Any alternatives?

I’ll mention the HP Envy 13 not because it’s a great alternative but because for the same $1,000, you get a laptop with less performance and an old-school 16:9 display. It points out how aggressively HP is positioning the superior Pavilion Aero 13 against the rest of its lineup.

　　The Asus ZenBook 13 OLED is a more competitive alternative that also costs $1,000. It runs the same CPU but includes a larger 1TB SSD and an OLED display.

　　Finally, you could opt for the Dell XPS 13, which is more expensive but also more premium. You’ll get a better build quality, a slightly better display, and a more elegant look and feel.

　　

How long will it last?

The Pavilion Aero 13 has a slightly flexible lid, but otherwise, it’s a well-built and well-equipped laptop that should last for years of typical use. The one-year warranty is standard but, as usual, disappointing.

　　

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Pavilion Aero 13 isn’t just — or even mostly — for budget laptop buyers. It’s a great machine for anyone looking at a 13-inch laptop.