Technologies

HP Envy x360 13 Review: Midrange 2-in-1 That’s Short on Battery

This compact convertible is customizable, and we suggest you take advantage of the reasonable upgrade prices.

The HP Envy x360 13 is a compact, midrange two-in-one based on a 13.3-inch touch display with a tall 16:10 aspect ratio that makes the screen feel roomier than a 13.3-inch widescreen display. Still, it’s less screen than you get with the 14-inch, 16:10 Lenovo Yoga 7i, which remains our favorite two-in-one for most buyers. At $1,050, the HP Envy x360 model we tested costs a bit less than the Yoga 7i we looked at, but we think the Yoga 7i is worth the extra funds.

For starters, the Envy x360 13 isn’t any lighter than the 14-inch Yoga 7i, so there’s no weight penalty to pay for the added screen real estate. More to the point, the Envy x360 13 we tested supplies only 8GB of RAM. Any laptop or convertible with a price north of $1,000 should serve up 16GB of memory, as the Yoga 7i does. The meager memory allotment holds back the Envy x360 13’s performance. Its battery life also failed to impress, and we aren’t fans of the silver-on-silver, low-contrast keyboard. Unless you find the Envy x360 13 on sale at a substantial discount, we would steer two-in-one shoppers to the Yoga 7i.

7.8

HP Envy x360 13

$1,050 at Best Buy

Get Price Alerts

You’re receiving price alerts for HP Envy x360 13

Like

Rigid, metal chassis
HP offers affordable upgrade options
1440p webcam

Don’t Like

Only 8GB of RAM hampers performance
Poor contrast between keys and key symbols
Disappointing battery life

Our test model (13-bf0013dx) is available at Best Buy for $1,050. You can also find it for the same price at HP.com. Best Buy and HP are constantly rotating sales, and while our review configuration is not marked down at Best Buy right now, it’s $200 off at HP and selling for only $850. The line starts at $900 at HP for a system with the Core i5-1230U processor, and this baseline model is also $200 off and selling for $700. Upgrading to the Core i7-1250U CPU of our test system is a $150 upgrade on the customizable model on HP’s site. And for a $220 upgrade, you can get the Core i7-1250U and 16GB of RAM — a much better option than the $150 CPU-only upgrade we received.

HP also offers two display upgrades, both of which are aggressively priced. We received the baseline display, an IPS LCD touch panel with a 1,920-by-1,080 resolution. For $30 more, you can upgrade the resolution to 2,560-by-1,600. That’s a reasonable sum for the added pixels, but the baseline display looked plenty crisp across its 13.3 inches on our test system. However, the $60 display upgrade gets you an OLED panel with a 2,880-by-1,800 resolution. We’d happily spend that amount for the incredible color and contrast that an OLED panel delivers. In the UK, the Envy x360 13 starts at £730 for an AMD Ryzen 5-based config and £750 for a Core i5-based model. In Australia, it’s AU$999 for a Ryzen 5 model and AU$1,399 for a Core i5 model.

With the upgrade to the Core i7-1250U CPU but with the baseline 8GB of RAM, our Envy x360 13 test system trailed competing two-in-ones from Dell and Lenovo that feature similar 12th-gen Intel U-series chips but with 16GB of RAM. As configured, the Envy x360 13 will suffice for basic office tasks but is a poor choice for more intensive creative work that requires more RAM and better graphics. Perhaps the most surprising test result was its lackluster runtime; it lasted only eight hours on our battery drain test. That might be enough to squeeze out an entire workday on a single charge, but other two-in-ones can run for hours longer on a single charge.

HP Envy x360 13-bf0013dx

Price as reviewed	$1,050
Display size/resolution	13.3-inch 1,920 x 1,200 touch display
CPU	1.1GHz Intel Core i7-1250U
Memory	8GB LPDDR4x-4266 MHz RAM (onboard)
Graphics	128MB Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Storage	512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Networking	Wi-Fi 6E (2×2)(19c) and Bluetooth 5.3combo (Supporting Gigabit data rate)
Operating system	Windows 11 Home 22H2

Slim and silver

The Envy x360 13 boasts a trim, all-metal chassis that’s only 0.63-inch thick and weighs only 3 pounds. It’s eminently portable, but the 3-pound weight begins to feel less impressive when considering the slightly larger, 14-inch Yoga 7i also weighs 3 pounds.

A silver 13-inch HP Envy x360 13 two-in-one laptop sitting on a wood table. — Josh Goldman/CNET

I don’t take issue with the Envy x360 13’s size or weight, but I do have a problem with the silver keyboard. The keys match the rest of the system — silver lid, silver keyboard deck and silver bottom panel. That’s a lot of silver. I don’t mind the monochrome design, but the silver keys are hard to read because there’s little contrast between the silver keys and dark gray key symbols. The Envy x360 13 would look equally sleek with a traditional black keyboard and be much easier to use. The keys themselves are flat, with shallow travel and snappy feedback. And they offer two-level backlighting, which I had to frequently employ to see which key was which.

For such a small laptop, the touchpad looks and feels roomy. It accurately recorded my mousing gestures, and its click response was just about perfect. It’s quiet when clicked with a firm-but-not-too-firm feel.

Before 16:10 laptop displays started replacing widescreen 16:9 panels, I would have said a 13.3-inch laptop is too small for your everyday laptop, even if you needed to carry it to work or class each day. You’d be better off with a 14-inch model for the added screen space at the expense of toting a few more ounces in your laptop bag. The 13.3-inch, 16:10 has me rethinking this advice. It was large enough to work comfortably, including multitasking and juggling multiple windows. The 1,920-by-1,200 resolution is plenty crisp on the 13.3-inch panel and offers plenty of brightness. It’s rated for 400 nits of brightness, and I measured it to be even a bit brighter than that at 460 nits.

The 13.3-inch, 16:10 panel also feels natural with the display rotated 360 degrees into tablet mode. Larger 15.6-inch and narrower 16:9 panels can feel a bit unwieldy when used as a tablet. I could hold the Envy x360 in one hand without issue or awkwardness and swipe and tap on the screen with the other. A stylus, however, was not included with our test system. On Best Buy, it states that a stylus is not included, but if you buy from HP, an HP Rechargeable MPP2.0 Tilt Pen is included in the price.

The Envy x360 13 boasts a 1440p webcam that produces an incredibly crisp picture that makes the previous-gen 720p cameras look like grainy, poorly balanced garbage. It’s also an IR cam that you can use to sign in simply by placing your face in front of the display. Without a fingerprint reader, the camera is the system’s only biometric security feature.

The laptop offers a pair of USB Type-A ports and a pair of USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support. You also get a microSD card slot. Missing are HDMI and Ethernet ports. HP includes a USB-C-to-Ethernet adapter, but it would have been nice if that adapter also had an HDMI connection.

With a trim, aluminum chassis and a bright, fairly roomy 13.3-inch display, the HP Envy x360 13 has the makings of a versatile yet portable two-in-one convertible. In the end, the Lenovo Yoga 7i outclasses it by offering a larger display at the same 3-pound weight, better performance and much longer battery life. With HP’s customization options at affordable prices, you don’t need to spend all that much more to configure a better Envy x360 13 machine that includes 16GB of RAM and an OLED display. We still would worry about the battery life since you cannot upgrade to a bigger battery.

How we test computers

The review process for laptops, desktops, tablets and other computer-like devices consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our expert reviewers. This includes evaluating a device’s aesthetics, ergonomics and features. A final review verdict is a combination of both objective and subjective judgments.

The list of benchmarking software we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. The most important core tests we’re currently running on every compatible computer include: Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra.

Longer bars indicate better performance

System configurations

HP Envy x360 13-bf0013dx	Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 1.1GHz Intel Core 17-1250U; 8GB DDR4 4,266MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe Graphics; 512GB SSD
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i	Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 1.3GHz Intel Core i5-1235U; 16GB DDR4 4,266MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe Graphics; 512GB SSD
Dell Inspiron 14 7420 2-in-1	Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 1.7GHz Intel Core i7-1255U; 16GB DDR4 3,200MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe Graphics; 512GB SSD
Lenovo Yoga 7i (Gen 7)	Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 1.7GHz Intel Core i7-1255U; 16GB DDR5 6,400MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe Graphics; 512GB SSD

Technologies

Dear Apple, Please Make Our WatchOS 12 Wish List Come True

Better battery life, smarter Siri and the other game-changing features we want to see in the next WatchOS that are within the realm of possibility

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is still a few weeks away but that doesn’t mean we can’t start daydreaming about the features we want for WatchOS 12, the next version of Apple Watch software.

With Apple Watch salesdown 19% in 2024 and new competitors like the Oura ring gaining market share, WatchOS 12 could be a chance for Apple to show that it hasn’t been asleep at the wrist.

I teamed up with a few longtime Apple Watch users and fellow CNET editors to put together a wish list of the most requested (and most realistic) features we hope to see in 2025. We’ll save the holographic FaceTime calls for another list.

Improved battery life

A long battery life may not sound as exciting as some of the flashier features on this list but it easily wins the popularity contest among our editors (myself included). We didn’t have a wish list when the Apple Watch launched a decade ago but if we had, I’d bet battery life would’ve been at the top — because that’s how long we’ve been asking for it.

CNET editor-at-large Scott Stein wants a longer battery life and faster charging, especially if Apple wants people to really take advantage of sleep tracking.

A dream scenario would be for the regular Apple Watch and SE version to have the same three-day battery life of the Apple Watch Ultra 2. But software alone can’t work miracles; it still has to operate within the limits of the physical battery. So we’d settle for incremental improvements and optimizations to WatchOS 12 that minimize how much power gets used. That could come in the form of smarter battery-saving modes that automatically kick in when power-hungry features aren’t needed or a more efficient bedtime mode that doesn’t leave the battery drained by morning.

At a prequel to its developer’s conference, Google announced that its own Wear OS 6 will boost battery life by up to 10 percent. It’s not a huge leap, but it’s a welcome one — and a good reminder that meaningful improvements are possible through software alone.

UI tweaks and customization

Apple’s come a long way with letting us customize the Apple Watch’s UI but there’s still room for improvements. The app list, for example, is in desperate need of a refresh. You’re still limited to viewing it as either a grid or list and there’s no way to organize apps by how you actually use them. CNET Managing Editor Patrick Holland suggests adding options to sort by favorites or most used to cut down on the endless scrolling it takes to find what you need.

Watch faces are another area that still feels locked down compared to other platforms like Wear OS. It’s a long-standing request from Stein, who’s been asking for a watch face store since reviewing the original Apple Watch in 2015. We’ve gotten a lot more watch face options since then with customizable widgets and design features but you’re still limited by the templates Apple provides.

CNET health editor Anna Gragert also suggested more watch face collections by artists from underrepresented communities, similar to what the company did with the Black Unity watch at the beginning of the year.

Gestures that go further

Apple first introduced gesture control with WatchOS 10 and the Series 9 and Ultra 2, and it’s been gradually expanding the feature ever since. Now that we’ve had a taste of what one-handed control feels like, we’re ready for more.

CNET senior writer Jeff Carlson admitted he was skeptical of gesture controls at first: «Before I got a Series 10, I thought it was a dubious addition,» he said. «But I use it a lot (especially turning off timers) and want more control than just ‘highlight the main control’ or ‘scroll down the Smart Stack.'»

I’m right there with him. I’d like more gestures beyond the double pinch and the ability to program a gesture to ping my iPhone, because nine times out of 10, I’m rushing out the door with my hands full and don’t have a spare hand to tap the screen.

Apple Intelligence features

The Apple Watch is still notably AI-free — and that might not be a bad thing. The reality is, while the Watch is powerful, it doesn’t yet have the processing muscle to handle Apple Intelligence tasks on its own. But that doesn’t mean it can’t lean on the iPhone for a few features we’d love to see make their way over.

One of the top ones on my list? Genmoji. The ability to create your own emoji on the fly feels like it belongs on your wrist. Apple already brought Memojis and Animojis to the Watch, so this would be a natural next step that would bring more personality to text messages or replace the need for text altogether.

And while we’re on the subject of Apple Intelligence, the Watch could benefit from a smarter approach to notifications. Notification summaries on the iPhone are still hit-or-miss, but on a tiny screen they could actually be more helpful if done right. The current notification layout on the Watch feels crowded, and it’s hard to separate the important alerts from the rest of the noise.

Spam handling on the watch is another area that could use attention. «I’d like to be able to delete and report spam texts and calls the way you can in Messages or Phone on the iPhone — preferably right from the notification,» says Carlson. Right now, blocking a sender on the Watch requires several steps which defeats the purpose of having quick interactions on the wrist.

Smarter Siri

Offline Siri has been a welcome improvement (Series 9 and later). But even offline, Siri is not the brightest bulb. And Apple’s voice assistant is long overdue for an upgrade.

At the very least, it would be great if Siri could understand requests on the first try. But as this is a wish list, why not ask for more? Smarter, more context-aware responses would make Siri far more useful, especially if the assistant can tap into its new Apple Intelligence tools. And please: fewer website links as answers. I’m not about to open a full webpage on my wrist.

Customizable workouts

I also wish the Apple Watch had a way for me to flag external factors like weight or resistance that could impact workout metrics. This could be running or walking with a weighted vest, which in my case is a human child on a harness, or pushing a stroller while on a run.

Right now, there’s no way to flag added weight or resistance to your workout beyond changing your weight in the settings. So instead the Watch just assumes I’m out of shape when my heart rate spikes higher than average as I’m hiking uphill with an additional 35lbs on my back. I’d like to get the extra calorie credits on my move ring, thank you very much.

Smarter coaching for fitness and sleep

The Apple Watch gives us plenty of training tools for heart rate zones, activity rings, VO2 max, and more. But turning all that data into a personalized training plan still feels daunting. I’d love to see a smarter, more proactive coaching system: something that could tell me, in real time, how many minutes I should aim to stay in each heart rate zone to hit my goal. Even better would be a dynamic workout plan that adjusts based on my calendar and energy levels that day.

The same goes for sleep. It’s nice to see my sleep stages but what am I supposed to do with that information? What’s the ideal balance of REM versus deep sleep and how do I improve it?

Gragert would also like to see the Apple Watch take a cue from other wearables and offer energy and sleep scores based on the data it collects.

The sleep coach would then help interpret the data and give tangible recommendations on how to improve toward better recovery and energy. And no, the current bedtime reminder doesn’t count. That’s just a glorified alarm and a pretty annoying one at that.

Smarter vitals and health coaching

We’re already seeing Apple bring more health data together on the Watch, thanks to the Vitals app, which combines metrics like heart rate, sleep, respiratory rate and skin temperature. But for now, it’s still up to us to figure out what that data actually means and what to do with it.

What’s next? Apple could take a similar approach to what it already does with heart rate notifications. The Watch alerts you when your heart rate is too high or too low — now imagine that same kind of proactive insight but for your overall vitals.

Other wearables are already heading in that direction. The Oura Ring, for example, uses a Symptom Radar that can flag when your body shows signs of strain, like when you might be getting sick.That kind of heads up landing on your wrist first thing in the morning could help you plan your day better and maybe call in sick to the office before you drag your coworkers down with you.

Rumor has it some of this smart coaching is already well underway. According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a top secret project code named «Project Mulberry» which seeks to revamp the Health app with smart coaching and personalized recommendations. Just don’t make me pay for another subscription please.

We’ll find out what Apple actually has in store for us on June 10 during WWDC. Until then, there’s nothing stopping us from dreaming big.

Technologies

I’m Still Waiting for Amazon’s Big Alexa AI Upgrade: Here’s What to Know About the Delay

Like the Apple Siri AI upgrade, it looks like Amazon’s Alexa Plus is taking much longer than anticipated. Here’s why these voice assistants are dragging their digital feet.

We attended Amazon’s February announcement of a massive Alexa AI upgrade with great interest. The new service, called Alexa Plus, promised us conversational AI to set reservations, learn what we like, analyze home video for us and control our smart entertainment on the fly — even if it came with a wee bit of privacy loss.

The enhanced Alexa was supposed to be ready to try in March. Now it’s the middle of May and we’re still waiting. I wish I could say I was surprised. Here’s what’s happening and why Echo users should practice their patience.

Read more: Amazon Alexa Just Changed Its Privacy Settings. CNET Survey Reveals 73% of Device Users Were Already Worried

Alexa Plus stalls out: We’ve seen this before

So, where’s the AI? For now, it’s still in early access, and that early access period appears to be limited. Even the few who have tried out Alexa Plus have been quiet about it. Those who’ve spoken up have said the AI is lacking critical features that were mentioned at the announcement, including ordering food on Grubhub with a conversation, entering into a story mode with kids, visually identifying family members during conversations, brainstorming ideas in a casual conversation mode, and using Alexa Plus on the Web. In other words, it’s just not ready yet.

Read more: The Best Smart Displays for 2025

I’ve seen this before, very recently, with Apple’s announcement that it will be delaying Siri’s big AI upgrade, not only for a year after WWDC 2024, but then again in 2025 and possibly for as long as until 2027 according to our latest info. It’s possible Amazon watched the fallout from these delay announcements plus leaked employee complaints, and decided to be much quieter about the Alexa Plus rollout.

Either way, it could be months before the average consumer sees an option to upgrade to Alexa Plus, and with staggered rollouts, some Amazon customers could be waiting quite some time for the chatty new Alexa. No one at CNET has gotten an early access look at Alexa Plus yet, but the testing period is still ongoing, so we’re hopeful to get our hands on it very soon.

Waiting for the Show

We’re ready with Amazon Echos, Echo Shows, home cameras, smart gadgets and more to test out just what’s changed with Alexa Plus and what features have actually arrived (and what we still can’t do). But for now, it looks like we’re waiting for our own wake word — and I wouldn’t be surprised if Alexa Plus is on a similar trajectory to Siri’s AI delays, sans the troubling announcements and exposes we saw with Apple.

If you’re desperate to see what Amazon is doing with the latest Alexa AI technology, there is a way to get to the front of the line. Amazon has mentioned that during the early access period, it will focus on releasing Alexa Plus for Echo Shows. If you have an Echo Show 8, Show 10, Show 15 or Show 21, you’re more likely to see an offer for Alexa Plus if you sign up for the program.

Otherwise, we’ll keep you updated. Check out our AI Atlas to get the latest on Siri, Google Gemini, ChatGPT, Grok and, yes, Alexa Plus as we learn more and test out new capabilities.

Read more: The Best Smart Speakers for 2025

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)