Foldable PCs are becoming increasingly popular, offering versatile form factors and unique user experiences. HP’s entry into this market, the Spectre Foldable PC, takes inspiration from the Asus Zenbook 17 Fold, featuring a large 17-inch tablet that folds in half. This 3-in-1 device offers tablet, clamshell, and desktop modes, each surprisingly practical. While the Spectre Foldable PC stands out as one of the most innovative laptops available, its $5,000 price tag may be prohibitive for many.
HP Spectre Foldable PC: Specifications and Configuration
The Spectre Foldable PC comes in a single configuration with a hefty price tag. Here’s a breakdown:
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (Unfolded) | 10.91 inches x 14.81 inches x 0.33 inches |
| Dimensions (Folded) | 10.1 inches x 7.53 inches x 0.84 inches |
| Weight (with keyboard) | 3.58 pounds |
| Weight (without keyboard) | 2.99 pounds |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-1250U |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Display | 17.0-inch 3:4 2.5K (2,560 x 1,920) OLED |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Ports | 2 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Webcam | 5MP with infrared camera for Windows 11 facial recognition |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Battery | 94.3 watt-hours |
| Price | $5,000 |
This premium price point puts the Spectre Foldable PC in a niche market, competing with the Asus Zenbook Fold 17, which is more affordable at $3,500.
Innovative Design and Attention to Detail
The Spectre Foldable PC is a truly innovative device, mirroring the Asus Zenbook Fold 17 in its core concept. Both feature approximately 17-inch displays when unfolded, creating expansive tablet experiences ideal for desktop mode with the included external keyboards and integrated kickstands.
Folding the display allows for clamshell laptop usage, with the keyboard either magnetically attached to the bottom half or positioned separately in front. The Spectre Foldable PC offers an additional mode: placing the keyboard on the lower half of the folded display with the touchpad angled down, creating a dual-screen setup with an ergonomic palm rest.
While tablet mode is less practical for handheld use due to the device’s size, it excels when placed on a surface. The balanced battery distribution across both halves of the display enhances the tablet experience. Overall, usability is excellent across all modes, with seamless transitions between them.
HP’s design is arguably more refined than Asus’s. The Spectre Foldable PC is thinner and lighter, thanks to a more integrated kickstand design. The magnetically attached and charging keyboard adds convenience, as does the included active pen that charges when connected to the tablet.
HP’s commitment to detail extends to sustainability, with the use of recycled materials in various components. The magnesium alloy chassis feels robust, reflecting the premium price point. While the long-term durability of the foldable display remains a concern, the robust mechanics and lower frequency of folds compared to smartphones suggest a reasonable lifespan.
The excellent keyboard provides a comfortable typing experience, and the touchpad is responsive and precise. Connectivity is limited to two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one of which is used for charging. The absence of an audio jack is a notable omission.
The 5MP webcam delivers excellent image quality, and the inclusion of Windows Hello facial recognition adds security and convenience. HP’s user presence-sensing technology further enhances the user experience with automatic locking, sleep/wake functionality, and privacy features.
Performance and Battery Life: Adequate but Not Exceptional
The Spectre Foldable PC utilizes a 12th-generation Intel Core i7-1250U processor, chosen for its power efficiency. While a last-gen CPU might seem like a drawback in such a premium device, it provides competent performance for everyday productivity tasks.
Benchmarks show that the Spectre Foldable PC performs comparably to other machines with the same CPU, while naturally falling behind laptops with more powerful processors. Performance is sufficient for web browsing, email, office applications, and inking, but more demanding tasks may reveal its limitations.
| Benchmark | Score |
|---|---|
| Geekbench 5 (single / multi) | 1,684 / 4,569 (Balanced), 1,684 / 6,025 (Performance) |
| Handbrake (seconds) | 269 (Balanced), 179 (Performance) |
| Cinebench R23 (single / multi) | 1,380 / 3,911 (Balanced), 1,507 / 4,785 (Performance) |
| PCMark 10 Complete | 4,556 |
Battery life is surprisingly good, exceeding expectations. In clamshell mode, it achieved around 8.5 hours in web browsing and 12 hours in the PCMark 10 Applications test. In tablet mode, the results were mixed, with around 9 hours in web browsing and 11.25 hours in the PCMark 10 test. These results place it above average for laptop battery life.
Display and Audio: Near-Perfect Visuals, Excellent Sound
The Spectre Foldable PC boasts a stunning 17-inch 4:3 2.5K OLED display. The vibrant colors, deep blacks, and virtually invisible central fold create an immersive visual experience. However, the lower resolution of 1,920 x 1,280 in 3:2 clamshell mode may result in slightly pixelated text. Another minor drawback is the slightly “sticky” feel of the display surface, likely due to a protective layer accommodating the folding mechanism.
Despite these minor issues, the display’s performance is impressive. It reaches a high brightness of 411 nits and boasts an exceptional contrast ratio. Color accuracy is excellent, achieving a DeltaE of 0.56. While color gamut coverage is slightly lower than some other OLED panels, it still surpasses typical IPS displays.
The audio quality is also commendable, thanks to two speakers on each side of the tablet. The clear mids and highs, coupled with a touch of bass, provide a rich audio experience, especially enjoyable for media consumption on the large 17-inch display.
Conclusion: A Premium Foldable for a Select Few
The HP Spectre Foldable PC is a well-crafted device with innovative design and attention to detail. Its versatile form factor, excellent usability, and good battery life make it a compelling option. However, the $5,000 price tag places it firmly in the luxury category, limiting its accessibility to most consumers. While the Asus Zenbook Fold 17 offers a more affordable alternative, it remains a significant investment. Ultimately, the Spectre Foldable PC is a compelling choice for those who prioritize innovation and are willing to pay a premium price.
