HP unveils $900 HP Folio ultrabook, refreshes Envy line

Jos

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HP officially joined the ultrabook fray today with the announcement of a 13.3-inch laptop dubbed the HP Folio. Keeping in line with Intel's requirements for the category, the device measures 0.7 inches at its thickest point and weighs 3.3 pounds, while packing Core i3 or i5 low-voltage processors and a 128GB solid-state drive.

Available next month, the $900 base model will run Windows 7 Home Premium powered by the 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-2467M processor and 4GB of RAM. Its 13.3-inch LED display offers a 1366 x 768 resolution -- same as the MacBook Air and the Acer Aspire S3 -- and features a TrueVision HD webcam on top. Connectivity features include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, a full-size HDMI port and an SD card reader.

Although the Folio is not the thinnest or lightest ultrabook in the market, HP claims its 9-hour battery life is unrivaled by the competition. In addition, the company is hoping to win over enterprise customers with a business version in mid-January featuring TPM embedded security chip to protect data, Windows 7 Professional, and an optional three-year warranty with HP's Care Pack. A USB 2.0 docking station will also be available, with additional monitor and speaker outputs and greater network connectivity.

Fresh off its decision to keep its PC division 'as is' HP also revamped their premium line of laptops, the Envy series. The redesigned laptops offer the latest Intel processors and AMD graphics, Beats Audio with a built-in knob for precision volume control, optional SSD storage, and a host of new features, like HP's wireless audio, a proximity activated keyboard backlight, and a sleek new all-metal chassis.

Base configuration and starting price for all three models -- Envy 15, Envy 17, and Envy 17 3D -- are below:

  Envy 15 Envy 17 Envy 17 3D
Display 15.6" 17.3" Radiance Full HD (192x1080) 17.3" Radiance Full HD 3D LED (1920x1080)
Processor Intel Core i5-2430M Intel Core i5-2430M Intel Core i5-2430M
GPU 1GB AMD Radeon (unspecified) 1GB AMD Radeon (unspecified) 1GB AMD Radeon (unspecified)
RAM 6GB 6GB 8GB
Storage 500GB HDD 750GB HDD 750GB HDD
Audio Beats Audio with 6.1 channel system Beats Audio with 6.1 channel system Beats Audio with 6.1 channel system
Optical DVD-RW 9.5mm slot DVD-RW 12.7mm slot Blu-ray + DVD-RW 12.7mm slot
Battery 8-cell Lithium 76WHr 6-cell Lithium 91WHr 6-cell Lithium 91WHr
Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Wi-Di Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Wi-Di Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Wi-Di
Keyboard Backlit with proximity sensor and HP Imagepad Backlit with proximity sensor and HP Imagepad Backlit with proximity sensor and HP Imagepad
OS Windows 7 Premium 64-bit Windows 7 Premium 64-bit Windows 7 Premium 64-bit
Other -- -- Includes 1 pair of active shutter 3D glasses
Starting price $1099.99 $1249.99 $1599.99

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"Its 13.3-inch LED display offers a 1366 x 768 resolution -- same as the MacBook Air"

Nope, MacBook Air 13.3 inch has a 1440 by 900 LED display and the difference is tangible.

Good luck getting the 9 hours out of it. Was that in standby mode? ;)
 
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