Introducing the HP Spectre Fold, a groundbreaking foldable laptop that’s making waves in the PC world. Imagine a Windows laptop with a remarkable 17-inch OLED screen that can neatly fold in half. What’s even more impressive? It claims the title of the world’s thinnest and smallest 17-inch foldable PC. Now, while there’s not much competition in this specific category, weighing in at just under three pounds is quite a feat for a device of this size.
But, and there’s a big “but” here, hold onto your wallets because the starting price for this beauty is a jaw-dropping $4,999.99. Yes, you read that right – it’s one of the most expensive laptops ever released, significantly pricier than other foldables like the ThinkPad X1 Fold at $2,499 and the Zenbook Fold at $3,499. So, for this hefty price tag, we’re left wondering: does the Spectre Fold truly deliver something extraordinary? Let’s dive in and find out.
In terms of design, the Spectre Fold proudly carries HP’s well-known Spectre branding. When laid flat, it behaves like a massive 17-inch tablet. But here’s where it gets interesting: pop out the built-in kickstand to prop it up on its long edge, and voilà, you have a 17-inch laptop. Now, fold the tablet at a 90-degree angle and attach a magnetic Bluetooth keyboard to the bottom half, and it magically transforms into a 12.3-inch clamshell. These foldable machines promise versatility, offering more options than your average laptop or Windows tablet, all while packing a sizable screen into a compact form factor for easy portability.
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Now, you might be wondering what sets the Spectre Fold apart from its competitors like the ThinkPad and Zenbook. The answer, according to HP, is AI. Yes, that’s right – it’s touted as “the world’s first foldable PC with built-in AI for security, wellness, and gesture controls.” This promises to provide a personalized computing experience, complete with screen time reminders and intriguing “touch-free content control.” There’s even presence detection to lock the computer when you step away and wake it up upon your return. While these features aren’t entirely groundbreaking for a high-priced laptop, they do pique our curiosity.
Diving into the specs, the Spectre Fold packs an Intel Core i7-1250U, 16GB of RAM, and a generous 1TB of storage. The panel boasts a 3:4 OLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 2560, promising exceptional visual quality. And for all you video conferencers out there, fear not – HP’s GlamCam is onboard to ensure you look your best.
Now, let’s be real for a moment. The ThinkPad X1 Fold and Zenbook Fold, while impressive, had their share of issues that made them a tough sell at their luxury price points. The original X1 Fold suffered from dismal battery life and a cramped keyboard. Lenovo showcased a second-gen Fold with potential improvements, but it’s yet to hit the market. Asus’s Zenbook was a solid contender with its fantastic 17-inch screen but struggled with software glitches.
In summary, the HP Spectre Fold has some big shoes to fill. If it can harmonize Windows with the foldable concept, deliver stellar battery life (as claimed), and provide a comfortable keyboard experience, it could justify its eye-watering price tag. Until then, well, let’s just say that five grand is quite a hefty investment for a laptop.
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