Intel Core i5-7200U
1643 Points +18%
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
Intel HD Graphics 520, Intel Core i7-6500U
1490 Points +7%
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
Intel HD Graphics 520, Intel Core i7-6500U
1415 Points +2%
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Intel HD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-7200U
1390 Points
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
Intel HD Graphics 520, Intel Core i3-6100U
1060 Points -24%
3DMark
1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Graphics
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
Intel HD Graphics 520, Intel Core i7-6500U
7945 Points +17%
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
Intel HD Graphics 520, Intel Core i7-6500U
7843 Points +15%
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Intel HD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-7200U
6799 Points
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
AMD Radeon R5 M430, Intel Core i5-7200U
5249 Points -23%
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
Intel HD Graphics 520, Intel Core i3-6100U
4724 Points -31%
1920x1080 Fire Strike Graphics
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
AMD Radeon R5 M430, Intel Core i5-7200U
989 Points +30%
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
Intel HD Graphics 520, Intel Core i7-6500U
911 Points +20%
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
Intel HD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-7200U
762 Points

Gaming Performance

A glance at our database reveals that there are quite a few games that can be played smoothly on the Pavilion's hardware. This goes primarily for titles with lower hardware requirements, for example, Farming Simulator 2017 and Dirt Rally. However, you are limited to low resolutions and low to medium quality settings. With a second RAM module (= dual-channel mode active), though, more frames can be elicited from the convertible.

low med. high ultra
Tomb Raider (2013) 62.1 32.3 19.4 9.6
BioShock Infinite (2013) 38.6 24.4 20.1 7.1
Battlefield 4 (2013) 34.9 25 16.3 6.2
Watch Dogs 2 (2016) 13.8 11.7

Emissions

System Noise

The Pavilion's fan is always on - even in idle state. As with other laptops, HP's BIOS option "Fan always on" is responsible for this. If it is deactivated, the fan can stand still, but the whirring of the hard drive is still perceivable. Switching the HDD for an SSD would provide more silence. The fan is noisier under load. During our stress test, we measure a sound pressure level of 37.3 dB - the value is all right. Unfortunately, the fan whines at higher rotation speeds (not in idle state).

The fan can be cleaned to a limited extent.
The fan can be cleaned to a limited extent.
Fan noise.
Fan noise.

Noise Level

Idle
31.3 / 31.3 / 31.6 dB(A)
HDD
31.7 dB(A)
Load
34.2 / 37.3 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   Audix TM1, Arta (15 cm distance)   environment noise: 30.5 dB(A)
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
6100U, HD Graphics 520
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
6500U, HD Graphics 520
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
6500U, HD Graphics 520
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
i5-7200U, Radeon R5 M430
Noise
-0%
5%
-4%
0%
off / environment *
30.5
31
-2%
29
5%
31.3
-3%
29
5%
Idle Minimum *
31.3
31.3
-0%
29
7%
31.3
-0%
29
7%
Idle Average *
31.3
31.3
-0%
29
7%
31.3
-0%
29
7%
Idle Maximum *
31.6
32.9
-4%
29
8%
31.8
-1%
29
8%
Load Average *
34.2
35
-2%
31
9%
39.2
-15%
37.3
-9%
Load Maximum *
37.3
34.9
6%
40.3
-8%
39.1
-5%
43.1
-16%

* ... smaller is better

Temperature

The Pavilion in our stress test
The Pavilion in our stress test

The Pavilion finishes our stress test with the same results while charging and while running on battery power. The processor runs at a high speed for only a short time, then it is slowed down to 1.5 or 1.6 GHz and remains at this level. The graphics core achieves a speed of 900 to 950 MHz. The laptop does not warm up significantly. The temperature at all measurement points is distinctly below 40 °C during our stress test. The latter is an extreme scenario, which does not occur in day-to-day use. The case temperatures are therefore lower in everyday use.

Max. Load
 24.8 °C
77 F
34.6 °C
94 F
32.6 °C
91 F
 
 24.7 °C
76 F
29.1 °C
84 F
31.8 °C
89 F
 
 23.4 °C
74 F
25 °C
77 F
29 °C
84 F
 
Maximum: 34.6 °C = 94 F
Average: 28.3 °C = 83 F
34.6 °C
94 F
36.4 °C
98 F
28.4 °C
83 F
35 °C
95 F
33.7 °C
93 F
27.7 °C
82 F
30.5 °C
87 F
27.8 °C
82 F
26.2 °C
79 F
Maximum: 36.4 °C = 98 F
Average: 31.1 °C = 88 F
Power Supply (max.)  45.1 °C = 113 F | Room Temperature 21.6 °C = 71 F | FIRT 550-Pocket
(+) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 28.3 °C / 83 F, compared to the average of 30.2 °C / 86 F for the devices in the class Convertible.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 34.6 °C / 94 F, compared to the average of 35.3 °C / 96 F, ranging from 19.6 to 55.7 °C for the class Convertible.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 36.4 °C / 98 F, compared to the average of 36.7 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 25 °C / 77 F, compared to the device average of 30.2 °C / 86 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 29 °C / 84.2 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(±) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.1 °C / 82.6 F (-0.9 °C / -1.6 F).
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
6100U, HD Graphics 520
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
6500U, HD Graphics 520
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
6500U, HD Graphics 520
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
i5-7200U, Radeon R5 M430
Heat
7%
-23%
-2%
-16%
Maximum Upper Side *
34.6
30.6
12%
41.6
-20%
40
-16%
40.1
-16%
Maximum Bottom *
36.4
33.3
9%
45.9
-26%
37.6
-3%
46.1
-27%
Idle Upper Side *
26.6
25.7
3%
32.7
-23%
25.1
6%
28.5
-7%
Idle Bottom *
27.7
26.6
4%
34.1
-23%
26
6%
31.6
-14%

* ... smaller is better

Heat development upper side (load)
Heat development upper side (load)
Heat development bottom side (load)
Heat development bottom side (load)
Heat development upper side (idle)
Heat development upper side (idle)
Heat development bottom side (idle)
Heat development bottom side (idle)

Speakers

The stereo speakers of the Pavilion are above the keyboard behind a perforated cover. They produce a decent sound that lacks bass for the most part. The sound output can be adjusted using the preinstalled B&O software. 

dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2044.334.644.32539.739.639.73139.939.939.94036.435.236.45037.232.337.26335.128.235.18027.52627.510029.42629.412530.925.430.916033.923.333.920040.723.840.725038.422.738.431550.221.650.240062.920.262.950062.619.662.663069.418.669.480069.618.669.6100073.61873.6125074.517.474.5160074.717.974.7200070.717.570.7250072.817.872.8315072.617.972.6400070.91870.9500072.218.372.2630072.918.472.9800073.318.473.31000070.118.470.11250063.918.263.91600063.318.463.3SPL84.230.584.2N59.21.459.2median 69.6median 18.4median 69.6Delta10.81.110.835.335.132.931.831.83236.535.132.428.93328.936.328.848.32761.52752.924.860.92462.822.763.32269.521.267.82174.82075.919.472.718.97117.770.117.86917.671.817.668.117.671.417.673.717.670.417.571.617.671.617.669.617.459.717.583.630.662.51.5median 69.6median 17.84.72.4hearing rangehide median Pink NoiseHP Pavilion x360 13-u102ngApple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng audio analysis

(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (74 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 32.3% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (8.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 3.6% away from median
(±) | linearity of mids is average (7.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 2.5% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (2.7% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (21.7% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 55% of all tested devices in this class were better, 10% similar, 35% worse
» The best had a delta of 6%, average was 21%, worst was 57%
Compared to all devices tested
» 56% of all tested devices were better, 7% similar, 37% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz audio analysis

(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (83.6 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 11.3% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (14.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 2.4% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (5.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 2% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (4.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(+) | overall sound is linear (10.2% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 5% of all tested devices in this class were better, 2% similar, 93% worse
» The best had a delta of 5%, average was 19%, worst was 53%
Compared to all devices tested
» 3% of all tested devices were better, 1% similar, 96% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Frequency comparison (checkboxes above are selectable/deselectable)

Energy Management

Power Consumption

The Pavilion does not need much power over the entire load range. When idle, we measure a maximum consumption of 7.9 watts - a good result. Energy consumption rises to 29 watts during our stress test. The rated output of the power adapter is 45 watts.

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.4 / 0.6 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 4.7 / 7.2 / 7.9 Watt
Load midlight 30 / 29 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Metrahit Energy
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
6100U, HD Graphics 520
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
6500U, HD Graphics 520
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
6500U, HD Graphics 520
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
i5-7200U, Radeon R5 M430
Power Consumption
21%
6%
-30%
-17%
Idle Minimum *
4.7
2.95
37%
4.4
6%
6.2
-32%
3.9
17%
Idle Average *
7.2
5.6
22%
6.1
15%
8
-11%
7.1
1%
Idle Maximum *
7.9
7.7
3%
6.8
14%
11.6
-47%
7.7
3%
Load Average *
30
22.6
25%
29
3%
40
-33%
33.4
-11%
Load Maximum *
29
23.5
19%
31.9
-10%
36.6
-26%
55.9
-93%

* ... smaller is better

Battery Life

The Pavilion finishes our realistic WLAN test after 5:22 h. We simulate the workload of loading web-pages using a script. The profile "Balanced" is active, the energy-saving mode is deactivated, and the display brightness is reduced to about 150 cd/m². The convertible achieves a runtime of 5:20 h on one charge in our video test, where we play the short film Big Buck Bunny (H.264 codec, 1920x1080 pixels) in a loop. The wireless modules as well as the energy-saving mode are deactivated, and the brightness is regulated to around 150 cd/m². Overall, the Pavilion only has average battery life. The competition does not fare much better, though.

The battery has a capacity of 41.7 Wh.
The battery has a capacity of 41.7 Wh.
Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
9h 20min
WiFi Websurfing (Edge 38)
5h 22min
Big Buck Bunny H.264 1080p
5h 20min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 26min
HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620, 41 Wh
Asus VivoBook Flip TP301UA-DW006T
6100U, HD Graphics 520, 55 Wh
Dell Inspiron 13 5368
6500U, HD Graphics 520, 42 Wh
Acer Aspire R13 R7-372T-746N
6500U, HD Graphics 520, 49 Wh
Lenovo Yoga 510-14IKB
i5-7200U, Radeon R5 M430, 35 Wh
Battery Runtime
80%
-2%
15%
20%
Reader / Idle
560
1260
125%
674
20%
669
19%
722
29%
H.264
320
393
23%
WiFi v1.3
322
290
-10%
240
-25%
382
19%
373
16%
Load
86
193
124%
86
0%
85
-1%
100
16%

Verdict

Pros

+ IPS display
+ Full HD display
+ a lot of storage
+ very decent keyboard
+ develops barely any heat
+ works silently in idle state

Cons

- no AC Wi-Fi
- only a one-year warranty
- average battery life
- fan whines at higher speeds
- no USB Type-C
- no Ethernet
In review: HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng. Test model provided by Cyberport.de
In review: HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng. Test model provided by Cyberport.de

HP's 13.3-inch convertible sports a Core i5 processor from Intel's current Kaby Lake collection. The CPU offers a decent dose of processing power that is also sufficient for use beyond office applications and web browsing. The laptop barely warms up and works, at least while idling, silently. At higher turning speeds, the fan starts to whine. You will not run out of storage anytime soon, thanks to the 1 TB hard drive. You can also replace the HDD with an SSD. However, the Pavilion is not particularly maintenance-friendly. If you want to increase the RAM, you need to remove the motherboard.

With the Pavilion x360 13-u102ng, HP delivers a 13.3-inch convertible for home use. 

The built-in keyboard left an overall good typing feel and is also suitable for users who frequently type. The Full HD IPS display pleases with stable viewing angles and good contrast. As for the brightness, the screen could offer some more, but considering the price of the laptop the measured values are all right. With the Pavilion, HP could have a relatively affordable 13.3-inch mobile device for writing and browsing in its lineup, which could appeal to students. Unfortunately, the only average battery life undermines this plan. Additionally, HP only grants a one-year warranty. We expect at least a two-year warranty these days.

HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng - 12/14/2016 v6(old)
Sascha Mölck

Chassis
79 / 98 → 81%
Keyboard
76%
Pointing Device
87%
Connectivity
40 / 80 → 50%
Weight
67 / 35-78 → 75%
Battery
83%
Display
80%
Games Performance
55 / 68 → 81%
Application Performance
76 / 87 → 88%
Temperature
94%
Noise
86%
Audio
54 / 91 → 59%
Camera
38 / 85 → 44%
Average
70%
80%
Convertible - Weighted Average

Pricecompare

static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > HP Pavilion x360 13-u102ng Convertible Review
Sascha Mölck, 2016-12-21 (Update: 2019-04-21)