HP has unveiled an exciting and innovative new laptop – the Spectre Fold. As the company’s first foldable PC with a foldable OLED display, the Spectre Fold aims to redefine personal computing by offering unmatched versatility and portability.
It features a unique 17-inch foldable touchscreen display that allows the device to transform between a tablet, laptop and desktop. The display uses foldable OLED panel technology and can fold completely flat or be angled to provide different computing modes.
The foldable design enables seamless transitions between three distinct form factors. As a laptop, the bottom screen folds up to create a compact 12.3-inch clamshell design. For more screen real estate, users can expand the laptop into a “one-and-a-half screen” mode. And fully unfolding the device creates a large 17-inch tablet. There’s also a built-in kickstand to use the Spectre Fold as a desktop.
Jo Tan, Senior Vice President at HP, said, “We are excited to introduce the HP Spectre Foldable PC, designed to seamlessly adapt to the various ways you want to work with its unique, durable form factor that pushes the boundaries of design and technology.”
Radical Foldable Display and Clever Design
The standout feature of the Spectre Fold is clearly its foldable OLED display. HP claims it is the world’s first foldable PC with a foldable screen larger than 13 inches. When completely unfolded, the Spectre Fold’s 17-inch display offers a high resolution of 2560 x 1920 pixels. This enables a tablet-like experience with a large, vivid 17-inch 4:3 display – the ideal shape for browsing and reading.
HP designed a unique hinge and folding mechanism to enable smooth transitions between modes. The company says the hinge is durable, with the foldable panel tested to meet the same durability requirements as traditional HP laptops. The hinge has a tight 5mm radius for a seamless fold.
Weighing just 2.85 lbs, the Spectre Fold is lightweight for a device with such a large display. HP used lightweight magnesium in the body to keep the weight low. The thickness is also impressive at just 8.5mm when completely folded.
Another clever design feature is the integration of wireless charging coils into the right edge of the Spectre Fold. This allows the Bluetooth keyboard and stylus to magnetically attach and charge from the device’s battery. So there’s no need to separately charge or connect the accessories.
Powerful Specs for Demanding Tasks
The Spectre Fold isn’t just about the unique form factor – it’s also packed with powerful specs.
Configuration options include:
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7 (U-series) processor
- Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics
- Up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- Up to 1TB PCIe SSD storage
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports
- 5MP IR webcam with privacy shutter
- Quad speakers tuned by Bang & Olufsen
This high-end hardware allows the Spectre Fold to handle demanding computing tasks with ease while enabling great connectivity. The two Thunderbolt 4 ports allow fast transfer speeds and support external displays. The 5MP IR webcam enables sharp video conferencing, augmented by dual microphones. And the quad-speaker setup promises immersive audio.
HP has also equipped the Spectre Fold with AI capabilities for improved security, wellness and accessibility features. This includes a walk-away lock, wake-on approach, auto screen dimming and other enhancements.
First Foldable Laptop with “1.5” Screens
HP claims the Spectre Fold is the “world’s first foldable PC with one and a half screens using a physical keyboard”. This refers to the unique “expanded mode”, which splits the foldable display to provide an extra screen area above the physical keyboard.
By sliding the keyboard down, users can access around 14 inches of the display above the keyboard, while the lower portion acts as a digital wrist rest. HP says this 1.5 screen layout enhances productivity by allowing viewing more content while typing on the physical keyboard.
The Spectre Fold also leverages Windows Snap and custom HP software to dynamically adapt the layout in expanded mode. Users can easily snap windows to the upper and lower portions of the expanded display.
All about Portability and Versatility
While innovation is at the core of the Spectre Fold, HP designed the device for maximum portability and versatility. The ability to quickly switch between tablet, laptop and desktop modes allows users to adapt the device on the fly to different environments and use cases.
HP’s Jo Tan emphasized the Spectre Fold’s ability to “seamlessly adapt to the various ways you want to work”. The streamlined process of transitioning between modes enables this seamless adaptation. And the Spectre Fold brings tablet-like portability to the foldable laptop market. Previous offerings like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold and Asus ZenBook 17 Fold OLED were much heavier and bulkier.
At just 2.85 lbs, the Spectre Fold weighs around the same as a 13-inch ultraportable laptop while offering a much larger display. And when completely folded, the streamlined shape should fit easily into bags and backpacks. So HP has delivered on its promise of unmatched portability in the foldable PC market.
Sustainably Built with Recycled Materials
HP designed the Spectre Fold using recycled materials as part of the company’s focus on sustainability. HP claims they have used:
- Up to 90% post-industrial recycled metals in the enclosure
- Recycled polyester in the fabric keyboard wrap
- 50% post-consumer recycled plastics in the bezels and keycaps
- 100% sustainable paper in the packaging
The Spectre Fold is also EPEAT Gold registered and Energy Star certified for eco-conscious buyers. While the recycled materials don’t affect performance, they demonstrate HP’s commitment to reducing environmental impact.
Price and Availability
The HP Spectre Fold is a premium device aimed at early adopters with deep pockets. It can be pre-ordered today in the US via BestBuy.com for a staggering $4,999.99 starting price.
Availability is expected in October this year, both on HP’s website and select Best Buy retail stores. HP plans to launch the Spectre Fold in select other countries later in 2023.
While the pricing firmly positions the Spectre Fold as a luxury product, HP claims it is focused on pushing boundaries with innovative technology. The company concedes the Spectre Fold may not appeal to the mainstream laptop buyer right now.
But for those seeking the ultimate in versatility from a portable foldable PC, the Spectre Fold delivers an undeniably cutting-edge experience. HP has packed clever design, premium craftsmanship and powerful hardware into this radically new foldable laptop.
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