HP Spectre x360 14 Review: The Best 2-in-1 Laptop of 2024?

When it comes to premium laptops that combine style, performance, and versatility, the HP Spectre x360 14 has consistently been a frontrunner. The 2024 model takes everything we loved about previous iterations and elevates it to new heights. As someone who's spent considerable time testing various 2-in-1 laptops, I can confidently say that this might just be the best convertible device you can buy this year.

In a market flooded with options, the Spectre x360 manages to stand out with its striking design, powerful performance, and thoughtful features that cater to both productivity enthusiasts and creative professionals alike. But is it truly worth the premium price tag? Let's dive into what makes this convertible laptop special and whether it deserves a spot on your desk or in your bag in 2024.

Design and Build Quality

The HP Spectre x360 14 continues HP's tradition of exceptional craftsmanship. The moment you unbox this device, you realize you're holding something special. The aluminum chassis feels substantial without being overly heavy, striking that perfect balance between durability and portability.

Available in several color options including Nightfall Black, Poseidon Blue, and Natural Silver, each finish features HP's signature gem-cut edges and precision-cut corners that house the laptop's ports. These angular details aren't just for show—they actually improve usability by making ports more accessible when the device is in different positions.

At just 0.67 inches thick and weighing approximately 3 pounds, the Spectre x360 is remarkably portable for a 14-inch device. You can easily slip it into a bag or carry it around all day without strain. The 360-degree hinge feels robust yet smooth, allowing you to seamlessly transition between laptop mode, tent mode, presentation mode, and tablet mode.

The attention to detail extends to smaller elements too—like the slightly recessed keyboard that prevents key marks on the screen when closed, and the well-placed speaker grilles that maintain clear audio in any position. It's these thoughtful design choices that demonstrate HP's understanding of how people actually use convertible laptops in real life.

Display Excellence

The star of the show is undoubtedly the 3:2 aspect ratio display. This taller screen format provides approximately 20% more vertical space compared to traditional 16:9 screens, which means less scrolling when working on documents, browsing the web, or coding.

HP offers multiple display options, but the flagship configuration sports a 3K2K OLED panel (3000 x 2000 resolution) that delivers stunning visual quality. Colors are incredibly vibrant with 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, making this an excellent choice for photo editing and graphic design work.

The OLED technology ensures perfect blacks and infinite contrast, while brightness peaks at around 400 nits—sufficient for most indoor environments, though you might wish for a bit more when working outdoors. The anti-reflection coating does help mitigate glare in brighter settings.

Touch responsiveness is excellent, and the display works perfectly with the included HP Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen, which attaches magnetically to the side of the laptop. Palm rejection technology works impressively well, allowing you to rest your hand naturally on the screen while drawing or taking notes.

For those concerned about eye strain during long work sessions, the Spectre x360 includes HP's Eye Ease technology that reduces blue light without affecting color accuracy, plus an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts screen brightness based on your surroundings.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The backlit keyboard on the Spectre x360 14 is simply outstanding. Key travel is generous at 1.5mm, providing satisfying tactile feedback without being noisy. The layout is spacious and intuitive, with full-sized arrow keys (a rarity in modern laptops) and a column of navigation keys along the right edge for quick access to home, page up/down, and end functions.

HP has thoughtfully included dedicated keys for the webcam shutter and microphone mute, catering to the privacy-conscious user. The backlighting is even and adjustable to multiple brightness levels, making it easy to work in dimly lit environments.

The oversized trackpad is smooth, responsive, and supports all Windows Precision gestures with excellent accuracy. At 35% larger than previous generations, it provides ample space for navigation and multi-touch gestures. The glass surface offers just the right amount of resistance, allowing for precise cursor control without feeling slippery or sticky.

Performance and Specifications

Equipped with the latest Intel 13th generation processors, the Spectre x360 14 delivers outstanding performance for productivity tasks and creative work. Configuration options include:

• Intel Core i7-13700H or Core i5-13500H processors
• Up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM
• Up to 2TB of PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD storage
• Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics

In benchmark tests, the Core i7 model handles multi-tasking with ease, allowing you to run multiple applications simultaneously without slowdown. While not designed as a gaming machine, the integrated graphics can handle casual games and some less demanding titles at lower settings.

What's particularly impressive is how HP has managed thermal management in such a slim design. Even under heavy loads like video rendering or running multiple virtual machines, the system maintains comfortable temperatures with fan noise that remains relatively unobtrusive.

The NVMe SSD delivers blazing-fast read/write speeds, allowing the system to boot in seconds and applications to launch nearly instantaneously. File transfers are equally impressive, with large files copying at rates exceeding 2,500 MB/s in my testing.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life has long been a strength of the Spectre line, and the 2024 x360 14 continues this tradition. The 66Wh battery consistently delivers 10-12 hours of real-world usage with mixed workloads including web browsing, document editing, and video playback.

For more intensive tasks like video editing or running complex spreadsheet calculations, you can still expect 6-8 hours before needing to reach for the charger. This all-day battery life makes the Spectre x360 ideal for professionals who need reliability during long workdays or frequent travelers who can't always count on finding an outlet.

The included 65W USB-C power adapter supports fast charging, providing approximately 50% battery in just 30 minutes. This quick top-up capability can be a lifesaver when you're between meetings or catching a flight. The fact that charging works through any of the USB-C ports adds convenient flexibility to your setup options.

An intelligent battery management system helps preserve long-term battery health by learning your usage patterns and adjusting charging behavior accordingly. This adaptive charging feature is particularly valuable for users who typically keep their laptops plugged in for extended periods.

Connectivity and Ports

Despite its slim profile, the HP Spectre x360 14 doesn't skimp on connectivity options. You'll find:

• 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports with USB-C (supporting data, display, and power delivery)
• 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port (with drop-jaw design)
• 1x HDMI 2.1 port
• MicroSD card reader
• 3.5mm audio jack

The inclusion of a full-sized HDMI port and USB-A is particularly welcome, eliminating the need for dongles when connecting to external displays or using legacy peripherals. The Thunderbolt 4 ports support up to two 4K external displays and data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps, making this laptop a viable desktop replacement when needed.

Wireless connectivity is equally robust, featuring Wi-Fi 6E for blazing-fast wireless speeds on compatible networks and Bluetooth 5.3 for reliable connections to wireless peripherals. In testing, the Wi-Fi performance was exceptional, maintaining strong signals even in areas where other devices struggled to connect.

Audio and Webcam Quality

The quad-speaker setup tuned by Bang & Olufsen delivers impressive audio quality that surpasses what you'd typically expect from a laptop this size. The sound is clear and balanced with surprising bass response and good spatial separation. Whether you're on a video conference, watching movies, or listening to music, the audio experience is consistently pleasing.

HP has clearly recognized the importance of video conferencing in today's work environment. The 5MP IR webcam represents a significant upgrade from previous generations, capturing crisp, well-balanced images even in challenging lighting conditions. The camera includes temporal noise reduction technology that works particularly well in low-light environments.

The webcam's IR capabilities support Windows Hello facial recognition for secure, password-free logins. During testing, this feature worked reliably in various lighting conditions and from different angles. For privacy, a physical webcam shutter lets you block the camera when not in use—a simple but effective security feature.

The microphone array deserves special mention for its excellent noise cancellation capabilities. During calls, it effectively filtered out background noise while keeping my voice clear and natural. HP's AI noise reduction feature works surprisingly well at eliminating distractions like keyboard typing, air conditioners, or coffee shop ambience.

Software and User Experience

The Spectre x360 14 comes with Windows 11 Home (or Pro for business users), and HP has wisely kept bloatware to a minimum. The HP Command Center utility provides useful system controls and optimization options without feeling intrusive.

Some of the more valuable software additions include:

• HP Quick Drop: Enables easy file sharing between devices
• HP Display Control: Automatically switches color profiles based on the application you're using
• HP Enhanced Lighting: Turns your screen into a customizable ring light for video calls
• HP Power Manager: Offers granular control over performance and battery settings

The Windows 11 experience feels polished on this hardware, with smooth animations and responsive touch interactions. The 2-in-1 functionality is well-implemented, with the system intelligently adjusting its interface when switching between laptop and tablet modes.

HP has also added thoughtful touches for creative professionals, like automatic pen detection that launches relevant applications when you pick up the stylus, and palm rejection technology that works remarkably well when drawing or writing on the touchscreen.

Security Features

Security is increasingly important for business laptops and personal devices alike, and the Spectre x360 14 delivers comprehensive protection through both hardware and software features:

• TPM 2.0 security chip for hardware-based encryption
• Fingerprint reader (conveniently integrated into the keyboard)
• IR camera for Windows Hello facial recognition
• Physical webcam privacy shutter
• Dedicated keyboard buttons for quickly disabling microphone and camera
• HP Sure View Reflect (optional) privacy screen that limits viewing angles
• HP Sure Sense: AI-powered malware protection

The combination of biometric authentication options provides convenient yet secure access to your device. The fingerprint sensor is particularly responsive, recognizing authorized fingerprints quickly and accurately even from odd angles.

For business users or anyone handling sensitive information, the optional Sure View privacy screen is worth considering. When activated, it drastically narrows the viewing angle, making it nearly impossible for anyone beside you to see your screen—perfect for working in public spaces or during travel.

Cooling and Noise Levels

Effective thermal management is crucial for thin and light laptops, especially those housing powerful processors. The HP Spectre x360 14 employs a sophisticated cooling system with dual fans and heat pipes that efficiently dissipate heat away from critical components.

During typical productivity tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video conferencing, the laptop remains cool and virtually silent. Even when pushing the system with more demanding workloads like video editing or running multiple virtual machines, fan noise remains reasonable—audible but not distracting in a typical office environment.

Surface temperatures stay comfortable during extended use, with only minimal warmth detected on the keyboard deck and underside. This thermal efficiency contributes to the laptop's overall performance consistency, as it helps prevent thermal throttling that could otherwise impact system responsiveness during sustained workloads.

Value and Configurations

The HP Spectre x360 14 is positioned as a premium device, and its pricing reflects that. The base model starts around $1,299, while fully equipped configurations can approach $2,000. Key configuration options include:

• Processor choices: Core i5-13500H or Core i7-13700H
• RAM: 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5
• Storage: 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Display: FHD+ IPS, 3K2K OLED, or 3K2K OLED with Sure View

While certainly not budget-friendly, the pricing is competitive when compared to similar premium 2-in-1 laptops like the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 or the Lenovo Yoga 9i. When you consider the build quality, performance, versatility, and feature set, the value proposition becomes more apparent—especially for professionals whose productivity and creativity directly benefit from having exceptional tools.

For most users, the sweet spot configuration includes the Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and the gorgeous OLED display. This setup provides an excellent balance of performance and future-proofing without breaking the bank.

Upgradability and Repairability

In an era where many laptops are becoming increasingly difficult to upgrade or repair, the Spectre x360 14 offers mixed results. The RAM is soldered to the motherboard, meaning you can't upgrade it later—so choose wisely when configuring your system.

The SSD, however, is user-replaceable via an M.2 slot accessible after removing the bottom panel. This provides some future upgrade potential for storage capacity, though the process requires careful handling and basic technical knowledge.

Battery replacement is possible but not designed to be particularly user-friendly. HP's service documentation is comprehensive if you need to perform repairs, but many users will prefer to have service done by authorized technicians to avoid potential damage.

Comparison with Competitors

The premium 2-in-1 laptop market is highly competitive, with strong offerings from several manufacturers. Here's how the Spectre x360 14 stacks up against its main rivals:

Compared to the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, the Spectre offers a larger, higher-resolution display, more ports (including full-sized HDMI and USB-A), and generally better battery life. The Dell counters with a slightly more portable design and an optional 5G connectivity option.

Against the Lenovo Yoga 9i, the Spectre provides a more color-accurate display and superior audio quality, while the Lenovo offers a unique rotating soundbar and often comes in at a slightly lower price point.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio provides stronger graphics performance with its discrete GPU options, making it better for creative professionals who need graphics horsepower. However, the Spectre wins on portability, battery life, and port selection.

What sets the HP Spectre x360 14 apart is its rare combination of premium build quality, exceptional display, strong performance, and practical feature set that addresses real-world needs rather than just marketing checkboxes.

Who Should Buy the HP Spectre x360 14?

The HP Spectre x360 14 is ideally suited for:

• Business professionals who need a reliable, powerful, and secure device for everyday productivity
• Creative professionals like photographers, designers, and content creators who will benefit from the color-accurate OLED display
• College students seeking a versatile device that works equally well for note-taking, research, content consumption, and creative projects
• Frequent travelers who need all-day battery life and versatility in a portable package

Those who might want to look elsewhere include:

• Gamers or 3D artists who need dedicated graphics performance
• Budget-conscious shoppers who don't need all the premium features
• Users who require specific ports or expandability options not available here

Conclusion

The HP Spectre x360 14 earns its place as arguably the best 2-in-1 laptop of 2024 through thoughtful design choices that prioritize usability and performance. It successfully balances power and portability, offering enough processing capability to handle demanding workloads while maintaining impressive battery life in a slim, attractive package.

What makes this device special isn't any single revolutionary feature, but rather how well all its components work together to create a cohesive, premium experience. From the stunning 3:2 OLED display that enhances productivity and creative work to the excellent keyboard that makes typing a joy, everything about this laptop feels deliberately crafted for discerning users.

While the premium price point will deter some potential buyers, those who invest in the Spectre x360 are likely to find it a worthwhile long-term investment. Its combination of performance headroom, build quality, and thoughtful features should keep it feeling relevant and capable for years to come.

For professionals and enthusiasts seeking a versatile, premium computing experience in 2024, the HP Spectre x360 14 deserves to be at the top of your consideration list. It represents the culmination of HP's design expertise and stands as a benchmark against which other convertible laptops should be measured.