HP's new Specter Folio leather notebook tries to reinvent PC

HP is trying something different with its latest convertible laptop and boldly claims that it "reinvents the PC". While most laptops are housed in an aluminum or plastic chassis, the HP Specter Folio is wrapped in leather that turns into different modes. This may look like every 2 in 1 on the market, but just look at HP's Specter Folio to see that it's a little different.

HP has created a skeleton magnesium frame that attaches to the outer skin and has combined it with a tiny motherboard to maximize the amount of battery in this device. HP claims up to 18 hours of autonomy, an impressive amount if claims resist. Inside, you'll find an 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. HP uses a 13.3-inch FHD display with Intel's latest 1W panel to maximize battery life. There will also be a 4K display option later this year.

This is the framework of the Folio Specter that makes it really different. HP used leather to create a device that collapses like a magazine. It even includes a spine and seams so it looks like a book at closing. The change of mode is also very transparent. You can use it in traditional wearable mode or pull the screen to position it in a media mode where the keyboard is covered by the screen. The trackpad stays at the front for you to navigate if necessary without having to touch the screen. Once in media mode, you can then push the screen flat in tablet mode.

HP's bold claim to "reinvent the PC" will have to be tested with speculations from the Specter Folio, but I was impressed by the engineering of the device last month. Since Microsoft launched its Windows 8 operating system, I'm looking at PC makers trying out a wild design, and there's still no perfect 2-in-1 version. There is always a compromise along the way, whether it's a heavy tablet or an awkward laptop mode. HP thinks they have perfected this design with the Specter Folio to be able to manage both.

"This design is so fluid from a laptop to a tablet," says Stacy Wolff, vice president of design at HP. It's one of the fastest … really in the industry. I found it very quick to switch from one mode to another, but the big test for a 2-in-1 is how laptop mode feels on your lap. It was surprisingly robust and well balanced; when I reached out to touch the screen, there was no irritating screen shake and it did not seem too heavy. The only disappointing part of this mode is a compromise on the angle of the display. You can not push it away from you, which is good if you're using it on a desktop, but not when you want to further adjust the viewing angle to avoid glare. The display also has a fairly large chin, and I would have preferred to see a more transparent panel, like the Dell XPS 13.

Tablet mode is largely what you expected, and there is even a stylus that supports tilt and over 4000 sensitivity levels. You can tilt the display slightly when in tablet mode, but it is much more robust when it is flat. All the different modes are supported by magnets, so there are no buttons or locks to handle. HP also kept an all-aluminum keyboard with a 1.5 mm touch-keys and a glass touchpad, and found that both were similar to most Specter notebooks during my brief tests .

I was surprised by the fact that HP did not consider a version of its ARM-optimized Specter Folio, or even a 10-inch version. "We had to work in extreme partnership with Intel," says Wolff. "Have we looked at others? We did it, but the trip was short because we really wanted to set the bar at this higher level. That does not seem to be a 10-inch version either. Wolff says "there's a lot of noise and a lot of different form factors" in the 10-inch space, and it's not always about productivity devices for which HP is known.

Whatever the case may be, leather is clearly the key element of this design. This is where the Folio Specter feels more premium and like a book when it is folded. It will be interesting to see how this leather holds, especially on the palm rest. HP does not offer any type of treatment for leather and any wear and tear may look like that of the Microsoft Surface Laptop. "It's designed for disassembly," says Wolff, insinuating that the leather exterior could be replaced in the future.

In addition to leather, it is clear that HP is experimenting with the Folio. It's about hiring animators and fashion designers to try to conquer part of the market for high-end laptops dominated by Apple. Microsoft has also tried a similar approach with its Surface line, and HP clearly wants a notebook that stands out.

HP plans to publish this Specter Folio exclusively on Best Buy and on HP.com. An Intel Core i5 model will be priced at $ 1,299, and the Core i7 model will be $ 1,399. There is even an LTE variant with a Core i7 processor for $ 1,499, and the 4K display option and Burgundy color will be available in December.

Photograph of Tom Warren / The Verge