HP Updates High-End Envy PCs Ahead of Holiday Rush
HP also announced the early December release of a 4K IPS display, the $499.99, 27-inch Envy 27 Display. According to HP, the display's in-plane switching (IPS) technology provides a color accuracy of 99 percent for "breathtaking" 4K video images.
Spun off from Hewlett-Packard last year, HP Inc. is focused on PCs, laptops, printers and other devices for the personal computing market. The other spinout of the company, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, now specializes in hardware, software, consulting and services for enterprise customers. In the wake of the reorganization, HP Inc. has put a renewed emphasis on premium devices and mobile computing.
Envy Sports Four-Hour Battery Boost
First launched in 2009, the HP Envy lineup includes a range of laptops, convertibles and PCs. The company described its latest release as a laptop designed for customers who want a "premium laptop at an affordable price."
Set to hit the market on Oct. 26, the new HP Envy laptop will be priced starting at $849.99. According to HP, the 13.3-inch model offers up to 14 hours of battery life -- four hours more than last year's Envy. Because of the larger battery, it also weighs 3.15 pounds, yet remains relatively thin at 14 millimeters. The previous version weighed 3.0 pounds and was 13 millimeters thick.
Featuring seventh-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, the HP Envy comes with a backlit keyboard, extra-wide glass touchpad and the option for an edge-to-edge flush glass display. In addition to Bang & Olufsen speakers, the new laptop also features two USB 3.0 ports, up to 16 GB of RAM, fast-charging to 90 percent power in 90 minutes and support for solid-state drive storage of up to one terabyte.
Sometime this month, HP also plans to release the Envy all-in-one 27, with a starting price of $1,299.99. The AIO 27 comes with sixth-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, an optional Nvidia GTX 950M graphics card to support 3D gaming and an HDMI-in port to enable connection to a laptop for HD viewing.
Even Lighter and Thinner Spectre
Meanwhile, the update to the HP Spectre launched earlier this year became available yesterday through both HP.com and BestBuy.com. Priced starting at $1049.99, the HP Spectre x360 was designed to make the already premium Spectre even better, the company said.
The Spectre x360 adds 25 percent more battery life -- up to 15 hours -- than the previous model, thanks to a larger 57.8W battery and seventh-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, according to HP. At the same time, the new device improves both portability and display quality with a micro-edge bezel design that cuts nearly 10 millimeters from each side of the screen.
Weighing in at 2.85 pounds, the Spectre x360 has a thickness of 13.8 millimeters with a new hinge design and dual fans to keep the device cool. It also features a Webcam with a field of view that's 12 percent wider than before, offers fast recharging and supports password-free log in via an FHD IR camera and Windows Hello facial log-in technology.
Images Pictured: Spectre x360 (left); 13.3-inch Envy laptop (center), and Envy AIO 27 PC (right).