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  • Jambe - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    I actually like the aesthetics of these things. The glossy screens really put me off but otherwise, I like 'em.
  • Mamapajama - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    I'm pleasantly surprised HP decided to refresh the 15 and 17, but more importantly, they had me at "1080p IPS Radiance." The Radiance on my 14 was impressive, but IMO there was bit too much hype about the display; when I first unboxed the otherwise beautiful 14, I thought that the screen's viewing angles were average (especially vertical). The color reproduction/saturation were above average, to be sure, but I got more of the impression that the glossiness of the screen had more do with that than the actual "supposedly" higher quality panel.

    On another note, I didn't think I'd be considering another HP laptop so soon, but if they fixed the trackpad woes of the Envy 14 (even w/ numerous 3rd party software, it wasn't the most comfortable thing to use) and previous Envy 15, this little guy (new 15) is looking more and more like the elusive "perfect" laptop.
  • ananduser - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    The previous gen VaioZ was pretty much perfect (IMO off course).
  • Chinoman - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    Even if it's the mobility series, that's some pretty big news.
  • JarredWalton - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    You never know -- it could just be a rebadge of an existing part. The HD 6500M series is the same as the old HD 5600M for example. Actually, I just did a quick look online and found this:
    http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-7450M.5...

    So at least one 7400M part is a renamed 6400M. Weak, but not too surprising.
  • Shadowmage - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    Toshiba's ultrabook also comes with full-size ethernet, USB 3.0, and 128GB SSD standard (as well as full-size HDMI and VGA). It only weighs 2.5lb and also starts at $899. However, its LCD panel isn't very good. If HP has a higher resolution panel with good contrast then they could potentially have a winner here.

    Any info on the LCD panel used in the Folio 13?
  • jrocks84 - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    Unfortunately other sources like Engadget are saying that the Folio is only 1366x768.
  • Dustin Sklavos - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    Confirmed, it's only 1366x768.
  • Formul - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    the first one looks like a weird macbook pro clone with numeric keypad glued to it
  • inplainview - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    Genau....
  • ananduser - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    True it is similar but only through convergent design. A clone implies active copying, The Envy, all HP's Envy-s are descendants of Voodoo's Envy. They upped the original Voodoo masterpiece and arrived to a similar macbook look - although the original Envy's carbon finish was kinda blocky.
  • Kougar - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    Love the look of that new dm4 line.

    The Folio at least sounds exactly what I'm looking for... an ultrabook with a focus on battery capacity to deliver extended mobility. The SSD is a big plus, and the price looks good too. Now just to see about that display they used... can't wait to see how much better the battery life gets with an Ivy Bridge chip, should be awesome.
  • KPOM - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    To me, the Folio 13 has real promise in the enterprise, since it has an attractive price ($899 for a 1.6GHz i5) and feature set, including a 9-hour battery. HP is respected in the enterprise, and if they could get an "Elitebook" branded Folio 13, my guess is it would start appearing on corporate approved lists, and perhaps start replacing the 4.5-5.5lb standard issue enterprise notebooks.
  • leegroves86 - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    First: "The review units were all using the next generation of AMD Radeon HD mobile graphics but unfortunately I don't have any more details than that"
    ....
    Then: The dm4 series will also be upgraded to optional AMD Radeon HD 7470M graphics

    Hmmm, next generation Radeon 7 series revealed...
  • Dug - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    I would like to know about that too.
  • tmensonides - Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - link

    Any word on an update to the 14? That is the sweet spot for me if they could get a better, higher res, screen in it....
  • Nancymbsmo - Thursday, November 17, 2011 - link

    This <a href="http://www.techiecop.com/hp-stepped-into-ultrabook... Folio 13 is designed to take full advantage of the touch capabilities featured in Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system. What else we need?? just we need to wait till December.
  • EthanW - Thursday, November 17, 2011 - link

    I like the look of the Folio, but they need to lose the trackpad. Given that it looks exactly the same as the current Pavilion DV line, I'm going to assume it's the same one. In which case, the texture is great, but the buttons just suck. Sure, you'll be tap-to-click-ing most of the time, but until such time as they get smooth two-finger right-click gestures up and running, people will still need to use that right-click button - don't make them hate using it.

    And the screen isn't up to par at 1366x768. They can and should use a higher-res display, even if it costs more. The whole point of the ultrabooks is that people are prepared to pay a little more for the quality. This isn't the budget consumer market. HP has a trend of building PCs the a price rather than engineering a good product and pricing accordingly; they are going to need to fix this if they want to revive their long-lost reputation in the consumer market.

    Almost there, HP. Just don't be afraid to turf your old designs and build something from scratch, without cutting corners. Make your premium line stand out from the budget crap and people will be less likely to tar them with the same brush.
  • Penti - Friday, November 18, 2011 - link

    I'm interested in how the screen quality will turn out, I would need the 1920x1080 option as the standard "HD" 1366x768 is way to low for a real desktop replacement machine.

    I guess the upgrade option would be too costly though thanks to the (rumored?) IPS panel, and to add to that HPs is usually a pain to get customized/bto or in different configurations at least here in Sweden. Retail won't really carry the radiance 1920x1080 version and if they do it probably still won't be specced out to your wishes or will end up way high in cost.

    I like it that HP is one of the few that really pushes for mini/DisplayPort on most products though, missing that like many other brands especially in the consumer line make it impossible to say hook it up on your desk to a 2560x1600 screen. Or anything over 1920x1080/1200 for that matter. DP, USB 3.0 and discrete graphics will get any products a long way in my book any way might still be downsides to consider and reject the products though. Nothing is perfect and it all depends on your current needs, demands, wants and budget and how you plan to use it. Interesting to see what they can make off it.

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