HP Spectre
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consumer electronics, Computer hardware |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | HP Inc. |
| Fate | Discontinued (2024) |
| Successor | OmniBook (rebranding) |
| Owner | HP Inc. |
| Website | www |
HP Spectre represents a collection of high-end portable computers developed by HP Inc. (previously known as Hewlett-Packard). Introduced in 2012 as an upscale extension of the HP Envy lineup, it became HP's premier consumer laptop series by 2015.
Starting in 2024, HP began discontinuing the Spectre brand as part of its organizational restructuring, with forthcoming consumer notebooks rebranded under the revived OmniBook name—a historic Hewlett-Packard brand that was retired following the 2002 Compaq acquisition.
Envy Spectre / Spectre XT
The Spectre initially appeared within the Envy range as the Envy 14 Spectre ultrabook, gaining notable recognition at CES 2012 and receiving CNET's Best of CES honor. Priced at $1399, it offered a radiant display, Gorilla Glass covering both screen and palm rest, a buttonless multitouch touchpad, NFC technology, and a solid-state drive.
The Envy Spectre XT was a 13-inch ultrabook launched in 2012 with a retail price of $999. Its XT Pro version included a TPM security module and came pre-installed with Windows 7 Professional for an additional $100.
The Spectre XT TouchSmart model retained the XT's design but featured a larger chassis and incorporated a touchscreen display, debuting alongside Windows 8 in September 2012.
Spectre One
In September 2012, HP released the Spectre One, an all-in-one desktop computer equipped with a 23.6-inch edge-to-edge glass display and running Windows 8. It was notably slim at just 11.5 mm thick, emphasizing an elegant aesthetic.
Spectre 13 / x2
The 2013 HP Spectre 13 ultrabook (series 13-3000) was powered by fourth-generation Intel Core (Haswell) CPUs, Intel HD 4400 graphics, and featured a full HD IPS screen, with an optional upgrade to a Sharp IGZO panel offering 2560×1440 resolution.
The Spectre 13 x2 (series 13-H), a detachable hybrid ultrabook with a 13.3-inch display, could be used as both tablet and laptop. It was the first fanless detachable ultrabook utilizing Intel’s Haswell processor and became available for pre-order in October 2013 starting at $1099.
Spectre x360
The Spectre x360 series consists of 2-in-1 convertible laptops equipped with a hinge that rotates 360 degrees. The "x360" designation is shared across HP's Envy and Pavilion product lines.
The initial model, launched in March 2015 as the Spectre Pro x360, featured Broadwell (5th generation) Intel Core processors and retailed for $899. It displayed prominent "HEWLETT PACKARD" branding on its chassis. An updated version incorporating Skylake (6th generation) processors arrived in October 2015, followed by the introduction of a 15-inch Skylake variant at CES 2016.
October 2016 saw the release of the third-generation Spectre x360 13 powered by Kaby Lake (7th generation) processors; this update included design refinements such as a Thunderbolt 3 port and a new logo exclusive to the Spectre line. A larger 15-inch Kaby Lake model followed in early 2017. Later that year, models were upgraded to feature 8th generation Core processors along with optional 4K touchscreens; the CES 2018 debut of the 15-inch edition added Gorilla Glass protection and support for the HP Tilt Pen.
Subsequent updates in late 2018 and early 2019 incorporated Intel Whiskey Lake CPUs. The 2019 iteration of the Spectre x360 13 reduced its overall size through thinner bezels. The Spectre x360 15 was introduced at CES in January 2020.
In September 2020, new models powered by 11th generation Tiger Lake processors were launched, including the debut of the Spectre x360 14 featuring an elongated 3:2 aspect ratio display. The lineup expanded further in 2021 with the addition of a larger, 16-inch Spectre x360 variant.
May 2022 brought refreshed versions equipped with Intel’s 12th generation Core processors. HP consolidated previous offerings into one unified Spectre x360 model featuring a 13.5-inch screen, also marketed as the "Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop." In 2024, HP unveiled next-generation x360 devices incorporating Intel’s Core Ultra branding.
Comparison table
| Series | Launch Date
(MM/YYYY) |
Screen Size and Type | CPU | Graphics Unit | RAM | Storage Capacity | Audio Features | Operating System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13-4000 | 03/2015 | 13.3" (16:9) FHD or QHD | Intel 5th Gen Core | Intel HD Graphics | 4 GB to 8 GB | 256 GB SSD | Windows 8.1 | |
| 13-4100 | 10/2015 | Intel 6th Gen Core | Windows 10 | |||||
| 15-ap | 01/2016 | 15.6" (16:9) OLED (FHD) or LED (UHD) | Intel HD Graphics or Intel Iris Graphics | 8 GB to 16 GB | ||||
| 13-ac | 10/2016 | 13.3" (16:9) | Intel 7th Gen Core | |||||
| 13-w0 | ||||||||
| 15-bl0 | 01/2017 | 15.6" (16:9) | ||||||
| 13-ae | 10/2017 | 13.3" (16:9) | Intel 8th Gen Core | |||||
| 15-bl1 | 01/2018 | 15.6" (16:9) | ||||||
| 15-ch | ||||||||
| 13-ap | 10/2018 | 13.3" (16:9) | ||||||
| 15-df0 | 01/2019 | 15.6" (16:9) | ||||||
| 13-aw | 09/2019 | 13.3" (16:9) | Intel 10th Gen Core | |||||
| 15-df1 | 01/2020 | 15.6" (16:9) | ||||||
| 14-ea | 09/2020 | 13.5" (3:2) | Intel 11th Gen Core | |||||
| 15-eb | 15.6" (16:9) | |||||||
| 16-f0000 | 09/2021 | 16" (16:10) | Windows 11 |
| Series | Launch Date | Screen Size and Type | Processor | Graphics | Memory | Storage | Audio | Operating System |
|---|
Spectre x2
The HP Spectre x2 (model 12-A), a convertible device with a 12-inch screen introduced in 2015, is powered by a fanless Intel Core M processor. Its successor, released in 2017 as model 12-C, upgraded to more powerful Core i series CPUs reaching up to i7, and featured a higher-resolution IPS display measuring 12.3 inches with a resolution of 3000×2000.
Spectre 13
HP unveiled the Spectre laptop in 2016 under model number 13-V, later referred to as Spectre 13. It was promoted as the slimmest laptop available at just 10.4 mm thickness and introduced a new minimalist HP emblem characterized by fine lines, now adopted on select HP products. The second iteration in 2017, model 13-AF, showcased a more compact chassis and thinner bezels, refining both its upscale aesthetic and portability.
Spectre Folio
The Spectre Folio (model 13-AK), announced in October of 2018, combined leather and metal materials to appeal to the luxury segment of the market. Initially priced at $1299, versions equipped with Core i7 processors and LTE connectivity were offered at $1499.
Spectre Fold
In September of 2023, HP introduced the Spectre Fold, a foldable computing device described as a "3-in-1," integrating desktop, laptop, and tablet modes. This product underscores HP’s commitment to delivering adaptable computing solutions tailored for the changing demands of both business users and consumers.