HP Envy x360 14 review: OLED makes this compact 2-in-1 shine

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Living a laptop lifestyle doesn’t require as many compromises as it once did. There are portable machines with multiple displays, desktop-level graphics, and expansive high-refresh screens. Most laptop buyers don’t need any of that, but bargain models can be a hassle with limited power and capabilities. HP’s Envy line is adept at bringing premium hardware down to Earth without giving up too much.

The newest HP Envy x360 14 is compact and beautiful to look at. Most of the credit for that goes to the high-resolution OLED screen, but the PC itself doesn’t look bad, either. You won’t get the absolute best performance possible from this machine, but unless you plan to game or edit video on the go, the HP Envy x360 14 should meet your needs for a price that won’t leave you reeling. And if you desperately need easy access to AI, the new Envy has you covered. This is one of the first laptops I’ve seen with a dedicated Copilot key on the keyboard.

Looking for more options? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now.

HP Envy x360 14: Specs and features

The Envy x360 14 shares much with other 2024 HP laptops like the Spectre x360 14 and the Omen Transcend 14. It’s slower and missing features compared to those high-end computers, but it’s more capable than devices like the budget-conscious HP Laptop 14.

As the name implies, this is a 2-in-1 convertible laptop, allowing you to flip the keyboard around to prop up the machine like a tent or use it like a tablet. While it’s available with an AMD chip, I tested the more common Intel version with the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 155U, 16GB of RAM, and Wi-Fi 7, but HP says versions of this machine at some retailers may skip Wi-Fi 7 support. However, I’m pleased to see HP isn’t trying to sell a cheaper model with 8GB of RAM — 16GB is the base, as it should be in 2024.

• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155U
• Memory: 16GB
• Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc integrated
• Display: 14-inch OLED @ 2880×1800, 48-120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass, 500 nits brightness
• Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe
• Webcam: 5MP with IR for Windows Hello
• Connectivity: 2x USB Type-A 10Gbps, 1x USB Type-C 10Gbps (USB Power Delivery, DisplayPort 2.1, HP Sleep and Charge), 1x Thunderbolt 4 with USB Type-C 40Gbps (USB Power Delivery, DisplayPort 2.1, HP Sleep and Charge), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm audio
• Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
• Battery capacity: 59Wh, HP USB-C fast charging
• Dimensions: 12.34 x 8.62 x 0.67 in.
• Weight: 3.08 lbs.
• MSRP as tested: $1,169.99

HP Envy x360 14: Design and build quality

The Envy x360 14 is an understated little laptop that would not look out of place in an office. Its sleek aluminum chassis tapers toward the front to give the illusion of an even thinner profile than the 0.67-inch measurement would suggest. The 360-degree hinges are solid, keeping the 14-inch OLED stable even when you really pound away on the keyboard. I’ll expound on the display’s lovely visuals shortly, but it also contributes to the laptop’s overall elegant aesthetic, with an ultra-clear (but reflective) Gorilla Glass cover and 89.5 percent screen-to-body ratio.

There’s a petite webcam squeezed in above the display. It has a maximum resolution of 5MP and supports HDR and IR for Windows Hello. I appreciate that HP has added a physical camera shutter this year, allowing you to make certain the camera cannot be turned on through software without your knowledge.

Ryan Whitwam / Foundry

Ryan Whitwam / Foundry

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    </div></figure><p class="imageCredit">Ryan Whitwam / Foundry</p></div>

At just a hair over 3 pounds, the HP Envy x360 14 is easy to pick up and haul around. HP says it’s using a harder alloy this time. So the laptop should withstand more abuse before showing scratches. It does feel very solid, but the bottom case panel is a bit on the thin side — it flexes noticeably when pressed.

Previous HP Envy machines used a DC barrel connector for charging. Thankfully, the 2024 model has moved to USB-C. HP includes a 65W charger, and I’ve tested the machine using several third-party USB-C chargers with USB Power Delivery that worked just as well. However, the machine does annoyingly warn you whenever you plug in a non-HP charger.

There are two USB-C ports, allowing you to charge and connect speedy storage or other modern accessories at the same time. Both of those ports are on the left edge with the full-sized HDMI and one of the two USB-A ports. The other is on the right edge, along with the headphone jack. There are no ports on the rear.

HP Envy x360 14: Keyboard and trackpad

While HP offers a handful of color options, most retailers will only have the Meteor Silver color — that’s par for the course with HP laptops. In years past, HP used the same silver color for the keyboard, which made the keys reflective and hard to read. The 2024 Envy x360 changes to a matte gray tone with large, crisp legends. The two-tone color looks nice when you open up the PC, and it’s easy to read. The backlit keys have good tactility, but the bottom-out is on the mushy side, which is more noticeable the closer you get to the edges.

The keyboard layout is typical of HP laptops, which means you get a power button right above backspace. I’m not sure why HP continues to do this. An errant press won’t trigger this key — you have to press for about a second, but backspace is one of the few keys I’m liable to mash throughout the day. Several times, I pressed what I thought was backspace only to realize I had just put the computer to sleep.