The HP Chromebook x360 12b is an reasonably priced Chromebook made for grown-ups. It takes you a minimize above the rock-bottom primary Chromebooks that hover round $250 (and proceed to promote nicely). Get a type of to your youngsters—who cares in the event that they destroy it? But you, the grownup within the room, deserve the Chromebook x360 12b, with its surprisingly good design and nice battery life.
This continues to be a budget-grade Chromebook, so there are some compromises: Performance is mediocre, and the 3:2 show, whereas good and tall, isn’t very shiny. Still, we expect HP made cheap selections to supply a productive and pleasant expertise with out breaking the financial institution.
This evaluate is a part of our ongoing roundup of the best laptops. Go there for data on competing merchandise and the way we examined them.
HP Chromebook x360 12b specs and options
The Chromebook x360 12b we examined at the moment goes for $360 at Adorama. As you’ll see from the considerably modest specs and options under (and the efficiency charts in a while), HP spent much less on the CPU, reminiscence, and storage, and extra on the design.
The proper facet of the HP Chromebook x360 12b homes USB-A and USB-C ports, in addition to a lock slot and quantity rocker.
CPU: Intel Gemini Lake dual-core Celeron N4000
RAM: 4GB
Display: 12-inch, 3:2 facet ratio, HD+ (1366×912) touchscreen
Webcam: HD (720p) WFOV (Wide Field of Vision), 88 levels
Storage: 32GB eMMC
Networking: 802.11ac 2×2 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5
Connectivity: Two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C (5Gbps, DisplayPort 1.2, Power Delivery 3.0), one USB 3.1 Type-A, one headphone/microphone audio jack, microSD
Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.68 inches
Weight: 2.98 kilos, per HP
HP Chromebook x360 12b design
Melissa Riofrio/IDGThe HP Chromebook x360 12b locates the facility button on the left facet, towards the center.
The specs inform simply a part of the story for the Chromebook x360 12b. HP put plenty of thought into key particulars, beginning with the sturdy chassis. The physique is generally plastic, however the aluminum keyboard deck helps it really feel very stable, even when held by one nook. The general weight is gentle sufficient for straightforward toting.
The base is coloured silver, whereas the plastic show lid is painted white. I’m at all times afraid I’ll destroy something white, however the lid, maybe due to its matte end (or my habitually frequent handwashing), simply picks up a bit of shine generally the place I contact it.
HP makes a strategic trade-off with the show. With a measured luminance of 229 nits, it’s simply barely shiny sufficient to work in a well-lit workplace, and don’t even attempt to take it exterior. The bezels are common, not super-slim. Instead, HP prioritized giving it a 3:2 facet ratio. We’re used to seeing 16:9 in lots of laptops, however that wider display makes it exhausting to be productive if it’s important to navigate lengthy paperwork or massive spreadsheets. The Chromebook x360 12b’s taller display makes it simpler to get actual work executed, and I’ll gladly take that over a couple of additional nits.
The USB port choice is value noting. HP retains one toe up to now with the one USB-A port, however having two USB-C ports retains customers in line with the current development. The charger connects by way of a type of USB-C ports, so if you happen to plan to have it plugged in more often than not you would possibly wish to buy a USB-C hub to present your self loads of choices.
Melissa Riofrio/IDGThe HP Chromebook x360 strikes simply into tent mode. As the audio system will likely be firing away from you on this place, nonetheless, you’ll have to pump up the amount a bit.
HP builds a large speaker throughout the highest of the keyboard tray. Its audio high quality is what you’d count on from a laptop computer of this measurement—a bit tinny, with meager bass—however no less than the sound is coming proper at you, somewhat than from the perimeters as in some designs. When the Chromebook x360 12b is configured in tent mode, the speaker faces away from you, diminishing the sound barely. I turned up the amount a bit to compensate.
Input gadgets: Keyboard, trackpad, webcam, pen
I are inclined to method low-cost Chromebooks with dread, because the keyboards may be terrible—with harsh journey akin to typing on rocks. The Chromebook x360 12b’s keyboard rises a number of steps above, offering agency and delicate suggestions that saved me comfy by means of hours of intensive typing.
The trackpad is large and centered on the spacebar. It clicks virtually all the best way to the highest. We’ve had uneven experiences with HP trackpads—they sometimes appeared to lose palm rejection or run amuck choosing textual content—however this one exhibited clean, predictable responsiveness.
Melissa Riofrio/IDGThe HP Chromebook x360 12b affords a surprisingly comfy keyboard for the value, and a really giant trackpad.
The webcam is your commonplace 720p decision, with an 88-degree discipline of view. It delivers good picture high quality for typical videoconferencing use.
Note that the Chromebook x360 12b helps pen enter, and I attempted it efficiently with an HP stylus I had obtainable. It helps any USI-compatible pen—HP affords one for about $70 through HP.com. A magnetic space alongside the left facet of the keyboard deck permits the pen to remain rooted in place.
HP Chromebook x360 12b efficiency
Given the Celeron N4000 CPU, you must count on ample, somewhat than blazing, efficiency from the Chromebook x360 12b. Within the Chrome ecosystem, that’s often sufficient. In my typical workday I transfer amongst a number of internet functions, with 15 or 20 tabs open in my browser. I labored many days on the Chromebook x360 12b with no noticeable lag. If you’re streaming video or taking part in on-line video games, you’ll most likely discover extra of a pressure.
Note that as a result of Google updates Chrome OS each six weeks, the outcomes aren’t completely comparable. However, we’ve additionally spot-checked older Chromebooks on newer OS variations and often discover simply small upticks in efficiency over time.
The outcomes fall into line primarily based on the CPU, and the Celeron N4000 within the Chromebook x360 12b subsequently tends to dwell close to the underside. Because of the consistency of the outcomes throughout all exams, I’ll present just some right here.
First up is CrXPRT’s Performance check, which alternates productiveness workloads with intervals of low exercise, to simulate an on-again, off-again rhythm of laptop computer use.
Melissa Riofrio/IDGThe HP Chromebook x360 12b performs in keeping with expectations for its Celeron N4000 CPU, offering ample energy for mainstream productiveness.
In CrXPRT Performance and each different check we ran, the HP Chromebook x360 12b principally stayed in keeping with the older Acer Chromebook 15 (which has an earlier technology of Celeron processor), and lagged behind fashions with extra highly effective Core-level processors. At least it could actually maintain its head excessive in opposition to the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, which makes use of a fair slower Mediatek processor.
Here’s the identical story once more in Jetstream 2, a Javascript and WebAssembly benchmark aimed toward extra superior internet functions.
Melissa Riofrio/IDGIn the Jetstream 2 benchmark, the HP Chromebook x360 12b stayed in keeping with comparable processors, main the rear of the pack general with ample efficiency.
HP Chromebook x360 12b battery life
The HP Chromebook x360 12b strikes up a notch in battery life, posting a stable 11-plus hours within the CrXPRT 2 rundown check.
Melissa Riofrio/IDGThe HP Chromebook x360 12b lasted a very good 11-plus hours within the CrXPRT 2 battery rundown check.
Note, nonetheless, that the laptops it beats are older fashions. The Chromebooks that exceed it, by two or extra hours, are modern and principally dearer. The Chromebook that beats everybody on battery is the considerably cheaper Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Duet (however keep in mind, its efficiency is the slowest of the lot).
Conclusion
The HP Chromebook x360 12b is an efficient match for individuals who need one thing reasonably priced, but additionally noticeably nicer than what youngsters would possibly use in class. It’s small, gentle, and versatile, and even comfy to work on for lengthy intervals. I additionally know I’m going to overlook the show’s 3:2 facet ratio after I return to a wider-screen laptop computer.