HP ENVY 13 review
HP ENVY 13 — from 2020, 1.31 kg, performance 50.
Technical specifications
| Type | Ultrabook |
| Release year | 2020 |
| Screen | 13.3" · 1920x1080 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 1135G7 , Intel Core i7 1165G7 |
| Graphics | GeForce MX450 2GB |
| Max. RAM | 16 GB |
| Weight | 1.31 kg |
| Battery | 51 Wh |
Performance scores
HP ENVY 13 (2020): the MX450 ultrabook with the gentle curve
The HP ENVY 13 (2020) pairs a Core i5 1135G7 with a GeForce MX450 2GB and 16GB of memory at $650. The graphics score of 44.73 sits 1065 percent above the ultrabook-class median of 3.84, and the measured data backs it: Far Cry 5 clears its recommended bar at 34 frames per second. The 8.93 percent annual class-level depreciation rate is tied for the gentlest in this batch.
Where it holds up
Photo at 83 is high-band; portability at 79.9 is high-band, the third-best reading of this batch; office at 62.75 is mid-tier; gaming at 44, modeling at 42, and CAD at 44 are mid-tier; value at 69.65 is high-band. The performance index of 50.01 runs 20 percent above the ultrabook median. The 34 fps clearance and the gentle curve together make the used-premium argument.
Where it falls short
Memory is the named weakness: 16GB against an ultrabook median of 32, the comfort tier on a premium-branded machine. The MX450's 2GB framebuffer caps the gaming the score invites, and office at 62.75 mid-tier trails the 84-plus readings of the newer platforms. Performance at 50.01 is mid-band, 2020-entry territory.
Price and depreciation
At $650 with an empty dollar ledger, the 8.93 percent annual class-level rate — tied for the gentlest of this batch — leaves first-year exposure with the buyer but erodes slowly. The value reading of 69.65 high-band endorses the price; the memory ceiling is the spec that ages first.
Alternatives to consider
The Dell XPS 13 9310 2-in-1 (2020) at the same $650: the same gentle curve, a 32GB ceiling, and portability at 78.7 against this machine's measured GPU and photo at 83. The HP Dragonfly Pro (2023) at $954 is the modern route with photo at 86 and no low-band axes. The HP ENVY 14 (2021) at $739 is the newer sibling with a weaker sheet.
Bottom line
Fairly priced for the class. The ENVY 13 offers a measured MX450 with high-band photo, third-best portability of the batch, high-band value, and the gentlest depreciation family — against a 16GB ceiling, mid-tier office, and 2GB of video memory. At $650 it remains one of the better used-premium ultrabook buys on this sheet.
🧭 Your context
Stage: Vague sense of need
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🎮 What it can run
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration suits everyday productivity, light photo editing, and esports titles.
🤔 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 13: verdict
➡️ Next step
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