Asus ZenBook S 13 Flip vs. HP Spectre x360 13.5: which wins?

In terms of 360-degree convertible 2-in-1s, you may have loads of choices. A few of them are among the many greatest laptops you should purchase. HP’s Spectre x360 13.5 is a primary instance, making our lists of each the very best 2-in-1s and greatest laptops and for fairly a while representing the very best that the category has to supply.

However Asus has been a critical participant on this type issue as nicely, placing out a number of machines which have been shut to creating each lists. Its newest ZenBook S 13 Flip is a primary instance, and it has an ace up its sleeve: it’s a really gentle laptop computer that makes it simpler to make use of as a pill. Does that give it sufficient to dethrone the Spectre x360 13.5?

Specs and configurations

The ZenBook S 13 Flip UP5302 nonetheless isn’t accessible on the market, however when it’s, there will probably be only one configuration within the US. For $1,500, you’ll get a Core i7-1260P, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 2.8K OLED show.

The Spectre x360 13.5 has a spread of choices, however, beginning at $1,250 for a Core i5-1535U, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 13.5-inch WUXGA+ show. You possibly can fork out as much as $1,825 for a Core i7-1255U, 16GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, and a 3K2K OLED show. For those who go for an IPS panel, you too can configure 32GB of RAM.

Design

The Spectre x360 13.5 has maybe probably the most refined aesthetic amongst all 2-in-1s, with a subdued gem-cut design that’s rounded in all the fitting locations and comfy to carry. It has coloured accents that add some panache with out going overboard and provides three coloration schemes in Pure Silver, Dusk Black, and Nocturne Blue. The ZenBook S 13 Flip, however, is kind of minimalist, with Ponder Blue (the one coloration within the US) or Refined White colours and less complicated strains. Each are enticing laptops, however the HP stands out.

By way of their development, the Spectre x360 13.5 is all-aluminum and enjoys a inflexible design with no bending, flexing, or twisting. The ZenBook S 13 Flip can be fairly stable, regardless that it makes use of magnesium which tends to lead to some bending and flexing in different machines. The place the ZenBook is most spectacular is its weight, coming in at simply 2.43 kilos in comparison with the Spectre’s 3.01 kilos, and it’s additionally significantly thinner at 0.59 inches versus 0.67 inches. They’re near the identical width and depth, though the HP is barely deeper due to its taller 3:2 show versus the ZenBook’s 16:10.

The Spectre x360 13.5’s keyboard is snappier and extra exact than the ZenBook S 13 Flip’s, however each are nice for lengthy typing periods. They each have giant touchpads which are responsive with quiet button clicks, however Asus provides its NumberPad 2.0 LED numeric keypad for anybody who enters loads of numbers.

Connectivity is an identical, with each providing Thunderbolt 4 ports for up to date machine assist and a legacy USB-A port. Wi-fi connectivity is up-to-date on each as nicely.

The HP does have a 5MP webcam that’s theoretically larger decision than the Asus’s 1080p model, however each present wonderful video high quality. HP builds in a number of extra instruments to optimize video, however there’s no large benefit right here. Each use infrared cameras to assist Home windows 11 Good day passwordless login by way of facial recognition, and the Spectre additionally includes a fingerprint reader in the event you favor that login technique.

Efficiency

The Spectre x360 13.5 makes use of Intel Twelfth-gen U-series CPUs, that are 15-watt chips with 10 cores (two Efficiency and eight Environment friendly) and 12 threads. The ZenBook S 13 Flip makes use of P-series processors, with the identical core and thread counts however runs at 28 watts. In our benchmarks, each laptops offered wonderful productiveness efficiency, and the Asus was simply barely forward on a few our benchmarks. You gained’t need to select between these laptops based mostly on efficiency alone.

Show

The Spectre x360 13.5 has a number of 13.5-inch 3:2 show choices, together with WXUGA+ (1920 x 1280) IPS panels with and with out privateness screens and a 3K2K (3,000 x 2,000) OLED panel that we reviewed. The ZenBook S 13 Flip comes with only a 13.3-inch 16:10 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED show. Each are wonderful, with the HP being a bit brighter, having barely deeper distinction, and higher coloration accuracy. However once more, you gained’t need to select both laptop computer based mostly on its show.

Portability

We’ve already reported that the Zenbook S 13 Flip is lighter and thinner than the Spectre x360 13.5, and it’s sufficient to make a distinction, significantly in pill mode. You’ll discover each laptops simple to hold round, however if you wish to maintain the pill for inking, the ZenBook will probably be extra snug.

Due to its lower-wattage CPU, the Spectre x360 13.5 received higher battery life on all however the PCMark 10 Purposes take a look at, the place the outcomes had been shut sufficient to even. You possibly can doubtless count on about an hour extra longevity from the HP in most utilization situations, and that, too, isn’t sufficient to distinguish these laptops.

The Spectre is extra refined, however the ZenBook wins on dimension

You’ll spend about the identical quantity for equally configured machines, so set the value apart. You’ll get comparable efficiency, battery life, and show high quality, so these aren’t important differentiators both.

The place the ZenBook S 13 Flip wins out is in its lightness and its thinness. In order for you a laptop computer that appears nice and stands out, then the Spectre is for you. However for the everyday particular person, the ZenBook S 13 Flip finally ends up being the winner.

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