Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This “HP Pavilion 13-s128nr x360” is a good value for those who want a mid-range Windows 10 system with a full HD 1920x1080 touch display. I’ve used Windows 10 (and 8) on laptops, tablets and convertibles ranging from 10.1” (Asus T100TA) to 15” (Asus). This HP with a 13.3” display is a good compromise. 1. Typing, checking emails and surfing the web. The attached (not removable) keyboard has a light touch (“chicklet”). Keys have standard spacing, but the top row is only half-height. By default the top row is set for alternate functions (screen brightness, volume control, media controls, airplane mode). Smaller DELETE key and flat key tops makes the laptop a bit thinner, but a bit harder to type. No numeric keypad (like 15” laptops) means the keyboard is centered under the display, instead of shifted to the left. Synaptics touch pad supports 2 finger pinch/zoom, scroll and rotation. The touch pad does an OK job preventing random mouse pointer motions (“palm rejection”); no button to quickly disable/enable touchpad (must use control panel). 2. Presentations. With a true 1080p display, the touch screen works perfectly when the projecting or mirroring. The 360 degree flexible double hinge is a wonderful idea. Traditional tablets and convertibles with detachable screens are lighter but not convenient when standing at a podium (speaking to a large audience) or sitting next to someone (face-to-face, 1:1). When preparing PowerPoints and editing graphics, I’m in traditional laptop mode. If I’m rehearsing while pacing the floor, it’s folded into a tablet mode so I can gesture with my right hand. At the podium, in either portrait orientation (so I can see the slides and my notes) or landscape orientation (see part of the page, but the text is very big). For face-to-face, the stand mode (keyboard flat on the table and screen folded backwards) is better; the keyboard is out of the way and all keys are disabled. 3. SSD. After installing the full Microsoft Office 365 (Office 2016) and purging most junkware, I have about 83 GB of free space. When I start to run low on space, I’ll plug in a 64GB (or larger) SDXC memory card for My Documents. 4. Ports and connections. Unlike tablets, this device has a good range of full-sized ports. The connector bulges out of the bottom when a network cable is plugged in. No analog VGA or DisplayPort. 5. Power adapter is only 3.5” long and weighs just 9.0 ounces (256 grams) with both cords. It’s a convenient travel size. GOOD: Snappy performance with 6th generation (Skylake) i5-6200U CPU @ 2.3-2.4 GHz, 8 GB RAM and 120 GB SSD. Full HD resolution and flexible hinge—great for presentations. Good value. BAD: DELETE key is a bit small. Battery life is about 5-6 hours when display brightness is turned down--much less than advertised.