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HP Envy Spectre XT review

Our Rating :
Price when reviewed : £805
inc VAT

Great looks, good SSD, but we don't like its display

Specifications

13.3 in 1,366×768 display, 1.4kg, 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-3317U, 4.00GB RAM, 128GB disk, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk
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Unfortunately, the display didn’t impress us. Although the 1,366×768 resolution is to be expected from a mid-range laptop, its glossy finish makes it all but impossible to see clearly in bright sunlight, something that’s exacerbated by distinctly average brightness levels. There’s a reasonable amount of screen tilt, but the TN panel has predictably poor viewing angles. We also found the display surround and hinges to be the one weak link in terms of build quality, as they’re made from plastic and feel flimsy. This is a shame, as the rest of the body is built from aluminium.

HP Envy Spectre XT

The Spectre XT is a Windows 7 Ultrabook. If you want a touchscreen and Windows 8, you’ll have to buy the much more expensive Spectre XT Touchsmart. This model includes free copies of Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, and both are welcome additions to HP’s usual array of bundled software. Should you just want Windows 8, you should consider the HP Envy Spectre XT 13-2100ea, which has the same specification and is priced similarly.

The Spectre XT gives a good first impression thanks to its all-metal construction, SSD and reasonable price. However, its mediocre display lets down what would otherwise be a great mid-range Ultrabook.

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Basic Specifications

Rating ***
Processor Intel Core i5-3317U
Processor clock speed 1.7GHz
Memory 4.00GB
Memory slots 2
Memory slots free 0
Maximum memory 8GB
Size 380x255x22mm
Weight 1.4kg
Sound Beats audio
Pointing device touchpad

Display

Viewable size 13.3 in
Native resolution 1,366×768
Graphics Processor Intel HD 4000
Graphics/video ports HDMI
Graphics Memory 384MB

Storage

Total storage capacity 128GB
Optical drive type none

Ports and Expansion

Bluetooth yes
Wired network ports 1x 10/100/1000
Wireless networking support 802.11n
PC Card slots none
Supported memory cards SDXC, MMC
Other ports minijack headset port, 1x USB 3.0

Miscellaneous

Carrying case No
Operating system Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Operating system restore option restore partition
Software included Adobe Photoshop elements, Adobe Premiere elements
Optional extras none

Buying Information

Warranty one year RTB
Price £805
Details www.hp.co.uk
Supplier http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk