The HP Spectre x360 was one of the first convertible laptop lines on the market. They are thin-and-light, beautifully designed laptops with quality hardware components and a touchscreen display. That is why the Spectre x360 line gained so much popularity among consumers. And as HP continues to release newer models, our love for their Spectre laptops just keeps growing. Furthermore, it always makes our top convertible laptop models list. 

Let’s take a closer look at the 2021 HP Spectre x360 lineup. 

HP Spectre x360 2021: Design

Design-wise, the new model did not change much. But to be fair, previous versions were already exceptionally well made, leaving virtually no room for improvement in the looks department—beautiful slim aluminum chassis with the diamond-cut corners. As a result, the HP Spectre x360 convertible laptop looks and feels expensive. And the 13.3-inch model became even more portable than its predecessor, weighing only 2.8 lbs!

HP has also added a new color to the 2021 Spectre lineup. A beautiful Poseidon Blue was introduced this year along with the traditional Nightfall Black copper-colored option and the Natural Silver one.

2021 HP Spectre x360 Convertible Display Options

Another exciting expansion was the addition of the 14-inch screen size to the lane. The line had already featured 13.3-inch and 15.6-inch models, but the new Spectre x360 14 (13.5 to be precise) hits the spot. Even though it does not sound like much, a little extra screen room makes all the difference. Plus, the 14-inch laptop remains light and portable, just like its 13.3-inch counterpart. 

So to recap, we get the following display options to choose from:

• 13.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS touchscreen
• 13.3-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), OLED touchscreen
• 13.5-inch FHD WUXGA+ (1920 x 1280), IPS touchscreen
• 13.5-inch 3K2K UWVA (3000 x 2000), OLED touchscreen
• 15.6-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), AMOLED touchscreen 

Of course, the convertible touchscreen design is Spectre x360’s main feature, never mind the screen size. That and top-of-the-line hardware components make it, in a way, a pretty decent 2-in-1 gaming laptop.

Spectre x360 Connectivity and Ports

The HP Spectre x360 convertible line offers a standard selection of ports you typically get in a similar type model, which is:

• One USB-A 3.1
• Two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4
• MicroSD card reader
• Audio jack microphone combo.

One big downside is that the 13.3 and 13.5-inch models do not have an HDMI port. 

As for the internet, you get the Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5 combo, supporting Gigabit file transfer speeds.

Another cool feature is the webcam kill switch, located on the left side of the base. It allows users to shut off the camera when not in use—no need to put a piece of tape over it as a makeshift lens cover. 

Specifications, Performance, and Pricing

As expected, the new HP Spectre x360 convertible comes with the latest 11th generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors plus integrated Iris Xe graphics. 

Storage options range from 256GB to 2TB PCIe solid state drives. You also get either 8GB or 16GB of onboard memory, which means you cannot upgrade it, but no surprise there. 

And thanks to the latest Intel processors, 2021 models run much faster than last year’s ones. Because of better CPUs, Spectre x360 systems are very responsive, allowing you to multi-task with ease. Aside from the usual day-to-day tasks, HP Spectre x360 can even run some less demanding video games, like League of Legends or Rocket League, thanks to the Iris Xe graphics. 

All Spectre models offer substantial battery life, giving you a solid 10 hours of work, web browsing, and running programs in the background. 

Price-wise, the cheapest 13.3-inch model starts at $949.99. But depending on the screen size and add-ons, the total cost can quickly surpass $2500. 

Pre-Owned HP Spectre x360 Resale Value

If you wonder “Where I can trade in my HP laptop,” you’ve come to the right place. We at Gadget Salvation buy all kinds of laptops, older Spectre models included. 

The resale value of a used HP laptop depends on the actual model number, functional and cosmetic condition; therefore, it varies from unit to unit. But just to give you a general idea, here are a few examples:

•  An older 2015 HP Spectre x360 15 model with Intel Core i7 6th generation processor still can yield up to a $209 offer.*
• Last year’s HP Spectre 13 Intel Core i7 10th Gen. CPU model gets up to $411 money in your pocket.*

As you can see, the line holds pretty good resale value over time, considering how fast laptop computers become obsolete nowadays. A word of advice: if you are thinking about selling your used laptop, better do it now than later. We have noticed an alarming trend of gadgets devaluing at a much higher rate due to this pandemic. And that applies to new electronics as well. 

2021 HP Spectre x360 Convertible Pros and Cons

While the new models are pretty exceptional in terms of looks and performance, they are not perfect.

Bottom Line

The HP Spectre x360 laptops are incredibly versatile thanks to a 2-in-1 convertible design, multiple screen size options, and premium components. So whether you want a computer for school, work, or home use, the Spectre is guaranteed to have that perfect one that meets your needs. You can even play a video game on it now and then. And the subtle changes and hardware upgrades the line got in 2021 really made an already very good laptop nearly perfect. The price tag might scare some off, but that’s what premium laptops with premium hardware components go for these days. 

*Priced on 07/22/2021. Subject to change.