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HP Pavilion Review
Daniel Horowitz
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January 10, 2020
The HP Pavilion line of laptops is known for its speed and portability, as well as its reasonable prices. Best of all, the HP Pavilion suits the needs of a wide range of users, including students, those who travel and work on-the-go, gamers, and creatives.
As a lightweight device with a luminous display and a long battery life, this series of HP laptops can handle whatever you throw at it while being delightful to use.
What is the HP Pavilion laptop?
There are three main laptops available in this series, and in our HP Pavilion laptop review, we’ll take a look at what makes each of these laptops unique.
- HP Pavilion x360 laptop
- HP Pavilion 15-inch laptop
- HP Pavilion gaming laptop
Each of these laptops is designed to handle different functions. As a result, they have their own targeted uses, particularly the gaming model. But one thing remains constant across the series. When you choose an HP Pavilion, you can be confident that you have a laptop that will help you tackle whatever project you take on next.
Let’s now take a closer look at each HP Pavilion model and what makes it sets it apart so you can find the right one for you.
1. HP Pavilion x360 convertible laptop
The HP Pavilion x360 has a versatile touch screen and flexible body, which is meant for those who want to get the most out of their media. It can be positioned in a variety of ways through use forms that include tent, laptop, stand, and tablet mode. With this flexibility, the HP Pavilion convertible laptop can be used for almost any occasion.
Convertible design and lighter body
The HP Pavilion x360 laptop is a convertible option that is specifically designed for creatives and those on-the-go. With a choice of either a 14-inch or 15-inch touch screen, it weighs in at around 4 lbs and is a compact option that can be used any of the four modes.
One of the best things about this model is the touch screen built for creativity. With it, you can use your device in ways that you can’t with a traditional laptop, such as drawing and taking notes. Just add a compatible digital pen to your order to see how getting hands-on can change the way you work or create.
Given its versatility, it’s the perfect option for students who want to get the most of their devices but may not have the budget or carrying capacity to haul several of them around. With a convertible, you essentially get two devices in one. Plus, it operates at a 1920 x 1080 native resolution, so you know that all of your media will look amazing.
Solid spec options
Of course, you can customize your HP Pavilion in order to streamline a device that works even better for your needs. The convertible configuration comes with up to 2TB HDD and 512GB solid-state drive (SSD) storage, which you can upgrade for a slightly higher price point. You also have 16GB of RAM, which allows you to enjoy your media without worrying about pauses or crashes.
Keep in mind that you have different display options as well, from 11 to 15 inches. As for the processor, the options include varying generations of the Intel® Core i3, i5, and i7 as well as the Intel Pentium Silver.
Graphics based on your needs
The type of graphics card you choose can directly affect the type of work you need to get done on your laptop. For those considering the x360, it’s important to have one that can handle your streaming needs while it makes whatever project you are working on look good.
Depending on what model you choose, you have the option of the Intel UHD Graphics 620 or 630 graphics cards or the more advanced NVIDIA® GeForce® MX25 graphics card. Any of these make your screen look fantastic and offer high performance.
All-day battery life
On the HP Pavilion x360, you have up to 10 hours and 45 minutes of battery life, allowing you to go an entire day without having to find a power source. Plus, thanks to the number of different ports, you can choose to charge almost any device while you are away from your desk as well.
Additional features:
- Full-size island-style ash gray keyboard
- Dual speakers with audio by B&O Play
- ENERGY STAR® certified; EPEAT® Silver registered
2. HP Pavilion gaming laptop
The HP Pavilion gaming laptop has both professionals and hobbyists in mind when it comes to graphics and gaming performance. With a slick display and a large hard drive, it can store bigger files while creating an immersive experience that takes gamers into new worlds.
Sleek look
The HP Pavilion gaming laptop is designed for handling heavier-duty programs and includes some high-level specs for taking on any games you want to throw at it. If you choose the 17-inch screen, bear in mind that it will be a bit heavier than the x360 or the 15-inch, but even so, it still weighs a mere 6 lbs.
Most gaming laptops don't typically come with a touch screen option, but the HP Pavilion gaming laptop does, which creates more versatility for you. Not only do your games look great, but you also have a more interactive screen that can be used for other purposes, such as a drawing pad or as a way to take notes. This makes it a great option for students or professionals who tend to use their computers for multiple purposes.
With its cool, sleek body, you're going to look good no matter what game you choose to play - or where you play it. You can also pick from three colors to make a statement with your laptop: acid green, ghost white, or ultra violet.
More power for your games
The gaming model has several configurations, so you'll want to do some research before you choose the right option for you. You have choices up to the 9th Generation Intel Core i7, and you can add as much as 16GB of RAM to make sure you can run almost any program that you would like on your device.
You also get the chance to choose the amount of storage, including options for both HDD and SSD storage. Since it's likely that you will be installing a plethora of games on your computer, you want to make sure that you have enough storage to handle everything you have loaded.
In terms of graphics, keep in mind the difference between a discrete card versus an integrated option, because whichever you choose will likely affect how you game.
What types of games you usually gravitate toward can also determine which graphics card works best for you. An integrated Intel GPU can handle older, less-resource-heavy games, while a discrete card is the best choice to play the latest titles.
For online gamers who love Apex Legends or Fortnite, an affordable setup may end up working better long term rather than those looking to revolutionize the way you play. However, an HP Pavilion gaming laptop that includes the powerful NVIDIA GeForce graphics card will be able to make all of your games and software look bold and vibrant.
While the HP OMEN series is our signature line gaming computers, the HP Pavilion gaming laptop gives you many of the benefits gamers love at a more budget-friendly price point.
Powerful graphics for work
A discrete graphics card is important if you work in a creative field like photography, graphic design, CAD engineering design, or video production. It gives you the ability to or render intensive projects quickly and accurately. The best HP gaming laptop for you may need to do double duty for these programs as well as run games.
If your work-life is less visual, then an integrated card may be plenty of power for your needs. Then you can put your budgeted upgrades into other areas like storage or accessories.
Impressive battery life
Gaming and visually intensive programs often drain your battery life, which means you may end up connected to an outlet to avoid losing progress. That won’t be a problem since the HP Pavilion gaming laptop has the ability to hold a charge for up to 11 hours.
Even better, it can charge up to 50% in less than 45 minutes, so you to get back online within a few minutes. It also has a number of available ports so you can connect your favorite gaming accessories and play your way, or add an external monitor for multi-tasking.
Additional features:
- Choice of Windows 10 Home 64 or Windows 10 Pro 64
- Choice of up to 1TB 7200 rpm SATA and 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- HP Wide Vision HD camera with integrated dual array digital microphone
- Intel Core i5 or i7
3. HP Pavilion 15 laptop
The HP Pavilion 15 is a fantastic option for those who would like a vibrant screen and the type of specs to help you run nearly all types of software.
Whether you are looking for amazing graphics or a laptop that can serve a variety of purposes, the 15-inch works for students, creatives, and commuters. This laptop weighs just around a reasonable 4 lbs depending on your configuration.
Lighter, traditional frame
The 15-inch HP Pavilion strikes a balance between these two options. While it maintains the traditional laptop structure, it is available in multiple customizable options so you can have the right device that works for you.
Like its name suggests, this laptop is available with a 15.6-inch display. It only weighs 4.27 lbs and has a 0.7-inch thick body. This is a seriously portable option that can provide plenty of power to keep you going.
Upgrade to a touch screen model
Adding touch screen functionality to your HP Pavilion 15 gives you the best of both worlds, because you’ll own a high-powered device that you can easily play and create on. Depending on how you plan to use your computer, it can be worth the small additional price for a laptop with more versatile functionality.
If a touch screen is important to you, you have several options to consider from this family of laptops. First, there’s the HP Pavilion 15z, which is an AMD-centric machine that runs on your choice of Ryzen processor with Radeon Vega graphics that you can also customize.
For those who prefer an Intel-based system, there are varying models with the HP Pavilion 15t. They all run on your preferred generation of the Intel Core processor and with your choice of graphics card; either an integrated Intel option or a discrete NVIDIA GeForce card.
Strong baseline specs
The HP Pavilion 15 has plenty of ways you can customize your device, such as what type of processor you wish to have and how much storage you want. This comes down to chiefly what you plan on using your device for and how much you are expecting to pay.
With up to 1TB of SSD storage and 16GB of RAM, you have enough power to handle any video and photo editing software while running multiple programs at once. You also have the choice of Intel's Core i7 processor or the AMD Ryzen 7 37000U processor.
Advanced graphics
The 15-inch model comes with the advanced AMD Radeon Vega 10 graphics card. Not only is this great of casual gamers or students who use their laptops for a variety of reasons including streaming, but it's also a solid option for running almost any type of software.
Healthy battery life
Between the power this model offers and the additional customizable options, you also have the opportunity to unplug with up to 7 hours and 30 minutes without a recharge. Whether you need to work from a new location or you want to stream your favorite show without worrying about your battery dying during the best part, the HP Pavilion 15 has got you covered.
You also have plenty of ports at your disposal, including several USB-C ports for speedy data transfers and connecting to your preferred peripherals.
Additional features:
- Choice of CPU Intel Core i7 with Intel Iris or NVIDIA GeForce graphics
- 15.6-inch diagonal HD SVA BrightView WLED-backlit screen
- Full-size island-style keyboard
Software to consider
All HP Pavilion models featured come with an option for either Windows 10 or Windows Office with a discount to buy Home, Personal, Business, or Professional. McAfee LiveSafe is also included in a free trial. All models also come with a 1-year limited hardware warranty and additional support available through phone and live chat.
In summary
Whatever your purpose for buying a new laptop, the HP Pavilion line has all your needs covered so that you can fully enjoy each of your activities, from working to gaming. These 3 very different models have a variety of functionality, but all of them are solid and popular laptops designed for you to make the most of your experience with an HP laptop computer.
About the Author: Daniel Horowitz is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Daniel is a New York-based author and has written for publications such as USA Today, Digital Trends, Unwinnable Magazine, and many other media outlets.
