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Best HP laptop

Which HP laptop is best?

Your office is everywhere if you’re a laptop user — coffee shops, dorms, or co-working spaces.  That’s why it’s time to take your workspace to the next level with a new HP laptop.

HP embraces its reputation for tough construction in printers and hardware and brings it to the table with its laptops. Cutting-edge and durable, HP laptops are beloved by commuters and students who need heavy-duty models to keep up with their changing environments. They’re also appreciated by tech-savvy multitaskers, who need advanced features, such as convertible touchscreens and quality built-in webcams.

If it’s time to upgrade your office on the go, take a look at the following buying guide on HP laptops. We’re including our favorite model, the HP Envy x360 15-inch Convertible Laptop, which is ideal for the creative who needs more than one medium.

What to know before you buy an HP laptop

Laptop type

  • Traditional laptop: Affordable and user-friendly, their input modes are limited to a mouse and keyboard, which keeps operation streamlined and familiar. With no touch-based features, the overall functionality may seem somewhat limited for those used to tablets and smartphones. 
  • Two-in-ones: These laptops are equipped with touchscreens and operate in tablet mode for easy navigation. They’re ideal for creative and design work and are compatible with a stylus. However, given their advanced features, two-in-ones are far more expensive. As durable as HP builds them, these laptops are still more delicate than traditional ones.

Battery life

Battery standby and usage time are drastically different, so when comparing HP laptops, look for both these numbers. Standby time refers to how long the battery will last when the laptop is not in use. Usage time refers to how long your battery will last while the laptop is in use. These times can also express as mixed-use, a number that represents the average of both standby and usage times.

Screen size

As attractive as a large screen is, it will cause the battery to deplete more quickly. Some of the longest-lasting batteries in HP laptops are seen in their smaller models, such as the 13” to 15” ones.

Battery replacement capability

There are some HP laptops whose batteries can be replaced, though it’s a feature being phased out market-wide. It’s definitely a perk, as it’s a quick fix to address charging issues, which are inescapable after a couple of years of use. For the most part, expect to find newer and upcoming HP models without this capability — which means battery issues could mean replacing the entire laptop sooner than expected.

Windows vs. Chrome OS

HP laptops have either Windows or Chrome as their operating system. Compare both before assuming you’re going with one or the other. Since their basic features and perks are completely different, your research may surprise you, as you could end up choosing the opposite operating system.

  • Microsoft Windows: Windows is familiar and comfortable for most users and is used throughout homes and businesses worldwide. Windows 10 is equipped with a robust set of features, including Cortana and a new streamlined user experience. However, Microsoft doesn’t always have great software updates, and some will slow down your system or cause crashes.
  • Google Chrome OS: Chrome is often installed on budget-priced HP laptops, as it’s less expensive to license. It’s ideal if you’re savvy with web browsers since it mostly runs on web-based applications or browser extensions. On the downside, Chrome has a bit of a learning curve for users who aren’t tech-savvy, so while it makes a laptop more affordable, it can be frustrating to learn.

How much you can expect to spend on an HP laptop

Budget-friendly models are priced below $450, but they won’t come with disc drives or a large memory. Mid-range HP laptops cost between $450 and $600 and are far more reliable and have overall better battery life. Premium HP laptops cost closer to $800 and are well-equipped with touchscreen features, faster processors, and better long-term performance.

HP laptop FAQ

What do I do if I want to use a CD or DVD on my HP laptop, but it doesn’t come with an optical disc drive?

A. Since your HP laptop is equipped with USB ports, you can just use an external optical disc drive that way. Another option is to transfer files from your disc to a PC, then onto a thumb drive.

Is it worth getting a built-in webcam on my HP laptop?

A. It might be more cost-effective than buying one separately, so consider your laptop as more of an overall investment in this case. On the other hand, if you need top-quality camera capabilities, you’ll probably end up purchasing a premium webcam anyway.

What are the best HP laptops to buy?

Top HP laptop

HP Envy x360 15.6-inch Convertible Laptop

Our take: Laptop designed for the creative mind who needs expanded functionality and features.

What we like: Foldable design and touchscreen. Impressive battery life. Ryzen 7 5700U processor, 8-Core Processor, 16 GB memory.   

What we dislike: Hefty price, so make sure you’re going to use the expanded functions.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon

Top HP laptop for the money

HP Chromebook, Intel Celeron N3060

Our take: Ideal for commuters and students given its durable construction.

What we like: Touchscreen and anti-glare WLED-backlit display. 16GB memory and dual-core processor.

What we dislike: Doesn’t come with a hard drive and need to buy an external disc drive.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon

Worth checking out

HP HD Touchscreen Premium Laptop

Our take: Genuine workhorse designed for demanding everyday use.

What we like: Bluetooth-enabled and webcam with microphone. 560GB hard drive and supports Windows 10.

What we dislike: Some reliability issues with crashing and slowing with software updates.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon

 

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Sian Babish writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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