HP Envy 14 Spectre

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Reviews for the HP Envy 14 Spectre

HP Envy 14 Spectre Ultrabook Review
Source: TBreak Archive.org version
So how does the Envy 14 Spectre stack up? It’s certainly a premium Ultrabook that’s reflected in the price tag. But past the looks, it has to be said that it’s one of the more heavier Ultrabooks I’ve tested, which doesn’t make it the most portable in my opinion – you’ll be able to carry it around for a few hours, but swing it into a bag and carry it for the rest of the day and you’ll certainly feel the burden. Having said that, the Envy 14 Spectre is still an Ultrabook to consider if you want something that will stand out from the lineup of rather boring designs that we’ve seen in recent months.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/09/2012

HP Envy 14 Spectre Ultrabook Review
Source: Hardware Canucks Archive.org version
For a company that was prematurely judged to be standing upon its last leg a short time ago, the Spectre is a resounding success. In instead of marching to the beat of the same drummer as other Ultrabook manufacturers, HP has taken a huge risk by introducing a premium device in the hope of exploiting a market segment that has been overlooked. The result is a highly portable, feature rich and unique notebook that mostly justifies its price.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/17/2012

HP Envy 14 Spectre Review: A True MacBook Competitor
Source: PC Perspective Archive.org version
Don’t misunderstand me - I’m not saying the Spectre is better than Apple’s laptops. I am, however, saying that it’s an equal. It makes a few choices that are different from those made at Apple and as a result it’s stronger in some areas and weaker in others, but the Spectre 14 is just as excellent overall. This is an outstanding product that justifies its intimidating price.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/09/2012

70% HP Envy 14 Spectre review
Source: Trusted Reviews Archive.org version
HP’s Envy Spectre 14 dares to be different with its glass lid and palm-rest, and as long as you don’t touch, it’s a very attractive look. However, ultimately it adds unwanted fingerprints, slipperiness and weight, and HP’s decision to combine it with plastic detracts from laptop’s premium feel. This Spectre does have a few other aces up its sleeve. Class-leading audio, a high-res 14in screen and removable battery are among the highlights, as the ability to install two SSDs is not currently available in any UK configuration. Overall then, the HP Envy 14 Spectredoes appeal but not enough to justify its cost.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/25/2012
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 70% performance: 70% features: 80% display: 80% mobility: 60% ergonomy: 80%

67% HP Envy 14 Spectre review: class at a price
Source: PC Authority Archive.org version
The HP Envy 14 Spectre is a high-quality device with a gorgeous display. It brings several unique features, such as NFC and the sliding battery cover, and, despite minor niggles with the keyboard and touchpad, it feels every inch the classy Ultrabook.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/30/2012
Rating: Total score: 67% price: 67% performance: 67% features: 83% ergonomy: 83%

HP Envy 14 Spectre – Review
Source: Gadgetmix Archive.org version
To sum up, the HP Envy 14 Spectre makes up for any comparative performance shortcomingscompared to faster-chipped ultrabooks with its first-class audio system, strong battery life, and sheer good looks. But hold your fire, the Ivy Bridge update will greatly improve performance.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/17/2012

85% HP Envy 14 Spectre Review
Source: Digital Trends Archive.org version
None of the competitors mentioned above is as drop-dead sexy as the Spectre, they all have smaller displays (with the exception of the Ultra M3), and none have integrated media-streaming features. On the other hand, each one of them is less expensive (by several hundred dollars, in some cases), and several are considerably faster than the Spectre.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/30/2012
Rating: Total score: 85%

90% HP Envy 14 Spectre review
Source: Pocket Lint Archive.org version
What HP seems to have done here is make a terrific laptop that plays by its own rules. It's too big and heavy to really be called an Ultrabook and it's really expensive too, especially considering how much cheaper the Dell XPS 13 and Samsung Series 5 Ultrabooks are. But the HP has something that most laptops don't have these days: it has the appeal of premium features, and interesting design.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 04/23/2012
Rating: Total score: 90%

80% HP Envy 14 Spectre – Unbreakable
Source: Hardware Zone Archive.org version
The notebook market is no stranger to premium prices based on luxury looks and design. After all, most of Apple and Sony’s range is based on this philosophy - so it’s great to see HP trying something new. The black glass style of the Spectre is clean and modern, without being too novel so as to look dated in a few years.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/02/2012
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 65% performance: 80% mobility: 70%

80% HP Envy 14 Spectre
Source: PC World Archive.org version
You’ll need to weigh a few trade-offs with the Spectre: It has a bit more heft and slightly reduced performance compared with most Ultrabooks, but it also offers a much better display, a good keyboard, and an excellent pointing device. It’s also not inexpensive, with the base unit costing about $1299 (as of March 29, 2012), so you should factor that in as well. In the end, HP’s Envy 14 Spectre falls just short of being a classic--but it doesn’t disappoint, either.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/29/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% Glass Act
Source: Wired Magazine Archive.org version
The only real drawback to the Spectre is its weight: The extra screen size is negligible, but that extra pound is meaningful if you’re considering this machine against a true ultrabook. Also, it remains to be seen how durable a glass laptop would be in daily use. (One thing you will notice off the bat, though, is how quickly it picks up fingerprints.) But one thing’s for sure: That glass lid ensures the Spectre will be a real conversation piece — even more so if you manage to shatter it.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/26/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%

70% HP Envy 14 Spectre
Source: Techreview Source Archive.org version
The HP Envy 14 Spectre joins the popular category of ultrabook laptop computers. It offers a vibrant 14-inch display, a glass lid and a very sleek design. In terms of power, the Spectre has an Intel Core i5 CPU, a 128GB SSD HD and overall good performance.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/19/2012
Rating: Total score: 70%

80% HP Envy 14 Spectre
Source: CNet Archive.org version
There may be a reason most laptops are anonymous-looking gray boxes. When you do see a unique design, such as the Dell Adamo XPS or Acer Iconia, it's often too quirky to catch on, or else the company behind it doesn't give it enough time to find an audience before ditching the idea.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/14/2012
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 70% mobility: 80%

60% HP Envy 14 Spectre Review and Ratings
Source: Computer Shopper Archive.org version
Right now, if you were to characterize the “age” of laptops in the same way that historians look at epochs—say, the Stone Age, the Bronze Age—we’d have to dub the 2010s, so far, the Aluminum Age. The Envy 14 Spectre looks sensational in its glassy, stylish shell and delivers terrific audio. This ultrabook is quite pricey, however, for the level of performance it delivers.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/14/2012
Rating: Total score: 60%

HP Envy 14 Spectre review
Source: Engadget Archive.org version
On its own, the Envy 14 Spectre is a nice laptop. And we mean that in the most superficial way: this is one of the loveliest, most memorable machines we've tested recently, and its 1600 x 900 display is unparalleled -- at least in the Ultrabook category, where it's slim pickings for high-quality screens.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/14/2012

80% HP Envy 14 Spectre Review
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
The HP Envy 14 Spectre is a highly functional work of art, fusing stunning good looks with strong performance, a fast boot time, good audio and satisfying battery life. However, the design feels a little heavy for a notebook without an optical drive, and the $1,399 price is $100 more than the 13-inch MacBook Air. If you can live with a slightly heavier design, you could pick up the Dell XPS 14z, which features a faster Core i7 processor and switchable Nvidia graphics for $200 less than the HP. Consumers looking for a more portable Ultrabook should also check out the $999 Asus Zenbook UX31, which has comparable specs to the Spectre but a smaller screen. Overall, though, the HP Envy Spectre is a great choice for consumers searching for an Ultrabook with a one-of-a-kind design.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 03/14/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% HP Envy 14 Spectre
Source: PC Mag Archive.org version
Battery life aside, if the HP Envy 14 Spectre isn't a performance standout compared to other ultrabooks, well, there's nothing wrong with focusing on a sleek appearance and elegant user experience rather than raw power. The HP Folio 13 retains our Editors' Choice because it's a better value, but if you can afford its price premium, the Envy 14 Spectre will give you a larger, higher-resolution display, an excellent keyboard, and a handful of genuine niceties or little touches, all in a gorgeous glass wrapper. It's a welcome addition to the ultrabook ranks.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/13/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%

HP Envy 14 Spectre Review
Source: Slashgear Archive.org version
Without a doubt, the HP Envy 14 Spectre is one of the best ultrabooks we’ve ever tested. Solid performance, unique style, plenty of inputs and a gorgeous high-resolution screen make it a joy to use. This is the first ultrabook that’s seriously tempted me to give up my hulking full-sized daily driver laptop, because there really are no compromises, so long as you can live without a disc drive and down’t mind giving the glass lid a wipe down every once in a while.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/13/2012

67% HP Envy 14 Spectre review
Source: PC Pro Archive.org version
HP’s Ultrabook certainly doesn’t pull any punches. It has by far the best display of its rivals, crams in novel features such as NFC, and despite some minor niggles with the keyboard and touchpad, it feels every inch the classy Ultrabook. Unfix your gaze from that glorious display and glass-clad body, however, and there’s one insurmountable obstacle to the Envy 14 Spectre’s success: its price. Slated for release at £1,199, it isn’t only more expensive than the Apple MacBook Air, but it's also £200 more expensive than the Asus Zenbook UX31E. When you consider Asus’ Ultrabook is faster, longer-lasting, arguably better looking and far more rugged than its rival, the HP Envy 14 Spectre is, while entirely lovely in its own right, comparatively poor value.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 02/22/2012
Rating: Total score: 67% price: 50% performance: 67% features: 83% ergonomy: 83%

80% HP Envy 14 Spectre review
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
The HP Envy 14 Spectre is the most media-centred Ultrabook, with a larger 14-inch screen, 1600 x 900 pixel resolution and Beats audio technology. But it won't win over fans looking for performance and portability, due to the lower spec processor and bulky Gorilla Glass chassis. If you can overcome the steep asking price then the HP Envy 14 Spectre is a well-built and stylish way to transport and enjoy your music, movies and do a spot of image editing.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/08/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% HP ENVY 14 Spectre review
Source: T3 Archive.org version
We see the HP Envy 14 Spectre as being the ‘cool kid’ of the Ultrabook class, with its Beats audio branding, high resolution 14-inch screen and Gorilla Glass casing. It’s a highly usable laptop, with only the integrated click buttons on the touchpad giving us grief. At first, we had worries about the slightly chunkier casing but this was tempered by the joy we felt when we spotted the HDMI port and Ethernet port HP has included on the chassis. This is undoubtedly the Ultrabook for media enthusiasts and, although the hefty price may put some off, is sure to garner its fair share of support.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/26/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%

HP ENVY 14 Spectre review: Hands-on
Source: T3 Archive.org version
On first impressions, the HP Envy 14 Spectre certainly looks like it'll be a strong contender in the battle of the ultrabooks. Its slick exterior, excellent video quality and the inclusion of Beats Audio impressed us, while the long battery life and NFC capability are also strong selling points that we hope to try out in more detail as soon as we get our mitts on a review sample. The price tag may be a stumbling block for some, but the larger-than-average 14-inch screen gives it a definite advantage over some of its ultrabook stable mates. Stay tuned for a full review.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/13/2012

70% HP Envy 14 Spectre review
Source: CNet Archive.org version
Ultrabook is the buzz word this year, with a swathe of launches planned. The HP Envy 14 Spectre's glassy design makes it stand out from most ultrabooks, but it's fatter, heavier and pricier than its competitors, which is likely to put many off. If you're after an ultrabook purely for portable use, your money looks to be better spent elsewhere.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/12/2012
Rating: Total score: 70%

HP Envy 14 Spectre adds Beats to the Ultrabook party
Source: Pocket Lint Archive.org version
With HP recently reiterating its commitment to its PC division, it is with no surprise that the company has jumped feet first into the ever filling Ultrabook pool with the CES launch of the HP Envy 14 Spectre.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/10/2012

HP Envy 14 Spectre Ultrabook pictures and hands-on
Source: Pocket Lint Archive.org version
The HP Envy 14 Spectre may be a crash diet or two away from rivalling the likes of the new Samsung Series 9, or the Acer Aspire S5, but what it lacks in svelteness it more than makes up for in substance.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/10/2012

HP Envy 14 Spectre first look
Source: Trusted Reviews Archive.org version
The HP Spectre is a beautifully designed laptop and, despite the presence of miles of glass, it has managed to retain the thin and light credentials needed to meet Intel's Ultrabook standards. While some of the design decisions seem a little odd, overall the look and feel of the HP Spectre is classy and its superb screen will make watching films a pleasure.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/10/2012

Foreign Reviews

70% HP Envy 14 Spectre: Notebook mit Deckel aus Gorillaglas
Source: ZDNet DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/27/2012
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 60% performance: 70% mobility: 70%

HP Envy 14 Spectre
Source: Netzwelt DE→EN Archive.org version
good equipment
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/10/2012

고급스러움, 높은 사용 편의성, 휴대성의 조화 - HP 엔비 14 스펙터 (외형편)
Source: Notegear KO→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/22/2012

Comment

Series:

With everything getting slimmer, HP's Envy 14 Spectre is one of the reincarnations of ultrabooks by HP. Previous laptops which fell into Intel’s specification for ultrabooks were enclosed in either a 11” or 13” inch body. Only recently, we’ve been seeing new variations of these premium laptops.

The unique touch to this 14” HP envy Spectre would be its tough glass-covered design, which makes it not only stylish but also stays cool. Whilst Dell has used the Corning's scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass for the display of its XPS 13z and 14 ultrabooks, HP has goon a step further by covering the entire display, lid and arm rest with this glass. It feels durable and sleek at the same time. However, all this comes with a price, which is the slightly heavier feel to it but still remains lighter than many other laptops.

For a slim 14-inch ultrabook body, it comes with most requirements that are expected for a regular 14 “laptop. The available ports and the Beats powered audio system is certainly sufficient to cater for a regular mainstream use. Another major feature which sets it apart from the rest is it’s built in NFC chip. The near feel communication technology has already made its way through smart phones and it could potentially facilitate laptop users as well for wireless data transfer purposes. The multitouch touchpad also feels very responsive for a Windows laptop by far. The only downside to this ultrabook would be the asking price. A similarly equipped Dell XPS 14 ultrabook would cost at least €200 lesser.

Intel HD Graphics 3000: Integrated graphics card in the Intel Sandy Bridge processors (Core ix-2xxx). The HD 3000 is the faster (internally GT2 called) version with 12 Execution Units (EUs).

Only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

2467M: Power saving ULV processor clocked at 1.6-2.3 GHz due to Turbo boost. Offers an integrated HD 3000 clocked at slow 350 / 1150 MHz and a DDR3-1333 memory controller.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.

14.00":

There are hardly any tablets in this display size range anymore. For subnotebooks, on the other hand, it is the standard format.

The advantage of subnotebooks is that the entire laptop can be small and therefore easily portable. The smaller display also has the advantage of requiring less power, which further improves battery life and thus mobility. The disadvantage is that reading texts is more strenuous on the eyes. High resolutions are more likely to be found in standard laptops.

HP: Founded in 1939, the US company is a major server and printer manufacturer and one of the leading IT companies in the world. Until 2015, the company was called Hewlett-Packard Company. After a split, the computer division was renamed HP Inc.

In 2023, HP had an approximate market share of 22% of global PC sales, making it number 2 after Lenovo.

75.82%: This rating is not earth-shattering. This rating must actually be seen as average, since there are about as many devices with worse ratings as better ones. A purchase recommendation can only be seen with a lot of goodwill, unless it is about websites that generally rate strictly.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

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