CES 2012: HP Unveils Glass Covered Envy 14 Spectre Laptop

HP has unveiled its first glass-encased laptop at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

The HP Envy 14 Spectre represents HP’s latest entry into the ultrabook category of PCS which are expected to dominate proceedings at CES this year.

Heart of glass

The 14 inch Spectre was teased by HP last week, and is the first ultrabook to use Gorilla Glass on the display, palm rests and lid. The high-definition screen boasts a resolution of 1600 x 900 and the computer is powered by an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor.

Near Field Communication (NFC) support allows users to transfer website links from nearby mobile phones, while it also features built-in wireless links to speakers. The Spectre will be available from next month, with prices starting at $1,400 (£904), which is more expensive than Apple’s MacBook Air.

PC sales slowed down in 2011, but the advent of the ultrabook, championed by Intel, has led many to believe that they will be the major growth driver of the industry in 2012, especially as prices are expected to fall by as much as 20 percent in the coming year.

Ultrabooks have been dubbed as Windows versions of the MacBook Air, which are often less expensive, use flash storage and can boot up in ten seconds. Before CES began, many predicted that they would be the stars of the show, with Lenovo, Asus, Dell and many other manufacturers all expected to show their wares. Only yesterday, Acer unveiled the world’s thinnest ultrabook, the Acer Aspire 5.

The tough surface which backs the HP Envy 14 Spectre, Gorilla Glass, is also expected to receive an upgrade in Las Vegas. Gorilla Glass protects delicate screens on most tablets, smartphones and many laptops and the next generation will be 20 percent thinner and lighter than the current product. Gorilla Glass 2 is likely to be on display this week and it is rumoured that it will be used in Apple’s upcoming TV.