HP today announced an update to its Spectre x360 15-inch convertible laptop, introducing a new model based on Intel's "Kaby Lake-G" platform: an 8th generation Core processor paired with integrated AMD Radeon RX Vega M graphics. For those who who need NVIDIA graphics, a model of the Spectre x360 15 with Kaby Lake-R processors and NVIDIA's GeForce MX150 is also available.
The new 2018 model of the Spectre x360 15 retains similar styling to its 2017 predecessor, but with a few important changes. Overall thickness is increased from 17.9mm to 19.45mm in order to accommodate the more powerful internal hardware (a change that HP advertises as "2.5X more performance for about a grain of rice thicker"), and the weight increases from 2017's 4.43lbs to 4.62lbs for the Kaby Lake-R model and 4.72lbs for Kaby Lake-G.
The 2018 model also sees a redesigned keyboard. The speaker grills that flanked the 2017 model's keyboard are gone in order to make room for a new edge-to-edge keyboard with numeric keypad. As a result, the laptop's touchpad is shifted left to remain centered with the main keyboard.
Other features include the 15.6-inch Corning Gorilla Glass touchscreen display with a 4K UHD resolution, an 84 Wh battery (good for 13.5 hours of battery life on the Kaby Lake-R model and 12 hours for Kaby Lake-G), USB 3.1 Type-A, HDMI 2.0, an SD Card Reader, and up to two Thunderbolt 3 ports depending on configuration.
Specs and pricing for the Spectre x360 15:
| KBL-R | KBL-R | KBL-G | KBL-G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 8th Gen Intel Core i7 | 8th Gen Intel Core i7 | 8th Gen Intel Core i7 | 8th Gen Intel Core i7 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce MX150 | NVIDIA GeForce MX 150 | Radeon RX Vega M | Radeon RX Vega M |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | 512GB SSD | 256GB SSD | 512GB SSD |
| Display | 15.6-inch UHD Touchscreen | 15.6-inch UHD Touchscreen | 15.6-inch UHD Touchscreen | 15.6-inch UHD Touchscreen |
| Connectivity | 1 x Thunderbolt 3 1 x USB Type-C 3.1 1 x USB Type-A 3.1 1 x HDMI 2.0 SD Card Reader |
1 x Thunderbolt 3 1 x USB Type-C 3.1 1 x USB Type-A 3.1 1 x HDMI 2.0 SD Card Reader |
2 x Thunderbolt 3 1 x USB Type-A 3.1 1 x HDMI 2.0 SD Card Reader |
2 x Thunderbolt 3 1 x USB Type-A 3.1 1 x HDMI 2.0 SD Card Reader |
| Price | $1369.99 | $1599.99 | $1449.99 | $1699.99 |
Beyond the standard configurations shown above, storage upgrades up to 2TB will also be available, although upgrade pricing is not yet available. All models include the standard HP Pen, with the more advanced HP Tilt Pen available as a $90 accessory.
The HP Spectre x360 15 will be available starting March 18th from HP.com and Best Buy.
Only $100 more to go from
Only $100 more to go from MX150 to Vega?
That looks like a no brainer unless Vega does not perform as well as I would think.
Indeed, I was surprised by
Indeed, I was surprised by that too (plus you get an extra Thunderbolt 3 port on the G model). Although everything we're seeing points to very good performance for Vega M in this configuration, with the only downside being battery life (compared to KBL-R).
Now Apple is going to be
Now Apple is going to be forced to use Kaby lake-G on its Macbook pro lineup and I hope that maybe a Macbook air SKU/Macbook lower end Macbook SKU with AMD’s Zen top end mobile APU to put some Fear into the halls of Intel’s headquarters.
AMD needs to get itself some Zen/Vega/HBM2 mobile variants to market to compete with Kaby Lake-G. Apple should be playing AMD against Intel in some of its product lines just to keep the pricing low. So Apple needs to start offering lower cost versions with AMD’s Zen APUs even if it’s only one laptop offering.
I like the thin side bezels.
I like the thin side bezels. Top bezel is too fat though.
Has the camera at the top
Has the camera at the top unlike dell XPS.
G processor and vega graphics
G processor and vega graphics is an absolute no brainer! I imagine the 2tb storage will cost an arm and a leg.
Any word on whether the
Any word on whether the thunderbolt 3 connections will be 2x pcie lanes or 4x pcie lanes?
HP always uses 4 lane
HP always uses 4 lane thunderbolt 3 ports. I would imagine these will definitely be 4 lane.
Does anyone know when the
Does anyone know when the i7-8705g one is coming out? It was supposed to come out on the 18th but no word on it so far.
March 28th according to
March 28th according to reddit. Allegedly, someone spoke with a customer service rep and they said the 28th.
As of today 3/28 3am PST, the
As of today 3/28 3am PST, the HP Spectre w Vega M still not showing as a option on HP site. I did also chat with a HP rep. on 3/18, and was told that it will be available on 3/28. We’ll have to wait and see.
It is there go to the model
It is there go to the model with the mx150 click customize and it is now configurable with the intel i7 8705G
The other question is WHICH
The other question is WHICH Vega GPU is in the system? It’s been reported that there is quite the gap in performance: 1060 vs 1050-1050Ti kinda jump…
I’m hoping it’s the RX Vega M GH not the RX Vega M GL but expect the latter due to the 35w TDP difference…
Here’s the stats for all the units from Ars:
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/01/kaby-lake-g-unveiled-intel-cpu-amd-gpu-nvidia-beating-performance/
@Calamari – I inquired with
@Calamari – I inquired with HP about this and unfortunately for the Spectre its the RX Vega M GL (1050 – 1050ti) graphics card. I was all set to buy this today and the HP rep even offered to waive the 15% restocking fee if I wasn’t happy with the performance, if I purchased today. The inclusion of the GL and the different port options for the AMD is things one has to consider. Its hard to find a laptop that has everything the Spectre offers and a number pad…lol
how can i get a charger for
how can i get a charger for this laptop..i got one of this laptop and now the charger got spoilt