Given the laptop’s weight and enormous size, portability is compromised. The device weighs 6.21 pounds (2.81 kg) and measures 16.33 x 10.72 x 0.96 inches, so fitting it into a school or office bag can be a difficult task. The overall design is contemporary and pretty decent. The laptop is available in a fantastic black color, which in itself adds to the appeal of the device, but dark colors tend to require more frequent cleaning than light colors. HP uses plastic as the main material for the casing of this device. Most laptop manufacturers use plastic for laptops because it is cheaper and helps reduce the weight of the device, and it is just as durable as aluminum. The HP 17.3” HD offers a number of very handy ports, including 1x HDMI port, 2x USB 3.2 ports, and an Ethernet port, which provides a constant connection to the Internet and is more secure and faster than WIFI, on the left side. On the right side, there is a 1x USB 3.1 port, an SD card reader and a CD-ROM drive, which is increasingly rare in newer laptops these days. Furthermore, the laptop can connect to the Internet via 802.11ac WiFi, which can reach a speed of 1300 Mbps, and Bluetooth (Bluetooth v4.2). Kensington locks are essential for laptop security. Therefore, HP has installed a Kensington lock that protects the laptop from thieves. The speakers built into this model are top-notch and provide a great sound experience whether you use it for gaming or watching movies. However, the volume of the speakers can be a bit low. So if you prefer high volumes, you will have to buy external speakers or headphones. The HP 17.3” HD premium notebook has a 17.3″ 1600x900p IPS display. IPS panels offer better viewing angles and color gamut than TN and VA panels. The brightness values of this model are also above average. As for the edges, HP didn’t exactly use the thinnest edges on this model, but the edges won’t prove distracting and won’t ruin the viewing experience in any way. The 17.3-inch display is equipped with a semi-gloss screen. Semi-gloss screens offer better protection against reflections, but unfortunately fail in strong ambient light, so working in a well-lit room or in sunlight can be problematic. Considering that this is not a 2-in-1 notebook, it is not surprising that the display lid can only be pushed back 180 degrees.
