Unique laptop
The Spectre Folio 13 is a strange 2-in-1 since the back section of the device is made from genuine leather and there's no traditional laptop hinge per-se. However, the included LTE connectivity allows you to become truly portable out in the field. You do pay for the premium materials and features though.
For
- Unique design
- Genuine leather
- Cat 16 LTE (1Gbs)
- Up to 18 hours of battery life
- SIM tray and eSIM
Against
- More expensive
- Limited configurations
- Doesn't come with Pen
Stunning convertible
The HP Spectre x360 is one of the best 2-in-1 laptops available. It has a striking design, matched by excellent battery life and included stylus. It's let down by a few minor gripes like poor trackpad drivers and nowhere to store the pen.
For
- Gorgeous design
- Solid battery life
- Includes Pen
- Attractive price
- More configurations
Against
- No pen storage
- Poor trackpad
- Thick bezels
- No LTE
If you're all about style and prefer some unique design elements on a laptop, the HP Spectre Folio 13 has it all with genuine leather used in place of a metal rear. It's a unique, albeit more expensive premium PC while the Spectre x360 is your best bet if you want a 2-in-1 that gets almost everything right.
HP Spectre Folio 13 vs. Spectre x360 specs
| Header Cell - Column 0 | HP Spectre Folio 13 | HP Spectre x360 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8200YIntel Core i7-8500Y | Intel Core i5-8265UIntel Core i7-8565UIntel Core i7-8565UIntel Core i7-8565UIntel Core i7-8565U |
| RAM | 8GB16GB | 8GB16GB |
| Storage | 256GB NVMe512GB NVMe1TB NVMe2TB NVMe | 256GB NVMe512GB NVMe1TB NVMe2TB NVMe |
| Display resolution | 1920 x 10803840 x 2160 (4K) | 1920 x 10801920 x 1080 w/ Sure View Privacy Screen3840 x 2160 (4K) |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 615 | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 31x USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 13.5mm audioLTE (Cat 9, 16) | 2x Thunderbolt 32x USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 2USB 3.1 Type-A Gen 2Micro SD card3.5mm audio |
| Biometrics | IR camera for Windows Hello | IR camera for Windows Hello |
| Battery | Up to 18 hours | Up to 22.5 hours |
| Dimensions | 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches(292 x 201 x 8.5 mm) | 12.16 x 8.58 x 0.57 inches (309 x 142 x 14.5 mm) |
| Weight | 3.28 pounds (1.45 kg) | 2.92 pounds (1.3 kg) |
Two attractive HP notebooks
Talking about design is difficult with both notebooks in mind as they're similar in a few ways but differ greatly in others. The HP Spectre Folio 13 is HP's unique take on the traditional laptop design as a whole. Instead of the usual all-metal chassis, the company opted for the use of genuine leather, which makes up the rear and lid of the laptop, as well as replacing the hinge.
Like any 2-in-1, the Spectre Folio can be used as a laptop with the display pointed towards you at an angle or flat down as a tablet. It's a crazy design and is unlike any other laptop out there — you will likely turn heads in the coffee shop while browsing through documents.
The keyboard is built into the leather and feels much like Microsoft's own Type Covers do with Surface PCs. It's a solid-looking laptop as a whole and one that will appeal to those who prefer genuine leather in their life.
HP made the Spectre x360 look more like a traditional 2-in-1 laptop. There are no fancy, unique materials and everything looks as it should, but it's certainly not a boring notebook. The gem-style design is simply stunning with a gorgeous use of premium-looking colors and minute details.
This attention to detail is incredible, like the cut corner where one of the Thunderbolt 3 ports is located. When charging the laptop the cable will be positioned away from the device to free up the right-hand side for a mouse to be used, instead of using a port on the side of the laptop which can interfer with available space. Clever.
Design really is subjective, depending on personal preferences, but the x360 looks super clean and premium.
More choice with the traditional 2-in-1
HP offers the Spectre Folio 13 in two versions on the company's store, one starting with an Intel Core i5 processor and a more expensive model with a beefier Intel Core i7. Interestingly, only the Intel Core i7 model comes with LTE connectivity. The more affordable Intel Core i5 Spectre Folio 13 only comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth unless you configure it as an option, and only the more affordable model can be configured.
You can configure the more affordable model to include LTE and faster processors but you'll be paying out more than what's included with the LTE Spectre Folio 13. It's worth simply choosing it if you want LTE, unless you really need 16GB of RAM and more storage then you'll need to pay out more and load all the options.
That's the drawback of the Spectre Folio: you can either lock down the more expensive LTE model so you can't change anything, or configure the more affordable Spectre Folio 13 with an Intel Core i7, more RAM, more storage, 4K display, and LTE, but at a vastly higher price.
The Spectre x360 can be kitted out with a whole host of optional upgrades, including Intel Core i7 processors, 16GB of RAM, up to 2TB of speedy flash storage, but no LTE. There are some really cool extras like the optional 1080p display with Sure View Privacy Screen that prevents onlookers from seeing what's shown on-screen.
Not only does the Spectre x360 start at a more easily digestible price, but it also allows you more room to configure the laptop to your exact liking without all the confusion.
HP Spectre Folio 13 offers true portability
You can't match LTE in terms of portability, since you can use your notebook quite literally anywhere so long as you have a reliable connection. The HP Spectre x360 does not come with the option for LTE, making the Spectre Folio ideal for those who frequently work in the field and need something that looks unique.
LTE bliss
Not only does the Spectre Folio look different compared to most other notebooks, but it also has the latest tech both in terms of computing performance and LTE connectivity, enjoying full support for Cat 16 speeds of up to 1Gb/s if you splash out for the pricier model.
More choice with the Spectre x360
HP allows you to configure the Spectre x360 to your liking, whether you want to throw in a 4K display, 2TB NVMe flash storage, or a more powerful Intel Core i7 processor. Prices start below the cost of the Spectre Folio 13 too without sacrificing on performance.
Good value design
The all-new Spectre x360 13t demonstrates HP can do jaw-dropping hardware and design. Good performance, excellent features, elegant aesthetics, plus a great price make this one of the best values around. Too bad about that trackpad.
