If price is a major concern and you mainly use your laptop at a desk, the HP 17" could be a good choice since it offers a larger screen for multitasking and is typically less expensive. However, the HP Spectre x360 14 provides versatility with its convertible design for tablet-like use, better portability due to smaller size, and generally more premium build quality, which might justify the higher cost, especially if you're often on the move or need a touch screen. 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 HP 17" Laptop
The HP 17" Laptop has no clear advantages over the HP Spectre x360 14.
Advantages of the HP Spectre x360 14
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good battery life
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.3/10
8.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
287.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
5.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.4/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for general use, while the HP 17" Laptop is good.
The HP 17" Laptop offers ample screen real estate and is equipped for everyday tasks efficiently but its larger size can affect portability and battery life, whereas the HP Spectre x360 14 provides a balance of performance with a high-quality screen, better portability due to its smaller size and flexible 2-in-1 design, and typically offers longer battery life, making it an attractive option for users who need versatility on the go. Additionally, the Spectre often features superior build quality with a potentially better keyboard, speakers, and heat management, but these enhancements come with a higher price tag.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 and HP 17" Laptop are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the HP Spectre x360 14 is somewhat better.
The HP 17" laptop suits gamers and 3D enthusiasts looking for larger displays, but with a standard refresh rate, it may not deliver the smoothest visual experience in high-speed gaming. Meanwhile, the HP Spectre x360 14 provides versatility with a high-quality touch screen and decent performance for casual gaming and 3D tasks, but its smaller size and limited refresh rate might not satisfy hardcore gamers or professional 3D designers.
Engineering and Design
6.8/10
8.4/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for engineering and design, while the HP 17" Laptop is only fair.
The HP Spectre x360 14, with its higher CPU performance, more RAM, and better GPU, excels at demanding tasks like 3D modeling and simulation, often needed in engineering and design, while also having a superior screen quality for precise visuals. In contrast, the HP 17" Laptop, while also capable for engineering tasks, prioritizes the larger screen and keyboard comfort, which benefits prolonged use, but it's slightly bulkier, making it less portable, and might have lower speaker quality and somewhat more operating noise.
Content Creation
7.2/10
8.7/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for content creation, while the HP 17" Laptop 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
7.1/10
8.4/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for software development, while the HP 17" Laptop 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
6.6/10
8.6/10
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
287.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The HP Spectre x360 14 has a better screen than the HP 17" Laptop for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The HP 17" Laptop's screen quality suffices for everyday tasks as its resolution and brightness meet the basic requirements, but the limited color gamut restricts its effectiveness for engineering and design work which demands more precise color reproduction. The HP Spectre x360 14, with its higher resolution and brighter display, offers a richer visual experience and wider color gamut, making it excellent for general use and professional tasks where color accuracy is critical. However, both laptops fall short for gaming and 3D applications as they lack the high refresh rates needed for smooth motion and fast-paced visuals.
Battery
5.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The HP 17" Laptop has 5.5 hours of battery life. The HP Spectre x360 14 has 9 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
Very Good
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
4.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The HP Spectre x360 14 has very good portability, while the HP 17" Laptop has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.0/10
8.5/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 has very good build quality, while the HP 17" Laptop has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$850
$1,630
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The HP 17" Laptop has a price of $850 and the HP Spectre x360 14 costs $1,630.
"As far as starter laptops go, the HP Laptop 17 is a sound investment. Sure, it might not be the lightest of options, but what you get for the price is a well-rounded machine that fits multiple niches. Whether it be office duties that require you to multi-task between multiple programs, or study tasks in which you’ll spend hours browsing online, this laptop does it all. Plus, when it's time to unwind, you can watch your favorite shows or movies on a super-wide display. What's best of all is that you can do all this for about half a day on a single charge."
"The numbers don’t lie — the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is a star, and a hell of a one at that. From performance to battery life, this machine is a dream. But why didn’t I give it a perfect score? Well, I wish the display performed better and that there were more ports to go around. If you’re itching for someone a little cheaper that offers a brighter display and significantly more battery life, I can only recommend the MacBook Pro 14 as a suitable substitute. Otherwise, the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is the perfect choice for those who want a reliable premium laptop."
Get a great deal on the HP 17" Laptop or the HP Spectre x360 14
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.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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