PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HP Inc. today unveiled the HP Spectre Folio, a stunning new device that sets a bold standard for premium PC innovation.

HP set out to reinvent every aspect of the PC, from the materials used to build it to the experiences it can deliver. The result is a transformative form factor designed for true mobility and equipped to easily adapt to everyday use cases. The world’s first leather convertible PC,¹ the Spectre Folio blends timeless craftsmanship with the latest technology to create a product unlike any other.

The Spectre Folio builds on the success of traditional laptops, 2-in-1 devices and convertibles, which are designed primarily for specific productivity tasks or scenarios. The result is unprecedented versatility in a PC that seamlessly converts between three distinct positions.

“The HP Spectre Folio is the PC reinvented, achieving the perfect balance of luxury design and cutting-edge engineering. It combines sophisticated style with incredible versatility to deliver an Always-Connected PC experience our customers are looking for,” said Alex Cho, President, Personal Systems, HP Inc. “HP continues to create the world’s most exciting devices that are leading the PC category into a new era of innovation. By listening to the needs of our customers and leveraging our design and engineering capabilities, HP is setting new benchmarks for the industry.”

Exquisite Craftsmanship
To create the Spectre Folio, HP embraced the art of “manucrafturing,” where meticulously designed hardware meets handcrafted materials. The 100 percent chromed tan, full-grain leather from which the device is made plays an important functional role.

It is a durable material that provides a natural hinge and flexible chassis to enable a breakthrough new form factor. At the same time, its timeless aesthetic appeal, with accented stitching and precision edging, creates a sophisticated, luxurious quality often associated with fashion but has never been seen in a PC. The Spectre Folio will be available in two colors: Cognac Brown and Bordeaux Burgundy.

Redefining Iconic PC Design with Masterful Engineering
The convertible PC is now easier to use with the Spectre Folio’s simpler, seamless transitions to multiple positions. With one hand, the thin and light device moves effortlessly from a traditional laptop position typically used for productivity, to tent position that neatly tucks away the keyboard for sturdier support on the lap, to tablet position with a built-in tilt for intuitive inking – all made possible by strategically placed magnets and the unique flexibility of leather to act as a natural hinge.

To achieve a thin and light design in this radically new form factor, the Spectre Folio incorporates one of the smallest motherboards in the industry, capitalizing on 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 and i7 (Y-series) processors.² Additionally, an innovative fanless thermal design leverages the unique qualities of leather to create an experience that feels both cool and comfortable in the lap. HP also worked closely with the renowned global audio and lifestyle brand Bang & Olufsen to expertly tune the four front facing speakers for a superb audio experience in any of the device positions.

Other features include up to 16 GB of memory, up to 2 TB of SSD storage³, and either a 300-nits FHD display or a low-power, 1W 400-nits FHD option for ideal viewing in any lighting condition. A 4K UHD display⁴ panel option will be available later this year.

Always-On, Always-Connected PC Experiences
The bold look of the Spectre Folio is matched with the latest premium technology features for consumers who desire beauty and power in their PC. Jetsetters and on-the-go professionals alike will appreciate HP’s focus on achieving ultra-mobility and connected modern standby, with up to 18 hours of battery life⁵.

The Spectre Folio is the world’s first gigabit class LTE Intel® based laptop⁶, providing an Always Connected PC experience that is more secure than traditional public Wi-Fi® hot spots. The device also supports dual eSIM⁷, with an optional nano-SIM slot under the display and an optional embedded digital eSIM to easily and quickly connect to their cellular networks for blazing fast Internet and data. For customers activating the device on the Sprint network, Intel and Sprint are offering free unlimited data for six months with Autopay⁸.

Pricing and Availability⁹

• Pre-orders for the HP Spectre Folio will begin October 1, 2018, at Best Buy.com and HP.com.
• The HP Spectre Folio is expected to be available in Cognac Brown with an Intel® Core™ i7 processor at select Best Buy retail locations and BestBuy.com beginning October 29.
• The HP Spectre Folio is expected to be available at HP.com in Cognac Brown with an Intel® Core™ i5 processor for a starting price of $1,299.99.
• The HP Spectre Folio is expected to be available at HP.com in Cognac Brown with an Intel® Core™ i7 processor and LTE for a starting price of $1,499.99.
• The HP Spectre Folio in Bordeaux Burgundy is expected to be available in late December.
• The HP Spectre Folio with the 4K panel option is expected to be available in late December.
• The HP Spectre Folio Pouch and the HP Spectre Folio Sleeve are expected to be available at HP.com in November for $49.99 and $69.99 respectively.

For more information about HP Spectre Folio – including downloadable images and datasheets – please visit the HP Press Center. For an in-depth look at the design of the Spectre Folio, visit The Garage.

Watch the product reveal live via YouTube or Facebook Live, and visit HP’s Facebook page to see “Stories of Reinvention” from American fashion designer Alexander Wang, American R&B duo Chloe x Halle, Argentina-Spanish artist Felipe Pantone, and German designer Errolson Hugh. Share your reactions using the #thePCReinvented and #keepreinventing hashtags on social media.

About HP

HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our portfolio of printers, PCs, mobile devices, solutions, and services, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at http://www.hp.com.

¹ Product exterior and outer keyboard is 100 percent genuine full grain leather as of 9/18/18.

² Multi-core is designed to improve performance of certain software products. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology. Performance and clock frequency will vary depending on application workload and your hardware and software configurations. Intel’s numbering, branding and/or naming is not a measurement of higher performance.

³ For solid state drives, TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual formatted capacity is less. Up to 35GB of system disk is reserved for system recovery software.

⁴ Full high-definition (FHD) content required to view FHD images. 4K content required to view full 4K images.

⁵ Windows 10/ MM14 battery life will vary depending on various factors including product model, configuration, loaded applications, features, use, wireless functionality, and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will naturally decrease with time and usage. See www.bapco.com for additional details. The battery capacity decreases to less than 100 percent when the computer operates under high temperatures for an extended period of time.