60 PCWorld APRIL 2019REVIEWS HP SPECTRE X360 15 (2019)
The latter mode, though, is
more theoretical than practical,
as the laptop weighs a chunky
4.62 pounds—not something
you’d want to hold in two
hands, let alone one, for long.
The Spectre x360 15
(2019) construction seems
sturdy enough, though there
was a bit of chassis flex when
the laptop’s base accidentally
extended off the end of my
desk and I tried to type—the
base extends about 10 inches
deep, after all.
Spacious fan vents on the
right and left vertical edges pull cool air in and
push hot air out. Unlike the Spectre x360 13
(2019), there’s no “quiet mode” control that
shuts the fans off entirely. HP says this new
Spectre x360 15 features larger dual fans with
dual radiators, an IR thermal
sensor, and up to three heat
pipes. In the real world that
means that even under load,
the Spectre x360 15 (2019)’s
fan noise was relatively
unobtrusive, other than some
slight whine. Sucking in such a
large volume of air also means
that the laptop shut down its
fans quickly, though they
would occasionally spin up
softly even when not in use.The Spectre x360 15’s underside never
exceeded being moderately warm when
using HP’s recommended power settings,
which balance performance and heat.
HP says it will offer the Spectre x360 15The HP Spectre x360 15 (2019) flips backward into tent mode.
Toting around as a tablet, though, isn’t worth the effort. Note the
large bezels, top and bottom.There are sizable cooling vents on the HP Spectre x360, which help
to minimize the time during which the laptop’s fan needs to be in
use. Even after a lengthy stress test, the fan shut off a minute or so
later. A microSD slot is also mounted on the side of the chassis.