HP Spectre x360 14 (2023)  Laptop Review

Review updated Oct 02, 2024 at 02:25pm
Tested using Methodology v0.8.2 
HP Spectre x360 14 (2023)

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Notice: This laptops was replaced by HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)

The HP Spectre x360 14 (2023) is a premium Windows ultraportable laptop. It replaces the HP Spectre x360 14 from 2022. This 2023 model comes with Intel 13th Gen U-series CPUs with Iris Xe integrated graphics, up to 32GB RAM, and 2TB of storage. There are three display options: two FHD+ IPS panels (one with an integrated privacy cover and 1000 cd/m² advertised brightness) and a 3k OLED panel. It has Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity, a 1080p webcam, and a 66Wh battery. Ports include one USB-A, two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4, a MicroSD card reader, and a headphone jack.

You can see our unit's specifications and the available configuration options in the Differences Between Variants section.

Our Verdict

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School 

The HP Spectre x360 14 2023 is great for school use. Its compact and lightweight design make it easy to carry around, and since its battery lasts over 13 hours of light use you don't need to worry about bringing the charger around with you for a typical school day. You can get it with FHD+ IPS or 3k OLED displays; they all look sharp and get bright enough for use in most indoor settings. If you like handwritten notes, this laptop has stylus support and comes with a pen in the box. The keyboard feels great to type on, and the touchpad is large and responsive. As for performance, its Intel 13th Gen U-series CPU and integrated graphics can only handle general productivity tasks like web browsing and text processing.

Pros
  • Thin and light.
  • All-day battery life.
  • Sharp, bright displays.
  • Comfortable keyboard, large touchpad.
  • Great 1080p webcam.
Cons
  • CPU and GPU can't handle demanding workloads.
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Gaming 

The HP Spectre x360 14 2023 isn't designed for gaming. It's only available with low-power Intel 13th Gen U-series CPUs and integrated graphics, which aren't powerful enough to provide smooth gameplay in demanding games. You can play some older or lighter titles, but you'll have to play with low settings to get playable frame rates. Also, there are only 60Hz display options with no VRR to reduce screen tearing. On the upside, it doesn't get overly hot or loud under load.

Pros
  • Fast, user-replaceable SSD.
  • Doesn't get hot or loud under load.
Cons
  • CPU and GPU can't handle demanding workloads.
  • Only 60Hz display options with no VRR.
  • Soldered RAM.
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Multimedia 

The HP Spectre x360 14 2023 is great for media consumption. It's very portable due to its compact and lightweight design, and its battery lasts over 10 hours of video playback. Since this is a 2-in-1, you can set the laptop up in tent mode or use it as a tablet. It's available with FHD+ IPS or 3k OLED displays; they look very sharp and get bright enough for indoor use. One of the FHD+ displays has an advertised 1000 cd/m² brightness, which is more than enough for outdoor use. The FHD+ panels aren't ideal for dark room viewing, as their low contrast makes blacks look gray, so it's best to get the OLED panel if you often view content in a dim setting. Although the speakers are bottom-firing, they get very loud, sound clear, and have a decent amount of bass. They provide a good listening experience.

Pros
  • Thin and light.
  • All-day battery life.
  • Sharp, bright displays.
  • Available with 3k OLED display.
  • Speakers sound clear, with a decent amount of bass.
Cons
  • IPS panels aren't ideal for dark room viewing.
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Workstation 

The HP Spectre x360 14 2023 isn't designed as a mobile workstation. Performance is the problem, as its low-power Intel 13th Gen U-series CPU and integrated graphics aren't suited for either CPU- or GPU-intensive workloads. Also, it tops out at 32GB of RAM, which isn't user-replaceable. You can do some color-critical work, though, as the OLED display offers full DCI P3 and Adobe RGB coverage. Finally, it has a good port selection with two Thunderbolt 4s for your peripherals and external displays.

Pros
  • Fast, user-replaceable SSD.
  • Doesn't get hot or loud under load.
  • OLED panel has full DCI P3 and Adobe RGB coverage.
Cons
  • CPU and GPU can't handle demanding workloads.
  • Soldered RAM.
  • Tops out at 32GB of RAM.
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Business 

The HP Spectre x360 14 2023 is good for business use. Its compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around to meetings, and its battery lasts over 13 hours of light use, so you can leave the charger behind. It can easily handle productivity tasks like text processing, web browsing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Its display is just big enough for split-screen multitasking and gets bright enough to combat glare in most indoor settings; it struggles with direct reflections like those from lamps or overhead fluorescent lights, though. Still, the user experience is great overall. The keyboard feels comfortable to type on, the touchpad is responsive to all movements and gestures, and you get a couple of Thunderbolt 4 ports for your peripherals and external devices.

Pros
  • Thin and light.
  • All-day battery life.
  • Sharp, bright displays.
  • Comfortable keyboard, large touchpad.
  • Great 1080p webcam.
Cons
  • Soldered RAM.
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  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Oct 02, 2024: We've updated the review for clarity and concision, bringing it up to date with our current approach for laptop reviews.
    2.  Updated May 10, 2024: Added mention of the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED (2023) as an alternative with a discrete GPU in the GPU section.
    3.  Updated Dec 07, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.2.
    4.  Updated Nov 03, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.1.

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    Our HP Spectre x360 14 2023 (model 14-ef2000ca) has an FHD+ IPS (400 cd/m²) display, an Intel Core i5-1335U CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. The screen, CPU, memory, and storage are configurable; the available options are in the table below.

    SCREEN

    • 13.5" IPS 1920 x 1280 60Hz Touchscreen (glossy, 400 cd/m², 100% sRGB)
    • 13.5" IPS 1920 x 1280 60Hz Touchscreen (glossy, 1000 cd/m² with integrated privacy screen, 100% sRGB)
    • 13.5" OLED 3000 x 2000 60Hz Touchscreen (glossy, 400 cd/m², 100% DCI-P3)

    CPU

    • Intel Core i5-1335U (10 cores/12 threads, up to 4.6GHz, 12MB cache)
    • Intel Core i7-1355U (10 cores/12 threads, up to 5.0GHz, 12MB cache)

    GPU

    • Intel Iris Xe (integrated)

    MEMORY

    • 8GB LP-DDR4x 4266MHz
    • 16GB LP-DDR4x 4266MHz
    • 32GB LP-DDR4x 4266MHz

    STORAGE

    • 512GB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x4 NVMe SSD
    • 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x4 NVMe SSD
    • 2TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x4 NVMe SSD

    COLOR

    • Natural Silver
    • Nocturne Blue
    • Nightfall Black

    See our unit's label.

    Popular Laptop Comparisons

    The HP Spectre x360 14 2023 is a good general productivity laptop. It provides an excellent user experience with its sharp screen, comfortable keyboard, and large touchpad, and its battery life is among the best for Windows laptops. However, its CPU performance isn't as good as many other laptops with a similar configuration, as it prioritizes noise over performance.

    For more options, check out our recommendations for the best lightweight laptops, the best travel laptops, and the best business laptops.

    HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)

    Track

    The HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is a newer version of the HP Spectre x360 14 (2023). The 2024 model has several upgrades over its predecessor, including a sturdier build, a larger haptic touchpad, a higher resolution 4k webcam, and better performance. This new model has a single 2.8k OLED display option; the OLED isn't new, as it's available on the older model as well, but this new panel has a 16:10 aspect ratio (instead of 3:2) and a faster refresh rate of 120Hz. Port selection is a little worse on the 2024 version, as you lose the MicroSD card reader, and the battery life is shorter.

    HP ENVY x360 15 (2023)

    Track

    The HP Spectre x360 14 (2023) and the HP ENVY x360 15 (2023) are both great ultraportable laptops and very similar overall. The Spectre is more portable since it's a smaller device, and its battery lasts much longer. Although its display isn't as large as the Envy's, it looks sharper due to its higher pixel density. There's also a 3k and a 1000 cd/m² FHD+ display option with an integrated privacy screen, which you can't get on the ENVY. On the other hand, the ENVY has a better 1440p webcam and is available with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 discrete GPU.

    ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (2023)

    Track

    The HP Spectre x360 14 (2023) and the ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (2023) are very similar 2-in-1 convertible laptops. The HP has longer battery life and better speakers; however, the ASUS has an HDMI port and is available with faster P-series CPUs. If permanent burn-in worries you, the HP is available with IPS panels but not the ASUS.

    Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022)

    Track

    The HP Spectre x360 14 (2023) and the Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022) are both premium laptops that provide a great user experience. The HP is a 2-in-1 convertible with stylus support, while the Dell is a more traditional clamshell model. The Dell feels much sturdier build-wise; however, it doesn't have as many ports as the HP, and its battery life is significantly shorter.

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    Test Results

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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    Form Factor
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    Build Quality

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    Hinge
    Range
    LockedLock°
    Stability
    LockedLocked
    One Finger Lift
    LockedLocked

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    Portability
    Size
    Locked14"
    Thickness
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Width
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    Depth
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    Serviceability
    Ease Of Access
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    RAM Slots
    LockedLocked
    Storage Slots
    LockedLocked
    Replaceable Battery
    LockedLocked
    Replaceable Wireless Adapter
    LockedLocked

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    In The Box

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    Display
    Screen Specs
    Resolution
    LockedLocked
    Aspect Ratio
    LockedLocked
    Pixel Density
    LockedLock PPI
    Panel Type
    LockedLocked
    Touch Screen
    LockedLocked
    Screen-To-Body Ratio
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Refresh Rate
    Refresh Rate
    LockedLock Hz
    Variable Refresh Rate
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Contrast
    Native Contrast
    LockedLock : 1

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    0.0
    Brightness
    Maximum Brightness
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Minimum Brightness
    LockedLock cd/m²

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    0.0
    Reflections
    Screen Finish
    LockedLocked
    Total Reflections
    LockedLock%
    Indirect Reflections
    LockedLock%
    Calculated Direct Reflections
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Black Uniformity
    Uniformity (Std. Dev.)
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Horizontal Viewing Angle
    SAMPLE
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    HP Spectre x360 14 (2023) Horizontal Viewing Angle Video Sample
    Color Washout From Left
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    Color Shift From Left
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    Brightness Loss From Left
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    Brightness Loss From Right
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    Black Level Raise From Left
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    Black Level Raise From Right
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    Gamma Shift From Left
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    Gamma Shift From Right
    LockedLock°

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    0.0
    Vertical Viewing Angle
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    HP Spectre x360 14 (2023) Vertical Viewing Angle Video Sample
    Color Washout From Below
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    Color Washout From Above
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    Color Shift From Below
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    Color Shift From Above
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    Brightness Loss From Below
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    Brightness Loss From Above
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    Black Level Raise From Below
    LockedLock°
    Black Level Raise From Above
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Below
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Above
    LockedLock°

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    0.0
    Out-Of-The-Box Color Accuracy
    Avg. White Balance dE
    LockedLock
    Avg. Gamma
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    Avg. Color dE
    LockedLock
    Avg. Color Temperature
    LockedLock K

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    Color Gamut
    sRGB xy
    LockedLock%
    sRGB uv
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    Adobe RGB xy
    LockedLock%
    Adobe RGB uv
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    DCI P3 xy
    LockedLock%
    DCI P3 uv
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    Rec. 2020 xy
    LockedLock%
    Rec. 2020 uv
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    Flicker
    Flicker-Free
    LockedLocked
    Flicker Frequency
    LockedLocked
    Flicker Active Below
    LockedLock%

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    Interface
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    Keyboard
    Typing Quality
    Locked
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    Numpad
    LockedLocked
    Backlighting
    LockedLocked
    Operating Force
    LockedLock gf
    Actuation Force
    LockedLock gf
    Pre-Travel
    LockedLock mm
    Total Travel
    LockedLock mm

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    Touchpad
    Tracking Quality
    Locked
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    Size
    LockedLock in² (Lock cm²)
    Material
    LockedLocked
    Dedicated Buttons
    LockedLocked

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    Speakers
    Max Volume
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    Standard Error @ Normal Vol. (65 dB)
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    Slope @ Normal Vol. (65 dB)
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    Bass Extension (Low-Frequency Ext.)
    LockedLock Hz
    Treble Extension (High-Frequency Ext.)
    LockedLock kHz
    Dynamic Range Compression @ Max Vol.
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Webcam & Microphone
    SAMPLE
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    HP Spectre x360 14 (2023) Webcam Video Sample Sample
    Video Quality
    Locked
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    Resolution
    LockedLocked
    Position
    LockedLocked
    Privacy Cover
    LockedLocked
    Face Unlock
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
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    Ports
    USB-A Ports
    LockedLocked
    USB-C Ports
    LockedLocked
    Thunderbolt
    LockedLocked
    USB-C Charging
    LockedLocked
    USB-C Display Out
    LockedLocked
    HDMI
    LockedLocked
    DisplayPort
    LockedLocked
    3.5mm Jack
    LockedLocked
    Card Reader
    LockedLocked
    Ethernet
    LockedLocked
    Proprietary Port
    LockedLocked
    Security Lock
    LockedLocked

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    Wireless Communication
    Wi-Fi
    LockedLocked
    Bluetooth
    LockedLocked

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    Configuration
    CPU
    Brand
    LockedLocked
    Model
    LockedLocked
    Core Count
    LockedLock
    Thread Count
    LockedLock

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    GPU
    Brand
    LockedLocked
    Model
    LockedLocked
    Dedicated/Integrated
    LockedLocked
    VRAM Size
    LockedN/A

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    RAM
    Capacity
    LockedLock GB
    Modules
    LockedLocked
    Type
    LockedLocked
    Speed
    LockedLock MHz

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    Storage
    Advertised Capacity
    LockedLock GB
    Usable Capacity
    LockedLock GB
    Drive 1
    LockedLocked
    Drive 1 TypeLockedLocked
    Drive 2
    LockedLocked
    Drive 2 TypeLockedLocked

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    Performance
    0.0
    Geekbench 5 (Synthetics)
    CPU Single-Thread
    LockedLock points
    CPU Multi-Thread
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    GPU Compute
    LockedLock points

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    0.0
    Cinebench R23 (CPU Rendering)
    Single-Thread
    LockedLock points
    Multi-Thread
    LockedLock points

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    0.0
    Blender (3D Rendering)
    CPU Render Time
    LockedLock min
    GPU Render Time
    LockedLock min
    GPU Render Time (Optix)
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Basemark GPU (Game Scene)
    Overall Score
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Storage Drive Performance
    Sequential Write Speed
    LockedLock MB/s
    Sequential Read Speed
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    Random Write Speed
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    Random Read Speed
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    Battery
    Capacity
    LockedLock Wh
    Battery Life (Web Browsing)
    LockedLock hrs
    Battery Life (Video Playback)
    LockedLock hrs
    Battery Life (Gaming)
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    0.0
    Borderlands 3
    Avg. FPS
    LockedLock fps
    1% Low
    LockedLock fps
    0.1% Low
    LockedLock fps
    1% Low Delta
    LockedLock ms
    0.1% Low Delta
    LockedLock ms
    Avg. FPS On Very Low
    LockedLock fps

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    0.0
    Civilization VI
    Avg. FPS
    LockedLock fps
    1% Low
    LockedLock fps
    0.1% Low
    LockedLock fps
    1% Low Delta
    LockedLock ms
    0.1% Low Delta
    LockedLock ms
    Avg. FPS On Minimum
    LockedLock fps
    Avg. Turn Time
    LockedLock s

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    0.0
    Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
    Avg. FPS
    LockedLock fps
    1% Low
    LockedLock fps
    0.1% Low
    LockedLock fps
    1% Low Delta
    LockedLock ms
    0.1% Low Delta
    LockedLock ms
    Avg. FPS On Low
    LockedLock fps

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    0.0
    Shadow Of The Tomb Raider
    Avg. FPS
    LockedLock fps
    1% Low
    LockedLock fps
    0.1% Low
    LockedLock fps
    1% Low Delta
    LockedLock ms
    0.1% Low Delta
    LockedLock ms
    Avg. FPS On Lowest
    LockedLock fps

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    0.0
    Thermals And Noise
    Keyboard Temp While Idle
    LockedLock °C (Lock °F)
    Keyboard Temp Under Load
    LockedLock °C (Lock °F)
    Fan Noise While Idle
    LockedLock dBA
    Fan Noise Under Load
    LockedLock dBA
    Power & Fan Control App
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Performance Over Time
    CPU Temp (Cinebench)
    LockedLock °C
    CPU Perf. Loss (Cinebench)
    LockedLock% loss
    GPU Temp (Heaven)
    LockedLock °C
    GPU Perf. Loss (Heaven)
    LockedLock% loss
    Additional Features And Software
    Software
    Operating System
    LockedWindows 11
    Additional Software
    LockedLocked

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    Extra Features
    RGB Illumination
    LockedLocked
    Touch Pen
    LockedLocked
    Secondary Display
    LockedLocked
    Biometrics
    LockedLocked

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