Battery Life & Wrap Up

To proceed with the faster CPU, HP has slightly increased the battery capacity compared to last year'southward model, moving from 58 Wh to 60 Wh. Generally I haven't seen a decrease in efficiency with the faster eightth gen parts relative to 7th gen, and then using roughly the same battery capacity is a wise pick.

These results evidence the Spectre x360 once more falling behind the Dell XPS 13, which uses an identical sixty Wh bombardment, although the XPS does have the advantage of using a brandish without a power-sapping touchscreen. The XPS 13 is also a height performer when it comes to battery life and tin can exist hard to outperform.

Looking generation-to-generation the new Spectre x360 does outperform the quondam model slightly, which is expected for the minor battery capacity increase and like CPU efficiency. Like the old model, the new model nonetheless performs quite well in bombardment life tests.

Closing Thoughts

At this betoken in the review of final yr's Spectre x360 I was glowing with praise for the system. This year, with the upgrade to Intel viiithursday gen CPUs, I'm non quite as sold on the laptop, despite its clearly fantastic build quality.

A lot of that comes down to the performance. The new Spectre x360 does include up to a quad-cadre Intel Core i7-8550U, however Dell gets 25-30 per centum more than performance from the same CPU in their XPS thirteen, and that's a pretty big margin that has a real touch on on content creation and other productivity tasks.

This stems from the XPS thirteen using an upwardly-configured TDP that its better cooling solution tin can handle; the Spectre'due south cooler is weaker and suffers as a effect.

While the performance may not lucifer the similarly-sized XPS thirteen, the motion to eightth gen CPUs does provide a meaning performance heave over previous-generation laptops, which should exist the majority of people buying the Spectre x360. It besides includes a fast SSD and configuration options that are quite reasonably priced compared to its ultrabook competition.

The standout characteristic to the Spectre x360 is still its build quality and pattern, which manages to integrate a 360-caste hinge without compromising the laptop experience. The employ of metal all around gives it a premium touch, and the unibody structure is very solid. I like the inclusion of ii Thunderbolt 3 ports, though it could do with an SD carte slot.

If yous really want the outstanding build, fantastic keyboard, convertible swivel and other great laptop features, in that location's nothing incorrect with the Spectre x360. For the most function, it'due south a actually good piece of hardware that will serve a lot of users well. But I'k a sucker for performance and this laptop doesn't quite alive up to my expectations, despite how well it succeeds in other areas.

This leaves my terminal recommendation equally this: if design is most important to yous, and you especially want the 360-degree hinge functionality, become the Spectre x360. But if y'all value performance and volition generally use the Spectre every bit a laptop, it might be best to look at competing products.

Shopping Shortcuts:

  • HP Spectre x360 13 at HP.com
  • HP Spectre x360 13 at Amazon

Pros: Outstanding, highly attractive blueprint with a bonus 360-degree swivel. Excellent keyboard. Supports 2 forms of Windows How-do-you-do hallmark. Corking battery life.

Cons: Operation has improved, but weak cooler holds it back from the functioning levels achieved by its peers.