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HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV Convertible Review

Flip Flop. HP now offers Kaby Lake processors in their 15-inch Pavilion x360 convertibles. In addition to the upgraded 7th generation Intel chips, a few other changes have been made. Are these improvements enough to make us flip over the Pavilion, or does it fail to stick the landing?

Kaby Lake has arrived in HP’s x360 convertible notebooks. While the updated Spectre x360 is geared for power users, the Pavilion x360 line is targeted at consumers who want a 2-in-1 notebook at a lower price point. The Pavilion x360 15t is the largest of HP’s hybrids. We looked at the Skylake version of this device not too long ago and now revisit the 15-inch Pavilion x360 to see what improvements the upgrade to Kaby Lake may bring.

Our review unit is equipped with an Intel 7th Generation Core i5-7200U and new Intel HD Graphics 620 GPU but bears the same 8 GB of RAM and 1 TB HDD of its older brother. Our configuration currently retails on HP’s site for US $799. Potential buyers looking to save some money can opt for the more affordable i3-7100U, 4 or 6 GB of RAM, and a 1366 x 768 resolution display for as low as US $540. There are also 11- and 13-inch variants available from HP.

This review will mainly focus on the differences between our Kaby Lake model and the earlier Skylake version (HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng). Competitors like Lenovo have not been content to rest on their laurels and have upgraded their Yoga line to Kaby Lake as well; as such, we will also compare our Pavilion x360 to the updated versions of Lenovo's devices: the Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB and the Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB. We will also compare the Dell Inspiron 15 5568, another 15-inch convertible.

HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV (Pavilion x360 Series)
Processor
Intel Core i5-7200U 2 x 2.5 - 3.1 GHz, Kaby Lake
Graphics adapter
Intel HD Graphics 620 - 1024 MB VRAM, Core: 1050 MHz, Memory: 798 MHz, Integrated, 21.20.16.4471
Memory
8 GB 
, DDR3L, 1600 MHz, Single Channel
Display
15.60 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 141 PPI, 10-point multitouch, Chi Mei CHMN15D3, IPS, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel Kaby Lake-U Premium PCH
Storage
WDC WD10SPCX-60KHST0, 1 TB, 5400 RPM, SATA, 918 GB free
Soundcard
Intel Kaby Lake-U/Y PCH - High Definition Audio
Connections
1 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 0 USB 3.1 Gen2, 1 HDMI, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: Combo in/out, Card Reader: 1 multi-format SD media card reader, Brightness Sensor
Networking
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168 (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/)
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 23.9 x 382 x 248.9 ( = 0.94 x 15.04 x 9.8 in)
Battery
48 Wh, 45908 mAh Lithium-Ion, Battery runtime (according to manufacturer): 8 h
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: 720p webcam
Additional features
Speakers: 2, stereo, down-facing, Keyboard: Chiclet, Keyboard Light: yes, None, McAfee LiveSafe™ 30-day trial offer, B & O PLAY Audio, 12 Months Warranty
Weight
2.3 kg ( = 81.13 oz / 5.07 pounds), Power Supply: 340 g ( = 11.99 oz / 0.75 pounds)
Price
799.99 USD
Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.

 

Case

The chassis remains unchanged from its plastic predecessor save for the color options. In addition to a standard silver finish (dubbed “Natural Silver”), the device is now available with some very bold color options ("Cardinal Red" and "Sport Purple") for an extra $10. Our review unit wears the Sport Purple finish, and the color is striking and definitely sticks out in a crowd. The matte finish is quite prone to nicks and scratches, however; our review unit showed some noticeable wear and tear after a few weeks of use.

Although the chassis is covered in plastic, it remains fairly firm. When the keyboard deck and base are pressed, they do not creak. The center of the lid can be easily depressed (especially when applying pressure to the logo in the middle), but the display housing doesn't flex or twist much at all. The underside remains stable under pressure and shows no major distortion. The keyboard deck is firm as well. Despite constant pressure, the keyboard barely moves, and there is no flex at all while typing. Gaps around the keyboard are visible, but small.

The hinges are sturdy and hold the screen in place while typing with absolutely no wobble. However, if touch input is used, the screen bounces a bit but soon resets itself to the original position. Magnets are used to hold the lid to the base when the notebook is closed or in tablet mode, so two hands are needed to open it. The hinges allow the screen to rotate full-circle, turning the notebook into a tablet. This motion is smooth and easy. 

The device is rather large and very heavy for tablet use; the Inspiron 15 5568 and Yoga 710-15IKB are about 0.23 kg (0.5 lbs) lighter despite being the same size. Our Pavilion is difficult to hold in tablet mode for extended periods of time.

Size Comparison

The newer Pavilion x360 is the same size as the older and not significantly different than the other machines. The Dell is slightly larger, although the increase in size is minimal. The Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB definitely has the smallest footprint of the notebooks but also has a smaller 14-inch screen. 

382 mm / 15 inch 248.9 mm / 9.8 inch 23.9 mm / 0.941 inch 2.3 kg5.07 lbs382 mm / 15 inch 250 mm / 9.84 inch 23.9 mm / 0.941 inch 2.3 kg5.07 lbs382 mm / 15 inch 253 mm / 9.96 inch 20 mm / 0.787 inch 2.1 kg4.57 lbs378 mm / 14.9 inch 253 mm / 9.96 inch 21.35 mm / 0.841 inch 2.1 kg4.59 lbs322 mm / 12.7 inch 223 mm / 8.78 inch 17.3 mm / 0.681 inch 1.6 kg3.42 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs

Connectivity

The upgrade to Kaby Lake has left the port layout untouched. The device is equipped with three USB Type-A ports (one of which is USB 2.0), HDMI, a combo audio jack, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. While there is ample connectivity, it would have been nice to see a USB Type-C port on this device. Unfortunately, the modern port is still absent.

Left: power button, Kensington lock, ventilation, USB 2.0, SD card reader, volume rocker, drive activity LED
Left: power button, Kensington lock, ventilation, USB 2.0, SD card reader, volume rocker, drive activity LED
Right: audio in/out, Windows button, USB 3.0, USB 3.0 charging, HDMI, LAN, power-in
Right: audio in/out, Windows button, USB 3.0, USB 3.0 charging, HDMI, LAN, power-in
Front: no connections
Front: no connections
Rear: no connections
Rear: no connections

SD Card Reader

The SD-card reader is very deep and inserted cards sit flush with the side. Using our Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II Reference-Card, we measured speeds similar to those in our last test. The device still sits above average for its category and handily beats the Dell Inspiron with read and write speeds that are over three times faster.

SD Card Reader
average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs)
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
 
79 MB/s +22%
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
 
77.8 MB/s +20%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
 
64.8 MB/s
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
 
64.1 MB/s -1%
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
 
21 MB/s -68%
maximum AS SSD Seq Read Test (1GB)
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
 
87.9 MB/s
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
 
86.8 MB/s -1%
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
 
85.6 MB/s -3%
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
 
84 MB/s -4%
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
 
26.5 MB/s -70%

Communication

The Pavilion x360 is equipped with an Intel 802.11 ac 1x1 wireless card with integrated Bluetooth 4.2. Due to compatibility with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, WiFi connections are rock solid. In our signal test, our device achieves a receiving rate of 344 MBit/s and a sending rate of 309 MBit/s. This is fairly close to the theoretical cap of 433 MBit/s and is more than quick enough for day to day use. Streaming media should be no problem, but large file transfers over wireless connections may take time.

Networking
iperf3 transmit AX12
Dell XPS 13 9360 FHD i5
Killer Wireless-n/a/ac 1535 Wireless Network Adapter
575 MBit/s +67%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168
344 MBit/s
HP ProBook 455 T1B79UT
Realtek RTL8723BE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC
85.5 MBit/s -75%
iperf3 receive AX12
Dell XPS 13 9360 FHD i5
Killer Wireless-n/a/ac 1535 Wireless Network Adapter
525 MBit/s +70%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168
309 MBit/s
HP ProBook 455 T1B79UT
Realtek RTL8723BE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC
88.7 MBit/s -71%
The chassis is susceptible to nicks and scratches.
The chassis is susceptible to nicks and scratches.
Three fragile ribbon cables attach the keyboard to the motherboard, making maintenance very difficult.
Three fragile ribbon cables attach the keyboard to the motherboard, making maintenance very difficult.

Maintenance

Maintenance can be rather difficult. There are twelve Phillips-Head screws on the underside, but only four are visible. Six screws can be found under the rubber feet of the device, while two more are hidden underneath plastic tabs that are secured with adhesive. Be warned: in removing these tabs, the chassis can easily be nicked. Once the screws are out, the internals can be accessed by unclipping the keyboard deck.

Exercise caution when taking the keyboard out. The plastic clips holding it in place can be easily broken, and the borders of the housing can be scratched without much effort. There are also three thin ribbon cables attaching the keyboard to the main board. These need to be disconnected before performing any maintenance. 

The only components that can easily be swapped are the HDD, battery, and wireless card. The RAM module can be upgraded, but further disassembly is required. The CPU is soldered to the motherboard.


Input Devices

Keyboard

The keyboard is greatly improved from the last model. Our current test unit has a U.S. layout with a number pad. The arrow keys feel cramped as the up and down arrow keys are half the size of the left and right. The keyboard now includes a feature sorely missed from our previous unit: a backlight. There is only one level, but the white light is sufficiently bright and makes the keyboard legible in the dark. Note that the backlight is not included by default; it must be added at the time of purchase for an additional $30 US.

As we noted in our earlier review, the keys are soft and don’t clatter. There is a low, hollow “thump” when we forcibly and quickly typed. Keys are responsive and register every press but are a bit mushy and suffer from a short drop and undefined stop. Overall, typing is a much better experience than before, and the keyboard is more than passable. While professional typists may not be thrilled to use this keyboard for long sessions, it definitely gets the job done.

The keyboard deck has one major enemy: fingerprints. Finger and palm oils seem to immediately stick to the key surfaces upon contact and can take some effort to wipe off.

Touchpad

The touchpad is rather hit or miss. The plastic has a slight texture on it that provides adequate friction while remaining unobtrusive, but the touchpad doesn’t always register tracking. We were not sure if this was a problem with our particular unit, but it was distracting nonetheless. Two-finger scrolling also registered inconsistently, leading to some frustrating experiences. Left- and right-clicks are consistent, but the touchpad sounds hollow and doesn't feel very sturdy. Users will regularly find themselves opting to navigate via the touchscreen.

Touchscreen

The touchscreen is a delight. It is highly responsive and immediately recognizes multitouch gestures. While the trackpad is frustrating, the touchscreen is a great option for input and navigation. The hinges wobble slightly when touch is used, but the screen is quick to stabilize.

The keyboard (US) of the HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV.
The keyboard (US) of the HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV.
The keyboard backlight is a welcome addition.
The keyboard backlight is a welcome addition.

Display

The new unit has the same IPS panel as before, and the 1920x1080 resolution remains unchanged. The average maximum brightness of 210.7 cd/m2 is a minor improvement, but still lags behind the competition. There is some noticeable bleed from the backlight along the bottom of the display.

Response times are decent but fall short of rivals'. The PWM frequency is also fairly low and may cause some eye strain after long periods of use.

Subpixel Array
Subpixel Array
Backlight bleed along the bottom edge.
Backlight bleed along the bottom edge.
200.01
cd/m²
226.2
cd/m²
193.2
cd/m²
197.4
cd/m²
230.8
cd/m²
197.9
cd/m²
204.2
cd/m²
227
cd/m²
219.3
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
Chi Mei CHMN15D3 tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 230.8 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 210.7 cd/m² Minimum: 16.9 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 84 %
Contrast: 641:1 (Black: 0.36 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 4.58 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 2.94 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
64% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
41% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
44.3% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
63.8% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
42.8% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.18
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Chi Mei CHMN15D3, IPS, 15.60, 1920x1080
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
Chi Mey CHMN15D3, IPS, 15.60, 1920x1080
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
BOE HF NV156FHM-N42, IPS, 15.60, 1920x1080
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
AU Optronics B140HAN03.0, a-Si WLED TFT, IPS, 14.00, 1920x1080
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
AU Optronics B156HW01 V0, IPS, 15.60, 1920x1080
Display
-2%
-2%
43%
-11%
Display P3 Coverage
42.8
41.84
-2%
41.92
-2%
62
45%
38.04
-11%
sRGB Coverage
63.8
62.7
-2%
62.9
-1%
89.5
40%
57.1
-11%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
44.3
43.25
-2%
43.32
-2%
63.3
43%
39.3
-11%
Response Times
11%
-39%
-47%
2%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
36.8 ?(13.2, 23.6)
30.8 ?(12.8, 18)
16%
53 ?(19, 34)
-44%
53 ?(17, 36, Plateau)
-44%
42 ?(19, 23)
-14%
Response Time Black / White *
26.8 ?(6, 20.8)
22 ?(11.2, 10.8)
18%
26 ?(6, 20)
3%
33 ?(7, 26)
-23%
22 ?(6, 16)
18%
PWM Frequency
201.6 ?(99)
200 ?(90)
-1%
50 ?(50)
-75%
50 ?(10)
-75%
Screen
13%
20%
0%
9%
Brightness middle
230.8
225
-3%
236
2%
340
47%
266
15%
Brightness
211
210
0%
212
0%
302
43%
249
18%
Brightness Distribution
84
85
1%
78
-7%
77
-8%
85
1%
Black Level *
0.36
0.22
39%
0.18
50%
0.31
14%
0.26
28%
Contrast
641
1023
60%
1311
105%
1097
71%
1023
60%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
4.58
4.13
10%
3.92
14%
6.75
-47%
4.98
-9%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
11.23
9.36
17%
9.2
18%
12.4
-10%
11.82
-5%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
2.94
2.53
14%
2.35
20%
8.47
-188%
2.68
9%
Gamma
2.18 101%
2.6 85%
2.34 94%
2.22 99%
2.27 97%
CCT
6233 104%
6360 102%
6161 106%
6557 99%
6583 99%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
41
39.8
-3%
40
-2%
58
41%
36
-12%
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)
64
62.5
-2%
63
-2%
89
39%
57
-11%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
7% / 10%
-7% / 5%
-1% / -1%
0% / 4%

* ... smaller is better

Black levels and contrast ratio are also unimpressive. Dark scenes in video clips have an unpleasant "block" effect and noticeable noise. Interestingly, black levels on our review unit were much worse than the Skylake model; as such, these problems could be flaws specific to our device and not the entire line.

Color reproduction is also fairly average and in line with competing notebooks, but artists and others requiring color-accurate displays should look elsewhere. Colors should be sufficient for office work and casual use, but users will want to calibrate the display for the best results. Out of the box, the notebook's display is adequate but doesn't offer any notable advantages.

CalMAN: Grayscale
CalMAN: Grayscale
CalMAN: Grayscale (calibrated)
CalMAN: Grayscale (calibrated)
CalMAN: Saturation Sweeps
CalMAN: Saturation Sweeps
CalMAN: Saturation Sweeps (calibrated)
CalMAN: Saturation Sweeps (calibrated)
CalMAN: ColorChecker
CalMAN: ColorChecker
CalMAN: ColorChecker (calibrated)
CalMAN: ColorChecker (calibrated)
HP Pavilion x360 15t vs. sRGB (64%)
HP Pavilion x360 15t vs. sRGB (64%)
HP Pavilion x360 15t vs. AdobeRGB (41%)
HP Pavilion x360 15t vs. AdobeRGB (41%)

Due to the dim backlight of the screen and the glossy finish, the Pavilion is not suitable for outdoor use. While the display is vibrant indoors, it is very difficult to use outside. Even in the shade, the screen is highly reflective and difficult to see. The display did not fare well in overcast weather and was completely unusable in direct sunlight.

While the display is somewhat legible outdoors under overcast skies...
While the display is somewhat legible outdoors under overcast skies...
...normal viewing distances make it unusable.
...normal viewing distances make it unusable.

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
26.8 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 6 ms rise
↘ 20.8 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. » 62 % 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
36.8 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 13.2 ms rise
↘ 23.6 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. » 46 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is similar to the average of all tested devices (33.9 ms).

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 detected 201.6 Hz ≤ 99 % brightness setting

The display backlight flickers at 201.6 Hz (worst case, e.g., utilizing PWM) Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 99 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting.

The frequency of 201.6 Hz is relatively low, so sensitive users will likely notice flickering and experience eyestrain at the stated brightness setting and below.

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.

Viewing angles are good thanks to the IPS technology in the display. The screen is usable from almost any angle but gets markedly dimmer when viewed from the side. The low brightness makes viewing more difficult past 45 degrees, but colors remain accurate and images are visible.

Viewing angles are good.
Viewing angles are good.

Performance

Thanks to the powerful Kaby Lake Core i5 processor, the Pavilion x360 handles general use and office work with aplomb. Anything more demanding, such as photo/video editing or gaming, brings the device to its knees. The weak onboard graphics and slow 5400 RPM storage drive bog the device down in heavier workloads.

Processor

The main change in our device is the upgrade to the 7th generation Intel Core i5-7200U processor based on Intel’s 14 nm Kaby Lake architecture. The 15 W chip features two hyperthreaded cores and a 2.5 GHz base clock that can boost up to 3.1 GHz. This is moderately faster than the Skylake equipped Pavilion, which had a 2.3 GHz base / 2.8 GHz boost.

Thanks to the mid-range CPU, the updated device handles most tasks with ease. Typical office work, web browsing, and media are no problem. The processor stays stable at the boost clock of 3.1 GHz under load, with a few temporary drops down to 2.5 GHz. This is the case on battery power as well, although the drops are a bit more frequent. We see a 10-15% improvement over the Skylake version, which also ran smoothly. Rivals keep pace with the Pavilion.

Cinebench R10
Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
Intel Core i5-7200U
11396 Points 0%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel Core i5-7200U
11371 Points
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
Intel Core i5-6200U
9723 Points -14%
Rendering Single 32Bit
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
Intel Core i5-7200U
4985 Points 0%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel Core i5-7200U
4965 Points
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
Intel Core i5-6200U
4368 Points -12%
Cinebench R11.5
CPU Single 64Bit
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel Core i5-7200U
1.47 Points
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
Intel Core i5-6200U
1.28 Points -13%
CPU Multi 64Bit
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel Core i5-7200U
3.58 Points
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
Intel Core i5-6200U
3.16 Points -12%
Cinebench R15
CPU Single 64Bit
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
Intel Core i5-7200U
129 Points +1%
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
Intel Core i7-6500U
128 Points 0%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel Core i5-7200U
128 Points
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
Intel Core i5-6200U
113 Points -12%
CPU Multi 64Bit
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
Intel Core i5-7200U
321 Points 0%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel Core i5-7200U
321 Points
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
Intel Core i7-6500U
308 Points -4%
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
Intel Core i5-6200U
284 Points -12%
wPrime 2.10 - 1024m
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel Core i5-7200U
490.3 s *
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - 32M
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel Core i5-7200U
680 s *

* ... smaller is better

Cinebench R10 Shading 32Bit
7464
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
11371
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single 32Bit
4965
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64Bit
1.47 Points
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64Bit
25.27 fps
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64Bit
3.58 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
128 Points
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64Bit
34.27 fps
Cinebench R15 Ref. Match 64Bit
97.7 %
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
321 Points
Help

System Performance

The device is buttery smooth. There are no hiccups in web browsing or productivity software, and the device can multitask easily. Switching to tablet mode happens almost instantly and the screen orientation quickly changes when the device is rotated. In overall performance, our device lags about 10% behind its rivals. The Pavilion’s main weakness is the same as its elder’s; the slow HDD holds it back and apps can take significant time to open. An SSD would pair nicely with the updated processor, but this would require user installation after purchase.

PCMark 8
Home Score Accelerated v2
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
Radeon R7 M460, i5-7200U, Samsung MZYTY256HDHP
3694 Points +13%
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
HD Graphics 520, 6500U, Toshiba THNSNK256GCS8
3607 Points +11%
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, Samsung MZYTY256HDHP
3268 Points 0%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
3258 Points
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
HD Graphics 520, 6200U, WDC Slim WD10SPCX-21KHST0
3026 Points -7%
Work Score Accelerated v2
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
HD Graphics 520, 6500U, Toshiba THNSNK256GCS8
4433 Points +7%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
4130 Points
Creative Score Accelerated v2
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, Samsung MZYTY256HDHP
3859 Points +1%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
3828 Points
PCMark 7 Score
2897 points
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
3258 points
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2
3828 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2
4130 points
Help

Storage Devices

Our model is equipped with a 1 TB HDD from Western Digital. Speeds remain unchanged, and they are slow. While the storage space is generous, the drive is sluggish when compared to the SSDs found in its rivals. Why HP equipped our machine with a slow 5400 RPM HDD is confusing; even other budget machines are typically equipped with speedier 7200 RPM HDDs or low capacity SSDs.

HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
 
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
WDC Slim WD10SPCX-21KHST0
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
Samsung MZYTY256HDHP
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
Samsung MZYTY256HDHP
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
Toshiba THNSNK256GCS8
CrystalDiskMark 3.0
-12%
8296%
6987%
6240%
Read Seq
104.5
106.9
2%
529
406%
490.5
369%
458.6
339%
Write Seq
110.1
106
-4%
508
361%
452.3
311%
270
145%
Read 512
41.38
33.01
-20%
409.8
890%
386.2
833%
397.4
860%
Write 512
61.5
51.2
-17%
316.5
415%
219.9
258%
242
293%
Read 4k
0.5
0.373
-25%
36.01
7102%
34.35
6770%
19.88
3876%
Write 4k
1.09
1.097
1%
106.7
9689%
91.2
8267%
86.7
7854%
Read 4k QD32
1.52
1.029
-32%
384.8
25216%
378.9
24828%
275.3
18012%
Write 4k QD32
1.06
1.055
0%
237.3
22287%
152.2
14258%
197.6
18542%
Transfer Rate Minimum: 12.7 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 111.3 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 84 MB/s
Access Time: 20.2 ms
Burst Rate: 182.4 MB/s
CPU Usage: 13.4 %

GPU Performance

The integrated Intel HD 620 graphics chip is an improvement over last year’s HD 520. The HD 620 has a base clock of 300 MHz and can boost up to 1050 GHz. Like other integrated graphics cards, it shares system memory with other components. Because of this, the Pavilion's GPU performance falls short of devices with graphics cards. Overall, graphics performance is middling, especially when compared to the Yoga 510-15IKB's dedicated Radeon GPU. The HD 620 is enough for multiple monitor support at reasonable resolutions (1920x1080), office work, and pre-rendered media consumption, but not much else.

Games are a weak spot for the Pavilion. The integrated graphics can run older, less demanding titles at low resolutions and minimum graphics settings. Casual games should run smoothly, but modern titles that demand heavier workloads are not playable. The competition gets a major leg up here due to faster DDR4 memory and dedicated graphics cards. 

 

3DMark 11
1280x720 Performance GPU
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
AMD Radeon R7 M460, i5-7200U
2141 Points +59%
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
Intel HD Graphics 520, 6500U
1506 Points +12%
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
Intel HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
1403 Points +4%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
1347 Points
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
Intel HD Graphics 520, 6200U
1280 Points -5%
1280x720 Performance Combined
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
AMD Radeon R7 M460, i5-7200U
1816 Points +26%
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
Intel HD Graphics 520, 6500U
1549 Points +8%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
1437 Points
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
Intel HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
1133 Points -21%
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
Intel HD Graphics 520, 6200U
957 Points -33%
3DMark
1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Graphics
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
Intel HD Graphics 520, 6500U
8388 Points +39%
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
Intel HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
6670 Points +10%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
6042 Points
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
Intel HD Graphics 520, 6200U
5440 Points -10%
1920x1080 Fire Strike Graphics
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
Intel HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
777 Points +16%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
670 Points
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
Intel HD Graphics 520, 6200U
618 Points -8%
1920x1080 Ice Storm Extreme Graphics
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
Intel HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
35413 Points +10%
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
Intel HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
32197 Points
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score
44091 points
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score
5040 points
3DMark Fire Strike Score
616 points
Help

Stress Test

Under high stress, the Core i5-7200U remains cool. After 30 minutes of running Prime95 and Furmark (processes which heavily tax both the CPU and the GPU), core temperatures stayed stable at an average of 77° C, which are more than manageable. Temperatures are kept low because of intense CPU throttling, however; under extreme stress, the CPU chokes down to 1.9 GHz, well below its base clock of 2.5 GHz. The extra temperature headroom could allow for higher clock speeds when under stress, but the Pavilion favors cooler temperatures over performance in stressful operation.

CPU-Z while running Prime95 and FurMark.
CPU-Z while running Prime95 and FurMark.
GPU-Z while running Prime95 and FurMark.
GPU-Z while running Prime95 and FurMark.
CPU temperatures under stress remain low...
CPU temperatures under stress remain low...
...at the cost of a heavily throttled clockspeed.
...at the cost of a heavily throttled clockspeed.
CPU Clock (GHz) GPU Clock (MHz) Average CPU Temperature (°C) Average GPU Temperature (°C)
Prime95 Stress 3.1 1000 70 70
FurMark Stress 2.3 1000 77 77
Prime95 + FurMark Stress 1.9 1000 77 77

Emissions

System Noise

The fan remains idle and quiet in most workloads. When the machine is stressed, the fan audibly ramps up but is low-pitched and not distracting. Coil whine is absent, and the HDD cannot be heard over ambient sounds. Overall, the laptop is a bit loud for a convertible device when strained, but the fan noise quickly blends into the background. The competition produces much less noise under maximum load.

Noise Level

Idle
31 / 31.1 / 31.1 dB(A)
Load
38.5 / 44 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   BK Precision 732A (15 cm distance)   environment noise: 29.8 dB(A)
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
HD Graphics 520, 6200U, WDC Slim WD10SPCX-21KHST0
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
Radeon R7 M460, i5-7200U, Samsung MZYTY256HDHP
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, Samsung MZYTY256HDHP
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
HD Graphics 520, 6500U, Toshiba THNSNK256GCS8
Noise
4%
3%
4%
-0%
off / environment *
29.8
28.9
3%
30.15
-1%
30.16
-1%
31.2
-5%
Idle Minimum *
31
29.6
5%
30.2
3%
30.16
3%
32.8
-6%
Idle Average *
31.1
29.6
5%
30.2
3%
30.16
3%
32.8
-5%
Idle Maximum *
31.1
30.2
3%
31
-0%
30.5
2%
33.8
-9%
Load Average *
38.5
39
-1%
38
1%
37.2
3%
36.3
6%
Load Maximum *
44
39.9
9%
38.6
12%
37
16%
36.3
17%

* ... smaller is better

Temperature

Even under load, the Pavilion stays cool, a trait inherited from its older brother. It gets marginally hotter with a max temperature of 39 C at the back of the underside. The Pavilion trounces the Lenovo Yoga 510 and Dell Inspiron 15, which both experience hotspots of 45-50 C. The Lenovo Yoga 710 stays cooler overall. All said, our Pavilion remains cool to the touch, especially on the keyboard deck. This is important as the user will either be resting their hands on the deck while typing or gripping the machine by the keyboard when it is in tablet mode.

FLIR thermal image of keyboard.
FLIR thermal image of keyboard.
FLIR thermal image of underside.
FLIR thermal image of underside.
Max. Load
 29.2 °C
85 F
33.2 °C
92 F
27.2 °C
81 F
 
 23.8 °C
75 F
29.4 °C
85 F
26.6 °C
80 F
 
 21.6 °C
71 F
22.6 °C
73 F
24.2 °C
76 F
 
Maximum: 33.2 °C = 92 F
Average: 26.4 °C = 80 F
28.2 °C
83 F
39 °C
102 F
37.4 °C
99 F
28.6 °C
83 F
30 °C
86 F
26 °C
79 F
28.4 °C
83 F
25.6 °C
78 F
24.2 °C
76 F
Maximum: 39 °C = 102 F
Average: 29.7 °C = 85 F
Power Supply (max.)  38.2 °C = 101 F | Room Temperature 21 °C = 70 F | Fluke 62 Mini IR Therometer
(+) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 26.4 °C / 80 F, compared to the average of 31.2 °C / 88 F for the devices in the class Multimedia.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 33.2 °C / 92 F, compared to the average of 36.9 °C / 98 F, ranging from 21.1 to 71 °C for the class Multimedia.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 39 °C / 102 F, compared to the average of 39.1 °C / 102 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 24.3 °C / 76 F, compared to the device average of 31.2 °C / 88 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 25.6 °C / 78.1 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(+) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.8 °C / 83.8 F (+3.2 °C / 5.7 F).

Speakers

HP has equipped the Pavilion x360 with decent speakers. While the sound remains clear and free of distortion at maximum volume, the overall sound is quite thin and tinny. Highs are prominent while bass is lacking. The down-firing stereo speakers can also be easily muffled by the surface the laptop sits on. Using the included B&O audio driver and software, users can amplify the volume and adjust sound levels via a simple equalizer. This software is a must and dramatically improves the sound quality.

B&O Play Audio Control software
B&O Play Audio Control software
The equalizer is simple but effective.
The equalizer is simple but effective.
dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2035.937.42536.635.13132.133.64031.932.95031.831.96331.331.68034.13410032.730.712530.729.916031.334.620028.9442502852.531527.35540026.353.650025.85163024.954.280024.461.7100024.360.5125024.362.5160024.358.7200023.655.7250023.354.8315023.159.240002357.650002361.663002361.280002359.7100002360.11250023.155.41600023.153.8SPL36.171.4N2.728.9median 24.3median 55.4Delta26.731.631.531.630.330.730.336.135.636.131.230.131.229.627.229.630.728.830.726.526.926.526.52626.528.624.928.633.82333.839.122.639.146.321.546.357.520.857.564.619.964.661.919.561.964.618.764.672.118.172.167.617.867.664.817.564.86517.26564.717.464.76417.46464.217.664.26517.76564.717.964.76417.86466.717.966.764.81864.859.717.859.752.817.852.877.730.177.742.31.442.3median 64.2median 17.9median 64.26.81.46.8hearing rangehide median Pink NoiseHP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AVLenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV audio analysis

(-) | not very loud speakers (71.4 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 14.3% lower than median
(-) | bass is not linear (15.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 3.7% away from median
(±) | linearity of mids is average (9.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 3.9% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (6% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (24% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 82% of all tested devices in this class were better, 6% similar, 11% worse
» The best had a delta of 5%, average was 18%, worst was 45%
Compared to all devices tested
» 68% of all tested devices were better, 7% similar, 25% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE audio analysis

(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (72 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 25.5% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (11.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 2% away from median
(±) | linearity of mids is average (7.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 0.7% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (2.3% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (19.5% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 58% of all tested devices in this class were better, 8% similar, 34% worse
» The best had a delta of 5%, average was 18%, worst was 45%
Compared to all devices tested
» 43% of all tested devices were better, 7% similar, 50% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Frequency Comparison (Checkbox selectable!)
Graph 1: Pink Noise 100% Vol.; Graph 2: Audio off

Energy Management

Power Consumption

Thanks to Kaby Lake, the laptop doesn't draw much energy at all. On average, our device sips about 7.9 Watts at idle and 25.4 Watts under load. Power draw while idle is about 5-10% higher than the competition, mostly due to the power requirements for the HDD. The SSD in the Lenovo Yoga 710, for instance, requires less wattage when not in use.

Under load, Kaby Lake shows its benefit; the older Skylake model pulls about 17% more power when strained. Our Pavilion also consumes less power under load than the rival devices, which require an additional 20% on average.

The included power adapter is rated at a maximum of 45 Watts, which is more than enough to power and charge the notebook.

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.3 / 0.6 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 5.3 / 7.9 / 9.7 Watt
Load midlight 25.4 / 31.2 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 15t X3W72AV
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620, , IPS, 1920x1080, 15.60
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
6200U, HD Graphics 520, WDC Slim WD10SPCX-21KHST0, IPS, 1920x1080, 15.60
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
i5-7200U, Radeon R7 M460, Samsung MZYTY256HDHP, IPS, 1920x1080, 15.60
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620, Samsung MZYTY256HDHP, a-Si WLED TFT, IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
6500U, HD Graphics 520, Toshiba THNSNK256GCS8, IPS, 1920x1080, 15.60
Power Consumption
-2%
-11%
7%
2%
Idle Minimum *
5.3
4.3
19%
3.9
26%
3.7
30%
4.34
18%
Idle Average *
7.9
8.2
-4%
7.8
1%
7.16
9%
7.5
5%
Idle Maximum *
9.7
9
7%
8.4
13%
8.3
14%
8.4
13%
Load Average *
25.4
29.8
-17%
37
-46%
30.4
-20%
30.4
-20%
Load Maximum *
31.2
36.4
-17%
46
-47%
30.3
3%
32.5
-4%

* ... smaller is better

Battery Life

The 3-cell 48 Wh battery allows for average runtimes. In our Battery Eater Classic test, the laptop shuts down after 1 hour 44 minutes. In the more realistic WLAN v1.3 test (where the notebook is set under the energy saving profile, the screen is set to 150 cd/m2, and a script opens a new web page every 40 seconds), the Pavilion lasts for 6 hours and 6 minutes, which is somewhat surprising given the 6 hour 41 minute runtime of its predecessor. Multiple runs confirm that the updated Pavilion shuts down at around 6 hours.

These runtimes are disappointing given Kaby Lake’s promised improvements in battery life and power efficiency. The shorter runtime might be due to either different background processes present in our Kaby Lake model or the hard drive, which runs even when the machine idles. The Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB lasts over 3 hours longer in normal usage despite a similarly sized battery.

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
10h 46min
WiFi Websurfing
6h 06min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 45min
HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620, 48 Wh
HP Pavilion 15-bk001ng x360
6200U, HD Graphics 520, 48 Wh
Lenovo Yoga 510-15IKB 80VC000XGE
i5-7200U, Radeon R7 M460, 35 Wh
Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB 80V4002HGE
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620, 53 Wh
Dell Inspiron 15 5568
6500U, HD Graphics 520, 42 Wh
Battery Runtime
10%
-13%
40%
-20%
Reader / Idle
646
957
48%
449
-30%
WiFi v1.3
366
401
10%
320
-13%
561
53%
299
-18%
Load
105
126
20%
93
-11%

Pros

+ solid, firm chassis
+ responsive keyboard
+ full sound from speakers (when using audio software)
+ solid compute performance
+ low power consumption
+ lots of ports/connectivity
+ chassis color options are unique

Cons

- very slow hard drive
- trackpad feels cheap
- paint prone to scratches and nicks
- screen is dim and washed out
- glossy finish too reflective
- disappointing battery life
- no USB-C
- device is too large and heavy for long tablet use

Verdict

In review: HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV. Test model provided by CUKUSA.com
In review: HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV. Test model provided by CUKUSA.com

The updated HP Pavilion x360 15t is a mixed bag; while there are definite improvements in the keyboard and processor, there are compromises in the display and battery life. The Pavilion makes for a good office device, as the Kaby Lake Core i5 is more than powerful enough to handle rudimentary work and multitasking. For media consumption, however, the lackluster screen is only passable and not pleasant for long video sessions. While the 2-in-1 capabilities of the device are nice, the notebook as a whole is simply too large and heavy to use as a tablet for extended periods. The convertibility feels tacked on and isn't very useful.

The biggest compromise is the slow storage. The 5400 RPM HDD is horribly outdated by today's standards and relegates an otherwise adequate notebook to mediocrity. Coupled with a shoddy trackpad, a dim and flat screen, and difficult maintenance, it's hard to recommend the Pavilion. Most of the advantages are purely aesthetic; the Pavilion suffers in areas that really matter. At this price point, the competition offers devices equipped with the same Kaby Lake processor but faster SSDs, and these laptops are much better for the same money spent. 

At $800 USD, the HP Pavilion x360 15t is a missed opportunity. The Kaby Lake upgrade is very welcome but is not enough of an improvement to justify purchase. Users should look elsewhere for a large 2-in-1 device, such as the Lenovo Yoga 710-14IKB.

HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV - 12/22/2016 v6(old)
Sam Medley

Chassis
82 / 98 → 83%
Keyboard
89%
Pointing Device
56%
Connectivity
41 / 81 → 51%
Weight
61 / 20-67 → 87%
Battery
88%
Display
70%
Games Performance
56 / 85 → 66%
Application Performance
72 / 92 → 78%
Temperature
87%
Noise
86 / 95 → 91%
Audio
80%
Average
72%
76%
Multimedia - Weighted Average

Pricecompare

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > HP Pavilion x360 15t X3W72AV Convertible Review
Sam Medley, 2016-12-26 (Update: 2020-06- 8)