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HP serves up a 5G-enabled Spectre x360 13 and redesigned Spectre x360 14

HP is introducing a redesigned Spectre x360 14 with Intel’s latest 11th generation processors inside, as well as a new 5G-connected version of its popular Spectre x360 13 2-in-1.

Also new for HP’s premium laptop lineup are the refreshed Envy 13 and Envy 13 x360 models, in addition to a refreshed Spectre x360 13, all with Intel’s latest processors inside. The devices are set to release either this fall or in early 2021.

Spectre x360 14

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Starting at $1,200 and coming later in October on HP.com and in November at BestBuy is the Spectre x360 14. This will be sold alongside the already popular x360 13 and brings the latest 11th-generation Intel Tiger Lake Core i7-1165G7 processor under the hood — while also delivering several design improvements.

Of note on this x360 14 is a new 3:2 aspect ratio on its 13.5-inch display. Thanks to this aspect ratio, the 2-in-1 now has 20% more vertical viewing space when compared to a traditional 16:9 laptop. It has an improved 90.33 % screen-too-body ratio, which means HP is able to fit the screen of a 15-inch laptop in a 13.5-inch form factor.

Just as expected, you’ll find it has an optional OLED display, which delivers a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and a 100% DCI-P3 wide color gamut for brighter, richer colors on the screen. An HP Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen in the nightfall black color is also included in the price for inking on the display. It now magnetically attaches to the side of the 2-in-1.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Elsewhere, HP increased the size of the touchpad on the x360 14 for fingers of all sizes. It’s now 16.6% larger. There’s even a new all-in-one keyboard on board, which is a first for the Spectre lineup. HP says the scissor mechanisms on this keyboard are made of recycled materials like eggshells and fruit peels. The savings equates to cutting the equivalent of 1,300 pounds of coal burned over the life span of the device.

This keyboard also has a dedicated mute mic button, and a button to digitally control a physical camera shutter for privacy. You’ll also find a dedicated button for HP’s Command Center and a fingerprint reader. A Thunderbolt 4 port in the side chamfer is new this year, too.

Under the hood, the Spectre x360 14 sports Intel’s new 11th-generation CPU and Iris XE integrated graphics. It provides what HP is claiming is a 34% CPU performance improvement and 79% GPU performance improvement over the last generation’s x360 13. RAM comes in at 16GB, and storage can be configured to a 1TB Intel PCIe nVME SSD with 32GB of Intel Optane memory. The combination should add up to up to 12 hours and 15 minutes of battery life, according to HP.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Spectre x360 14 has several smart connected features, including HP Quick Drop, which lets users transfer files between Android and other operating systems. The laptop even has in-bag detection to avoid overheating or battery drain when in a bag.

Other software features include “Focus Mode,” which dims background apps when not in use, and A.I. noise removal, which eliminates background noises during video calls. And, in HP Command Center, there’s HP Smart Sense, which automatically adapts the system for performance, and Auto Color, which switches to the original color space.

HP Spectre x360 13 and HP Spectre x360 13 with 5G

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With the HP Spectre x360 13, HP is introducing Intel’s latest 11th-generation processor to the model. Much like the Spectre x360 14, this device is said to see a 35% CPU performance gain over the previous generation. Battery life is also promised to be at around 16.5 hours.

It comes with options for Intel’s Core i5-1135G7 and 8GB of RAM, and up to a 512GB SSD. Display options include a 13.3-inch diagonal, 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) OLED panel. Pricing will start at $1,200, with availability set for October via HP.com and BestBuy.com in November.

A 5G model of the HP Spectre x360 13 will also be available in early 2021. However, this model is not coming with Intel’s latest 11th-generation processors. It will come with last year’s Ice Lake CPUs. But, not to be confused with the HP Dragonfly, HP is still calling it the brand’s first consumer 5G laptop. It will feature connectivity speeds 4 times faster than 4G LTE, and 2.8 times better coverage with HP’s Dynamic Range ability. Pricing was not shared.

HP Envy 13 and HP Envy x360 13

Rounding out the fall lineup are the HP Envy 13 and the Envy x360 13. Both of these devices also get Intel’s 11th-generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor.

Highlights on the HP Envy 13 include an 88% screen-to-body ratio and support for Thunderbolt 4. The HP Envy x360 13, meanwhile, gets an all-in-one keyboard with a mute mic button, camera shutter button, and a fingerprint reader. It also has HP MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen support.

The HP Envy 13 will be available in October via HP.com with a starting price of $900. The HP Envy x360 13 will be available in November via HP.com for a starting price of $950 and is now available at BestBuy.

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Arif Bacchus
Arif Bacchus is a native New Yorker and a fan of all things technology. Arif works as a freelance writer at Digital Trends…
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