Laptop Review: HP EliteBook x360 With Integrated Privacy Filter
While I've reviewed countless products in my career, for PC Magazine and most recently Engadget, TPG is a travel site with a specific focus — with limited exception, gear reviews haven't been in the cards. We're working to change that.
Luggage is an obvious fit, and even traveler-friendly tech services make sense. Laptops, though? Generally, not so much. Occasionally, certain tech products pique our curiosity, though — most recently, it was Apple's new iPhone X. Before that, something else...
When I first heard about HP's new EliteBook x360, I wasn't especially eager to add it to my gear collection. The device runs Windows 10 Pro, and I've been a "Mac guy" for years — my current workhorse of choice is the 13-inch MacBook Pro. But the x360 has a unique feature that makes it particularly appealing for road warriors, so I decided to take it for a spin.
HP calls this feature "Sure View," and it's intended to prevent "visual hacking." Simply press a button on the keyboard and the display enters a special privacy mode, making it impossible to see any content on the screen from an angle. Given the sensitive documents business travelers tend to work on during flights, and how easy it is for other passengers to even unintentionally view confidential information on a flight, Sure View seemed like a sure thing for TPG readers.
Travel-Friendly Features
While the 2.82-pound x360 is clearly geared toward business travelers, it has plenty of features that appeal to casual users alike. My favorite, especially for air travel, is the versatile 13.3-inch touchscreen display. You can flip it all the way around so it's flush with the bottom of the laptop, or lock it in any other position in between. My favorite mode for watching movies and TV shows (downloaded via the Netflix app) looked something like this:
I loved having access to so many ports — USB-C is the bane of my existence, and Apple's decision to offer this port exclusively on its latest laptops has infuriated many a consumer.
The EliteBook does offer USB-C, which can even be used for charging, but it also has a dedicated HDMI port, two USB 3.0 ports and a Micro SD card slot, making it possible to easily sync photos if you use the smaller SD card in your camera — which I was able to do with an adapter.
The x360 also offers a standard backlit keyboard, and security features like a fingerprint reader, smart card reader and infrared camera, offering many options for locking down data — beyond simply limiting access to the screen.
You can also add an "HP Active Pen" stylus for $60, which makes it possible to draw on the screen, just as you would an iPad Pro. The x360 includes a battery that's rated for up to 16 hours and 30 minutes, and while I managed to get through about six hours of flying without a recharge, I can't imagine achieving anywhere close that that full rating when watching movies and TV shows.
Privacy Filter
Hands down, my favorite feature is Sure View. It's super easy to use — a single press of the dedicated keyboard button activates the privacy filter instantly, going from this...
... to this.
Even a passenger sitting right next to you in economy will have trouble seeing your screen.
Although content looks just fine (albeit a bit washed out) when viewed straight-on.
Unfortunately the display resolution maxes out at 1920 x 1080, which looked especially low-res compared to my Retina MacBook Pro. You can double the resolution for just $3, but that version excludes the privacy filter, which I think is the biggest selling point for corporate road warriors.
Pricing and Configurations
The entry-level HP EliteBook x360 1030 G2 (with 8GB of memory and 128 GB of storage) can be purchased for $1,279 (before tax), though the base configurable model starts at $1,599, and you need to select that option just to add on the Sure View screen, which adds $111 to the price. So for a base x360 with the fancy screen, prepare to shell out at least $1,710. I also requested a built-in LTE modem, which adds $109 to the price. I was able to use it overseas when paired with my Google Project Fi SIM card — which worked seamlessly even though only AT&T and Verizon are supported officially.
Adding all of the configurable options, including a 2.8GHz Core i7 process, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB solid-state drive, a pricier power adapter and more can bring the pre-tax price all the way up to $2,955.
Overall Impression
I love the x360 in concept, but I struggled to match my usual productivity when using a Windows machine — if you work with images and video frequently, as I do, I think a Mac is the way to go.
That said, the majority of TPG readers are not journalists or professional content producers, and may have never opened Photoshop or iMovie — tools I use on an almost daily basis. If you're used to Windows 10 and are looking for a convertible laptop with the ultimate in privacy features, and the ability to add a super-handy LTE modem, I think HP's latest EliteBook is definitely worth a look.
Do you use a privacy filter when you fly? Tell us about it, below.
All photos by the author.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.