CES 2012: HP Envy 14 Spectre dishing out ultrabook Beats
Looking to set itself apart from the growing ultrabook pile thanks to its Beats audio tech is HP’s Envy 14 Spectre.
Launching at CES after being teased last week, it’s a 14-inch machine weighing in at 1.8kg and is 19.9mm thick, making it a little on the plumper side of what we’re coming to expect from the new laptop trend.
With a likely quite-reflective screen thanks to its glass finish, the 1600×900 resolution display may not be great at handling direct sunlight, though manages to impress elsewhere thanks to Intel i5 or i7 processors, SSD drives configurable up to 256GB, up to 6GB of RAM, Intel HD graphics, a pair of USB 3.0 ports and HDMI out.
Intel’s Rapid Start technology should see applications loading swiftly, as well as booting up from off in just a matter of seconds, while HDMI Output and a 9 hour battery make this a capable on-the-go multimedia machine.
Beats Audio installed here comes with a dedicated control button for tinkering with EQ settings, as well as the ability to wirelessly beam music to other Wi-Fi devices. The built-in speakers themselves should pack a punch too, as they employ the surface on which the ultrabook is sitting to boost bass and volume.
“Sleek, midnight black glass on the outside and stark contrast silver on the inside make Spectre extraordinary, defying conventional notebook design,” said Louis Perrin, director, consumer products, Personal Systems Group, HP EMEA.
“We chose the name for our first Envy Ultrabook to evoke mystery and to satisfy those who expect the unexpected.”
Well, all that’s mysterious now is the UK pricing; due in March, all we have so far is a rough European pricing estimate of €1,200.
For more news from CES 2012, click here.
