X360 has 8 and 12 GB RAM options, I don't see how you can go 12GB with single channel. But the 8GB is a double edged sword. Either you get one stick and better upgrade path or 2x4GB with more limited upgrade path but better performance.
What worries me is that 8/12 might mean 4gb soldiered on the mobo, and a sodimm slot with 4 or 8gb in; in which case the last 4gb is gimped on account of being single channel for the worst of all possible worlds.
I already own the x360 15" Ryzen model. It has 2 upgradeable RAM slots, but you have to open up the laptop to upgrade it. There is no user accessible panel to access the slots. I upgraded mine from 8GB to 16GB and also installed an NVME drive to replace the 2.5" HD.
HP's specifications pages they send out for embargoed briefs are 'developed by SKU' and what HP believes are the 'most popular' configurations. They do not list, for example, maximum configurations. That was not a typo... though it would be more clear if 16 GB was there.
RAM won't be the limiting factor. The Intel + MX150 will probably trounce AMD in every gaming benchmark for two reasons: 1. The MX150 is a faster GPU than the Vega IGP 2. The Intel CPU and MX150 don't share the same die or even the same package, so there's more thermal headroom.
I'm thinking at least 30% faster gaming for $100 extra. That's a good deal. Of course, this is just gaming we're talking about.
For starters, the Xbone X GPU is significantly more powerful than either the MX150 or the Vega IGP while having a CPU that is vastly LESS powerful than either Ryzen or 8th Gen Intel CPU. In fact, the CPU is pretty restricting on the system as a whole, holding back frame rates in many games, despite the custom programming and overclock. I really like my Xbone X, but I guess I don't see how it is at all relevant to the topic or my original post?
The Nvidia MX150 alone has a TDP of 25 watts. Even the down clocked MX150 has a TDP of 10 watts. I want to see the 25 watt TDP up version of the AMD 2700U versus the 15 watt Intel 8550U + 10 watt MX150. This would be a much more interesting comparison as both solutions would be given an equivalent (25 watt) thermal budget in in the same chassis.
That is not a fair comparisson: either both should be tested on iGPU, or both get dGPU+dMemory. Or, if you want AMD system to be cheaper- then it's APU should at least be given the same TDP/cooling (25 to 40W) that Intel+MX150 gets. As seen on desktop- Vega11 is about equal to GT1030, so faster than MX150. However, AMD's desktop iGPU gets to work at proper 1250MHz core and with faster memory, not ~750MHz core and ~DDR42133, which mobile U-series AMD iGPUs average with their low TDP.
Part on/part off topic - why are there, at least as far as I've seen, a steady stream of Ryzen based laptops coming out with only single channel RAM? It's as if it's on purpose or something. This post reminds me of that because it appears that this model will have only 8 GB, probably soldered on.
My only guess is that it limited in architecture to single channel. It usually an option but at factory in notebooks for more ram now a days. As for soldered on, today every one wants the notebook thinner and lighter and that is one trade off - also less moveable parts means less likely some one will mess things up.
As far as I'm aware, both 13" and 15" configurations of the HP Envy x360 Ryzen models have dual channel 2400MHz RAM. The only other manufacturer that I am aware of that uses dual-channel 2400MHz RAM is the Dell Inspiron in both their 13 and 15 7000 models. Avoid at all costs the deceptively tempting Lenovo Ideapad 720S Ryzen model. While thin and light and very affordable, the RAM is single-channel clocked at 2133MHz and soldered to the board! So even if you wanted to attempt to upgrade to fix any memory bottleneck issues caused with a system memory dependent iGPU, it's not possible.
So, both 13" and 15" have "1 x USB Type-C 3.0" which if correct means this port supports data transfer at USB 3.1 gen 1 5Gb/s, but not gen 2 10Gb/s.
But the 13" "also has the ability to connect two external 4K displays" which must happen over the only available video port, the type-C port. So the type-C port must also support displayport alternate mode.
But this port also has a lightning/spark/thunderbolt symbol printed next to it on the case- indicating some special charging capability? Does it support USB power delivery? Probably not?
battery size is blekk lol. specs are hit and miss IMO especially for the pricing and the screen size presented, likely is a real limit for any potential performance one can have or should be getting.
like a gpu with WAY more memory than it can ever effectively use now these "laptop" companies seem to be wanting to make as thin, light, reduce battery, cripple it with minimum amount of ram they possibly can, dinky little screen so the cpu-gpu are artificially hampered etc etc.
I can understand they want to keep at a certain price range, but quality of product delivered and specs to back up the component selection used should be paramount to anything else, 3 or 4cell battery bloody hell LMFAO.
I guess they are direct competitors, but Ryzen has much better GPU. Not sure how many people will value that over tried and true Yoga though. I do prefer the monolitic minimalist design of Yoga. Looks like a solid block of aluminium and according to reviews it almost feels like it as well.
In fact, if Yoga came with Ryzen, it would be a no brainer for me. Especially since Yoga 730-13 does seem to have OK thermals, according to notebookcheck, so it should allow Ryzen to stretch it's legs to a reasonable degree.
13" sounds tailor-made for me. And I reckon many others, like students. A smaller convertible, metal build, just enough gpu to play Civ6 at low settings FHD. Should be good for everything i need it to do, and it's portable enough.
I do wish there was an 512GB SSD option, but all the pros outweight this, because my storage needs have wastly diminished since i started streaming music and storing photos on gdrive.
The envy x360 is up on HP's site now. It seems that the 13" only has ryzen 3 and 5 CPUs, and the 15" ryzen model only has a FHD display. Also the ram options tend to differ somewhat from the stuff in this article. I'm wondering where the differences in communication were, or if there's just going to be more models available in the near future.
Pretty disappointing, since the 15" model with a 2700U and a 4K display would've been an instant buy for me.
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30 Comments
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tipoo - Monday, May 14, 2018 - link
This is the showdown I want to see, Intel + the MX150 vs fully AMD in the same chassis.lealealea - Monday, May 14, 2018 - link
AMD is crippled out the gate if 8GB is the only configuration option, especially if its single channelTheWereCat - Monday, May 14, 2018 - link
X360 has 8 and 12 GB RAM options, I don't see how you can go 12GB with single channel.But the 8GB is a double edged sword.
Either you get one stick and better upgrade path or 2x4GB with more limited upgrade path but better performance.
DanNeely - Monday, May 14, 2018 - link
What worries me is that 8/12 might mean 4gb soldiered on the mobo, and a sodimm slot with 4 or 8gb in; in which case the last 4gb is gimped on account of being single channel for the worst of all possible worlds.DanNeely - Monday, May 14, 2018 - link
actually looking at the HP page I think it' a typo. the options are 8 or 16GB of ram (for a very reasonable $35 more). 12 isn't available.pfdman - Monday, May 14, 2018 - link
I already own the x360 15" Ryzen model. It has 2 upgradeable RAM slots, but you have to open up the laptop to upgrade it. There is no user accessible panel to access the slots. I upgraded mine from 8GB to 16GB and also installed an NVME drive to replace the 2.5" HD.Joe Shields - Monday, May 14, 2018 - link
HP's specifications pages they send out for embargoed briefs are 'developed by SKU' and what HP believes are the 'most popular' configurations. They do not list, for example, maximum configurations. That was not a typo... though it would be more clear if 16 GB was there.nathanddrews - Tuesday, May 15, 2018 - link
RAM won't be the limiting factor. The Intel + MX150 will probably trounce AMD in every gaming benchmark for two reasons:1. The MX150 is a faster GPU than the Vega IGP
2. The Intel CPU and MX150 don't share the same die or even the same package, so there's more thermal headroom.
I'm thinking at least 30% faster gaming for $100 extra. That's a good deal. Of course, this is just gaming we're talking about.
hanselltc - Wednesday, May 16, 2018 - link
We'll have to wait for reviews. Having that Vega iGP in 13" model is neat tho.Zingam - Thursday, May 17, 2018 - link
The Xbox One X APU doesn't agree with you!nathanddrews - Friday, May 18, 2018 - link
For starters, the Xbone X GPU is significantly more powerful than either the MX150 or the Vega IGP while having a CPU that is vastly LESS powerful than either Ryzen or 8th Gen Intel CPU. In fact, the CPU is pretty restricting on the system as a whole, holding back frame rates in many games, despite the custom programming and overclock. I really like my Xbone X, but I guess I don't see how it is at all relevant to the topic or my original post?Bateluer - Tuesday, May 15, 2018 - link
Editor over at Liliputing is stating the AMD model is dual channel.darkich - Tuesday, May 15, 2018 - link
Well the Vega 10 should be far better than the MX150 actually. No comparison at all. So the Nvidia option doesn't make sense to me.SquarePeg - Tuesday, May 15, 2018 - link
The Nvidia MX150 alone has a TDP of 25 watts. Even the down clocked MX150 has a TDP of 10 watts. I want to see the 25 watt TDP up version of the AMD 2700U versus the 15 watt Intel 8550U + 10 watt MX150. This would be a much more interesting comparison as both solutions would be given an equivalent (25 watt) thermal budget in in the same chassis.neblogai - Thursday, May 17, 2018 - link
That is not a fair comparisson: either both should be tested on iGPU, or both get dGPU+dMemory. Or, if you want AMD system to be cheaper- then it's APU should at least be given the same TDP/cooling (25 to 40W) that Intel+MX150 gets. As seen on desktop- Vega11 is about equal to GT1030, so faster than MX150. However, AMD's desktop iGPU gets to work at proper 1250MHz core and with faster memory, not ~750MHz core and ~DDR42133, which mobile U-series AMD iGPUs average with their low TDP.stuffwhy - Monday, May 14, 2018 - link
Part on/part off topic - why are there, at least as far as I've seen, a steady stream of Ryzen based laptops coming out with only single channel RAM? It's as if it's on purpose or something. This post reminds me of that because it appears that this model will have only 8 GB, probably soldered on.HStewart - Tuesday, May 15, 2018 - link
My only guess is that it limited in architecture to single channel. It usually an option but at factory in notebooks for more ram now a days. As for soldered on, today every one wants the notebook thinner and lighter and that is one trade off - also less moveable parts means less likely some one will mess things up.Fnnoobee - Monday, July 30, 2018 - link
As far as I'm aware, both 13" and 15" configurations of the HP Envy x360 Ryzen models have dual channel 2400MHz RAM. The only other manufacturer that I am aware of that uses dual-channel 2400MHz RAM is the Dell Inspiron in both their 13 and 15 7000 models. Avoid at all costs the deceptively tempting Lenovo Ideapad 720S Ryzen model. While thin and light and very affordable, the RAM is single-channel clocked at 2133MHz and soldered to the board! So even if you wanted to attempt to upgrade to fix any memory bottleneck issues caused with a system memory dependent iGPU, it's not possible.edgineer - Monday, May 14, 2018 - link
So, both 13" and 15" have "1 x USB Type-C 3.0" which if correct means this port supports data transfer at USB 3.1 gen 1 5Gb/s, but not gen 2 10Gb/s.But the 13" "also has the ability to connect two external 4K displays" which must happen over the only available video port, the type-C port. So the type-C port must also support displayport alternate mode.
But this port also has a lightning/spark/thunderbolt symbol printed next to it on the case- indicating some special charging capability? Does it support USB power delivery? Probably not?
Dragonstongue - Monday, May 14, 2018 - link
battery size is blekk lol.specs are hit and miss IMO especially for the pricing and the screen size presented, likely is a real limit for any potential performance one can have or should be getting.
like a gpu with WAY more memory than it can ever effectively use now these "laptop" companies seem to be wanting to make as thin, light, reduce battery, cripple it with minimum amount of ram they possibly can, dinky little screen so the cpu-gpu are artificially hampered etc etc.
I can understand they want to keep at a certain price range, but quality of product delivered and specs to back up the component selection used should be paramount to anything else, 3 or 4cell battery bloody hell LMFAO.
hanselltc - Wednesday, May 16, 2018 - link
since when did screen size hamper performanceET - Tuesday, May 15, 2018 - link
I'll wait for a review, in particular the battery life.T1beriu - Tuesday, May 15, 2018 - link
Ryzen's frequencies are not correct.Joe Shields - Thursday, May 17, 2018 - link
Updated. Thanks!Bateluer - Wednesday, May 16, 2018 - link
Is there any word on when these models will launch?zilexa - Friday, May 18, 2018 - link
BUT, do they support Thunderbolt 3.0 ??zilexa - Friday, May 18, 2018 - link
And how does the Envy x360 13" with Ryzen 5 perform against its direct competitor the Lenovo Yoga 730?markiz - Thursday, May 31, 2018 - link
I guess they are direct competitors, but Ryzen has much better GPU. Not sure how many people will value that over tried and true Yoga though. I do prefer the monolitic minimalist design of Yoga. Looks like a solid block of aluminium and according to reviews it almost feels like it as well.In fact, if Yoga came with Ryzen, it would be a no brainer for me. Especially since Yoga 730-13 does seem to have OK thermals, according to notebookcheck, so it should allow Ryzen to stretch it's legs to a reasonable degree.
markiz - Thursday, May 31, 2018 - link
13" sounds tailor-made for me. And I reckon many others, like students.A smaller convertible, metal build, just enough gpu to play Civ6 at low settings FHD. Should be good for everything i need it to do, and it's portable enough.
I do wish there was an 512GB SSD option, but all the pros outweight this, because my storage needs have wastly diminished since i started streaming music and storing photos on gdrive.
cassfox - Friday, June 1, 2018 - link
The envy x360 is up on HP's site now. It seems that the 13" only has ryzen 3 and 5 CPUs, and the 15" ryzen model only has a FHD display. Also the ram options tend to differ somewhat from the stuff in this article. I'm wondering where the differences in communication were, or if there's just going to be more models available in the near future.Pretty disappointing, since the 15" model with a 2700U and a 4K display would've been an instant buy for me.