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In this article, I give you my HP Envy 13 (2019) review with specs included. This is the 2019 edition of the HP Envy 13, with the name Light Envy. It’s kind of a nice laptop, but aha. It’s not that nice that it’s gonna destroy your budget completely.

Because the Envy line sits above the HP Pavilion line but below the HP Spectre line, which is their most expensive. So we’re talking an aluminum chassis, very light build, attractive laptop that starts at seven hundred and fifty dollars. Look at it now.

So what do you get for that seven hundred and fifty dollars starting price? Well, you get a pretty good deal. It’s a Core i7 quad-core 15-watt ultrabook CPU inside. Whiskey Lake, so the latest generation. No matter which price point you buy it at, getting that Core i7 8565 is good.

It has eight gigs of RAM (DDR4), and it has a 256-gig NVMe SSD. That base model we’re talking about: full HD, non-touch, the spike. If you want touch, add on $40 to $50; it’s totally worth it. I think I like touch screens. This is a traditional clamshell, however. It’s not a 360-degree rotating one with a pen and tablet mode, and all that’s are they. So up to you as to whether you feel like you need touch.

And if you want to go up to 4 K, that’s about 150 dollars more. And we happen to have the 4k display on board. So you also get our white backlit keyboard. This is a sandblasted aluminum casing on the laptop looks classy. You’ve got your choice between silver and a kind of pale gold look.

Microsoft Precision trackpad, finally, HP was a little late to that game. I know that many of you are gonna be happy about that. And it is so thin. That it actually has dropped down the draw drop style USB a port since too thin for regular USB-A.

So instead of going with a Dell XPS 13, which is okay, we’re too thin, and you’re only getting USB-C and Thunderbolt 3, not the most convenient thing dongle life and all that. You’re still getting USB ports here. You also get a micro SD card slot, and you have a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort.

You can use with USB C hubs. But sadly no Thunderbolt 3. But given the price tag of this model, hey, I’m okay with that. You can get a really nicely configured one with 16 gigs around; well, that’s our thing. You can spend about 1,200 bucks and get yourself a touchscreen and all that.

Strong Value Compared to Premium Rivals

One of the biggest advantages of the HP Envy 13 is its pricing. Even with premium features, it remains several hundred dollars cheaper than competitors such as the Razer Blade Stealth, Dell XPS 13, and Lenovo IdeaPad S940.

An interesting option is the available NVIDIA MX250 dedicated graphics chip. While it isn’t designed for demanding modern games, it can provide a noticeable boost for photo editing, light video editing, and older titles like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and BioShock Infinite. The upgrade is relatively inexpensive, making it an attractive addition for many buyers.

Storage and Everyday Performance

The laptop includes an NVMe SSD that delivers solid everyday performance. Although it isn’t among the fastest drives available, most users won’t notice the difference during regular tasks such as web browsing, office work, media consumption, or multitasking.

For the typical ultrabook user, storage speed is more than adequate, and only intensive workloads would reveal the advantages of higher-end SSD options.

Enhanced Privacy Features

HP has incorporated a physical webcam kill switch, providing additional privacy and security. Unlike software-based solutions, this hardware switch completely disconnects the webcam, preventing unauthorized access.

It’s worth noting that while the camera can be disabled physically, the microphones remain active.

Comfortable Keyboard and Trackpad

The keyboard offers a satisfying typing experience with respectable key travel and tactile feedback. HP continues its tradition of producing reliable keyboards that are comfortable for extended use.

The laptop also features a large Microsoft Precision touchpad, providing accurate tracking and smooth gesture support. Its generous size contributes to a pleasant navigation experience.

Display Options

The HP Envy 13 features slim bezels that help maximize screen space while maintaining a compact footprint. Buyers can choose between Full HD and 4K display options.

The 4K touchscreen model is particularly impressive, offering excellent brightness and strong color reproduction. Unlike some previous high-resolution HP displays that sacrificed brightness to improve battery life, this panel remains vibrant and easy to view.

Color coverage reaches the full sRGB color space and approximately 75% of Adobe RGB, making it suitable for content creation and media consumption.

The glossy finish enhances image quality but also introduces noticeable reflections in bright environments.

Upgradeability and Internal Access

One drawback of the Envy 13 is its challenging disassembly process. Accessing the internal components requires removing long rubber strips on the bottom panel to reveal hidden screws.

Unfortunately, these adhesive strips are not designed for repeated removal and may become damaged during the process. Because of this design, upgrading internal components isn’t as convenient as it is on some competing laptops.

Inside, the RAM is soldered to the motherboard, meaning memory cannot be upgraded later. Buyers should choose carefully between the available 8GB and 16GB configurations. The M.2 SSD, however, remains replaceable.

Thermals and Noise Levels

Despite its slim design and optional dedicated graphics, thermal performance is well controlled. HP provides several power and cooling profiles that allow users to prioritize quiet operation, lower temperatures, or maximum performance.

During normal operation, the cooling fan remains relatively quiet, and surface temperatures stay comfortable. Some warmth can be felt underneath the laptop and near the area above the keyboard during heavier workloads, but it generally remains pleasant to use.

Battery Life

The Envy 13 includes a 53Wh battery paired with a 65W fast charger.

Battery life varies depending on display configuration. The reviewed 4K model achieved roughly seven hours of mixed-use productivity and video streaming with brightness set to approximately 150 nits.

Users opting for the Full HD display can expect noticeably longer runtimes, potentially gaining an additional two hours or more thanks to the lower power requirements.

Audio and Security

Security features include a built-in fingerprint reader for convenient biometric authentication.

Audio performance is surprisingly good for a laptop of this size. HP’s Bang & Olufsen-tuned quad-speaker system combines two top-firing and two bottom-firing speakers to produce clear, loud sound with better bass response than many competing ultrabooks.

Final Verdict

The 2019 HP Envy 13 delivers an impressive balance of performance, portability, and affordability. Its premium design, excellent keyboard, optional MX250 graphics, quality display choices, strong battery life, and useful security features make it a compelling ultrabook.

While the lack of Thunderbolt 3 and the difficult upgrade process may disappoint some power users, the overall package offers tremendous value for the money. For buyers seeking a lightweight premium laptop without paying flagship prices, the HP Envy 13 remains an excellent choice.