HP Envy 15.6" x360 2-in-1 Review

The HP Envy x360 2-in-1 is a bit of a puzzle. It packs 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, putting it in the 70th and 78th percentiles for memory and storage. That's a lot of headroom for multitasking and files. But then you look at the core engine: a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U. Its CPU performance sits in the 29th percentile, which tells you this isn't a speed demon. It's a machine built for capacity over raw power. The 15.6-inch 1080p touchscreen and included stylus make it a solid 2-in-1, but the screen quality is only in the 16th percentile. So you're getting a big, functional display, not a stunning one.

Performance is where this Envy's identity crisis becomes clear. That 32GB of RAM is fantastic. You can have dozens of browser tabs, a video call, and some photo editing software open without a hiccup. The 1TB NVMe SSD is also quick for booting and loading files. But the Intel i7-1255U is the bottleneck. With a CPU score in the 29th percentile, it's fine for everyday office work and web apps, but don't expect it to blaze through video encoding or complex calculations. The integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics land in the 18th percentile, which confirms this is not a gaming or creative workstation. It'll handle a 4K external display via its Thunderbolt 4 ports, but that's about the limit.

Here's the big problem: value. At a current price of $2011, this Envy x360 asks for a lot of money. You're paying a premium for that 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD, which is great if you need that exact configuration. But the core CPU and GPU are budget-tier performers. You could buy a much more powerful standard laptop, or even a competing 2-in-1 like an ASUS Zenbook, for the same money and get better overall speed. This feels like a spec sheet built to look impressive on paper, while the actual experience is held back by older, slower components.

Compared directly to competitors, the trade-offs are stark. The ASUS Zenbook Duo offers a revolutionary dual-screen design for similar money, though with less RAM. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i or MSI Vector 16, while not 2-in-1s, would annihilate this Envy in CPU and GPU performance for gaming or creative work, often for less cash. Even Apple's MacBook Pro, while more expensive, offers exponentially better performance per watt, battery life, and screen quality. The Envy's main advantage is its specific combo of high RAM, high storage, and the 2-in-1 form factor. If you don't need all three of those things specifically, there are better options.

The HP Envy x360 2-in-1 is a niche machine. I can only recommend it if you are absolutely certain you need 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage in a convertible laptop right now, and you're willing to accept mediocre CPU power and a so-so screen for over $2000. For almost everyone else, the value isn't there. Look at more balanced 2-in-1s or standard laptops where your money buys better overall performance. This Envy feels like it's running last year's race with a very expensive, very large backpack.