Just a week ago, we introduced you to the special “glass” ultrabook HP ENVY 14 Spectre, most of the hull is finished protected by glass Gorilla Glass. Today, on the order of the younger brother in every sense of the “spectral” line of Hewlett-Packard – the 13-inch HP ENVY Spectre XT 13, whose body is made entirely of the more usual class ultrabook metal.
As you know, both of the above models include a new family ultrabook HP Spectre, but in spite of such a relationship have very little in common. Although designers and say that due to minimal cabinet depth HP ENVY Spectre XT 14 is comparable in size to the 13-inch models, in real life it is noticeably larger than a “fair” 13-inch HP ENVY Spectre XT 13.
Housing of HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 is greatly sharpened, which made it visually thinner than it actually is. The bottom is made of a durable magnesium alloy and coated with a special “tactile varnish”, you end up with a nice feel rough, but it does not feel typical of the metal cool. From a hardware point of view, HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 is typical for its class; it supports all the standard class ultrabook technology (Intel Rapid Start, Intel Smart Connect, etc.) and comes with a fuel efficient 17-watt Intel Ivy Bridge processor with integrated graphics, HD Graphics 4000 and SSD of 128 or 256 GB.
Design
HP ENVY 13 Spectre XT comes in a compact “gift” package of high-quality black cardboard. Ultrabook placed in a bag made of thin white cloth, which is unlikely to be a significant protection against external influences. For a more convenient transportation charger provides a small bag with a zipper.
Cover of this HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 ultrabook is completely finished in silver aluminium sheet with a vertical texture. Interestingly, the designers did not give the engineers to “spoil” a plastic bar for Wi-Fi-antennas; however, the sensitivity of the wireless module is virtually no impact. On the perimeter is fringed silver plastic lid.
Lower housing HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 is made of magnesium alloy with a pleasant touch softtach-coated silver. Hatches for upgrading and accessible battery compartment is not here, you can draw attention except for two pairs of slots for multimedia speakers and openings for air intake and release through the radiator. Ultrabook expressed tapered silhouette, while the rear face is characterized by “cut off” in the direction of the user.
On the right side of wall of HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 is rendered with two activity indicators, combined audio port, card reader, USB 2.0 port and socket charger. On the left you will find a hole for a Kensington lock port USB 3.0, HDMI video output and emerging network port RJ45.
Ergonomics
Front edge HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 ultrabook has a solid groove that helps to pick up the lid with your finger, but it does not allow the famously open it with one hand. The maximum angle of the display is 135 degrees.
The interior design of the display unit is overloaded visually unusual: to start the 13-inch standard-definition matrix covered the glossy plastic, the top of which is placed the HD-camera with an activity indicator. Then turn over the central area of the rubber skirt and finally black glossy plastic. Dimming range of HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 is from 10 to 140 cd/m2 in the range of 10 shades, image quality – average.
Operating panel HP ENVY 13 Spectre XT is almost entirely made of aluminium with the same vertical texture that was used in the processing cover ultrabook. To emphasize the thickness of the sheet metal panels of the stage in the form of the bevel.
Synaptics touchpad on ImagePad located in a small recess with open face of HP ENVY Spectre XT 13. Touch panel with rounded corners and a pair of keys marked up considerably elevated above the level of the substrate, thus accurately determined by touch. In the upper left corner of the active zone is a double tap on that disables the touchpad.
HP ENVY 13 Spectre XT Island keyboard is equipped with removable light and set of built-activity indicators. The top row of function keys is different reverse layout, on the one hand simplifies the brightness control, volume control and management of media content, and on the other hand makes it difficult to use some familiar keyboard shortcuts.
The keyboard of HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 is comfortable enough to use, from the negative things we can only note the decision block arrows and performed a residual Cyrillic markings.
Functionality
Ultrabook HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 is built on energy-efficient version of the Intel Ivy Bridge. The maximum amount of RAM is 4 GB, but the capacity of the SSD, you can choose between a standard or extended to 128 to 256 GB in size.
HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 is available in various configuration one of which is an Intel Core i5-3317U, integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 4000, with 4 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD.
In this configuration, ultrabook scored 5500 points in the PCmark7, 1100 points in 3Dmark11 and 5.9 points in the performance index Windows.
Battery life of HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 is supported by battery capacity of 45 Wh was 1 hour 45 minutes at maximum load, and 6 hours 40 minutes in the emulation mode of reading.
Operation
During operation of HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 one could experience most pleasant experience with its a pretty design, and the minimum thickness and weight of the ultrabook.
Softtach-bottom cover is not just pleasant to the touch, it helps more securely hold ultrabook during transport. Branded utility CoolSense automatically adjusts fan speed to achieve a comfortable, cool the temperature of the surface.
Excellent acoustics proved Beats Audio, using not two, but four speakers. Its sound quality and maximum volume will reject external speakers even demanding audience. Frankly did not like the layout of the block-arrows, and only two USB-connector, but more critical flaws HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 is not detected.
Results
HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 – is a good 13-inch ultrabook to attract the attention of the users actual hardware stuffing, stylish metal body, pretty comfortable keyboard with backlighting and quality acoustics Beats Audio.
Pros:
+ All-metal body
+ Soft-touch bottom cover
+ Keyboard backlight
+ Speaker Beats Audio with 4 speakers
Cons:
– Only two USB
– Layout block arrows
This was all about the HP ENVY Spectre XT 13 Ultrabook whose price is around $1250.
