This portable PC can be carried like a briefcase — why it's ideal for Nintendo Switch
I'm obsessed with the new HP Envy Move. How can you not be? It's an all-in-one PC that, thanks to its sturdy handle, can be carried around from A to B like a briefcase.
While carrying it, I look legit — like a Wall Street banker heading to my luxe high-rise office.
It comes with a keyboard, too, that can be stored inside its back pocket — a feature I endearingly call the kangaroo pouch.
But of course, despite my adoration for then Envy Move, even this glitzy device can't escape my critical eye. Let's dive into what I like and dislike about this snazzy all-one-PC.
HP Envy Move price
The HP Envy Move sent Mashable is just under $1,000 at the time of this writing; you can get it via HP.com.
My review unit comes with the following specs:
13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U CPU
Intel UHD graphics
16GB of RAM
1TB of SSD storage
23.8-inch, 2560 x 1440-pixel display
Based on the specs, the processor is designed to facilitate light workloads, including streaming, web browsing, and productivity apps like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
We ran Geekbench 6 and got a multi-core score of 8,653. For context, this performance is on par with the M1 chip inside the 2020-launched Apple MacBook Air. As such, don't expect au courant performance.
The cheapest variant, also at HP, costs $899.99 and comes with an Intel Core i3 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage.
What I love about the HP Envy Move
An HP rep said that the Envy Move has "magic feet," and at the time, I didn't know what he meant. However, after setting the Envy Move down on a table, I jumped back when something curious happened.
The Envy Move's 'feet' automatically pop out
Imagine my surprise when I, for the first time, put the Envy Move down on a table inside Mashable's offices — and two feet automatically appeared to keep the Envy Move steadily upright.
Of course, there’s no wizardry involved here. The Envy Move uses HP’s patented kickstand feet that, when placed on any flat surface, two smart feet from each side emerge to support the PC. When you pick it back up again, the feet retract automatically.
The speakers are phenomenal
The bombastic, loud dual speakers on the HP Envy Move are friggin' amazing.
They're tuned by B&O, and on top of that, they feature adaptive audio. This means that the Envy Move auto-adjusts to whichever environment you place it in, delivering an immersive, uniform surround-sound experience.
An HP rep told me to listen to Lordes' "Royals" on the HP Envy Move — and I did just that. I fired up Spotify and launched the pop song on the all-in-one-PC, and wow, the snap-and-clap percussion was crisp. The deep, pulsating bass sounded rich, detailed and defined.
Pick-up-and-go handle
The HP Envy Move takes the best aspects of laptops and desktop PCs — and combines them into one sleek package. It has the mobility of the best laptops, but it also has the spacious footprint of a desktop computer (e.g., the M3 iMac).
Although the Envy Move is a desktop computer with a 24-inch display, I needn't be confined to one place. Thanks to its handle, I can pick it up — like a cute little briefcase — and carry it from room to room.
Plus, the handle magnetically attaches to the back of the Envy Move, so it's out of view while you're using it.
You may be wondering, "Can I commute from my home to the office with the Envy Move?" You could, but I wouldn't recommend it. The Envy Move is designed for mobility within the home — not outside of it. For example, I loved plopping the Envy Move on my dining room table while using Google Docs before moving it to the kitchen to watch Netflix while cooking.
Plus, it's not light enough for you to spend an hour commuting with it. It weighs about nine pounds (though you wouldn't know it if you picked it up because it's not that heavy). If the next-gen HP Envy Move 2 manages to shave a pound or two, I may change my answer to full-blown yes.
Kangaroo pouch
Sure, you can hold the Envy Move in your dominant hand and move from room to room, but what about the Bluetooth keyboard?
Well, the folks at HP thought ahead about that. Behind the Envy Move is a pocket, the "kangaroo pouch" I mentioned at the outset, that can hold the keyboard. This way, you're literally holding an entire PC, keyboard included, in one hand.
Speaking of the keyboard, typing on it is an absolute dream; the clicky-clacky keys have enough tactile feedback that allow my fingers to leap from letter to letter like a graceful ballet dancer.
This port opens it up to gamers
The HP Envy Move has an HDMI-in port. What does that mean? You can grab one of the best gaming consoles (e.g., Nintendo Switch) — alongside an HDMI cable — and connect it to the Envy Move to play games on a larger, 2,560 x 1,440-pixel, 24-inch screen.
However, the display is nothing to write home about. Considering its sub-$1,000 price tag, don't expect any high-contrast levels or ultra-rich colors. Still, it's more than satisfactory if you're not a stickler for eye candy-esque screens.
It's a highly responsive touchscreen, too, so in those moments you just want to quickly scroll through an article, and not bother with the keyboard, you can do just that.
What's 'eh' about HP Envy Move
There are some aspects of the products I review that neither excite nor disappoint — they're just there.
No headset jack
Ports you can find on the Envy Move include HDMI-in, USB-C 3.1, and USB-A 3.1.
However, you won't find a headset jack. This doesn't bother me much, though. As mentioned, the Envy Move has phenomenal speakers, and plus, all of my headphones rely on Bluetooth connectivity anyway.
Webcam is OK
Like most mobile PCs on the market, the Envy Move's webcam is nothing special. The HP Envy Move has a 5-megapixel (MP) webcam, equipped with a privacy shutter, which is a nice addition if you're concerned about peeping Toms hacking your shooter.
It's an IR camera, by the way, which means it supports face unlock for Windows Hello.
When I saw the so-so quality of the Envy Move 's shooter, I was surprised that it's 5MP. Not that 5MP is anything spectacular, but it doesn't look much better than the 1080p webcam on my M2 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro. Fortunately, HP does offer an external shooter: the HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam
What I dislike about the HP Envy Move
The Envy Move comes in "Shell White" — and no other colors. I want more variety.
Why not come in black, too?
The Envy Move, available in Shell White, may fit perfectly into some consumers' home, but for others, it may clash with their indoor décor.
Plus, black is better at hiding smudges and stains, so you can get away with a longer period without cleaning it.
Bluetooth keyboard solely relies on batteries
The Bluetooth keyboard is battery-operated, so it requires four AAA batteries. (Don't worry, the Envy Move ships with the batteries you need.)
However, it would be nice if I could have the option to connect the keyboard with a cable.
HP Envy Move battery life
The Envy Move has a built-in battery, another feature that makes it more appealing than your typical desktop commuter. According to the HP, it can survive up to four hours on a single charge, which is actually pretty accurate.
We tested the Envy Move ourselves with the PCMark 10 battery life benchmark; it lasted 3 hours and 40 minutes. You can also choose to keep it plugged in with the accompanying charging brick.
Final thoughts
The HP Envy Move is, hands down, one of my favorite tech products I've reviewed this year. You get an all-in-one-PC with a spacious 24-inch display that has the mobility of a laptop, but the large footprint of a desktop.
I frequently use Google Sheets; using the Envy Move to navigate documents that benefit from this PC's expansive screen real estate has been a dream.
Plus, I can pick it up and move it wherever I want, thanks to the handy-dandy handle. And let's not forget that it has punchy, bombastic sound. It's no wonder it has earned a Mashable Choice Award.