HP is increasingly focusing on creators with its new laptops, and its recently updated Envy x360 15 and Envy 17 raise the bar yet again. This time around, the Envy x360 15 features options for either Intel or AMD processors, while the Envy 17 can include a 4K OLED screen. These are all things we’ve seen before, but they’re coming to HP’s more affordable Envy brand for the first time.
The Envy x360 15 comes in a black AMD version or a silver Intel model. Both include 360-degree hinges, 15.6-inch displays, new upward-facing stereo speakers, an all-aluminum design, and a 19% larger touchpad than on previous models. At 0.72 inches thick and four pounds, they’re right in line with the competition in terms of size and portability.
The AMD model can be configured with either the six-core Ryzen 5 5500U or the eight-core Ryzen 7 5700U. These are both great processors for creators, as the higher core count is better-suited for tasks like videoconferencing, multitasking, and photo and video editing. Unfortunately, the AMD model will not include the premium options for the 4K OLED screen or discrete MX450 graphics. Those will be reserved exclusively for the Intel model.
Speaking of which, the Intel version of the Envy x360 15 includes either an 11th-gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 or Core i7-1165G7. These are both quad-core processors.
While both can be configured with up to 1TB of SSD storage and 32GB of RAM, the base configuration of the Intel model comes with 12GB of memory instead of the 8GB of the AMD model. The Intel model also includes support for Thunderbolt 4, unlike the AMD version.
At launch, HP says only the base-level configurations will be available. The customized, full-featured options will be available for purchase in the future.
Based on the specs alone, the Envy x360 15 doesn’t seem ready to compete with some of the high-end, powerful options on the market. The Dell XPS 15, HP Spectre x360 15, and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme all include more powerful Nvidia GTX-level graphics and a more powerful 45-watt, H-series Intel processor with up to eight cores. That limits some of the potential uses for the Envy x360 15.
Fortunately, HP still has its excellent clamshell Envy 15, which takes the opposite approach in terms of workstation-like performance.
The larger HP Envy 17 is in a similar boat. Also announced today, the Envy 17 can pack in the same discrete Nvidia MX450 graphics chip, but it’s only a modest upgrade over integrated graphics. It’s still nowhere near the powerhouse of something like a Dell XPS 17, MacBook Pro 16-inch, Razer Blade Pro 17, or a handful of other powerful 17-inch laptops.
The HP Envy 17 even uses the same 15-watt Intel processor as the Envy x360 15 model, so don’t expect it to handle multi-core tasks quite as well. It does, however, have options for a 4K IPS factory-calibrated display, which should appeal to photographers. As is the case with many 17-inch 4K laptops, OLED is not offered as an option.
The good news? These new Envy laptops are targeting relatively affordable price points. The Intel version of the Envy x360 15 starts at $900, while the AMD version starts at $750. The Envy 17 starts at $1,000.
HP has also announced a new peripheral, the HP Premium 930 Mouse. The silver mouse comes with an ergonomic thumb rest, seven programmable buttons, and a scroll wheel with tilt-click functionality. The HP Premium 930 Mouse will cost $90.
