I recently had the opportunity to review the HP Envy Move, a unique all-in-one PC that stands out from others in this market segment. This device is not just a Windows PC; it’s also a portable display with a built-in battery, making it versatile for various settings, such as educational environments or for those who need a computer on the go. You can see it in action in my latest review.
Pricing varies based on configuration and retailer promotions, but a decently equipped one will run $900. You can find and customize one here at HP (compensated affilate link). My review loaner featured an i5-1335U processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a terabyte of storage. The base model starts at under $800, offering lower specifications. One key aspect to note is that while the storage is upgradable, the RAM is not.
Its portability is a significant differentiation from other all-in-one PCs, weighing in at 4.1 kg (or 9 lbs). The bottom foot stands automatically flip out when placed on a surface and retract when picked up. The handle is magnetic, attaching to the back when not in use, and there’s a pouch for storing the included trackpad and keyboard.
The Envy Move boasts a 23.8-inch Quad HD 1440p touch display with 300 nits of brightness. The touch functions only work when the PC is active device and will not work with other devices.
The keyboard is comfortable to type on, resembling HP’s laptop keyboards. The integrated trackpad is accurate and feels similar to those on HP laptops too. But, it’s powered by AAA batteries, so keeping spares or opting for rechargeables might be wise.
The 1440p webcam at the top supports Windows facial recognition and can detect your presence, locking the screen or putting the PC to sleep when you walk away. However, the fixed position of the webcam and the height of the display vs. a laptop means you can’t adjust the camera angle, which could be a drawback for some users.
It features only two USB ports on the left hand side of the unit: a larger USB-A port and a USB Type-C port that supports external displays. On the right hand side there’s an HDMI port that is input-only, meaning it can’t be used for video capture or as an output.
Performance-wise, the HP Envy Move does well with the types of tasks it was designed for. Web browsing is smooth, and it handles basic tasks like word processing efficiently. For video editing, it manages well with basic projects but might struggle with more demanding tasks.
Gaming on the HP Envy Move is possible, but it’s not its primary function. You can play less demanding games at lower settings, but don’t expect a high-end gaming experience. I was able to get Red Dead Redemption 2 to play but I had to adjust the resolution down to 720p at the lowest settings.
One downside I encountered was the inability to run Linux on this device, which might be a deal-breaker for some users. Hopefully, a future BIOS update might address this issue as I couldn’t get it to boot off an external drive even after disabling secure boot.
Overall, the HP Envy Move is an innovative and versatile all-in-one PC. Its portability, combined with the functionality of a PC and a monitor, makes it a unique offering in the market.
Disclosure: This was not a sponsored review. HP provided the PC on loan for the purposes of this review. HP did not review or approve my review before it was uploaded.