HP Thinks Thin and Light with new Ultrabook and Sleekbook Models
Hewlett-Packard is fully embracing the transition in the notebook market towards thin and light laptops that are all the rage these days, just don't accuse the company of playing favorites. Sure, Intel's Ultrabook initiative typically gets all the hype and attention, but AMD is a player too, and in addition to new Intel-based Ultrabook and Sleekbook models, HP today also introduced a new AMD-based Sleekbook that's the cheapest of the bunch.
Let's start with the Ultrabook form factor. First up is a new 14-inch Envy Ultrabook that starts at $750 for a Sandy Bridge foundation or $850 for Ivy Bridge. Both configurations sport 4GB of DDR3-1600 memory, 500GB hard drive + 32GB NAND flash cache, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, two USB 3.0 ports, a single USB 2.0 port, SD card reader, Beats Audio, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. The systems weigh 4 pounds and measure about 19.8mm thick. The same configurations are also available in a 15.6-inch form factor for $800 (Sandy Bridge) and $900 (Ivy Bridge).
On June 8, HP will launch its Envy Spectre XT ($1,000), a 13.3-inch Ultrabook built around Ivy Bridge. This one has 4GB of DDR3-1600 memory, 128GB SSD, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, GbE LAN, Bluetooth 3.0, HDMI, USB 3.0, Beats Audio, and various other odds and ends. It's 14.5mm thick and weighs a scant 3 pounds.
Finally, HP introduced a pair of Envy Sleekbook models, one of which is 14 inches and ships with Sandy Bridge ($700) or Ivy Bridge ($800), and one that's 15.6 inches with an AMD Trinity APU inside ($599). Both feature 4GB of DDR3-1600 RAM, HDMI output, USB 3.0 ports, Beats Audio, and so forth. The Intel-based system has a 500GB hard drive, and the AMD-based machine is equipped with a 320GB hard drive.
Let's start with the Ultrabook form factor. First up is a new 14-inch Envy Ultrabook that starts at $750 for a Sandy Bridge foundation or $850 for Ivy Bridge. Both configurations sport 4GB of DDR3-1600 memory, 500GB hard drive + 32GB NAND flash cache, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, two USB 3.0 ports, a single USB 2.0 port, SD card reader, Beats Audio, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. The systems weigh 4 pounds and measure about 19.8mm thick. The same configurations are also available in a 15.6-inch form factor for $800 (Sandy Bridge) and $900 (Ivy Bridge).
On June 8, HP will launch its Envy Spectre XT ($1,000), a 13.3-inch Ultrabook built around Ivy Bridge. This one has 4GB of DDR3-1600 memory, 128GB SSD, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, GbE LAN, Bluetooth 3.0, HDMI, USB 3.0, Beats Audio, and various other odds and ends. It's 14.5mm thick and weighs a scant 3 pounds.
Finally, HP introduced a pair of Envy Sleekbook models, one of which is 14 inches and ships with Sandy Bridge ($700) or Ivy Bridge ($800), and one that's 15.6 inches with an AMD Trinity APU inside ($599). Both feature 4GB of DDR3-1600 RAM, HDMI output, USB 3.0 ports, Beats Audio, and so forth. The Intel-based system has a 500GB hard drive, and the AMD-based machine is equipped with a 320GB hard drive.
