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HP Pavilion x360 (Core i3-8130U, 256 GB SSD) Convertible Review

Bad development. HP refreshes the Pavilion x360 convertible with an Intel Core i3 CPU for 700 Euros (~$797). The manufacturer wants to stir up the convertible market with this strategy. We see some potential, but there are some major drawbacks.

The Pavilion x360 is one of HP's familiar convertible-series and we already reviewed multiple devices in the past. The manufacturer now offers a new model with some design improvements.

The internal components are still the big changes. Our test model for 700 Euros (~$797) is equipped with an Intel Core i3-8130U processor, which is supposed to offer performance levels on par with a Skylake i5 chip. You also get a 256 GB SSD and 8 GB RAM. There is no discrete GPU, so all the graphics calculations are handled by the Intel UHD Graphics 620.

We want to find out whether the 14-inch convertible can keep up with the pricier competition and whether the development of the Pavilion x360-series takes the right turn.

For comparison, we use the Lenovo Yoga 520 and Asus VivoBook Flip 14, which retail for about 900 Euros (~$1025). They are equipped with an Intel Core i5-7200U, a 256 GB SSD, and 8 GB memory. The Acer Spin 3 is another rival, but Acer's system is already powered by a more modern Intel Core i5 CPU based on the Kaby Lake architecture.

HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng (Pavilion x360 Series)
Processor
Intel Core i3-8130U 2 x 2.2 - 3.4 GHz, Kaby Lake Refresh
Graphics adapter
Intel UHD Graphics 620, 23.20.16.4973
Memory
8 GB 
, Single-Channel, DDR4-2400
Display
14.00 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 157 PPI, capacitive multi-touch display, native pen support, Chi Mei CMN14D9, IPS, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel Kaby Lake-U iHDCP 2.2 Premium PCH
Storage
Toshiba KBG30ZMV256G, 256 GB 
, 211 GB free
Soundcard
Intel Kaby Lake-U/Y PCH - High Definition Audio
Connections
3 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 HDMI, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: combined stereo jack, Card Reader: SD, 1 Fingerprint Reader
Networking
RealTek Semiconductor, Device ID: C821 (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/), Bluetooth 4.2
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 20 x 324 x 224 ( = 0.79 x 12.76 x 8.82 in)
Battery
41 Wh Lithium-Ion
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: 720p
Additional features
Speakers: B&O Play stereo speakers, Keyboard: Chiclet, Keyboard Light: yes, 12 Months Warranty
Weight
1.636 kg ( = 57.71 oz / 3.61 pounds), Power Supply: 286 g ( = 10.09 oz / 0.63 pounds)
Price
570 Euro
Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.

 

Case - Elegant but with creaking sounds

The latest iteration of the Pavilion x360 is slim and looks good. The lid is dark-silver and is similar to the current MacBook lineup, but it is only plastic, even though it looks like aluminum. Only the base unit (except for the bottom cover) is made of metal. This metal/plastic combination is also used by the rivals, and the more expensive Acer Spin 3 is only made of plastic.

Besides the ports at the sides, the look of the keyboard unit also changed compared to the previous model. It is now lower in the base unit and the speaker grille at the top was replaced by a new pattern consisting of triangles.

At about 1.6 kg, the test model is comparable to the rivals, and you can use the tablet mode pretty comfortably for a short period of time.

Thanks to the low weight and the slim construction, the x360 is a perfect companion and can easily fit in bags or backpacks.

Both the design and the haptic impression are pretty sophisticated, but we can still hear slight creaking sounds from the hinges when we open the lid. The base unit also creaks when we try to twist it.

There are no special maintenance hatches, but you have to remove the whole bottom cover to access the components.

The HP Pavilion x360 is a versatile system…
The HP Pavilion x360 is a versatile system…
…thanks to the convertible design.
You can use it as a regular notebook…
…or as a tablet.
The manufacturer implements…
…a 360-degree hinge.
The noble design leaves a solid first impression.
However, only the…
…base unit is made of metal.
All other chassis components…
…are made of plastic.

The comparison devices hardly differ in terms of weight or size. We only notice that the new Pavilion x360 is almost 3 mm deeper compared to the previous model.

Size Comparison

334.95 mm / 13.2 inch 229.95 mm / 9.05 inch 20.8 mm / 0.819 inch 1.7 kg3.75 lbs334.8 mm / 13.2 inch 226.9 mm / 8.93 inch 19.9 mm / 0.783 inch 1.7 kg3.79 lbs328 mm / 12.9 inch 229 mm / 9.02 inch 19.9 mm / 0.783 inch 1.7 kg3.81 lbs327.4 mm / 12.9 inch 226.5 mm / 8.92 inch 19 mm / 0.748 inch 1.6 kg3.53 lbs324 mm / 12.8 inch 224 mm / 8.82 inch 20 mm / 0.787 inch 1.6 kg3.61 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs

Connectivity

The new Pavilion has a total of four USB 3.1 ports (1x USB Type-C), so there is one more than before. The fingerprint scanner at the right side of the notebook is also new.

HP changed the position of the power button, which is now located right next to the volume rocker. Both control elements are easy to reach and we like the port layout in general.

Left side: USB-A, combined stereo jack, power, security lock
Left side: USB-A, combined stereo jack, power, security lock
Right side: power, HDMI-out, USB-A, USB-C, SD-slot, volume rocker, fingerprint scanner
Right side: power, HDMI-out, USB-A, USB-C, SD-slot, volume rocker, fingerprint scanner

SD Card Reader

We always use our reference card from Toshiba (Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II) to test the performance of the integrated SD-card reader. Our test model almost manages 70 MB/s when we copy a folder with jpeg images (~5 MB each), which is very close to the ~80 MB/s of the Lenovo Yoga convertible. Both the Asus VivoBook Flip 14 and Acer Spin 3 fall behind with less than 25 MB/s.

SD Card Reader
average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs)
HP Pavilion x360 14-ba011ng
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
81 MB/s +19%
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
79.6 MB/s +17%
Average of class Convertible
  (17.7 - 177.7, n=36, last 2 years)
73.8 MB/s +8%
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
68.2 MB/s
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
24.5 MB/s -64%
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
20.6 MB/s -70%
maximum AS SSD Seq Read Test (1GB)
Average of class Convertible
  (22.6 - 263, n=34, last 2 years)
95.1 MB/s +14%
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
88.8 MB/s +7%
HP Pavilion x360 14-ba011ng
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
87.9 MB/s +6%
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
83.2 MB/s
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
26.6 MB/s -68%
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
24.8 MB/s -70%

Communication - Below average

The WLAN module from Realtek is much slower than the competition. The previous model of the x360 series still used the Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168 module, even though it was not faster, either.

The new HP Pavilion x360 is also 150-200 Mbps slower than the average for this segment.

The manufacturer also includes a 720p webcam, but the picture quality is – as expected – pretty bad. Pictures are very noisy, even in well-lit environments, and the colors are washed-out.

Picture taken with an iPhone X
Picture taken with an iPhone X
Picture taken with the webcam of the Pavilion x360
Picture taken with the webcam of the Pavilion x360
Networking
iperf3 transmit AX12
Average of class Convertible
  (1003 - 1395, n=2, last 2 years)
1199 MBit/s +269%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
665 MBit/s +105%
HP Pavilion x360 14-ba011ng
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168
349 MBit/s +7%
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165
335 MBit/s +3%
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
RealTek Semiconductor, Device ID: C821
325 (314min - 340max) MBit/s
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
Atheros/Qualcomm QCA6174
300 MBit/s -8%
iperf3 receive AX12
Average of class Convertible
  (1178 - 1578, n=2, last 2 years)
1378 MBit/s +408%
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
Atheros/Qualcomm QCA6174
596 MBit/s +120%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
526 MBit/s +94%
HP Pavilion x360 14-ba011ng
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168
310 MBit/s +14%
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165
290 MBit/s +7%
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
RealTek Semiconductor, Device ID: C821
271 (261min - 290max) MBit/s
020406080100120140160180200220240260280300320Tooltip
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng RealTek Semiconductor, Device ID: C821; iperf3 receive AX12; iperf 3.1.3: Ø271 (261-290)
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng RealTek Semiconductor, Device ID: C821; iperf3 transmit AX12; iperf 3.1.3: Ø325 (314-340)

Accessories

The box of the Pavilion x360 only includes the corresponding power adapter. The spec sheet only lists recommended accessories, but there are no dedicated accessories for the system. A stylus for the Pavilion-series is not available, either.

Maintenance

We already mentioned that there are no maintenance hatches.

To get access to the innards, you have to remove the whole bottom cover, which is secured by three visible screws at the front as well as the rubber support feet, which hide two additional screws. Several YouTube videos show that you still have to be careful when removing the cover. We recommend this process is only performed by experienced/trained users. We stopped the process to prevent any damage to our test model.

Warranty

The manufacturer only ships the convertible with a one-year warranty, but you can purchase an upgrade to three years for 60 Euros (~$68). Please see our Guarantees, Return policies and Warranties article for country-specific information.

Input Devices - Small improvement

Keyboard 

The position of the keyboard is now a bit lower, but the keyboard layout itself is identical to the previous Pavilion x360. However, we notice a small difference on the lettering, because the signs on the arrow keys and the regular keys are now bigger. The keyboard is also equipped with a single-level illumination to improve the visibility in darker environments. The lettering is now transparent, so the light can shine through it.

However, the keyboard does not leave a good quality impression. You can dent it easily and there are some creaking sounds when you type with some force. Fast typing also feels a bit spongy due to the smooth surface. We like the precise pressure point and the sufficiently long and soft key travel, though.

All in all, the keyboard is still okay for daily office and multimedia tasks, despite its shortcomings. But you should use an external keyboard if you are looking for a serious office device for work.

The Pavilion x360 is only equipped…
The Pavilion x360 is only equipped…
…with a single-level background illumination.
…with a single-level background illumination.

Touchpad

The touchpad leaves a better impression. Standard cursor movements and multi-touch gestures are executed correctly and smoothly. We can only criticize the small dimensions of the mouse replacement at 11 x 5.6 cm.

The touchpad is a bit small.
The touchpad is a bit small.

Display

Subpixel arrangement
Subpixel arrangement

HP updated and tweaked some aspects for the new Pavilion x360 but unfortunately forgot about the display. The only positive aspect is the IPS technology that the 1080p screen is based on. It uses PWM to regulate the brightness, but the frequency is comparatively high at 1439 Hz and should not be an issue. The average luminance does not even hit 200 nits, which is completely insufficient for a modern device. We only measure 165 nits in the lower right corner.

The rivals from Lenovo or Acer are not equipped with particularly bright panels, either, but both models still manage at least 220 nits. Asus' VivoBook Flip 14 offers a brighter panel with good brightness distribution.

198
cd/m²
196
cd/m²
208
cd/m²
203
cd/m²
225
cd/m²
194
cd/m²
167
cd/m²
199
cd/m²
162
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
Chi Mei CMN14D9 tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 225 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 194.7 cd/m² Minimum: 12 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 72 %
Center on Battery: 218 cd/m²
Contrast: 1607:1 (Black: 0.14 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 5.44 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 3.98 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
62% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
39% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
42.74% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
61.8% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
41.32% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.32
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
Chi Mei CMN14D9, , 1920x1080, 14.00
HP Pavilion x360 14-ba011ng
Chi Mei, , 1920x1080, 14.00
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
BOE NV140FHM-N49, , 1920x1080, 14.00
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
Chi Mei N140HCE-EN1, , 1920x1080, 14.00
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
BOE CQ NV140FHM-N41, , 1920x1080, 14.00
Display
1%
-4%
59%
-4%
Display P3 Coverage
41.32
41.82
1%
39.76
-4%
66.7
61%
39.68
-4%
sRGB Coverage
61.8
61.6
0%
59.3
-4%
96.6
56%
58.9
-5%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
42.74
43.33
1%
41.08
-4%
68.9
61%
41
-4%
Response Times
320%
-35%
314%
-25%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
44 ?(24, 20)
41 ?(23, 18)
7%
47 ?(24, 23)
-7%
34 ?(19, 15)
23%
43 ?(21, 22)
2%
Response Time Black / White *
30 ?(17, 13)
22 ?(14, 10)
27%
34 ?(20, 14)
-13%
29 ?(18, 11)
3%
35 ?(21, 14)
-17%
PWM Frequency
2439 ?(30)
25000 ?(50)
925%
347 ?(90)
-86%
24750 ?(80)
915%
1000
-59%
Screen
-12%
8%
29%
10%
Brightness middle
225
252
12%
255
13%
327
45%
220
-2%
Brightness
195
237
22%
247
27%
308
58%
221
13%
Brightness Distribution
72
90
25%
83
15%
90
25%
78
8%
Black Level *
0.14
0.21
-50%
0.21
-50%
0.23
-64%
0.18
-29%
Contrast
1607
1200
-25%
1214
-24%
1422
-12%
1222
-24%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
5.44
7.29
-34%
4.5
17%
2.63
52%
3.98
27%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
20.38
17.55
14%
7.21
65%
6.58
68%
7.69
62%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
3.98
7.48
-88%
2.96
26%
4.11
-3%
1.68
58%
Gamma
2.32 95%
2.45 90%
2.3 96%
2.45 90%
2.37 93%
CCT
6163 105%
6953 93%
6965 93%
7352 88%
6382 102%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
39
40
3%
38
-3%
63
62%
38
-3%
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)
62
61
-2%
59
-5%
97
56%
58
-6%
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated *
4
Total Average (Program / Settings)
103% / 52%
-10% / -2%
134% / 88%
-6% / 1%

* ... smaller is better

The deviations of the grayscale and the colors are low thanks to the IPS technology. There is no visible blue cast, either, but the panel is not suited for professional graphics work due to the limited color gamut. We only measure 62% sRGB and 39% AdobeRGB, respectively.

vs. AdobeRGB
vs. AdobeRGB
vs. sRGB
vs. sRGB
CalMAN ColorChecker
CalMAN ColorChecker
CalMAN Grayscale
CalMAN Grayscale
CalMAN Saturation Sweeps
CalMAN Saturation Sweeps

The outdoor performance of our test unit is really bad and the display cannot even compensate for normal ambient light. Darker environments are better, but the visibility still suffers from reflections.

Glossy and dark display
Glossy and dark display
Outdoors in December 2018 at 2:30 pm
Outdoors in December 2018 at 2:30 pm

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
30 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 17 ms rise
↘ 13 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 77 % 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
44 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 24 ms rise
↘ 20 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. » 69 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than 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 2439 Hz ≤ 30 % brightness setting

The display backlight flickers at 2439 Hz (worst case, e.g., utilizing PWM) Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 30 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting.

The frequency of 2439 Hz is quite high, so most users sensitive to PWM should not notice any flickering.

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.

It is no problem to find a comfortable viewing position thanks to the IPS panel and the 360-degree hinge. This is necessary, though, because direct and indirect light sources quickly affect the visibility.

Viewing-angle stability of the IPS panel
Viewing-angle stability of the IPS panel

Performance

Our test model of the HP Pavilion x360 is equipped with an Intel dual-core processor, 8 GB single-channel RAM as well as a fast 256 GB SSD. This combination should be powerful enough for common office and multimedia tasks. Our test model retails for about 700 Euros (~$797).

There are two additional SKUs if you need more performance. Both of them are shipped with a 128 GB SSD in combination with a 1 TB hard drive, a discrete Nvidia MX130 GPU, and a quad-core CPU. The Intel Core i5 SKU is available for 850 Euros (~$968), while the i7 SKU retails for 1000 Euros (~$1139).

Processor - The i3 is (usually) fast enough

CPU frequency Cinebench R15
CPU frequency Cinebench R15

The heart of HP's new convertible is an Intel Core i3-8310U processor with a base frequency of 2.2 GHz (3.4 GHz Boost). It has two native CPU cores and provides sufficient performance for everyday office tasks, and there is even some headroom for more-demanding applications.

The CPU cannot maintain its full Boost clock in Cinebench R15 but levels off at a steady frequency of 2.8 GHz and therefore above the base clock. 

Our Cinebench R15 Multi loop shows that the score hardly fluctuates at all. There is only a minor drop after the first run before it levels off at ~320 points.

All in all, the performance of the new HP Pavilion x360 is basically identical to the rivals and the previous model. Only the Acer Spin 3 manages up to 523 points thanks to its quad-core processor.

There is no performance penalty if you use the laptop on battery power, and Cinebench confirms the results on mains.

More comparisons and benchmark results are listed in our benchmark table for modern notebook processors.

020406080100120140160180200220240260280300320Tooltip
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng Intel Core i3-8130U, Intel Core i3-8130U: Ø318 (296.31-322.82)
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE Intel Core i5-7200U, Intel Core i5-7200U: Ø249 (247.44-262.24)
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T Intel Core i5-7200U, Intel Core i5-7200U: Ø329 (327.78-330.68)
Cinebench R15
CPU Single 64Bit
Average of class Convertible
  (68.6 - 287, n=64, last 2 years)
229 Points +65%
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
Intel Core i5-8250U
144 Points +4%
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
Intel Core i3-8130U
139 Points
Average Intel Core i3-8130U
  (138 - 140, n=3)
139 Points 0%
HP Pavilion x360 14-ba011ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
127 Points -9%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
Intel Core i5-7200U
127 Points -9%
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
Intel Core i5-7200U
124 Points -11%
CPU Multi 64Bit
Average of class Convertible
  (110.1 - 2889, n=66, last 2 years)
1554 Points +386%
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
Intel Core i5-8250U
523 Points +63%
HP Pavilion x360 14-ba011ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
335 Points +5%
Average Intel Core i3-8130U
  (320 - 342, n=3)
333 Points +4%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
Intel Core i5-7200U
330 Points +3%
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
Intel Core i3-8130U
320 Points
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
Intel Core i5-7200U
289 Points -10%
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
139 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
320 Points
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64Bit
37.02 fps
Cinebench R15 Ref. Match 64Bit
97.8 %
Help

System Performance

The combination of fast SSD storage and the Intel Core i3 CPU works well. The Pavilion x360 was always responsive and smooth during our review period. This is supported by the PCMark 8 result, which is okay at 3200 points. Still, the comparison devices as well as the previous model with the Intel Core i5 perform slightly better.

PCMark 8 Work
PCMark 8 Work
PCMark 8 Home
PCMark 8 Home
PCMark 8
Home Score Accelerated v2
Average of class Convertible
  (4404 - 5830, n=3, last 2 years)
4890 Points +53%
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8250U, Micron 1100 MTFDDAV256TBN
3650 Points +14%
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, Intel SSD 600p SSDPEKKW256G7
3455 Points +8%
HP Pavilion x360 14-ba011ng
GeForce 940MX, i5-7200U, Samsung CM871a MZNTY128HDHP
3435 Points +7%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, SK Hynix HFS256G39TND-N210A
3387 Points +6%
Average Intel Core i3-8130U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (3198 - 3483, n=3)
3328 Points +4%
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
UHD Graphics 620, i3-8130U, Toshiba KBG30ZMV256G
3198 Points
Work Score Accelerated v2
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8250U, Micron 1100 MTFDDAV256TBN
4596 Points +4%
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, Intel SSD 600p SSDPEKKW256G7
4556 Points +3%
Average Intel Core i3-8130U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (4412 - 4597, n=3)
4514 Points +2%
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
UHD Graphics 620, i3-8130U, Toshiba KBG30ZMV256G
4412 Points
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, SK Hynix HFS256G39TND-N210A
4345 Points -2%
Average of class Convertible
  (2921 - 6089, n=3, last 2 years)
4045 Points -8%
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
3198 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2
4412 points
PCMark 10 Score
3153 points
Help

Storage Devices

We already mentioned that the SKUs of the Pavilion x360 use different storage solutions. Our test model is equipped with a 256 GB M.2-SSD from Toshiba. The transfer rates vary between 700 MB/s (sequential write) up to 1200 MB/s (sequential read) thanks to the PCIe interface. None of the listed competitors can keep up with the performance, despite their higher price.

HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
Toshiba KBG30ZMV256G
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
Intel SSD 600p SSDPEKKW256G7
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
Micron 1100 MTFDDAV256TBN
Average Toshiba KBG30ZMV256G
 
AS SSD
13%
-23%
-7%
Seq Read
1225
1367
12%
491.1
-60%
1283 ?(1135 - 1386, n=9)
5%
Seq Write
764
561
-27%
406.9
-47%
676 ?(501 - 768, n=9)
-12%
4K Read
41.45
33.13
-20%
25.41
-39%
42.7 ?(37.7 - 48.6, n=9)
3%
4K Write
90.5
110.2
22%
77.9
-14%
87.7 ?(4.18 - 127.7, n=9)
-3%
4K-64 Read
584
279.3
-52%
236.1
-60%
575 ?(210 - 644, n=9)
-2%
4K-64 Write
224.9
495.4
120%
273.6
22%
270 ?(4.83 - 461, n=9)
20%
Access Time Read *
0.138
0.092
33%
0.091
34%
0.2746 ?(0.085 - 0.92, n=9)
-99%
Access Time Write *
0.229
0.033
86%
0.056
76%
0.3361 ?(0.157 - 1.049, n=9)
-47%
Score Read
748
449
-40%
311
-58%
746 ?(388 - 827, n=9)
0%
Score Write
392
662
69%
392
0%
426 ?(63 - 649, n=9)
9%
Score Total
1511
1312
-13%
867
-43%
1536 ?(623 - 1822, n=9)
2%
Copy ISO MB/s
574
579
1%
329.8
-43%
761 ?(448 - 1065, n=7)
33%
Copy Program MB/s
263.4
227.4
-14%
158.8
-40%
243 ?(106.9 - 368, n=7)
-8%
Copy Game MB/s
424.9
425.7
0%
231.9
-45%
457 ?(314 - 727, n=7)
8%

* ... smaller is better

Toshiba KBG30ZMV256G
Sequential Read: 817 MB/s
Sequential Write: 706 MB/s
512K Read: 714 MB/s
512K Write: 603 MB/s
4K Read: 43.71 MB/s
4K Write: 93 MB/s
4K QD32 Read: 266.5 MB/s
4K QD32 Write: 163.5 MB/s

GPU Performance

3DMark Benchmark Monitoring
3DMark Benchmark Monitoring

We already listed the three different SKUs of the HP Pavilion x360. Two of them are equipped with the GeForce MX130 GPU, but our model only gets the iGPU of the processor. It has the designation Intel UHD Graphics 620, which is basically the old Intel HD Graphics 620 with slightly increased clocks. It is primarily designed for office and multimedia tasks, but the gaming performance is affected by the missing dual-channel memory configuration. Only older titles are playable at the lowest settings.

The iGPU is 15-17% slower than the average result for the UHD Graphics 620 in our database, which is caused by the single-channel RAM with reduced memory bandwidth. The rivals are on a similar performance level; only the Acer Spin 3 is about 15% faster, despite the single-channel RAM. We recommend checking out the Pavilion x360 with the dedicated Nvidia GeForce MX130 GPU if you need more 3D performance.

The GPU performance is not reduced on battery power. More benchmarks and details on more notebook GPUs are available in our tech section.

3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance GPU
Average of class Convertible
  (471 - 40768, n=64, last 2 years)
7541 Points +420%
HP Pavilion x360 14-ba011ng
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX, Intel Core i5-7200U
2543 Points +75%
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (1144 - 3432, n=244)
1749 Points +21%
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-8250U
1634 Points +13%
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i3-8130U
1451 Points
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
Intel HD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-7200U
1425 Points -2%
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
Intel HD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-7200U
1408 Points -3%
Acer Aspire 3 A315-51-30YA
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i3-8130U
1366 Points -6%
3DMark
1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Graphics
Average of class Convertible
  (2965 - 154219, n=50, last 2 years)
31444 Points +327%
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (6205 - 16400, n=225)
9262 Points +26%
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-8250U
9128 Points +24%
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i3-8130U
7357 Points
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
Intel HD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-7200U
6942 Points -6%
Acer Aspire 3 A315-51-30YA
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i3-8130U
6911 Points -6%
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
Intel HD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-7200U
6595 Points -10%
1920x1080 Fire Strike Graphics
Average of class Convertible
  (365 - 29684, n=64, last 2 years)
5690 Points
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (557 - 2608, n=213)
1161 Points
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-8250U
1117 Points
Acer Aspire 3 A315-51-30YA
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i3-8130U
819 Points
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
Intel HD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-7200U
800 Points
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
Intel HD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-7200U
771 Points
3DMark 11 Performance
1568 points
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score
6007 points
Help

Gaming Performance

The utilization of the iGPU in combination with a single-channel memory configuration reduces the gaming capabilities of the convertible dramatically. You are limited to older titles at low details and resolutions.

The game BioShock Infinite from 2013 is one example where we only get ~40 FPS at the lowest preset. The GeForce MX130 GPU, which is also available for the Pavilion x360, managed 130 FPS on average and about 60 FPS with high settings.

More gaming benchmarks with the Intel UHD Graphics 620 are listed here.

BioShock Infinite
1280x720 Very Low Preset
Asus VivoBook 15 X542UF-DM143T
Intel Core i5-8250U, NVIDIA GeForce MX130
120.5 fps +163%
Lenovo Flex 6-14IKB
Intel Core i5-8250U, NVIDIA GeForce MX130
115 fps +151%
HP Pavilion x360 14-ba011ng
Intel Core i5-7200U, NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
91.8 fps +100%
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
Intel Core i5-8250U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
62.3 fps +36%
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (18.3 - 90.2, n=187)
60.7 fps +32%
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
Intel Core i3-8130U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
45.9 fps
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
Intel Core i5-7200U, Intel HD Graphics 620
41.4 fps -10%
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
Intel Core i5-7200U, Intel HD Graphics 620
38.97 fps -15%
1366x768 High Preset
Asus VivoBook 15 X542UF-DM143T
Intel Core i5-8250U, NVIDIA GeForce MX130
60.6 fps +197%
Lenovo Flex 6-14IKB
Intel Core i5-8250U, NVIDIA GeForce MX130
48 fps +135%
HP Pavilion x360 14-ba011ng
Intel Core i5-7200U, NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
42.2 fps +107%
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (8.1 - 35.9, n=187)
27.5 fps +35%
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
Intel Core i5-8250U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
26.8 fps +31%
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
Intel Core i3-8130U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
20.41 fps
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
Intel Core i5-7200U, Intel HD Graphics 620
19.6 fps -4%
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
Intel Core i5-7200U, Intel HD Graphics 620
19.02 fps -7%
low med. high ultra
BioShock Infinite (2013) 45.9 23.44 20.41 6.94
The Witcher 3 (2015) 12.7 8 4.2 2.97
Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016) 16.9 10 5.4 3.8

Emissions

System Noise

Fan noise
Fan noise

The Lenovo Yoga 520 turned out to be a quiet companion during our review and only started to get louder under load. HP's convertible, however, shows issues similar to the Acer Spin 3. The boot process of the test model is already very audible, and we can also notice a somewhat worrying murmur of the fan. The fan is also quite sensitive to RPM changes when you launch apps. The maximum fan noise is okay at 36.6 dB(A), but the fan control still leaves an obtrusive and negative impression due to the pulsating behavior.

Noise Level

Idle
31 / 31 / 31 dB(A)
Load
36.5 / 36.6 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: 30.2 dB(A)
dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2038.941.639.437.238.92536.238.436.63636.2313133.532.431.231403232.330.728.5325034.632.43032.234.66337.429.729.228.737.48030.427.728.128.630.410027.828.527.527.527.812528.829.526.725.128.816025.826.625.725.525.820027.525.525.223.627.52502525.623.823253152523.722.322.1254002323.821.9212350023.123.521.220.223.163023.523.2202023.58002424.219.318.724100025.425.719.217.925.4125025.825.618.71825.8160025.325.318.717.325.3200026.12618.217.326.1250027.327.218.217.327.331502525.317.817.225400024.825.317.81724.8500020.921.517.91720.9630019.319.417.717.119.3800018.318.417.617.118.31000017.91817.617.317.91250017.717.917.617.317.71600018.318.317.917.518.3SPL36.536.63130.236.5N2.42.41.41.22.4median 25median 25.3median 18.7median 17.9median 25Delta2.82.72.21.92.831.832.23134.531.833.83228.933.233.831.429.835.33831.427.83029.232.527.835.334.734.233.535.327.929.129.63027.92728.826.626.927262625.226.42625.225.1242625.224.124.52424.124.123.423.422.522.923.423.423.521.622.523.423.62421.420.923.622.222.619.920.222.222.622.819.919.722.62222.318.819222223.118.818.22227.329.218.317.927.326.728.317.717.826.723.625.317.617.423.624.326.217.717.524.325.527.417.617.525.522.628.217.717.722.62022.217.917.82019.220.118.117.919.218.519.217.91818.518.418.618.21818.418.318.318.318.118.318.218.218.21818.218.418.418.118.118.435.337.330.430.335.32.22.51.41.42.2median 22.6median 23.4median 18.3median 18.1median 22.62.831.31.22.834.533.832.933.834.53330.932.833.53336.735.734.33636.731.429.930.829.931.430.733.333.232.430.728.327.627.22928.327.929.326.826.727.929.426.526.72629.425.226.925.425.325.223.82423.622.723.823.824.1222223.82523.221.821.42527.82720.820.527.832.823.720.119.832.824.722.719.119.224.724.923.318.71824.926.725.718.417.826.740.131.617.517.440.137.232.617.517.137.229.625.517.917.129.6292617.417.42930.427.117.517.230.430.626.217.717.430.627.122.617.917.727.123.820.518.117.923.822.82018.117.822.821.219.118.218.121.220.518.918.418.120.519.218.518.218.119.219.118.518.418.219.14438.530.3304442.81.41.34median 25.2median 24median 18.4median 18.1median 25.23.42.91.31.63.4hearing rangehide median Fan NoiseHP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ngLenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GEAcer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L

Temperature

We cannot measure uncomfortable surface temperatures, neither while idling, nor under load. Most of the surfaces hardly surpass 30 °C under load. The hot spot at the bottom on the other hand can reach almost 42 °C. There is no noticeable temperature increase during everyday tasks, either.

Stress test
Stress test

We also want to check how the hardware performs in an extreme load scenario. We use the synthetic tools Prime95 and FurMark, and the CPU starts to drop below its base frequency (throttling) after a short while. The average clock after our one-hour stress test is ~1.2 GHz (base frequency 2.2 GHz).

Such an extreme scenario is very rare in practice (even during gaming), so the throttling is not a big deal. The general performance is not affected, because a 3DMark 11 run immediately after the stress test determines a similar score.

Max. Load
 32.7 °C
91 F
30.7 °C
87 F
30 °C
86 F
 
 33.7 °C
93 F
31.2 °C
88 F
29.6 °C
85 F
 
 29.1 °C
84 F
27 °C
81 F
27.6 °C
82 F
 
Maximum: 33.7 °C = 93 F
Average: 30.2 °C = 86 F
30.5 °C
87 F
32.2 °C
90 F
26.9 °C
80 F
31.1 °C
88 F
41.6 °C
107 F
33.5 °C
92 F
26.7 °C
80 F
26.7 °C
80 F
31.1 °C
88 F
Maximum: 41.6 °C = 107 F
Average: 31.1 °C = 88 F
Power Supply (max.)  41.9 °C = 107 F | Room Temperature 23.9 °C = 75 F | FIRT 550-Pocket
(+) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 30.2 °C / 86 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 33.7 °C / 93 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 41.6 °C / 107 F, compared to the average of 36.7 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 25.2 °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 29.1 °C / 84.4 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 (-1 °C / -1.8 F).
Idle keyboard deck
Idle keyboard deck
Idle bottom
Idle bottom
Load keyboard deck
Load keyboard deck
Load bottom
Load bottom

Speakers

Pink Noise measurement
Pink Noise measurement

The chassis of the HP Pavilion x360 has a Bang & Olufsen logo, but the sound is rather tinny. The volume is sufficient for a slim convertible, but bass is missing. The speakers also sound a bit distorted when you crank the volume up.

We recommend the combined stereo jack for a better sound experience. The integrated consumer sound card can produce a much richer sound when you attach external speakers or headphones.

The integrated microphone records noise-free voices, but there is no voice recognition, so ambient sounds are not filtered.

dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2040.637.240.62537.23637.2313531.2354037.828.537.85037.632.237.66339.228.739.28039.128.639.110041.727.541.712542.825.142.816044.125.544.120046.923.646.925051.12351.131558.322.158.340060.12160.150058.620.258.663059.92059.980060.218.760.210006717.967125066.81866.8160068.317.368.3200067.217.367.2250066.817.366.8315067.217.267.2400070.61770.6500069.41769.4630066.417.166.4800060.717.160.71000063.617.363.61250060.117.360.11600055.217.555.2SPL78.830.278.8N41.51.241.5median 60.2median 17.9median 60.2Delta71.9735.335.132.931.831.83236.535.132.428.93328.936.328.848.32761.52752.924.860.92462.822.763.32269.521.267.82174.82075.919.472.718.97117.770.117.86917.671.817.668.117.671.417.673.717.670.417.571.617.671.617.669.617.459.717.583.630.662.51.5median 69.6median 17.84.72.4hearing rangehide median Pink NoiseHP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ngApple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz
Frequency diagram (checkboxes can be checked and unchecked to compare devices)
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng audio analysis

(-) | not very loud speakers (70.6 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 12.7% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (7.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 3.8% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (4.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(±) | higher highs - on average 6.2% higher than median
(+) | highs are linear (5.7% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (18.2% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 33% of all tested devices in this class were better, 8% similar, 59% worse
» The best had a delta of 6%, average was 21%, worst was 57%
Compared to all devices tested
» 33% of all tested devices were better, 8% similar, 59% 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%

Energy Management

Power Consumption

HP only uses efficient components for its new convertible, which is reflected by our power measurements. The idle consumption is 4-7 W and we record a maximum consumption of 40 W. However, this value decreases as soon as the throttling sets in and levels off at ~30 W. The comparison devices are very similar in this regard.

The provided power adapter (9.2 x 3.9 x 2.5) is compact and powerful enough at a rated output of 45 W.

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.2 / 0.6 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 3.9 / 5.9 / 7.1 Watt
Load midlight 29.4 / 39 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 14-cd0002ng
i3-8130U, UHD Graphics 620, Toshiba KBG30ZMV256G, IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620, SK Hynix HFS256G39TND-N210A, IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
i5-8250U, UHD Graphics 620, Micron 1100 MTFDDAV256TBN, IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
 
Average of class Convertible
 
Power Consumption
-11%
17%
-16%
-50%
Idle Minimum *
3.9
3.9
-0%
2.9
26%
3.81 ?(1 - 12.4, n=259)
2%
5.48 ?(1.6 - 16.6, n=60, last 2 years)
-41%
Idle Average *
5.9
7
-19%
5.2
12%
6.94 ?(2.8 - 15.7, n=261)
-18%
8.27 ?(3.8 - 20.7, n=60, last 2 years)
-40%
Idle Maximum *
7.1
9.3
-31%
5.4
24%
8.75 ?(3.8 - 30, n=259)
-23%
10.5 ?(4.7 - 29.9, n=60, last 2 years)
-48%
Load Average *
29.4
35
-19%
29.4
-0%
35 ?(8.1 - 51.6, n=259)
-19%
46 ?(7.6 - 101.3, n=60, last 2 years)
-56%
Load Maximum *
39
33
15%
29.6
24%
47.5 ?(22 - 96.3, n=261)
-22%
65 ?(10.5 - 155.7, n=60, last 2 years)
-67%

* ... smaller is better

Battery Runtime

The battery capacity is 41 Wh (three-cell) according to the manufacturer and the spec sheet advertises a quick-charge to 50% within 45 minutes. The claimed battery runtime is 10.5 hours. We will check the runtime in four different scenarios.

We start with the maximum battery runtime with the lowest brightness setting for the display and a reading script (wireless modules off). The result is 13 hours for the 14-inch convertible, which is average in this segment.

Our WLAN test is much more realistic and simulates everyday web-browsing at an adjusted luminance of 150 nits. The test model runs for 7.5 hours, which is once again an average result within the comparison group. Lenovo's Yoga 520 is a bit more enduring at almost 8.5 hours.

The next test is video playback, again at an adjusted luminance of 150 nits. The convertible shuts down after 5.5 hours, which is sufficient even for long movies.

The last test is the minimum runtime you can expect. The result is obviously shorter when you stress the components, and we determine a minimum runtime of two hours. The Yoga comparison device lasts one hour longer.

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
12h 44min
WiFi Websurfing
7h 26min
Big Buck Bunny H.264 1080p
5h 24min
Load (maximum brightness)
2h 05min
HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng
i3-8130U, UHD Graphics 620, 41 Wh
HP Pavilion x360 14-ba011ng
i5-7200U, GeForce 940MX, 41.5 Wh
Lenovo Yoga 520-14IKB 80X80097GE
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620, 53 Wh
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP410UA-EC242T
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620, 42 Wh
Acer Spin 3 SP314-51-548L
i5-8250U, UHD Graphics 620, 52.5 Wh
Average of class Convertible
 
Battery Runtime
-16%
39%
-9%
11%
49%
Reader / Idle
764
887
16%
1138 ?(680 - 1667, n=25, last 2 years)
49%
H.264
324
602
86%
731 ?(542 - 999, n=15, last 2 years)
126%
WiFi v1.3
446
373
-16%
500
12%
407
-9%
496
11%
557 ?(329 - 876, n=63, last 2 years)
25%
Load
125
175
40%
121.2 ?(53 - 219, n=46, last 2 years)
-3%

Verdict

Pros

+ noble design with metal base unit
+ empty SATA-III slot
+ USB Type-C
+ IPS panel
+ fast SSD
+ low temperatures
+ long battery runtime

Cons

- no pen input
- creaking case
- hard to maintain/service
- single-channel RAM
- dark screen
- buzzing and rustling fan
- pulsating fan
In review: HP Pavilion x360. Test model courtesy of Notebooksbilliger.
In review: HP Pavilion x360. Test model courtesy of Notebooksbilliger.

A notebook or a tablet? This is the principle behind a convertible. The new HP Pavilion x360 wants to combine both devices. Our test model for 700 Euros (~$797) is powerful enough for most common tasks, but performance and a nice design is not everything.

The case consists of a plastic/metal combination, which appears noble and looks good. The decent impression is unfortunately affected by creaking sounds during use.

The input devices leave mixed impressions as well. The keyboard is okay for occasional office tasks and is illuminated, but the quality is not very good. The touchpad is better and executed our inputs quickly as well as accurately, but we would like to see bigger dimensions for the next iteration. You can obviously use the 14-inch touchscreen for inputs as well, which is a reliable input method. It is unfortunate that HP does not ship the Pavilion-series with a stylus.

Then there is the display, which is glossy and just way too dark for a modern device.

The performance on the other hand is pretty convincing; both the Intel Core i3 CPU and the storage solution ensure a responsive and fast system performance. A dual-channel memory configuration would have improved the performance even further.

The last major drawback is the fan, which is very sensitive to RPM changes, so you can hear it pretty much every time you do something.

There is a visible development, but we miss real milestones and improvements from HP.

The HP Pavilion x360 is a good and inexpensive entry-level device if you want an enduring convertible and primarily work indoors. We still recommend checking out the comparison devices and our Top 10 Convertible ranking if you have some financial headroom.

HP Pavilion x360 14-cd0002ng - 01/03/2019 v6(old)
Nino Richizzi

Chassis
76 / 98 → 78%
Keyboard
80%
Pointing Device
87%
Connectivity
48 / 80 → 60%
Weight
67 / 35-78 → 75%
Battery
86%
Display
78%
Games Performance
54 / 68 → 80%
Application Performance
85 / 87 → 97%
Temperature
92%
Noise
70%
Audio
56 / 91 → 62%
Camera
40 / 85 → 48%
Average
71%
80%
Convertible - Weighted Average

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > HP Pavilion x360 (Core i3-8130U, 256 GB SSD) Convertible Review
Nino Richizzi, 2019-01- 5 (Update: 2019-02-23)