HP Envy x360 15-u010dx Convertible 15.6-Inch Laptop

HP’s Envy 15-u010dx Windows 8.1-based 15.6-inch laptop model you can find in the retail stores and online is from the x360 convertible series. The x360 is a mark for covertible design with a fully foldable hinge, so the notebook can be also used as a tablet or “tent” and “stand” presentation and movie-watching device.

Outwardly, the 15-u010dx is a premium-looking notebook, with brushed aluminum finish in silver color and slim profile of .9″. The system weighs 5.3 pounds, which is not heavy for a 15.6-inch laptop. But in comparison with Windows tablets weighing as low as one pound and many smaller-screen convertibles, the Envy x360 is huge and barely usable as a standard slate. When you open it up, visible are the touch 1920×1080-pixel display without IPS wide viewing angle feature, a spacious keyboard with isle-style keys, numeric pad, and backlight, and a Control Zone trackpad with support for advanced touch gestures.

The notebook is loaded with mid-range hardware. Instead of the higher-end Intel Core i7-4510U found in the otherwise very similar 15-u011dx, the 15-u010dx comes equipped with the mid-tier i5-4210U. If you regularly process large video or image files and do some other processor intensive tasks, the more expensive model with the i7 is a viable investment. Otherwise, the i5 is optimal choice, since it strikes the right balance between performance and price. Both CPUs incorporate the same Intel HD 4400 graphics processing unit, with entry-level game rendering potential. RAM amount is 8GB which is more than enough for all normal PC duties. The hard drive has a capacity of 750GB. It could have been larger of course, but is still roomier than the usual 500GB HDDs. A DVD optical drive has been omitted, so you’ll have to purchase an external one in order to read and write DVDs.

For video chat services like Skype and Google Hangouts, there’s a TrueVision web camera with 1080p capture quality, while for sound the laptop has stereo speakers and Beats Audio technology. For getting you online, the system uses 802.11AC Wi-Fi wireless and Ethernet LAN connections. Bluetooth connectivity is supported, too. For connection to external monitors, HDTVs, and projectors, the 15-u010dx sports HDMI jack and Intel Wireless Display technology.

There’s no info on how long power autonomy is provided by the built-in 3-cell 43.5WHr battery.