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HP Spectre Foldable PC Hands-On: The Best Design for Folding Display So Far

HP Spectre Foldable PC Hands-On: The Best Design for Folding Display So Far
September 14, 2023

Every designer creates products to maintain their reputation as masters of their craft, even if those products aren’t expected to sell well. HP, unlike other manufacturers, focuses more on refining and improving existing ideas instead of rushing to be the “First!” in the market. The HP Spectre Foldable PC, which we’ll call Spectre Fold for simplicity, is a stunning example of this approach. It is one of the most visually appealing foldable or dual-laptop models we’ve ever seen.

HP markets the Spectre Fold as a three-in-one device that can be used as a 17-inch tablet, laptop, or desktop PC. Priced at $5,000, it is not targeted at the mass market. However, HP has packed it with almost every feature and design element imaginable, making it a high-quality and user-friendly device. It is currently available for order from Best Buy, and HP plans to ship more units starting in October on their website and at select Best Buy stores.

HP Specter Foldable PC

The bundled Bluetooth keyboard can be placed under half of the display or slide out to reveal half of the screen.

Josh Goldman/CNET

The Spectre Fold combines and improves upon various design elements we’ve seen before. Its OLED screen is a 17-inch tablet with a resolution of 1,920×2,560 and features DisplayHDR True Black 500 and the new Imax Enhanced certification (a first for laptops). It is held upright by a built-in kickstand and can be used with a connected Bluetooth keyboard, similar to the Microsoft Surface Pro 9’s functionality without a physically attached keyboard. However, unlike Microsoft, HP includes a pen and keyboard with the Spectre Fold.

When the device is partially folded, you can use it in two different ways: with the keyboard resting on the bottom half of the screen to mimic a 12-inch clamshell laptop, or with the bottom half of the screen pulled forward, leaving half the screen exposed, similar to the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo. However, in the case of the Spectre Fold, the touchpad/palm rest part is tilted down.

HP Specter Foldable PC

The keyboard fits inside the Fold when closed.

Josh Goldman/CNET

The Spectre Fold features a magnetically attached inductive charging spot for its pen, similar to the Above Laptop Studio. It is located on the screen’s edge in front of the keyboard. The keyboard itself attaches to the front bezel using magnets, which also have other compatible functions. For example, when the keyboard is detected, the device can automatically change the display layout using Windows’ Snap feature. Another major advantage is that when you “close” the keyboard by folding it toward the middle, the device enters sleep mode. This eliminates the time-consuming process of preparing the device for use.

HP has divided the device’s six-cell, 94-Watt-hour battery into two sections at either end of the display. This arrangement improves the device’s performance when held in tablet mode.

HP Specter Foldable PC

The stand is solid enough, but could be bigger.

Josh Goldman/CNET

There are a few drawbacks to note. The device is Wi-Fi only because there is no space to accommodate a cellular antenna due to its slim profile and construction. When folded in half, there is intentionally a 0.2-inch/5mm gap, which is where the keyboard is sandwiched for portability. This feature helps with the device’s slim hinges and reduces screen issues. However, without the keyboard, the device can be more vulnerable to damage.

Due to the presence of internal electronics, the screen is not as thin as expected, measuring about 8.2mm. It is thicker than the iPhone 15 Pro but larger than the iPad Pro 12.9. The device is also slightly heavier than the LG Gram 17, weighing three pounds without the keyboard and 3.6 pounds with it. The bezels may appear slightly thick compared to other 2023 devices, but they are necessary to accommodate the quad speakers and laptop-style internals. It’s important to have a device that is comfortable to hold and doesn’t feel fragile. Although it may not be the lightest or thinnest, it still offers a unique blend of aesthetics and functionality.

HP Specter Foldable PC

17-inch OLED gives you a big screen.

Josh Goldman/CNET

While the magnetic attachment of the pen may feel somewhat insecure, it is preferable to have a secure attachment method such as a garage or another mechanism. Personally, I’ve lost two Apple Pencils because they fell off the side of my iPad Pro and disappeared into what I can only assume is a black hole in my bedroom.

Other notable specifications of the HP Spectre Foldable PC include:

  • Intel Core i7-1250U CPU
  • Integrated graphics for Intel Iris Xe
  • 16GB LPDDR5-6400 RAM
  • 1TB NVMe SSD
  • 5-megapixel webcam
  • 2xUSB-C/Thunderbolt 4
  • Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
  • 3 lbs./1.35kg without keyboard, 3.6 lbs./1.62kg with keyboard
  • Rated for 12 hours of battery life

The placement of the two USB-C ports allows for convenient charging while using the device as a laptop or desktop. Additionally, HP includes a USB-C hub with two USB-A ports, an HDMI output, and a USB-C power port along with the keyboard and pen. The entire device showcases the meticulous attention to detail and high-quality construction found in HP’s other premium Spectre laptops. When closed, it resembles a small laptop and doesn’t give away its true nature.

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