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HP Spectre x360 13t Laptop: A Complete Review
Linsey Knerl
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September 6, 2018
Savvy consumers know that there are a wide variety of computing products available to meet their changing needs.
Sometimes, it can be tough to decide whether you need a laptop, workstation, tablet, or some combination. With HP Spectre laptops, you don’t have to settle for just a single type of device.
Find out how this innovative model compares to other 13-inch laptops on the market in our complete HP Spectre x360 laptop review.
Beauty in small packaging
If you’ve ever seen this model from the HP Spectre x360 series in person, you already know that it’s a well-designed product.
The classy silver color and the sleek, muted buttons give it a modern look that matches its capabilities. Professionals and hobbyists alike will appreciate the simplicity and beauty of the exterior.
But if you’re looking to differentiate yourself, you can choose between two finish options: Natural Silver and Dark Ash Silver with Copper Luxe accents.
Sometimes described by computer pros as a 2-in-1 laptop, it can be converted into four distinct positions for ease of use. Fold the sturdy case from typical laptop format to a flat tablet mode or choose to go somewhere in-between with one of two tent configurations that are great for viewing videos or hosting web conferences.
Perfect for a pen
Some models of the HP Spectre x360 convertible laptop come with a stylus, the HP Pen. Paired with the Windows Ink software, it opens up new ways to document, sketch, create, explore, and more. Use the pen in any configuration, but enjoy it best in tablet mode so you can draw and take notes like you are using pen and paper.
Even if you decide not to use the pen (or you leave it at home), you can create using the tablet-accessible apps and your own hand gestures. Use the tablet mode the same way you would any popular tablet from other brands with responsive touch functionality.
If the model you purchase does not have a stylus included you can always add one, either at the time of purchase or down the road.
Pure performance
As part of the acclaimed HP Spectre family, this smaller model has all of the bells and whistles of its larger counterparts.
The HP Spectre x360 laptop screen, which is available with touch screen capability, takes full advantage of the 13.3 inches of vertically measured space.
Corner-to-corner beveled-edge screen gives you practically no borders, and the Corning® Gorilla® Glass NBT™ display is made to stand up to bumps, scratches, and dirt from regular use.
The Full High Definition (FHD) screen is impressive for such a compact laptop, and the brilliance doesn’t disappoint.
With more than 2 million pixels working within its backlit display, you can enjoy your boldest creative designs in their truest color. You’ll edit photos on this laptop and render video as you would on a big screen.
Need more screen space? Simply build a deluxe workstation for your home or office by connecting your laptop to up to two 4K monitors (sold separately) by utilizing the USB- C™ ports.
For music fans - and those who love to stream videos - the Bang & Olufsen setup gives rich, deep sounds to your computing experience. They are hidden within the laptop’s body so that they don’t take up prime real estate from the full-size keyboard, either.
Speed abounds with this model, too.
The 8th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 Quad Core processor is the top-of-the-line for all laptops these days, and it’s standard for this laptop. Paired with the Intel UHD Graphics 620 (integrated) and 16GB of LPDDR3-1600 SDRAM, you’ll experience less stutter and lag when gaming, streaming, or editing.
Portability refined
In addition to having modest measurements (12.04 x 8.56 x 0.53 in), it’s easy to carry, too. This HP Spectre x360 convertible laptop weighs just 2.78 lbs and fits easily into a backpack, purse, or attaché case.
While it may be hard to believe that a powerful 2-in-1 can have a reliable battery life, this model is designed to impress. The 3-cell, 60 Wh Li-ion battery can run for up to 16 hours or up to 12 hours and 15 minutes of FHD video and offers a Fast-Charge feature to recover 50% of battery life in just 30 minutes.
Also, the storage space on this laptop is extremely generous at 512GB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD, so you’ll probably have no need to invest in extra room down the road. If you decide you need more, however, the two Thunderbolt™ 3 ports have you covered with data transfers at speeds up to 40GB/s to get your files where they need to be, faster than ever. Additional ports include a USB 3.1 Gen and a microSD media card reader expansion slot.
Safety and security included
All HP Spectre x360 laptops come with a limited trial of McAfee security software, but there’s even more good stuff for your laptop security packed into the design of the case itself.
A biometric fingerprint reader comes standard on every model, so you can make sure that you - and only you - can access your most sensitive data. There’s also no need to invest in a webcam accessory. The built-in HP TrueVision FHD IR Camera boasts an integrated dual array digital microphone. Use either the fingerprint scan or the webcam to unlock Windows Hello features and log in to your laptop with your choice of a fingerprint, facial scan, or iris detection - without having to type in a password.
Accessories that work
The HP Spectre x360 comes with the charging cord and a stylus, which is all you need to start creating, researching, relaxing, and more. If you want to have HP Spectre laptop accessories, however, it’s worth checking these out:
HP Spectre Laptop Slim Topload Bag
This beautifully designed split-leather case has nylon twill accents. It looks amazing, but it’s sturdy, too. And because this top-load laptop bag is made just for the HP Spectre, it fits like a glove unlike bulkier, oversized bags. Keep your laptop safe from the elements, spills, and more.
Also, the micro-suede inside is so smooth that you won’t have to worry about anything catching or scratching when taking your laptop out or placing it back inside.
HP Spectre Bluetooth Mouse 500
If you’re going to use your HP Spectre in laptop mode for any length of time, a reliable mouse is a must-have accessory.
This high-performance accessory uses Bluetooth to connect to your laptop, which keeps clumsy wires out of the equation. This HP Spectre rechargeable mouse has been rated highly for its accuracy, tracking, and design. Upgrade to this accessory with Blue LED Optics and say goodbye to awkward mouse movements and trackpad-induced hand cramps.
Who needs the HP Spectre x360 13t Laptop?
The true answer to this question is “anyone.” However, here are a few of the tasks that the laptop is best suited for, and why it earns high praise from reviewers, time and time again.
Photographers
Shutterbugs will love that it can handle the best photo editing software around. Between the high-quality graphics card and the amazing pixel makeup of the screen, it’s easy to work with even the largest RAW data files. You can also save your work to your laptop because it has enough memory. Or you can easily transfer files to cloud storage or a separate external hard drives.
Artists and designers
The HP Spectre 13t is a laptop built for graphic designers and artists given the beautiful touch screen and HP Active Pen. Sketch, script, ink, and color with one amazing tool, then watch your work come to life with the animation software of your choice.
With a full work-day of battery life available, you can get it all done on-the-go with a single charge. 3D creators will see their work come alive on the vibrant 13-inch screen they can take anywhere, but even before that, rendering will have to be done.
Fortunately, the convertible HP Spectre x360 13t outperforms so many other devices in its size class. With the right graphic design software installed, you can expect the professional results you desire.
Videographers
In addition to helping you create amazing art and photos, this powerful laptop is equally superb at rendering video and can compete with high-performance desktops for video editing. Get your 4K videos produced in less time and with better quality when you load, edit, and render in real-time with minimal jitter or lag.
The laptop for everyone
You don’t have to be a creative genius to enjoy all that this HP Spectre model has to offer. Anyone who wants to experience web surfing, writing, video streaming, social networking, video chats, or the latest games can appreciate the suite of solutions included in this reasonably-priced product.
It’s incredibly thin at just 13.6 mm, so it won’t weigh you down with awkward bulk. Instead, you’ll stay well-equipped with all the tools and features that you need to live your life.
College students who need a do-it-all laptop, entrepreneurs, casual users, and even gamers find the HP Spectre x360 13t to be a well-rounded machine for everyday use, but it’s poised to be the perfect tool for professional creatives, too.
As your needs grow, the HP Spectre lineup is ready to go there with you. You can safely buy this laptop model and know that even if you’re not sure what you’ll be doing tomorrow, you have selected the right tool for just about any job.
Related articles:
- 5 Best Laptops for Home Schooling from HP
- How to Choose the Best HP Laptop
- Best HP Laptops for Home Use
- The 7 Best 15-inch Laptops from HP
- The 5 Best HP 13-inch Laptops
About the Author: Linsey Knerl is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Linsey is a Midwest-based author, public speaker, and member of the ASJA. She has a passion for helping consumers and small business owners do more with their resources via the latest tech solutions.
