HP Pavilion 13 (2021) review
HP Pavilion 13 (2021) — from 2021, 1.24 kg, performance 34.
Technical specifications
| Type | Ultrabook |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Screen | 13.3" · 1920x1080 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 1135G7 , Intel Core i7 1165G7 |
| Max. RAM | 16 GB |
| Weight | 1.24 kg |
| Battery | 43 Wh |
Performance scores
HP Pavilion 13 (2021): the carry-first budget ultrabook
The HP Pavilion 13 (2021) pairs a Core i5 1135G7 with 16GB of memory at $739. The mobility index of 79 sits 23 percent above the ultrabook-class median, top quartile — the named strength — and portability at 82 is high-band, the second-best portability reading of this batch. The cost is everything else: battery at 43Wh, 32 percent below class median, is the named weakness.
Where it holds up
Portability at 82 and mobility at 79 form the strongest carry pair among this batch's budget ultrabooks; the 9.44 percent annual class-level rate is among the gentler families here. Office at 62.75 is mid-tier. The machine knows its role: light, affordable-in-used-terms, and honest about its tier.
Where it falls short
Five axes land low-band: performance at 33.66, gaming at 23, modeling at 19, CAD at 22, and photo at 17. Battery at 43Wh against the class median of 63 undermines the carry case the mobility figure builds — the machine travels well and needs the charger along. Memory at 16GB is half the class median, and value at 48.5 mid-tier prices the sheet at its honest tier.
Price and depreciation
At $739 with an empty dollar ledger, the 9.44 percent annual class-level rate erodes gently, but the value reading of 48.5 mid-tier is the sheet's own hesitation. The Pavilion Aero 13 at the same price answers the carry case better; the Envy 15 at the same price answers every other case better.
Alternatives to consider
The HP Pavilion Aero 13 (2021) at the same $739: portability at 89.2 versus 82, photo at 83 versus 17, value at 66.7 versus 48.5 — the same-money upgrade on every axis. The HP ENVY 13 (2020) at $650 offers a measured MX450 with photo at 83 for $89 less. The HP ENVY 14 (2021) at the same $739 carries a similarly modest sheet in a heavier body.
Bottom line
Fairly priced for the class. The Pavilion 13 offers the batch's second-best portability figure and a gentle depreciation curve in a light budget body — against a 43Wh battery, five low-band axes, and a 16GB ceiling. Its own Aero sibling at the same price makes this configuration hard to recommend over it.
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⭐ What stands out
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memory capacity is lower than typical ultrabook class (+50%) (comfort).
budget segment of category -
battery capacity is lower than typical ultrabook class (+31.7%) (standard).
budget segment of category -
mobility is higher than typical ultrabook class (+23.4%) (high tier).
top 25% of its category
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration handles modern AAA games at high settings, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 51) ↔ price (median 373.2).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 64) ↔ overall performance (median 41.7).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 50) ↔ battery life (median 4.4).
Pavilion 13 (2021): verdict
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