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
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.