HP Announces ENVY 14 Spectre Ultrabook
by Kristian Vättö on January 11, 2012 11:15 AM ESTTo keep the flow of CES coverage steady, HP has announced ENVY 14 Spectre Ultrabook. The use of glass makes Spectre special: The lid, display, palmrest and trackpad are all covered with scratch-resistant glass. HP claims that the glass makes the laptop more durable, although the actual chassis seems to be aluminum too. HP didn't reveal the full specifications but Engagdet listed the specs of the entry, $1399, model:
| HP ENVY 14 Spectre Specifications | |
| Screen | 14.0" LED backlit |
| Resolution | 1600x900 |
| Processor | Core i5-2467M (2/4, 1.6GHz/2.3GHz, 3MB) |
| Graphics | Intel HD 3000 (350MHz/1150MHz) |
| Memory | 4GB DDR3 (Up to 8GB) |
| Storage | 128GB mSATA SSD (Up to 256GB) |
| Ports | 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, audio in/out |
| Battery | Up to 9 hours |
| Software | Full versions of Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, 2 years of Norton Internet Security 2012 |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 12.88" x 8.7" x 0.79" |
| Weight | 3.79lb |
| Price | $1399 |
| Availability | February 8th (US) - March (others) |
Spectre has a 14" screen but HP claims the chassis size to be more common in 13.3" laptops, which matches up if you compare it to e.g. 13" MacBook Pro (12.78" x 8.94" x 0.95"). The use of a bigger screen allows HP to use a higher resolution panel, as 1600x900 is more commonly found in 14" and 15" laptops (although there are 13.3" laptops like Sony Vaio SA and ASUS Zenbook with 1600x900). The stock configuration comes with Core i5-2467M but HP offers configurations with Core i7 ULVs as well (HP didn't list any SKUs, though).
At 3.79lb, Spectre is definitely heavier than most Ultrabooks we have seen. If you're wondering how is this still an Ultrabook, Intel requires +14" laptops to be thinner than 21mm, which translates to 0.83" - there is no weight limit. For sub-14" laptops, the height limit is 18mm (0.71"). $1399 also makes Spectre fairly expensive, or premium as HP says. The bundled software is worth over $200, but it's always a risky move to include shareware software as the end-user may not use it at all but still pays for it.
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ananduser - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
The Verge, Joanna Stern. To be fair she did not mention specifically IPS but she did mention Radiance™ display. Radiance displays on the non-ultrabook Envy are IPS. And this one looks better than the 400nit matte one from the Series9(that is formidable in itself). I think only a thorough review might specify what I incline to believe.The original poster was like this; for someone that wants Windows and wants the Air as in MBA class(thin, light, small). The MBA is not the only choice. Plus you have to pony up another sum for Windows. And in some European countries where Apple does not have official presence its wares are already 100-150 euros extra(reseller tax); that is sans AppleCare mind you. Ironically it makes Apple wares even more fashion statements that they already are.
But I read you, although you still are the same Apple fan, your reply was spot on. I retract the final part of my statement that was suggesting a bullheaded pov which was not the case.
Kristian Vättö - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
Remember that you need to buy Windows for MacBook Air, that's included in Spectre (though only if you need Windows in MBA but that was your point). That's $190 from NewEgg (legally, OEM versions are only for system builders but most people, including me, don't care, which drops the Windows license to $100).moltentofu - Wednesday, January 11, 2012 - link
Laptops seem like a great competitor to desktops, but I can get way better hardware for the same price or less.solipsism - Wednesday, January 11, 2012 - link
I wouldn't expect Thunderbolt on a machine to be released next month but it's good to see mDP. Does anything still think the mDP port interface will not be the future of external computer displays?Visual - Wednesday, January 11, 2012 - link
Of course it is not the future of anything. It is not DVI/HDMI. All my monitors and TVs use DVI/HDMI, so that is the only thing I'll use.If I am given a choice, I'll never buy into a thing that was only meant to add market separation and complicate things without any benefit whatsoever. Like, for example, DP.
chillmelt - Wednesday, January 11, 2012 - link
DVI was relevant... what, 3 years ago? Slots get phased out all the time. Obviously if you're not in the market for new equipment then new slots don't matter to you.Right now Thunderbolt can be used as a display, data, and adapter slot. The question is why isn't it available for Windows computers...? If it was available for Windows machine you know people would use it.
PS I don't like mDP either. That, or use mini everything instead of full size USB/HDMI/etc. Specs-wise they're just the same.
ananduser - Wednesday, January 11, 2012 - link
Why ? Because Apple had exclusivity on TB until 2012. Exactly 1 year of exclusivity. Now that Apple got its marketing worth out of the wonder port Intel will push it across its nonApple chipsets.hechacker1 - Wednesday, January 11, 2012 - link
Mini DP is the future. It's simply a matter of cost (license free/royalty free) and it supports the highest resolutions, features, and bandwidths needed for 120Hz displays as well as 3D.HDMI can also do that, but with higher cost and only on the newest chipsets. DVI is already too limited.
And it's not a big deal either way, since they are easily adapted if required.
I'll admit, HDMI's ability to carry audio is an advantage, but some laptops also do that over mDP (not sure if that's a standard).
Kristian Vättö - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
IMO, HDMI is for TVs and low-end displays (since there are no +1080p displays with HDMI AFAIK). (m)DP is for high-end and professional displays where high resolutions are needed.Having license fees may help as it allows the creators to push the interface more. For example, they could have paid for the early adopter to use it, and now they are getting their money back. DisplayPort doesn't have any fees so they most likely have less financial potential to push it, hence it's been in the shadows for quite a while.
Maybe Thunderbolt will boost the adaption of DP, who knows.
ananduser - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
4 cents a device isn't such a huge cost mind you for a standard that is supported by a pretty numerous body. It is worse than free but not much worse.