HP Envy TouchSmart 15-j036eo review
HP Envy TouchSmart 15-j036eo — from 2013, 2.18 kg, performance 22.
Technical specifications
| Type | Ultrabook |
| Release year | 2013 |
| Screen | 15.6" · 1920x1080 |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 4702MQ |
| Graphics | GeForce gt 750M 2GB |
| Max. RAM | 16 GB |
| Weight | 2.18 kg |
Performance scores
A 2013 Envy TouchSmart showing every one of its twelve years
The HP Envy TouchSmart 15-j036eo (2013) pairs a quad-core Core i7-4702MQ with NVIDIA's GeForce GT 750M (2 GB discrete, 2013 vintage) and 16 GB of RAM in a 15-inch touchscreen chassis. At about $283 it sits well below the $373 category median for ultrabooks — in the ultra-budget tier. The hardware reflects the 12-year vintage on every axis that matters: the reliability index is low, the mobility index is low, and the 16 GB of RAM sits below the category median. The GT 750M is technically a discrete GPU, but a 2013 part too weak for modern gaming.
What still works: touchscreen at a low price
The Envy TouchSmart's appeal is purely the touchscreen form factor at a bargain price. For a browser, an email client, a document editor and a video call, the i7-4702MQ and 16 GB of RAM are adequate. The GT 750M is technically a discrete GPU — more than most ultra-budget machines from this era offer — but it's a 2013 part that doesn't enable modern gaming. Buyers should expect a machine that does the basics and shows its age.
What to be realistic about
The reliability index sits at the bottom of the category, reflecting the 2013 vintage. The mobility index is also low, partly due to the 15-inch touchscreen chassis and the older battery technology. The 16 GB of RAM sits below the category median, which limits multitasking headroom. There is no capability fit data showing the machine reaching recommended settings on modern titles.
Price trajectory
From an original $1,400 MSRP, the Envy TouchSmart has depreciated to about $283 today — an annual rate near 6.2%, one of the gentlest curves in this batch (most of the value loss happened long ago). Projected forward, another two years bring it to roughly $249, a 12.1% drop. The residual value is essentially flat.
How it compares
Slightly above it, the HP ZBook 14u G5 ($319) and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 ($321) are the natural step-up alternatives — much newer hardware for a small premium. Below it, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chrome 15IJL6 ($243) and Lenovo ThinkPad A485 ($264) are cheaper alternatives with newer platforms.
Bottom line
The Envy TouchSmart 15-j036eo is a budget-friendly pick only for buyers who specifically want a cheap touchscreen laptop and accept that the hardware is from 2013. The GT 750M and 16 GB of RAM are modest upsells over iGPU-only competitors, but the low reliability, low mobility and below-median RAM are honest about the machine's limits. Most buyers will be better served by the slightly more expensive ZBook 14u G5 at $319.
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⭐ What stands out
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reliability is lower than typical ultrabook class (+80.4%) (low tier).
budget segment of category -
mobility is lower than typical ultrabook class (+67.2%) (low tier).
budget segment of category -
memory capacity is lower than typical ultrabook class (+50%) (comfort).
budget segment of category
🔁 Alternatives
Compromise axis: build quality ↔ overall performance
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration is built for office apps, web browsing, and basic daily tasks.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 51) ↔ price (median 373.2).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 64) ↔ overall performance (median 41.7).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 50) ↔ battery life (median 4.4).
Envy TouchSmart 15-j036eo: verdict
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