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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you need a laptop for heavy gaming or engineering tasks with better performance in 3D and machine learning, consider the ASUS TUF Gaming A16, although its portability is more limited, and it may run louder under stress. The HP Spectre x360, on the other hand, is sleeker and more portable with longer battery life, making it excellent for general use and also boasts a higher resolution touchscreen. However, it might not handle intensive gaming and complex engineering applications as well as the ASUS. Both have similar RAM, storage, and screen sizes, so base your decision on your primary use case. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS TUF Gaming A16
- Good for gaming and AI
Advantages of the HP Spectre x360
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.6
8.2
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
294.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
406.0 nits
12.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The HP Spectre x360 is very good for general use, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good.
The HP Spectre x360 offers a higher resolution touchscreen, which makes it more suited for tasks demanding sharp visuals and interactive use, and its higher quality keyboard and speaker system provide a better user experience for everyday activities. On the other hand, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a stronger emphasis on gaming performance with its dedicated GPU, but sacrifices some portability and battery life relative to the HP, making it less ideal for users who prioritize mobility and longer usage away from power outlets.
Gaming and AI
7.4
6.6
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good for gaming and AI, while the HP Spectre x360 is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 offers a higher screen refresh rate suitable for smooth gaming and 3D applications, along with a dedicated AMD gaming GPU, while the HP Spectre x360 boasts a high-resolution display providing sharp image quality, though with a lower refresh rate and an integrated GPU which is adequate for gaming and 3D but may not match the performance of a dedicated gaming GPU.
Content Creation
7.6
8.2
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The HP Spectre x360 is very good for content creation, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.3
8.3
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The HP Spectre x360 is very good for software development, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
7.5
7.6
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
406.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a better screen than the HP Spectre x360 for gaming and AI, while the HP Spectre x360 has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and HP Spectre x360 both have screens that offer crisp resolution and sufficient brightness for everyday tasks and detailed design work, while their color gamut coverage ensures accurate color representation critical for engineering and design professionals. However, for gaming and 3D applications where fast-moving visuals are common, neither laptop's display offers the high refresh rate necessary for the smoothest experience. Despite their overall good quality displays, both fall short for gaming because the fluidity of motion on screen is not as great as it could be with a higher refresh rate.
Build Quality
7.2
8.5
The HP Spectre x360 has very good build quality, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$838
$1,000
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a price of $838 and the HP Spectre x360 costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
Engineering and Design
7.7
8.0
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HP Spectre x360 to be very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Battery
12.0 Hours
11.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has 12 hours of battery life. The HP Spectre x360 has 11 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP Spectre x360 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and the HP Spectre x360 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS TUF Gaming A16 | HP Spectre x360 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$838 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.97'' | 14.1'' x 9.7'' x 0.78'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.85 lbs | 4.74 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.98" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.92" | 9.66" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 12 Hours | 11 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 3072 x 1920 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 294 nits | 406 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.8/10 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1440p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
ASUS TUF Gaming A16
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Dig into reviews and images
PCWorld
Dominic Bayley | May 2023
"The A16 makes an excellent case against more expensive laptops like the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 and the MSI Katana GF76, especially if you’re into 1080p gaming. However, although its affordable, it doesn’t skimp on performance or a robust chassis. But for me, the biggest factor that sets it apart from these options is its incredible battery life. In my time reviewing laptops, I can’t remember when I last saw a gaming laptop lasted 11 and a half hours on a single charge, which makes the A16, in my book, truly outstanding."
HP Spectre x360
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Eric Grevstad | August 2022
"As we said, Lenovo's Yoga 9i is a tough competitor to the Spectre with an equally admirable OLED display. We're sad that neither of them has an HDMI port nor a niche or slot to hold the stylus, though the HP wins points for its bundled mini docking station and magnetically attached pen. Your choice will come down to screen shape—and in our eyes, just as seeing an OLED screen spoils you for an IPS panel, enjoying a tall 3:2 display spoils you for a more conventional view. The HP Spectre x360 13.5 is our new favorite 2-in-1."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 or the HP Spectre x360
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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