Kim
Ok, I still prefer to use macOS, but Excel and other MS software for Mac still sucks big time! So, I use an HP laptop with Windows 10 Pro as my daily driver at work.
To be more specific, it’s an HP Elitebook x360 (G4 1030), that I have used for about 7 months. In my job (sales, marketing and business development) I mainly use Google Chrome, Microsoft 365, Adobe CS and occasionally Autodesk Fusion 360 – just to give you an understanding of what I use the machine for. This HP Elitebook x360 is close to perfect for the job, but there are some issues with the overall design of the machine, as well as some HP software and firmware issues. Most reviews cover the specs, some Geekbench results and about a week of testing. This is different. This is real world testing, over time, using it as the business laptop HP claims it is. So let’s get down to business!
Spec
First of all, some specifications. This is my exact configuration (G4 1030):
| Screen | 13.3″, 1920×1280, Touch, SureView, Anti-Glare |
| CPU | Intel i7-8665U 4C/8T (1.8/4.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Intel UHD 620 |
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR3-2133 |
| Storage | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Wi-Fi | Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 (2×2) |
| WWAN | Gigabit 4G/LTE Cat16 |
| NFC | NPC300 I2C NCI |
| Bluetooth | BT 5 |
| USB/Thunderbolt | 1xUSB-A, 2xUSB-C (TB 3 – with charging) |
| Display Output | HDMI 1.4, USB-C (TB 3) |
| Cameras | Full HD webcam + IR for face authentication |
| Other I/O | Microphone, 4 stereo speakers, audio jack |
| Other sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, agnetometer, Hall effect sensor |
| Battery | 56.2 Wh |
| Dimensions | W 30.58 cm (12.04 in), D 20.5 cm (8.07 in), T 1.58 cm (0.62 in) |
| Weight | 1.25 kg (2.78 pounds) |
Display
As I travel a lot, I chose the screen with view protection (HP calls it “SureView”). This only comes in 1920×1280, but I think that’s enough on a 13″ display. The display is not the best when it comes to sharpness and color accuracy. I think the sharpness suffers from the view protection and makes the display a little “blurry” in some cases. For general usage it is ok, but for work with colors in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop it is far from good enough (it might be different with the 4K model). If you don’t really need the view protection, I would recommend to get one of the other display options instead.
I have to admit that I have barely tried the touch function, as I also travel with an iPad and Windows is not really optimised for touch. Also, with the matte screen, your fingermarks will make the laptop look dirty and disgusting.
Performance and memory
The company I work for first gave me a version with i5 and 8 GB RAM. That one was almost useless as Windows is not exactly best at handling RAM. I asked for more RAM, because I use a lot of apps and browser tabs actively when I work. They gave me a new one with i7 and 16 GB RAM. That was much better and I really recommend 16 GB RAM as minimum if you are an active multitasker. The CPU performance suffers quite often from down-throttling thanks to heat problems, as you can read more about below. In general, I don’t think it’s a big problem for this type of computer (most business people will never need all the power from the i7).
Thermal problems
This laptop gets hot, really hot. Thermal design is not good at all! For simple tasks, sure, but as soon as I start to open some browser tabs the fans start spinning. And they are loud! It is also designed for being used on a flat surface only, as the air intake is underneath the machine. Putting it on your lap will heat up the machine quite fast. So, I guess we can’t call it a “laptop”.
Ports
Probably the best part of this computer is the I/O. Full size HDMI is great for business meetings and presentations. USB-C charging is really convenient as I only have to bring one charger for all my devices when traveling.
Volume, 2x USB-C (TB3), Kensington lock, HDMI 
USB-A, Headphone jack, Power button, Sim-card tray
I have also had some problems with the USB-C ports. I always travel with a Satechi USB-C charger and was quite happy that this computer could charge via USB-C. I know the charger is ok, as I have used it with a lot of other devices, but on this HP Elitebook the ports stops working after unplugging the charger the first time. In my case I was in a business meeting and I plugged in the Satechi charger, everything worked fine. Then later, when I got back to the hotel, I plugged in the original charger to charge up before the next day. Nothing happened. The USB-C ports were dead. I googled and found that I’m not alone, so I did a “hard reset” by holding down the power button for approx 30 sec.. That fixed the problem temporarily. Next day, same problem, so there must be some firmware issue. I just gave up and started to carry the original charger as well.
Keyboard and trackpad
I still prefer the keyboard on my MacBook Pro, but this one is much quieter. The key caps are not the most stable, but they have a soft feel to them, like an extremely thin layer of rubber. Overall a nice typing experience. The trackpad is quite good for a Windows laptop. It has problems if you unintentionally touches the pad with other parts of your hand, and it’s not possible to click on the top part of the pad.
Speakers, microphone and webcam
The hardware you need for Teams, Zoom etc. has proven to be very important in these times. And I’m sad to say that’s the weakest point of this computer. Bang & Olufsen have put their name on the speakers, and to be honest I don’t know why. They sound quite good on a low volume, but I wish they were a lot louder. I’m of course comparing to the MacBook Pro speaker and they are in a different league, I even think there are leagues in between them. The same goes for the microphone, even though I don’t have the latest generation from Apple on my MacBook Pro. People hear me a lot better and clearer when I use the AirPods Pro, my Jabra external conference speaker or just my iPhone. The camera is also too weak, with too light colors and a picture that appears a little blurry (looks like it is just a bit out of focus). All that being said, it is probably more than good enough for conference calls, but don’t be surprised if yogurt some complaints on the sound quality of the microphone.
Bang & Olufsen speakers 
Still one USB-A port
Design
I will not go into the details about what could have looked better, but I just have to mention a few of the biggest design flaws with this computer:
- Machined and polished alu on the edge around the laptop – scratches extremely easy (see pictures).
- Buttons on the outside (power and volume controls) when the laptop is closed. I don’t know the real reason behind this decision, but I push these button accidentally all the time.
- The hinge is too tight and it is impossible to open the laptop with one hand.
Summary
The good:
- Looks good (slim with a nice “business look”)
- Light weight
- Security features (fingerprint, face scan, screen privacy)
- Really nice keyboard
- Performance is good with i7 and 16 GB ram
- Ports (HDMI, 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A)
- LTE (4G) integrated
- Good run time on battery
The bad:
- Thermal design
- Power and volume button placement
- Touch screen and pen implementation (pen scratches the matte surface).
- Some firmware issues (especially USB-C/TB3)
- HP pre-install too much crappy software
- Microphone and webcam are not good enough for 2020
To sum up this review, all in all I think this is the best Windows laptop I have ever used. The light weight and slim design is perfect for traveling. I was a little surprised how bad the i5/8GB model performed, but I’m quite satisfied with the i7/16GB model.
Score: 8/10 (ok, not that close to perfect – but what is?)
Anandtech has a great review on this computer as well:
Let me know in the comments if you have any question about this laptop.
// Kim
Kim
2 comments
Hi mate, notiCe the bang&olufsen speaker is On BOard. How Is the sOUnd quality?
Hi. I have updated the review with some details on the speakers, microphone and camera. The sound quality is actually quite good, but they could have been a lot louder. I don’t know why Bang & Olufsen put their name on speakers like this, just pulls their brand down.
// Kim