HP Chromebook x360 14 Might Be the Chromebook I’ve Been Looking For

HP’s new premium Chromebook seems to hit the sweet spot when it comes to form factor, specs, and pricing. I’m hoping to review it soon.

“As customers continue to embrace the Chromebook ecosystem, we have learned that they are often seeking the same design and features that make our other convertible devices so popular,” HP vice president Kevin Frost said in a prepared statement. “With the success of the HP Chromebook x2 earlier this year, customers have signaled they want premium choices and powerful experiences in their Chrome OS devices. We are excited to expand our Chromebook portfolio with the HP Chromebook x360 14 – an unparalleled Chrome OS experience with a head-turning design that delivers the power and performance our customers expect.”

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The Chromebook x2 is indeed interesting, but with a 12.3-inch display, it’s a bit smaller than I’d like. To that end, the Chromebook x360 14 amps up the size—with a right-sized 14-inch display—and the quality. It features a 3D-stamped metal keyboard deck and a diamond-cut touchpad trim, plus a ceramic-like white finish on the display lid.

Like HP’s other x360 products, the Chromebook x360 14 can be used in four different operating modes, making it easier to switch between content creation and consumption. As important, the specs are reasonable, something that is still fairly rare with Chromebooks. The 360 comes with 8th-generation Intel Core i3 and i5 processors, 8 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage. And battery life is rated at 14 hours.

Expansion is excellent, with two USB-C ports, one full-sized USB port, and a microSD port. The display is Full HD—1920 x 1080—and it sits in a modern, narrow bezel design, another feature that’s often missing from Chromebooks: Even Google’s expensive Pixelbook has massive bezels. The laptop offers stereo speakers with Bang & Olufsen audio optimization.

Prices start at $599, and you can preorder it now from HP.com. The HP Chromebook x360 14 will also be sold at Best Buy. It arrives on October 21.

 

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Conversation 10 comments

  • Daekar

    09 October, 2018 - 9:45 am

    <p>If you review this, I want to hear about the experience using not just the Google ecosystem, but Microsoft stuff as well. As much as the Google stuff might be OK for a lot of people, it's nowhere near acceptable for my personal needs, but if the Microsoft apps work well a Chromebook might be a possibility.</p><p><br></p><p>In particular, I would like to know if Android apps have access to the native filesystem so things like OneSync will work.</p>

  • markg

    09 October, 2018 - 9:51 am

    <p>I have been using the HP x2 for a couple of weeks now, and I agree, the larger screen size, additional RAM (8GB instead of 4GB) as well as double the storage 64GB versus 32GB, makes the x360 a better option in many ways. The weight could be an issue for some, as the x360 is more than a pound heavier. The resolution on the x360 is a tad lower, but I don't think it is an issue with how Chrome OS scales the screen. Looking forward to a swap out for the x360 in my future. </p><p><br></p><p>Chrome OS is still not my first choice of OS, but I like having a machine that runs each so I can keep up with the enhancements overtime. Thanks Paul.</p>

  • Stooks

    09 October, 2018 - 10:44 am

    <p>"<strong style="color: rgb(13, 68, 99); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Might Be the Chromebook I’ve Been Looking For"</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(13, 68, 99); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Words I will never utter.</strong></p>

  • MikeGalos

    09 October, 2018 - 12:23 pm

    <p>"As customers continue to embrace the Chromebook ecosystem…"</p><p><br></p><p>Chrome OS market share (from NetMarketShare.com)</p><p>0.33% in September 2018</p><p>0.39% in September 2017</p><p><br></p><p>Clearly this is the "Year of the Chrome OS desktop"</p><p><br></p><p>September OS Market Share</p><p>Windows 87.56%</p><p>macOS 9.52%</p><p>Linux 2.21%</p><p>Unknown 0.37%</p><p>Chrome OS 0.33%</p>

    • MikeGalos

      10 October, 2018 - 11:04 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#351571">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>Or put retro-graphically with W=Windows, M=macOS, L=Linux, U=Unknown and C=Chrome OS</p><p>WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMLLLLLLUC</p><p><br></p>

      • skane2600

        11 October, 2018 - 1:39 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#351975">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>I voted you up because you made me count.</p>

  • Pbike908

    09 October, 2018 - 12:54 pm

    <p>I have an old Chromebook, but no interest in another. For $599 my money would be a mid range Windows laptop with an i5 processer. </p>

    • Bill Russell

      09 October, 2018 - 1:53 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#351581">In reply to Pbike908:</a></em></blockquote><p>I'd probably get a used macbook, but actually I would use the $599 for something totally different, as I don't like laptops. The 4 chromebooks we have are great for the family anyway. I personally appreciate them (never having to play IT department) but don't have any specific need for them myself.</p>

  • Bill Russell

    09 October, 2018 - 2:05 pm

    <p>The chromebook at least has a useful, albeit more niche, purpose, vs a company trying to shoehorn existing product everywhere it shouldn't be (windows, anyone?), crossing the fingers and hope it is magically the big new sensation.</p>

  • StephenCWLL

    11 October, 2018 - 1:06 pm

    <p>I assume it is one of the few that will run apps?</p>

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