Like many machines in its segment, the Envy x360 is constructed primarily out of plastic but features metal accents in areas which matter most—the display lid and top cover, specifically, which are both lined with a sheet of brushed aluminum. Although the aluminum is thin and lacks the luxurious feel of, say, an Apple MacBook or Dell XPS 13, it does provide some rigidity to these regions. There is consequently very little flex present on the base unit, and the display lid—while not exactly sturdy and lined with a silver plastic perimeter—resists torsion moderately well. Aesthetically, the aluminum is also pleasing to the eye, and it resists fingerprints and oils better than many alternatives.

The machine carries a look which is neither cheap nor expensive. Seams in plastic are visible and gaps are not perfectly even in all areas (see our photos for examples). Still, from a distance, it's attractive enough.

The 360-degree hinges support the screen well, but they allow too much bounce than is ideal for comfortable touchscreen operation; taps on the screen inevitably produce vibration which lasts a few seconds each, and coupled with the glossy finish and poor screen brightness (more on this in a bit), it’s an unfortunate experience. The notebook also cannot be opened with one hand; doing so will lift the base unit off the surface.

We must once again admit our puzzlement at the endurance of the 15.6-inch convertible notebook trend; not only is it impractical due to the sheer size of the machine, but the weight (2.3 kg) is nothing convenient to hold in tablet form. Its only plausible uses are on a counter or table for quick reference at a distance or on a couch or bed streaming video in lieu of a nearby television. Nevertheless, it’s been years now since we first saw this design, and the same limitations still apply.