HP EliteBook HP EliteBook x360 Intel Core i7-10610U 16GB Memory Review
For under $500, the HP EliteBook x360 delivers a solid Windows convertible with 16GB of RAM, but its aging processor and basic screen show their age. It's a pure value play.
Overview
The HP EliteBook x360 is a solid, no-frills convertible laptop that's been on the market for a while. Its main selling point right now is the price. For under $500, you get a fully functional Windows 11 Pro machine with a touchscreen and 16GB of RAM. The one thing to know? This is a refurbished or clearance deal on older tech. It's not fast, and the screen is just okay, but it gets the job done for basic tasks without breaking the bank.
Performance
Don't expect miracles from the 4-core Intel i7-10610U. Its CPU performance sits in the 13th percentile, which means it's slower than most modern laptops. It'll handle web browsing, document editing, and video calls just fine, but anything more demanding will make it sweat. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics are predictably weak, landing in the 42nd percentile, so gaming is basically off the table. The 16GB of RAM is the real hero here, keeping multitasking smooth even when the CPU is struggling.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredible value at around $468 for a full Windows Pro system. 93th
- 16GB of RAM is a great amount for the price and handles multitasking well. 85th
- The convertible touchscreen design adds flexibility for notes or media consumption.
- Build quality feels solid and professional for a budget machine.
Cons
- The CPU is slow by modern standards. It's fine for basics, but that's it. 12th
- The 1080p screen is dim and unimpressive, ranking in the bottom 16th percentile. 18th
- Battery life is an unknown and likely not great given the older, less efficient chip. 26th
- Port selection is just okay, with only one HDMI and Thunderbolt port. 29th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Intel Core i7 10610U |
| Cores | 4 |
| Frequency | 1.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB |
Graphics
| GPU | UHD Graphics |
| Type | integrated |
| VRAM Type | Shared |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB |
Display
| Size | 13.3" |
| Resolution | 1920 (Full HD) |
Connectivity
| Thunderbolt | 2 x USB 3.1 Type-C port with Thunderbolt support |
| HDMI | 1 x HDMI 1.4 |
Physical
| Weight | 1.3 kg / 2.9 lbs |
| OS | Windows 11 Pro |
Value & Pricing
At this price, the value is undeniable. You're paying for a functional tool, not a performance powerhouse. If your budget is tight and your needs are simple, this is a smart buy. If you can spend more, you should, because almost anything newer will be significantly better.
vs Competition
The most relevant competitor is a used or refurbished Apple MacBook Air M1. For a similar price, the M1 Air will run circles around this EliteBook in speed, battery life, and screen quality, but you lose the touchscreen and convertible form. Compared to a new budget Windows laptop like an ASUS Vivobook, you might get a slightly newer CPU and a better screen for a bit more money, but you'd likely sacrifice the 16GB of RAM and the convertible hinge. This EliteBook's niche is offering those business-feel features at a rock-bottom price.
| Spec | HP EliteBook HP EliteBook x360 Intel Core i7-10610U 16GB Memory | Apple MacBook Pro Apple 14" MacBook Pro (M5, Silver) | ASUS ROG Flow ASUS 13.4" Republic of Gamers Flow Z13 2-in-1 | Lenovo Legion Lenovo 16" Legion Pro 7i Gaming Laptop | MSI Stealth MSI Stealth A16 - 16.0" OLED 240 Hz - GeForce RTX | Microsoft Surface Laptop Microsoft 13.8" Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC (7th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7 10610U | Apple M5 | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 |
| RAM (GB) | 16 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 512 | 4096 | 1024 | 2048 | 2048 | 1024 |
| Screen | 13.3" 1920x1080 | 14.2" 3024x1964 | 13.4" 2560x1600 | 16" 2560x1600 | 16" 2560x1600 | 13.8" 2304x1536 |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics | Apple (10-Core) | AMD Radeon 8060 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | Qualcomm X1 |
| OS | Windows 11 Pro | macOS | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight (kg) | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Battery (Wh) | - | 72 | 70 | 99 | - | 54 |
Verdict
This is a clear recommendation for one specific person: the budget-conscious buyer who needs a reliable Windows machine for school, office work, or general web use today, and who values the convertible form. For everyone else, especially if performance or screen quality matters, saving up for something with a newer chip is a better long-term investment. But if $500 is your hard ceiling, this gets you in the game.