HP Windows 8 Business Tablet Revealed?

After giving up on the WebOS-based HP TouchPad after just a couple of months, HP has been keeping a low-profile in the tablet space, content to quietly sell its Windows 7-based HP Slate 2 to a few business clients. However, we’ve always known that the company would make a big tablet push around Windows 8 and a newly-leaked product sheet (shown above) gives us an idea of what to expect.
According to information obtained by Neowin, HP is working on a new Windows 8 tablet called the HP Slate 8, which will feature a 10.1-inch screen, pen input, TPM security and an outdoor viewing option. At 9.2mm thick, the device promises to be one of the thinner slates on the market though, at 1.5 pounds, it will be a bit heavier than the 1.3 pound iPad and the 1.2 pound Galaxy Tab 10.1. The promised 8 to 10 hours of battery life would put the Slate 8 at the same level as its Android and iOS competitors.

 

According to NeoWin, the HP Slate 8 will run off an Intel x86 processor of some kind so it will use Windows 8 Professional, not the ARM-based WindowsRT.  Of course, the spec sheet and rendering above are not official nor is pricing or availability. So stay tuned.

HP Envy Spectre XT Ultrabook Unveiled: .6 Inches Thin and Ivy Bridge for $999

Yes, the glass lid on the HP Envy 14 Spectre is cool, but everyone knows that thin is the name of the game when it comes to Ultrabooks. HP’s new Envy Spectre XT has an all-metal chassis, is just 0.57 inches thick and weighs 3.07 pounds. Available June 8th and starting at $999, this machine sports a 13.3-inch display, a third-generation Intel Core processor (Ivy Bridge), and a 128GB SSD. What’s more, this notebook should last up to 8 hours on a charge.
Other amenities on the Spectre XT include a backlit keyboard, Beats Audio, HP CoolSense, TrueVision HD webcam, Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements. The Ultrabook will also come with 1 year of Absolute Data Protect and two years of Norton Internet Security. Also, a HP will set up a concierge line  exclusively for Spectre users.

 

During our hands-on time, we liked the feel of the Spectre XT’s clickpad, which offered smooth navigation thanks to its integrated image sensor. The key travel also seemed deeper than the Samsung Series 9 13-inch. While the 1366 x 768 display isn’t nearly as bright or sharp as the 14-inch, 1600 x 900 panel on the Envy 14 Spectre, it seems about average for sub-$1,000 Ultrabooks.

HP includes all the necessary ports you need to stay connected (one USB 3.0, one USB 2.0, HDMI), including an SD Card slot that the XPS 13 lacks. Stay tuned for a full review of the Spectre XT.