HP claimed the “world’s thinnest” notebook title with the launch of its ultra-thin Spectre laptop. Sporting a Full HD 13.3-inch edge-to-edge IPS screen protected by a Gorilla Glass 4 barrier, the device measures just 10.4mm thick and weighs 2.45 pounds.
The new laptop is built with machined aluminum and carbon fiber for rigidity and strength. It also includes a recessed piston hinge that folds into itself, enabling its ultra-thin profile. More specifically, the hinge recesses into the laptop as the lid is closed. The laptop also utilizes a hyperbaric chamber cooling to keep the components cool, meaning air is channeled in a way that creates a high pressure area inside the chassis, which removes hot air from other parts of the system to the heat pipe.
The laptop will be offered in two flavors: with an Intel Core i5-6200U processor or an Intel i7-6500U processor. They will also come with 8GB of RAM, up to 512GB of PCIe solid state storage standard, a hybrid 4-cell 2-piece battery promising up to 9 hours and 45 minutes on a single charge, a glass touchpad, and a keyboard that offers 1.3mm of travel. For the latter, HP created a “key force profile” to create the illusion of additional travel.
On the input front, HP’s new Spectre has three USB Type-C ports, any of which can be used to charge the laptop. Two of the three are compatible with Thunderbolt 3, and all three support sleep-and-charge technology.
They also sport built-in stereo speakers by Bang & Olufsen that include HP’s Audio Boost technology, thus providing users with “deep” audio. The chassis itself consists of a carbon fiber bottom and high-gloss copper accents that provide a hand-polished finish.
To keep the laptop ultra-thin, the display measures a mere two millimeters, whereas the super-strong Gorilla Glass 4 panel measures just 0.44mm. Because the display uses less material, it supposedly allows the laptop to use less power for a given brightness. The panel also offers 72% of the Adobe RGB color gamut, and 300 nits of brightness.
“HP reimagined every element during the design of the HP Spectre to ensure the best user experience coupled with maximum performance,” the company says. “The result is a premium notebook PC that does not force users to compromise on style, function or performance.”
In addition to the laptop’s launch, HP says it has teamed up with Tord Bonntje to create a custom version of the HP Spectre that features 14K gold, over 800 inlaid crystals, and an inlaid gold design. There’s also a model created by Jess Hannah that’s entirely 14K or 18K gold,and packs a keyboard with a unique font, along with embedded diamonds for the power LED. These are limited production models, and will only be available at auction during the Cannes Film Festival, in May.
There will be several peripherals available, too, including a wireless mouse, a laptop handbag, and a laptop sleeve. The latter two are made of designer materials that target buyers with a few extra bucks to spend.
As for how much the Spectre laptops will cost, the model packed with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD will cost $1,170. The Intel Core i7 model with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD will cost $1,250. Both will be offered up for pre-purchase on April 25, and made available in Best Buy stores nationwide on May 22.
