2017 HP Spectre x360 15" Review for Artists

In this video Lisa Gade focuses on the early 2017 HP Spectre x360 15.6” Windows 10 convertible as a tool for artists. She compares it to the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 / Surface Book and brings in several other competitors like the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, iPad Pro and Wacom MobileStudio Pro in terms of pen and PC performance. Programs include Photoshop CC, Sketchbook Pro and Corel Painter 2017.
The Spectre x360 15” has a 7th generation Intel Core i7 CPU, 16 gigs of DDR4 RAM, a 512 gig PCIe NVME SSD, 4K display and an N-Trig active pen digitizer. It lists for $1,499. It’s one of the few big screen notebooks with pen support.
** Be sure to watch our general review of the 2017 HP Spectre x360 15” here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpekiaOFbrKFl8k
** And here’s our review of the 13” model (the late 2016 edition without active digitizer): www.mobiletechreview.com/notebooks/HP-Spectre-x360-Late-2016.htm
**Get it on HP.com: bit.ly/2KoRkUn

[@EpisodeAnon27]

Finally a review for the digital pen experience of this laptop. I was searching for the detailed descriptions and features for thr pen and I found it in here.

[@bigwilly81z28]

This review helped me more than I can say! The internet seems so swamped with reviews of devices for digital art and for the most part, many don't provide enough information. This however, explained all things I was curious about and as mentioned I cannot stress how incredibly helpful it was! So thank you for that!

[@noxmoonyisadork]

Thank you so much for a review focused on artists! It's really hard to find reviews that talk about things from the perspective of an artist. It was great seeing the comparison and I had no idea that HP released new Spectre laptops with digitizer support! SOOOOO EXCITING!!! And the price is amazing. Btw your orange and tree looked really nice. I like the textures on them!

[@kalyankarakheti6383]

I am also in same dilemma which one to choose. HP spectre is great in all things as well so budget friendly compared to other products but i wish to have 4096 level pressure sensitive screen. Samsung notebook 9 pro is also really great but with no thunderbolt 3 support, no 4k screen, really bad speaker and poor battery life makes it not so great to pick. Lenovo launches new yoga 920 but its 700-800 dollar more. What do you think?

[@kalyankarakheti6383]

Thank you for your advice Sapphire, but I love the new Lenovo Yoga 920 and I think this one will be better although its expensive.

[@kalyankarakheti6383]

Yeah. This one insanely brilliant but you see Surface Book 2 is too expensive. More than $2500, i can't afford that.

[@kalyankarakheti6383]

Yeah I also think this way is better. If I get Surface book 2 with my matching tech spec at below $1700 then I can go for it.

[@jayyzee5708]

Sapphire Skills will it be able to handle the heavy softwares such as photoshop, after effects and maya?

[@tominfhl]

Can't get enough of these pen comparison videos. Helps clear up so much confusion. Thanks Lisa.

[@deidaraobito]

You’ve really helped me alot with getting my new computer and not regretting it thank you

[@JasonThomasBrown-UK]

This review is amazing, I was looking specifically for art reasons and a lot of other people have different criteria.

[@aleka1017]

That was a great review! You addressed a lot of my questions

[@ShallowCult]

Lisa, Thank you SO much for doing so may fantastic reviews that cover not only laptops with digitizers, but how they actually feel to use in photoshop & other art applications! I'm still tossing up between a few different Surface, Yoga, HP & Samsung devices, but these reviews have been invaluable! Thank you!

[@starbrand3726]

Have been shopping for an artistic tablet/laptop with pen. Had three units in mind, and couldn't decide. I think you just made up my mind. HP all the way. Thanks for the great artist's review.

[@pfergusovegas]

I just bought a 2019 Spectre x360 15t, but with a 10 gen i7. Even though the model is slightly different from yours, this review was incredibly helpful to me, because I'm a Photoshop user and am looking for an iPad Pro style drawing experience, but with the features of a Windows laptop. Thanks for this thoughtful review!!

[@DEVUNK88]

Hey Lisa! thanks for the review, you do a great job

[@jmms93]

Thank you for this review Lisa, it's exactly what I was looking for as an artist that wants to be able to work on the go. I'm still not 100% sure if should get this one or wait to see what the surface pro 5 will have to offer, but the spectre's price sure it tempting

[@MLHPChanel]

Thanks for the review:) In addition, you're a wonderful artist!

[@WillieFourMilli]

Thanks for these reviews Lisa. I'm an artist doing digital work. Very helpful.

[@albuscurra]

Awesome ! That's exactly what I was looking for !

[@ispeakmucho]

Just ordered the pen with a x360, 14 inch. 8gb ram. 1tb storage, Pentium 44 something chip. Was right under the i3 in performance. Thank you for this artist review

[@LazyVocalist]

I just ordered this and I'm so excited! I haven't really experimented much with digital but i definitely will now

[@kriss._.1041]

How was it so far😅😅

[@roostersideburns3440]

there is an HP tilt pen now not sure if it was around in 2017

[@zaiahwolfe]

Great video :) helped me decide that I want to purchase it

[@caueegea5160]

I love your videos!!!

[@waltzie]

very glad you did this!!!

[@keggerous]

I love your reviews!!!

[@you2nosey188]

Congratulations for reaching half a million

[@kazkomperda2118]

Have this computer for a week now and it's just great.

[@gaea2007vm]

In terms of drawing experience alone, how would you compare this to the iPad Pro? Would've loved to see samples! :) (was expecting it when I saw it on the table at the beginning) Great review Lisa as always, thanks for all your hard work!

[@nicoletran4373]

very informative, thank you!

[@joelschafer]

I just picked this up for more real estate relative to my Surface Pro 4 and your review is dead on. I agree with the impression that palm rejection is superior to the Surface Pro. I do find the nib too slick on the HP pen so I've been using my Surface Pen. Given that it's a convertible the screen bounce is fairly annoying however so I hope to use it primarily in tent or tablet mode. I'm trying to get Tablet Pro configured so I can avoid a keyboard but the setup is pretty fiddly. Great review!

[@yuzuyuri]

I wonder if the new x360 13" have the same pen sensitivity? The pen pressure on the 15" is incredible, I hope it's the same on the little one. I wanna see a review, if that's possible. Thank you. I love watching your reviews

[@hasanahmad3420]

What a great comparison. Showing pro apps I would actually use!

[@maxxsee]

have to have have to have have to have great reviews, really superb

[@friedrice7404]

maxxsee wat

[@terrytigner9600]

Would love a 15" Windows 10 Tablet or 2 in 1 with the 3:2 ratio and good pen. Perhaps MS will roll out a 15" Surface device in March! 16:9 ratios are such a waste in tablet mode. One thing great about the 12.9 iPad Pro is the iPad ratio of 4:3.

[@chrisspeakman6439]

I'm deciding whether or not to wait for the surface pro 5 or get one of the artist 2 in 1s that are out now.

[@noahplato4068]

"Bob Ross moment in action" I instantly un-did fullscreen and subscribed. XD

[@bobwhiteside9950]

I'd love if you could do a similar video on the use of the touch screen and pen in some architecture packages like sketch up pro and autodesk revit.

[@aperire0401]

Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for your great reviews. I'm hanging between this and the upcoming Surface 5 (although th HP Spectre pricing is looking very attractive). Debated the Mobile Studio Pro but I have the 2nd Gen Cintiq Companion and am quite disappointed in it.

[@OllyReid]

You won't get palm rejection problems on the surface if you download the "app"version of Sketchbook. It has less features currently, but it works really nicely with SP4. (Palm rejection is fine with photoshop too I find...)

[@anzatzi]

went back to using the glove this year--its a much better experience

[@MrNoahFTW]

Lisa, thanks for your fantastic content. I just ordered a Spectre x360 15 and I'm wanting to annotate on pdf s and powerpoints for work. Do you recommend a screen protector before using an active stylus? I've noticed that the Surface Pen has what looks like a softer, felt-like tip. I really don't want to scratch up my new laptops nice 4k screen. What are your suggestions?

[@tiam7722]

Does new Spectre x360 13 inch that supports stylus use the same stylus as the 15 inch Spectre x360?

[@juulsommen4320]

But how does it feel when laying it down like a tablet? And could you maybe do a note taking demo on either a surface product or an hp, if you are known with onenote etc? Thanks!

[@theprophe]

Since you can use the surface pen, would the surface top button open onenote on the spectre?

[@launcher7859]

theprophe yep it does

[@MrBausa89]

IS it possible for you to test the HP tilt pen? Thanks a lot

[@TobiLotta]

is it possible to connect this notebook to the macbook pro and use it as a second display (as a graphic tablet) ?

[@MaN2Mega]

Have you tried Tablet Pro on screen hotkeys app? I could not use my surface pro without them when drawing but no major site has done a review of it yet

[@aashanyoutube]

hi, how would you compare hp with wacom mobile studio pro? because im an artist and planning to buy studio pro 16 soon.

[@MakeItRight4u]

Having issue on latest version on Painter 2018 where in the pen tilt is not working. Is there any settings that I need to be done to make it work?

[@itsMido2]

You da best Liza!

[@ViacheslavStudio]

Hi ;) I know that HP Tilt Pen in presentation mode can highlight (change the cursor to look like laser pointer), but I don't know how to turn on this highliting. Any idea?

[@discodinosaur1313]

So I was wondering anyone could answer my question about problem I'm having with the Hp Spectre 360 15. I have this laptop for over few months and have not touch any of the settings for the pen. But lately in photoshop it won't work correctly. Meaning when I try to use the pen it just moves the screen. I have to hold down the top button to paint, erase etc. I have tried to reset the pen and also uninstall photoshop. Nothing it fixing it. Anyone have any clues on how to fix this? Thanks!

[@educationalchannel3815]

Would be really helpful if you can address my query: Can I do screen recording while writing using stylus (inking pen) and produce the same in form of a video?

[@lucky23081988]

Thank you for your amazing video and experience, Which software would you suggest to start with for practicing drawing

[@Bonjour-World]

Greetings Lisa. Really liked to video on the various digital pen technologies. You might consider adding it to the links in this video as well. Have you done a a review of the HP Tilt pen (part 2MY21AA) yet and/or MPP 2.0 yet?

[@JasonSecrest]

Good morning Lisa, do you know if the latest Windows Surface pen works with the HP Spectre still? I thought I read they were modifying some of the hardware in the pen. For some reason I didn't get a pen when I purchased the spectre and the Bamboo I bought is pretty worthless. HP has made it surprisingly hard just to buy the pen but I can pick up the Surface pen at the mall today. Just wanted to know if you had any success with it. Thanks for the feedback. Jason

[@DanielCamacho_DISACC]

I've recently picked up a Lenovo yoga 720 with a meko high sensitive stylus on Amazon. The stylus gives me no issues when using it on my laptop, but when I go to Photoshop it refuses to recognize my pen in the canvas. I am able to use it off the canvas to adjust brush sizes and such with no issues though. Is the problem with me using the wring stylus for Photoshop or is it a software issue where I need to get a specific plugin?

[@tombombadilofficial]

Wondering if you'll review the Eve V? I heard you can use SP 2017's pen on it.

[@meggansloas7658]

Maybe you can help; I have the 4k 15" HP Spectre x360 15-blxxx and bought the Bamboo Ink pen with it, and I can't get the pen pressure to work. I've just been told by Wacom it "may not". I need to use this computer I just bought for art, and I need the pen pressure. What pen can I use?

[@federicogiovannipische2835]

Good morning, I need help. In my country (Italy) the 15” comes without the pen, wich is basically impossible to find even on the official store. Anyone can tell me where could I buy the Hp Pen? Thank you!

[@leodunadan]

Anyone knows what's the pressure sensitivity of the Spectre vs the surface pro 4 and the surface book? Couldn't seem to find it anywhere.. And also, the pens showed up in the video are interchangeable but there is that new pen kit for the Surfaces, does that work with the Spectre as well?

[@thedeltronic1]

Hello, I was wondering if you know what stylus is compatible for HP ENVY X360 17 CORE i7 7th gen.

[@LiekeBeunders]

I'm confused about which versions of the spectre x360 work with pens, is it the new 13" version too? And it didn't work for the older models, right?

[@Weghatnazar1]

Hello, I am sales for softwares and i need to demonstrate my software to the client with the normal mode is it easy to do so? our the screen is flexible so i have to out it on the touch screen/tablet mode?

[@adriennedupree9719]

I was woundering if you can cover 2 in 1 laptops with pens and which one has better draw response when it comes to pen strokes

[@BlkBruceWayne86]

Any comparison between this and the new Lenovo Thinkpad X1 yoga? Trying to decide between the x360 spectre, x1 yoga, and p40 yoga for graphic design ( Illustrator)

[@muzboz]

Does it support any sensitivity at all? Like, actual pressure that makes the Photoshop brush wider and narrower, lighter and darker, etc?

[@frankfei1557]

Is the pen pressure sensitivity supported in Sai and FireAlpaca? I rly want to buy the 13 inch for school and as a mobile sketchbook

[@marshmallowpuff4899]

I love the art reviews you do for convertibles . What kind of digitizer does the Spectre x 360 13 use ? I know it's not an n trigg.

[@fahminagi5397]

Adobe Photoshop Elements 15 & Premiere Elements 15 or cyberlink Director Suite 5 , which one is the best for this laptop ?

[@cliveroberts8760]

Has anyone heard of the 2 second delay problem that the spectre 2017 has when you are drawing or writing and want to use your finger to move the page afterwards

[@bccron]

Solidworks with HP Spectre 360 i& if connected to a an External GPU?

[@davidg260]

are you going to review the Dell Canvas 27. Cause having this run that you get the full desktop to portable drawing experience.

[@maconmomentsphoto5779]

Do you know if there will be any ryzen laptops coming out this year? I'm looking for a travel laptop for 4k video editing

[@xXPoisonShotsXx]

Great video as always Lisa, I have a few questions though. Do you think this configuration would be enough for music production? I'm talking software like Ableton Live, also what about video editing (fhd) with Premier Pro? And lastly do you know anything about the upcoming Lenovo Yoga 720? Thanks for keeping us informed on current tech! 😃

[@nvc.]

Lisa, make a video on gaming with x360 15 2017!! just too see how it performs

[@jrosenbomb]

Thanks for the review. I currently have a Fujitsu T904. it's acting up and I'm thinking of a new computer. I like the larger screen for this device and the affordability (especially for the RAM and SSD space) not to mention a number of ports. My Fujitsu is Wacom EMR. I'm not sure if it has 1024 levels or what. I'm wondering what kind of difference I would expect moving to this device? I also wonder about the difference between NTrig and Wacom AES. I've seen a few reviews from a couple of years ago. Has anything has changed? I've heard that AES was better, but with Microsoft backing NTrig I'm wondering if it has gotten better. I would use this device for web/graphic design and illustration. I originally was looking at those "Surface Pro" form factors, but realized that you pay a premium for its compact size, and after all I like the larger screen. Any advice would be great. Maybe there's another computer to consider?

[@oimpe]

Anyone know if the surface pen eraser work with this HP? Or would we have to use the button to erase as well?

[@nabiwachou]

Does the pressure work like how pen tablets does? I don't really understand what she said about, so i beg anyone would tell me! Thank you :)

[@est9949]

Great review! I'm choosing between these pens and laptops and this helps a lot. Btw, does Surface Pen work well with the latest 13" Spectre?

[@LiekeBeunders]

Is it the same pen as the one for the X2 ? It seems like the pen doesn't come in the box in my country and I'm trying to find a place to order it.

[@BadMohawk]

Cannot get pen pressure working in photoshop with the HP Tilt Pen on the spectre 360?? Even with a #WinTab in the settings folder?? :(

[@SabefiglioGames]

Hi Lisa, do you have the calibrated ICC profile? If so, can you share it with us please? Thanks a lot!

[@thibaldus3]

Great review Lisa! As someone who plans on doing some digital drawing, those reviews are incredibly useful! Just two questions: What is the reference for the model you are testing? Is it part of the bL00xx models? And are the 13" 2017 models (the ac-00X ones) as good for drawing?

[@Metalpazallteway]

Very nice review.. I have a quick question, I know that the computer be extended to 16gig ram and it's just dual core and not quad core as wanted. Although, can this computer be suffice for heavy video/sound editing software. For example is it very responsive for cinematic music using DAW software programs?

[@tomrogalla2966]

I assume it will also work with the 13" Kaby lake model?

[@vaskooo]

Do you believe, for the 13" version, if it's worth getting the 4K vs the FHD?

[@dombyrashyKZ]

Hello, are you here showing the handles of different manufacturers? Or did they compare the iron tablets themselves? What is all so good option for artists brand and iron tablets? I now think between Microsoft Surfake Pro 4 and XPS 13 2-in-1 7th Generation Intel® Core ™ i7-7Y75 Processor 16GB? Thank you!

[@zephyrblackdividerssword5950]

Would the Dell 2019 black edition 7000 2in1 be good

[@EB.Consulting]

hi, is there any info on the AAAA battery life? How long would it last if you, say, use it for 2-3 hours per day? Thanks!

[@dluciano2288]

Hi Lisa. I really like your KZbin page. I was wondering if you would do a review on say a lower priced device. One such as the Nextbook Flexx 11A. I haven't been able to find any video reviews of that particular device. It would be cool to see you do that. :)

[@michaelcerda5514]

great video

[@welsh2266]

Hi Lisa, could you please do a video on the sketchbook pro for android tablets? I have it on my note 10.1 & would love to learn to sketch with it but the videos ive seen are telling me it's a very lacking programme for artists. wish I could afford the ipad pro so I could use their procreate programme. many thanks

[@tungstenwhizard4361]

Is this a good laptop for college? And does the stylus support the sensor that detects erasing? (My dad had a VERY old HP tablet with a stylus that would write with the tip, but erase if flipped around.)

[@LEARNING-MEDICAL-EDUCATION]

I am a student. i do lots of note writing in laptop. which laptopo to buy ( hp spectre of dell xps 15)?

[@DivaCam]

Hi ! What pen are you using exactly on the Spectre? Thank you

[@carolinehonse35]

Thank you so much for this video. I just bought the 15 inch Spectre and am chomping at the bit to learn how to use it with photoshop. Is there any chance for a basic how to start video on this? Please? My I ply you with honest compliments that of the zillions of tech videos Ilve watched, yours are the best. No kidding!

[@michaelzschoche2746]

I cannot find sketchbook pro in the store. did you get it from somewhere else?

[@redcapisgreat]

Hello, should I get this or the envy model? What makes the line's x360s different (if they had the same specs)? Would like to know as I can't find any articles on it at all.

[@leroyj9044]

The HP spectre 15" right now has a dedicated graphics card (MX150 2gb) where as the 15" HP envy does not come with a dedicated graphics card. The Spectre has a 4kUHD screen where the envy has a 1080p screen So i think you'll get better performance both speed and graphically from the Spectre, but better battery life from the envy

[@lloydchristmas4547]

Thanks a lot.

[@x-wisewu6807]

Thanks Lisa! Could you review the Samsung Chromebook Plus? Thank you!

[@AlbertoAmoni]

Nice review! and thanks for doing and artist version of it, no one seems to care about the pen and its limits when reviewing it. With the pens being interchangeable, didn't the tilt work when you used the surface pen? Hp also has a "Tilt pen", sorry if I'm bothering you, is just that I haven't found anyone else testing those the way you did here.

[@gutwrenchingdeaths]

could you tell us how the hp envy x360 touchscreen compares to the spectre x360 screen in terms of responsiveness and pressure?

[@maddielovelee]

gut wrenching deaths yeah I wanna know that too. I'm tryinf to decide which one to get and I do art but need a laptop too for other stuff. U ever figure out?

[@Zetaphotography]

I have the 15 Envy x360 not Spectre. Not sure which pen to get that works