HP Spectre Fold: The Epitome of Elegance in Foldable Computing

The HP Spectre Fold emerges as the planet’s most slender 17-inch collapsible personal computer.

In recent years, within the realm of personal computing, companies have embarked upon a gradual yet unwavering race to construct a foldable laptop that truly entices potential buyers. Various enterprises have entered the fray: Lenovo introduced its ThinkPad, Asus presented the Zenbook, and HP, refusing to be left behind, has ventured into the realm of foldables.

HP has unveiled the HP Spectre Fold, a Windows-based laptop boasting a 17-inch OLED display that gracefully folds in half. It proclaims itself as the world’s slimmest and most compact 17-inch foldable PC. While the competition in this niche may not be particularly fierce, given the scarcity of 17-inch foldable laptops on the market, it is noteworthy that the Spectre Fold weighs in at just under three pounds, a remarkably light figure for a device of this size.

Should you be contemplating the acquisition of this technological marvel, please be forewarned: the initial price tag stands at $4,999.99. This positions it among the most expensive laptops ever introduced and significantly outpaces its counterparts in the same category. The ThinkPad X1 Fold bears a price of $2,499, while the Zenbook Fold commands $3,499. For such a considerable investment, one can only hope that the Spectre Fold delivers a truly exceptional experience. To ascertain its worthiness, we must exercise patience.

Though the Spectre Fold exhibits HP’s signature Spectre branding and design, it appears to offer a fairly analogous package to its foldable predecessors. When laid flat, it serves as a 17-inch tablet. Extend the built-in kickstand to support it on its elongated edge, and it transforms into a 17-inch laptop. Fold the tablet at a 90-degree angle, attach a magnetic Bluetooth keyboard to the lower half, and it metamorphoses into a 12.3-inch clamshell. The underlying concept of these devices is their enhanced versatility compared to traditional laptops or Windows tablets, enabling a substantial screen size within a conveniently portable form factor.

What sets the Spectre Fold apart from the ThinkPad or the Zenbook? Artificial Intelligence, it seems. HP asserts that the Spectre Fold is the “world’s inaugural foldable PC featuring integrated AI functionalities for security, wellness, and gesture controls.” This promises a tailored computing experience that revolves around the user. Anticipate reminders for screen time and intriguing “touch-free content control,” not to mention presence detection that can secure the device when you depart and awaken it upon your return. While these features are not entirely unprecedented for a laptop, especially one with a price tag in the thousands of dollars, their effectiveness remains to be proven.

In the technical details, the Spectre will include Intel’s Core i7-1250U processor, 16GB of RAM, and a capacious 1TB of storage. The panel boasts a 3:4 OLED display with an impressive 1920 x 2560 resolution. (The Spectre line has a well-earned reputation for stunning displays, and this one is eagerly anticipated.) And fear not, video conferences: HP’s GlamCam, which performs precisely as its name suggests, is also integrated.

Both the ThinkPad X1 Fold and the Zenbook Fold showcased remarkable attributes, yet they grappled with certain issues that made recommending them at their premium price points a challenge. The original X1 Fold suffered from abysmal battery life, and its diminutive keyboard rendered typing practically unfeasible. Lenovo previewed a second-generation Fold, which appeared poised to address some of its predecessor’s flaws, but it has yet to hit the market. Asus’s Zenbook presented a more viable product with its splendid 17-inch screen, but it remained plagued by various software glitches during my evaluation process—the occasional vanishing of the dock, failure to automatically adjust the desktop orientation when the laptop changed position, and a perpetual sideways orientation during video calls.

It would indeed be commendable if HP manages to harmonize Windows with the foldable form factor, deliver an exceptional battery life (the company claims up to 12 hours), and provide an ergonomic magnetic keyboard that does not evoke the cramped feel of a toy. Even then, a five-thousand-dollar price point is a substantial investment.