The HP Envy 13-ba0001ng is a premium subnotebook crafted from elegant, silver metal that combines high portability with powerful features. Boasting an Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce MX350 graphics, and 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, it delivers reliable performance for various tasks, from office work to multimedia entertainment.

Design and Build Quality

The HP Envy 13 is constructed entirely from metal, providing durability and an elegant aesthetic that rivals higher-end models. The case is sandblasted and anodized, ensuring it resists fingerprints and minor abrasions. With a weight of 1.3 kg, it’s relatively light for a fully metal laptop, making it easy to carry around.

The metal chassis is highly resilient and remains rigid even when handled by one corner, ensuring long-term durability.

Display Quality and Reflection

Equipped with a 13.3-inch, 1080p IPS display that reaches up to 400 nits of brightness, the HP Envy 13 offers vibrant visuals suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. However, the glossy finish can be overly reflective, making it challenging to use under bright lighting or direct sunlight.

Performance and Hardware

This model comes with an Intel Core i7-10510U processor and NVIDIA GeForce MX350 graphics, making it capable of handling demanding applications and light gaming. Coupled with 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, the Envy 13-ba0001ng demonstrates strong multitasking abilities and stable performance.

Connectivity Options

The Envy 13 includes a limited selection of ports: one USB-C port supporting DisplayPort 1.2 and two USB-A ports with discreet flaps that align with the design aesthetic. An SD card slot is also available, though an HDMI port or LAN port are absent, which may inconvenience some users.

Networking Performance

Despite supporting WiFi 6 with an Intel AX201 chip, the Envy 13's speeds are slightly below expectations for this standard, reaching up to 830 MBit/s for downloads. Although the device is equipped with Bluetooth 5, it lacks an Ethernet port and mobile SIM card slot for direct internet access.

Comparative Analysis

Compared to other models like the Dell XPS 13 and Asus ZenBook 13, the HP Envy 13-ba0001ng stands out with its combination of dedicated graphics and high-quality metal design at a competitive price point. Though slightly heavier, the device offers a premium feel and performs well against these rivals in terms of processing power and portability.

• Dell XPS 13 9310: Similar specs but slightly higher price
• Asus ZenBook 13 UX325JA: Lighter and thinner, lacks dedicated graphics
• Samsung Galaxy Book Ion 13.3: More affordable but less powerful GPU

Security Features

HP has integrated a strong focus on user security into the Envy 13. The laptop comes with physical controls for deactivating the microphone and camera. With a dedicated F8 key for muting the microphone and a slider next to the F12 key to block the camera, privacy is taken to the next level. Orange LEDs glow to indicate when these features are deactivated, ensuring users are always aware of their privacy status. While the Envy 13-ba0001ng lacks the SureView display protection seen in other models, its physical security features provide a good level of protection against potential intruders.

Accessories and Maintenance

The HP Envy 13 comes with a 65-Watt AC adaptor, but there are limited accessory options available from HP. The HP store offers a selection of general accessories such as the HP Envy USB-C Hub, but no specialized docking stations or additional peripherals tailored for this specific model. As for maintenance, the device lacks an easy-to-access maintenance hatch, meaning any internal upgrades or repairs require unscrewing small Torx screws. This is not ideal for the average user and should be done cautiously, especially while the laptop is still under warranty.

Warranty

HP provides a generous two-year limited warranty, covering parts, labor, and even pickup and delivery services. For users who prefer extra peace of mind, this warranty can be extended to three years when purchased directly through HP, making it a solid investment for those who value long-term reliability.

Input Devices

HP has designed the Envy 13 with a spacious and responsive keyboard, ensuring a comfortable typing experience for users of all hand sizes. The keys extend to the edges of the base unit, providing a wide area for typing. The keys are large and flat, with a short travel and clear pressure point that makes typing effortless. Backlit keys ensure visibility in low-light conditions, with specific function keys such as F5 displaying an LED light to indicate silent mode status. However, the fingerprint sensor, now positioned next to the arrow keys, is a bit less convenient to reach compared to its placement in earlier models. Despite this, the design of the keyboard looks more streamlined and tidy.

Touchpad

The touchpad on the HP Envy 13 is large for a 13-inch laptop, measuring 11 x 6 cm. This allows for smooth and precise cursor movements across the screen, with multi-finger gestures such as scrolling and tapping being highly responsive. While the clicking noise could be quieter, it remains within acceptable limits. The touchpad is positioned centrally for ease of use and is ideal for those who prefer a larger navigation area.

Display

The Envy 13's 13.3-inch IPS display offers a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, providing a sharp and detailed image. The screen's pixel density is 165 ppi, which makes individual pixels nearly invisible to the naked eye. The display also delivers over 400 nits of brightness, with a maximum brightness of 466 nits, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use, though the reflective surface can sometimes hinder visibility in direct sunlight. The screen excels in color accuracy, covering 99% of the sRGB color gamut and 63% of AdobeRGB, ensuring vibrant colors and high contrast. However, the reflective nature of the display can be an issue in well-lit environments, and professional users may require a higher color space for precise work.

Performance

The HP Envy 13-ba0001ng is powered by the Intel Core i7-10510U processor, paired with 16 GB of DDR4 RAM and the NVIDIA GeForce MX350 GPU. While this combination provides sufficient power for general office work, media consumption, and casual gaming, it doesn't unleash the full potential of the CPU. Despite the Intel Core i7's ability to boost up to 4.9 GHz, the laptop's performance in benchmarks was slightly below average compared to other laptops in its category. The laptop can still handle most day-to-day tasks with ease, but power users or gamers may find the performance lacking in more demanding scenarios.

Display Performance and Gaming

When it comes to gaming, the Envy 13 falls short due to its slow response time, which may result in motion blur and ghosting during fast-paced scenes. Gamers looking for a smooth experience with high frame rates may want to consider other options. However, the laptop's general performance is suitable for tasks like streaming, office work, and light creative tasks like photo editing, thanks to its solid performance in daily tasks.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the HP Envy 13 is a well-rounded ultraportable laptop that combines a sleek design with strong security features and good performance for most general tasks. While its display's reflective nature and below-average gaming performance may not suit everyone, its battery life, build quality, and price make it a solid choice for those who prioritize portability and security in their computing needs.