HP EliteBook x360 1030 G3 (i5-8250U. FHD) Convertible Review

[Redaktion]

Spectre in disguse. The latest model in the super-sleek EliteBook x360 series manages to be even smaller than last year's model. A few features had to be cut, but we think it's well worth the sacrifice for on-the-go business users.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/HP-EliteBook-x360-1030-G3-i5-8250U-FHD-Convertible-Review.321376.0.html

[TiTaTonio]

Any chance we will see a review of the anti-glare option? :)
Preferably the 700nits version?

[userDE]

I have the 4QY24EA model (16GB RAM, a (fast) 512GB NVMe SSD, 700nits HD, non-glare with sure view) for about two weeks now and I absolutely love it. Overall build, design, keyboard, pen - it's such a joy to use.
My only complaints would be the uneven backlight of the display mentioned in the review, which is not a problem in normal use, and a noticeable dependency between (peak) display brightness and viewing angle (maybe because of sure view?). But I'd calling this "complaining on a high level" because it's much better than on my old DELL business laptop. I have a Surface Book 2 at work for comparison, which is very good in this regard, but if I had to choose between a SB2 and the x360 G3, I'd always take the x360.
The non-glare coating of the screen is fantastic, I actually have been able to use the device outside on a sunny day.
A positive surprise: After working with the X360 for some time, I wondered "why is everything looking so smooth? The mouse movement, the window animations, moving windows around?". Well, turned out that the refresh rate is 120Hz instead of 60Hz. This is so nice! Note that the 4K screen may not have this, but at this point in time I cannot recommend 4K on a laptop anyway if you attach/detach external monitors on a regular basis. It seems like things are getting better with each revision of Windows, but there still some quirks remaining (I'm speaking with the background as a SB2 user since January).

[dood]

I have a major complaint about the keyboard! It uses a function layer to have keys like page up page down home end etc. It also has a dedicated delete key which is nice. But the machine neglected to add INSERT anywhere. I have to use fn + E for one of the most commonly struck keys in my workflow across a range of software.

There are three wasted keys jeering at me every time I do this. Screen sharing, Pick up call, and Put down call...3 whole keys with no function layer and they did not think INSERT was worth it.

At least this model actually does come with full UK-ISO unlike spectre models with their abominable '\' placement.

[Nitesh]

700 nits seems like a bold claim, love to see that one tested!

[tyrone]

Again, what is going on with laptop's prices? A 13'3" i5 8Gb 128Gb laptop per 1900$???? It makes no sense to me. If we start paying this price top price will stop above the sky.

[Ivordan]

Don't be surprised. Business laptops are for top corporate executives who have little sense of value and no problem using promotional overpriced devices.
Ideally with business laptops one should check out used / refurbished segment . That, or look into mid-range to high-end consumer stuff that are almost equally well built.

[Shudder]

Again, what is going on with laptop's prices? A 13'3" i5 8Gb 128Gb laptop per 1900$???? It makes no sense to me. If we start paying this price top price will stop above the sky.

Nobody pays this price, the people this is aimed at will be purchasing on corporate supply deals. For example the prices on our corporate Dell portal are almost half the list prices. Also, its in line with prices for the Dell equivalent, which is $2,100 full price (although currently on offer for "only" $1,500 with a 25GB SSD). The Lenovo offering isn't far behind at $1500 also.

I can't say how much I'd pay for the Dell equivalent, but lets just say its in line with what you'd expect for the specs on Dell's consumer facing models.

[Shudder]

Pretty exicited fro this. Been holding off on the Lattitude 7390 2-in-1 because its heavy, and has a poor screen, and the XP 13 2-in-1 because of the lack of ports, the G2 had a large footprint and poor screen, and the Thinkpad X380 the same.

One thing I can't find about the x360 G3 though is pen support. The HP site doesn't list it as compatible with any of their pens. Does anyone know if this is true? Would be a show stopper for me if so. What's the point of convertible if its not compatible with pen input.

[userDE]

One thing I can't find about the x360 G3 though is pen support. The HP site doesn't list it as compatible with any of their pens. Does anyone know if this is true? Would be a show stopper for me if so. What's the point of convertible if its not compatible with pen input.

The machine comes with a pen which identifies itself as a Bluetooth device called "HP Active Pen G2". It can be recharged via USB-C (connector under an elastic plastic cover). It doesn't support tilt and you cannot turn it around to work as an eraser (like the Surface pen), but other than that it works really well.

[chummz]

Any idea whether there will be a huge power saving if opting for the i5 over the i7. Got the HP Omen Accelerator and want to promote longevity on the go and do the process heavy stuff when docked.

[Ramfor]

Unfortunately, after a week of moderate use, the backlight of the screen went suddenly off forever. The next day onsite repair became postponed, and we we're told the screen replacement isn't on stock for up to two months. To be replaced or not - still no clue few days later.

Bad luck happens but definitely not what you'd expect for a premium priced device.

[Vance]

The other "correct" display SKUs you should have tested are the 700 nits FHD IPS SureView anti-glare, and 400 nits UHD IPS glossy. While this is still better than the competition as a base selection, it is essentially HP's "budget" offering for the EliteBook.

Having said that, I'd still pick the Thinkpad X1 Yoga because i5, 16GB, 500 nits WQHD, and added international premium warranty is only $1,250 using their frequent deals.
EliteBook x360 STARTS at $1,700 even with FreeDOS and SATA SSD going up to absurd $2,200 for the SAME configuration as the $1,250 X1Y3. For that price, I would expect a laptop to outstandingly exceed every expectations.

[AA]

Price on this laptop has dropped significantly since Whiskey Lake. Now base model starts at only $1,200, well worth the premium over consumer 2 in 1 laptops like Spectre and Yoga.

Just got an i5, 16GB, 256GB NVMe, LTE, 700 nits 1080p matte touchscreen SKU for $1,620. Pen and extended warranty came free of charge. Privacy screen feature works as intended and the display is eye searingly bright, great for using the laptop outdoors.