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HP Spectre x360 14: The Versatile All-Rounder

HP has consistently gone the extra mile to make its devices stand out

Oct 08, 2021

For as long as I can remember, laptop design has mostly been a drab affair.  There is one brand, though, that has, over the years, given as much attention to the laptop’s aesthetics as it has to what is under the hood. HP has consistently gone the extra mile to make its devices stand out. The new HP Spectre x360 14 is a good example. The latest version in the popular 2-in-1 Spectre series is great looking while being robust, adaptive, smart, and packed with intelligent features.

It is thin and light, weighing just 1.36 kg, with an elegant, gem-cut and dual-chamber design that has been achieved by precision aluminium CNC machining. Like previous-generation Spectre laptops, the solid built comes with HP’s proven hinge mechanism that makes the machine a versatile allrounder when it comes to how you hold it. Tent, flat, conventional laptop or even tablet mode, it handles every position with ease. The edges have been showered special attention. It opens to reveal stunning copper or brass accents depending on the colour scheme.  The laptop comes in two colourways – Nightfall Black with Copper Luxe accents and Poseidon Blue with Pale Brass accents.

Spot-on performance

Complementing the shell design is the very tactile keyboard and a highly responsive trackpad. Early reviewers have already called it the best keyboard, trackpad combo in its class. New keyboard features include buttons for camera shutter, HP Command Center, mute mic, and fingerprint reader. Uniquely, the keypad is made from environmentally friendly materials. The keys have scissor switches made of renewable likes straw, beet pulp along and household waste. According to HP, 14.46 grams of organic materials is used to make each keyboard, cutting down CO2 emission by as much as 1200 kg. 

The 13.5-inch multitouch-enabled OLED panel display comes with a 3:2 aspect ratio (3000×2000) and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut with significant colour accuracy. Its functional design has ensured that it takes up as much as 90.33 per cent of the body space. The display’s 400 nits brightness and anti-reflective nature is a boon when using the device while outside. Which also makes it vulnerable when it comes to invasion of screen privacy. To counter this problem, HP has equipped the display with its proprietary HP SureView Reflect Privacy Screen, which it says is twice as effective in guarding the screen against prying eyes. The display is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass NBT to prevent any accidental damage.  

The new Spectre x360 14 is powered by the latest 11th-Gen Intel Core processors with Intel Iris Xe graphics processing, making it the ideal device for consuming content as well as creating it. It is also equipped with HP Quick Drop, enabling effortless data transfer between devices and two USB Type-C ports that support Thunderbolt 4. 

HP Spectre x360 14: For the millennials and GenZs

Another notable feature is the 17-hour battery life, which is quite something considering the laptop’s powerful innards and high-res display. The battery’s long life, seriously compact footprint, low weight, anti-reflective and high brightness display make the machine ideal for use on the go, particularly for millennials and Gen Zs, who are constantly on the move, even within the same city. In fact, HP says the laptop has been designed keeping in mind their needs and style of working.

While other brands have seemingly moved away from convertibles, the HP Spectre series has continued to be among India’s most popular premium notebooks. The new Spectre x360 14  is an example of why it has been so successful. Great design, robust built, and a thoughtful bouquet of features make this device a winner despite the pricing, which starts at Rs. 1,19,999/-.