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HP Spectre x360 Convertible PC Maintenance and Service Guide IMPORTANT! This document is intended for. One NGFF Slot for SSD (2280) Ports AC adapter HP Smart plug Headphone output and microphone input combo jack (stereo). Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM) support Intel AT-p Ready support.
Buyer's guideWe test and review many laptops every year here at Windows Central, including HP's EliteBook x360 1030 G3 and Spectre x360 13. If you need a push in either direction, we can offer some valuable insight into the differences and similarities between the two.Premium convertible
HP Spectre x360 13
High-end business laptop
HP EliteBook x360 1030 G3
The 13-inch Spectre x360 is a fantastic laptop with a premium design and build quality, more accessible price, and less specialized business features. It won't quite do all the same things as the EliteBook x360, but for most people, that's just fine.
Pros
- Lower starting price than EliteBook x360
- Beautiful gem-cut chassis design
- FHD or 4K touch display available
- IR camera and fingerprint reader
- LTE connectivity available
Cons
- Uses Synaptics touchpad drivers
- Not as many security features available
The HP EliteBook x360 1030 G3 is a high-end convertible laptop with a strong focus on business. It's loaded with security features, there are plenty of configuration options, and it has strong battery life. It does, however, cost a lot more than the Spectre x360, narrowing its audience down to people who definitely need the extra features.
Pros
- Robust security features
- Compatible with active pen
- LTE connectivity available
- Premium aluminum construction
- All-day battery life
Yes, you can divide these two similarly-sized laptops into business and non-business, but the differences run deeper than classification. Let's take a close look at what really sets the two devices apart to help you decide which you should buy.
HP EliteBook x360 1030 vs. HP Spectre x360 13 tech specs
EliteBook x360 1030 G3 | HP Spectre x360 13 | |
---|---|---|
Processor | 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U Intel Core i5-8350U (vPro) Intel Core i7-8550U Intel Core i7-8560U (vPro) | 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U Intel Core i7-8565U |
RAM | 8GB, 16GB DDR3 | 8GB, 16GB DDR4 |
Storage | 128GB, 256GB SATA M.2 SSD 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB PCIe M.2 SSD | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB PCIe M.2 SSD |
Display size | 13.3 inches Touch | 13.3 inches Touch |
Display resolution | 1920x1080 (FHD) 3840 x 2160 (4K) | 1920x1080 (FHD) 3840x2160 (4K) |
Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
Ports | Two Thunderbolt 3 USB-A 3.1 HDMI 1.4 3.5mm audio | Two Thunderbolt 3 USB-A 3.1 3.5mm audio |
Webcam | 1080p front-facing | 1080p front-facing |
Touchpad | Precision | Synaptics |
Biometrics | IR camera Fingerprint reader | IR camera Fingerprint reader |
LTE | Qualcomm Snapdragon X12 Intel XMM 7360 | Intel XMM 7560 |
Battery | 56Wh | 61Wh |
Dimensions | 12.04 inches x 8.07 inches x 0.62 inches (305.81mm x 204.97mm x 15.74mm) | 12.16 inches x 8.58 inches x 0.57 inches (308.86mm x 217.93mm x 14.47mm) |
Weight | From 2.76 pounds (1.25kg) | From 2.92 pounds (1.32kg) |
Two premium laptops stacked with features
These two convertible laptops feature 13.3-inch touchscreens in a similarly-sized chassis. The EliteBook x360 1030 has a slightly smaller footprint than the Spectre x360, but it's also slightly thicker at 0.62 inches compared to 0.57 inches. In either case, you're getting a laptop that can be easily toted with you.
The EliteBook x360's silver aluminum chassis has undergone MIL-STD-810G testing because of its primary use in the business sector, giving it some extra durability if you're hard on your laptop. It has two hinges just like the Spectre x360 that allow for the display to be rotated around for tent, stand, and tablet modes. The top of the lid has an antenna line and a microphone that points away from the laptop in order to help with noise-canceling, ideal if you're stuck in a noisy cafe when a conference call is set to be held.
For ports, both laptops offer up dual Thunderbolt 3 and a single USB-A 3.1, but only the EliteBook x360 holds onto an HDMI 1.4 port for easier video out. Due to the unique gem-cut design of the Spectre x360, one of the Thunderbolt 3 ports is placed diagonally, keeping any cable — likely belonging an external mouse — plugged in out of the way. On the other angled edge, HP has placed the Spectre x360's power button, a welcome change that prevents it from being accidentally pressed when the laptop is in tablet mode. As for the EliteBook x360, ports and power button remain on the flat edge. Both laptops have optional LTE-connectivity options so that you can stay connected just about anywhere, and there's a physical spot for a SIM card to go along with it.
When it comes to typing, either laptop delivers a comfortable all-day experience. You get multiple levels of backlight, plenty of key travel, and decent spacing between keys. The touchpad on both laptops is large with plenty of room for gestures, but know that they're not using the same drivers. Those partial to Microsoft's Precision touchpad drivers will be happy with what the EliteBook x360 offers, while those with a Spectre x360 will be stuck with Synaptics drivers that don't offer the same quality experience.
For a business laptop, the EliteBook x360 has surprisingly good sound. It has a speaker on either side of the keyboard for unmuffled audio while using it as a notebook, but there are also two speakers on the bottom of the chassis to boost audio when using it in converted modes. The Spectre x360 also has a four-speaker setup, though its primary speakers are located above the keyboard with two more on the bottom.
Finally, for the most client security features beyond an IR camera and fingerprint reader, you'll want to check out the EliteBook x360 1030. It comes with available vPro Intel processors (CPU), the displays have optional Sure View privacy screens, there's a TPM 2.0 chip, and it's loaded with security management features like HP DriveLock, SureStart, Sure Run, password manager, and more. If you're going to be dealing with sensitive data, this is the laptop for you.
The Spectre x360 has some security features as well, like an IR camera to go along with the 1080p webcam and a fingerprint reader set into the right palmrest. There's likewise a physical switch on the side of the laptop that cuts power to the webcam, essentially disabling it completely without having to place a shutter in the slim bezel above the display.
Displays, active pens, and privacy screens
There are a number of displays available for both the EliteBook x360 and Spectre x360, with some extra options available for the former laptop due to its business nature. The 13.3-inch Spectre x360 display comes in glossy (no matte option) 1920x1080 (FHD) or 3840x2160 (4K) resolutions, and you can choose to add an integrated privacy screen to the FHD model to keep onlookers from seeing over your shoulder. You get near-perfect sRGB color reproduction and plenty of brightness, especially with those using HP's BrightView technology.
The EliteBook x360, on top of standard glossy FHD and 4K touch options, has available matte finishes for the FHD models with and without HP Sure View privacy filters. Like the Spectre x360, displays with BrightView tech go way beyond what most need unless working in direct sunlight. Also like the Spectre x360, you're getting slim bezel along the sides and thicker bezel along the bottom and top, where the IR camera and FHD webcam are housed.
Both laptops are compatible with active pens thanks to having touch displays, but the technology used is different. The Spectre x360, which has a pen included in the price, uses an N-Trig pen that delivers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and has tilt support. It's great for casual active pen users who want to jot down some notes or do up a quick sketch, but the EliteBook x360's setup is much better geared toward a better inking experience. HP's Rechargeable Active Pen delivers the same pressure sensitivity and does include tilt support, but you should find better palm rejection and less jagged lines with Wacom AES 2.0 tech behind the scenes. It also has a built-in magnet that snaps the pen to the side of the EliteBook x360 when it's not in use.
Bottom line? If you prefer a matte finish on your touch display or you just want the best inking experience possible between these two laptops, the EliteBook x360 should be your choice. If all you really need is a solid touch display in either FHD or 4K resolution, the Spectre x360 does deliver a screen that's very easy to look at.
Performance to easily handle a day's work
Both laptops are available with 8th Gen Intel Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs, though the EliteBook x360 uses Kaby Lake R models while the Spectre x360 uses newer Whiskey Lake hardware. The focus on business also brings vPro Intel CPUs into the mix for the EliteBook x360, giving you four different options — Core i5-8250U, Core i5-8350U, Core i7-8550U, and Core i7-8650U — to choose from. The Spectre x360, on the other hand, has Core i5-8265U and Core i7-8565U options, generally delivering a higher Turbo frequency but a lower base frequency. No matter what, you're getting four cores and enough processing power to handle any standard job you throw at it, even getting into some light editing.
Both laptops have 8GB and 16GB RAM options, though the Spectre x360 has faster DDR4 options compared to the DDR3 RAM in the EliteBook x360. RAM is soldered in both laptops, so upgrades in the future are essentially not an option. The M.2 solid-state drive (SSD), however, can be upgraded in both if you'd like to save money at checkout. For the Spectre x360, HP offers four M.2 PCIe SSD storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB, while the EliteBook x360 goes much further with eight total storage options. Choose from a standard or self-encrypting SATA SSD, or up performance with a standard or self-encrypting PCIe SSD. Sizes range from 128GB to 2TB, so you can get the same large storage as in the Spectre x360.
Though the batteries aren't the same size, you can expect to get all-day life out of both laptops. In our testing, we saw about 10 hours of life with a Core i7 EliteBook x360 with FHD display, plus the charger delivered about seven hours of life with just 30 minutes plugged in. A 4K display would no doubt drop this lifetime down, but you should nevertheless be able to go about eight hours without a charge. The Spectre x360 gets essentially the same battery life, hitting the eight-hour mark with a Core i7 model with 4K display.
With both laptops, you're going to get performance that can easily handle a day's work. Standard productivity tasks — including use of Office apps, video watching, and web browsing — won't pose a problem, and you should even be able to get into some photo editing without the integrated UHD Graphics 620 in both models hitting its limit. In the evening, light gaming shouldn't be a problem either, but if you want something that can play modern games, you'll no doubt want to look at something with a more specialized focus.
Don't pay for business features you don't need with the Spectre x360
The 13-inch Spectre x360 doesn't come with nearly as many business bells and whistles as the EliteBook x360, but it also starts at a price that's less than $1,000. And that's impressive because it's still a premium convertible laptop that's full of great features.
Premium convertible laptop
HP Spectre x360 13
A laptop more suited to the average user.
HP's latest Spectre x360 has a beautiful gem-cut aluminum chassis, a modern selection of ports, optional LTE connectivity, and active pen compatibility. If you don't need extra security features and vPro Intel CPUs, you'll be able to save a bundle of money here and still get one great laptop.
HP's EliteBook x360 1030 G3 is best suited for the business sector
The HP EliteBook x360 1030 G3 starts at about $1,698, which is considerably more than what you'd pay for an introductory Spectre x360 model. Still, that price brings MIL-STD-810G durability testing and a large set of robust security features that are invaluable to those who will bring this laptop with them wherever there's business to be done.
High-end business laptop
HP EliteBook x360 1030 G3
Business laptop that doesn't make compromises.
HP's EliteBook x360 lineup takes a lot of what we love about the Spectre x360 lineup and makes it suited for the business world. A premium build, LTE connectivity, and many configuration options for hardware and display make this one of the top choices out there when it comes to a new business partner.
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Go from great to greaterThese 6 accessories make the HP Spectre x360 even better
The HP Spectre is already a top-of-the-line laptop, but a few accessories can make it better. We've picked out several accessories that enhance and protect the HP Spectre.
Premium convertible
HP Spectre x360 15
Durable business notebook
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme (Gen 2)
The convertible HP Spectre x360 15 is a gorgeous laptop with plenty of configuration options available, including a stunning 4K OLED display. The affordable price and versatile convertible build make it a great choice for many people, especially if they'd like to use an active pen for sketching or note-taking.
Pros
- More affordable
- More dedicated GPU options
- Beautiful 4K touch display options with inking
- Premium gem-cut design
- Extra versatility thanks to convertible build
Cons
- Not as durable
- No FHD display option
- Synaptics drivers for touchpad
The ThinkPad X1 Extreme is more of a workhorse business laptop with a durable chassis, comfortable keyboard and Precision touchpad, plenty of ports, and extra security features. It does cost more and doesn't have as many configuration options available, making it more of a specialized purchase.
Pros
- MIL-STD 810G durability certified
- Comfortable keyboard, Precision touchpad
- Robust security and management features
- FHD and 4K display options
- Plenty of ports
Cons
- More expensive
- Not yet an OLED display option
- Not as many configuration options
We have here two 15-inch laptops: the x360 with a convertible build and the X1 Extreme with a standard notebook chassis. They're both fine devices and have similar performance hardware, though some major differences will no doubt sway you one way or the other.
HP Spectre x350 15 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme at a glance
HP Spectre x350 15 | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme (Gen 2) | |
---|---|---|
Processor | 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H | 9th Gen Intel Core i5-9300H Intel Core i5-9400H vPro Intel Core i7-9750H Intel Core i7-9850H vPro |
RAM | 8GB, 16GB DDR4-2400MHz | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB DDR4-2666MHz |
Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB PCIe M.2 SSD 32GB Intel Optane (optional) | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD |
Display size | 15.6 inches 16:9 aspect ratio | 15.6 inches 16:9 aspect ratio |
Display resolution | 3840 x 2160 (WLED non-touch) 3840 x 2160 (AMOLED touch) | 1920 x 1080 (IPS non-touch) 1920 x 1080 (IPS HDR400) 3840 x 2160 (IPS HDR400) |
Graphics | NVIDIA MX150 (2GB) NVIDIA GTX 1650 (4GB) NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti (4GB) | NVIDIA GTX 1650 (4GB) |
Ports | HDMI 2.0 USB-A 3.1 (Gen 2) Two Thunderbolt 3 microSD card reader 3.5mm audio | Two USB-A 3.1 (Gen 1) Two Thunderbolt 3 HDMI 2.0 Ethernet extension adapter 3.5mm audio SD card reader Smart Card reader (optional) |
Biometrics | Fingerprint reader IR camera | Fingerprint reader IR camera |
Battery | 84Wh | 80Wh |
Dimensions | 14.22 x 9.84 x 0.76 inches (361.2mm x 249.9mm x 19.3mm) | 14.24 x 9.67 x 0.72 inches (361.8mm x 245.7mm x 18.4mm) |
Weight | From 4.79 pounds (2.17kg) | From 3.75 pounds (1.7kg) |
Colors | Poseidon blue Dark ash | Black |
Design and features
HP's Spectre x360 has a beautiful gem-cut convertible chassis with a unique premium look. It's certainly fancy and will fit in just about anywhere you take it, including the coffee shop or the office. It's available in poseidon blue or dark ash finishes so you can pick something that best matches your other gear, while the ThinkPad X1 Extreme is available in the standard black soft-touch ThinkPad finish. If you opt for the 4K display, the lid includes a carbon-fiber weave finish for a bit of flair.
The ThinkPad overall has a more utilitarian look to it, but it's actually a bit lighter than the Spectre x360 (starting weight of 3.75 pounds compared to 4.79 pounds) due to the lack of convertible functionality. Both laptops have about the same size footprint, so portability will lie mostly on weight. If you need something as durable as possible, the X1 Extreme will make a better choice because of MIL-STD 810G certification that ensures the device can put up with conditions far more extreme than what you'd find in an office or home setting.
The X1 Extreme has a focus on power users, and it's stocked with ports to keep up. Two USB-A 3.1 (Gen 1), an SD card reader, a Kensington lock slot, and an optional Smart Card reader for Enterprise buys are located on the right side. The left contains Lenovo's charging port, dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, HDMI 2.0, an input for Lenovo's RJ45 Ethernet dongle, and a 3.5mm audio jack. If you go with the Spectre x360, you'll have access to HDMI 2.0, USB-A 3.1 (Gen 2), two Thunderbolt 3, a microSD card reader, and 3.5mm audio. A full-size SD card reader on the x360 would be appreciated, and if you're often dealing with the larger storage size, the X1 Extreme might be the better option.
These two laptops are productivity machines, so keyboard and touchpad are an important part. With the X1 Extreme, you get a standard ThinkPad keyboard with plenty of travel and comfortable keys, and included is a TrackPoint system with red pointing nub and physical buttons above the Precision touchpad. There is, however, no number pad, which is included with the Spectre x360's comfortable keyboard. HP's laptop is also using Synaptics drivers for its touchpad, which don't compare to Precision drivers.
You're going to get plenty of security features with the X1 Extreme, including optional IR camera, fingerprint reader, TPM 2.0 chip, vPro processor (CPU) options, optional Smart Card reader, Kensington lock slot, and ThinkShutter camera cover, though the Spectre x360 does include a shutoff switch for the webcam (IR and FHD) as well as a fingerprint reader for Windows Hello.
If you want a convertible laptop, the Spectre x360 is the only option between these two, and it's going to provide an overall premium experience. It might not be as durable or have as many security and management features as the X1 Extreme, but it does go above and beyond plenty of other laptops when it comes to keeping your data safe. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a durable notebook with more of a practical design (that's also significantly lighter), the X1 Extreme will make a great pick.
Display
Both of these laptops have some impressive 15.6-inch display options, though if you'd like to go with 4K OLED right now, only the Spectre x360 can provide; the X1 Extreme is still expected to get an OLED 4K display sometime in the future. At the moment, the X1 Extreme is available in 1080p non-touch with and without HDR400 support, as well as 4K non-touch with HDR400 support.
If you're interested in inking, the Spectre x360 is the laptop for you. It can be folded around to tablet mode to make drawing, sketching, or jotting down notes much easier, and a quality active pen is included. As for specialized work that requires accurate color reproduction, the higher-end displays in both laptops are your best bet.
Performance and price
When it comes to performance, both of these laptops put up some impressive numbers. The X1 Extreme has one dedicated GPU option — the NVIDIA GTX 1650 Max-Q with 4GB of VRAM — and up to a 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9850H CPU, as well as up to 64GB of RAM and up to a 1TB PCIe M.2 solid-state drive (SSD). You can get the same GTX 1650 GPU in the Spectre x360, though you can also opt for a GTX 1050 Ti or an MX150 GPU if you don't need as much power.
The Spectre x360 comes with either an 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U or 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H CPU for extra performance, and it can be had with up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 2TB M.2 PCIe SSD. Both laptops are capable of getting into specialized work thanks to powerful CPU and GPU options, and you'll even be able to game on either laptop. If you'd like the best battery life possible, the FHD non-touch X1 Extreme is no doubt the pick for you.
HP's Spectre lineup is generally considered to be a great value, and you can grab a model starting at about $1,350 complete with 8th Gen Core i7 CPU, NVIDIA MX150 GPU, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 256GB SSD. There's also a $1,400 option with 8th Gen Core i7 CPU, GTX 1050 Ti GPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Prices scale up as you add hardware, though you can grab a model with 9th Gen Intel CPU and NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU starting at about $1,600.
Lenovo's prices often fluctuate significantly due to sales and coupons, but the official starting price of an X1 Extreme sits around the $2,459 mark. However, we've seen it drop down closer to $1,476 for a model with Core i5-9300H CPU, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU, and FHD non-touch display. That's still more than you'll pay for an introductory x360, which has the 4K touch display and Core i7 CPU.
The HP Spectre x360 15 is the right choice for many people
Thanks to a significantly cheaper price, versatile convertible build, and premium gem-cut design, the HP Spectre x360 should appeal to a lot of people. It might not be as durable as the X1 Extreme and its Synaptics drivers are an annoyance, but this is still a lot of laptop for a great price.
Premium convertible Ultrabook
HP Spectre x360 15
Ebay Hp Spectre X360
4K touch display, plenty of hardware options
If you're interested in a premium convertible laptop with stellar display and impressive performance, the HP Spectre x360 15 will make a great choice.
Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Extreme (Gen 2) is a better pick for pros
Hp Spectre X360 Problems
You will pay more for the X1 Extreme, but if durability, port selection, and security are at the top of your list, it will be worth it. There's not yet an OLED 4K display option officially available, but the FHD and 4K display available now are still great to look at thanks to HDR400 support.
Durable business notebook
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme (Gen 2)
Lots of ports, lots of power
Those who want ThinkPad durability, outstanding keyboard, and impressive performance shouldn't sleep on the X1 Extreme. If you're a power user, it's no doubt going to make more sense.
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