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HP surely caught us by surprise when it unveiled the Spectre 13.3 laptop several weeks ago. In addition to staking a claim for being the thinnest notebook out there, the Windows 10 newcomer introduces bold new logo and gawk-worthy design language.

Combined, the above features generated a level of excitement that's not typical for HP products. They also make the laptop a serious rival to the sleek and premium Apple MacBook family.

The Spectre 13.3 has a whole lot more than design to show for however. Despite its ultra-thin design and lightweight construction, HP's latest notebook is a serious machine with top-shelf hardware on board.

In the Metal

HP Spectre 13.3 is simply gorgeous in the metal. Thanks to a combination of an ultra-thin body, beautiful colors and textures, and numerous intricate design details, the notebook stands tall in an upmarket segment that's getting increasingly crowded every day.

The notebook's build quality is solid as expected. The HP Spectre 13.3 has an all-metal body and display covered by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, so it looks and feels incredibly well put together.

One build-quality niggle worth mentioning about the HP Spectre 13.3 is the proneness of its glossy elements to fingerprints. The trait is particularly on display around the device's connectors and hinges.

Because it is the thinnest laptop in its class, the HP Spectre 13.3 has a several design quirks. They include connectivity ports and an audio jack located on the back of the notebook, as well as large screen bezels.

Hardware

HP offers the Spectre 13.3 with a choice of a sixth-generation Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processor. Both options come standard with 8GB of RAM and a 13.3-inch display with a Full HD resolution (1,920 by 1,080 pixels).

Every notebook in the range comes standard with an SSD. Available capacity options include 256GB and 512GB.

In order to achieve the impressive thinness of the Spectre 13.3, HP got really creative and forward-thinking with the wired connectivity ports of the notebook. The device has three USB Type-C ports — one for charging and two with Intel Thunderbolt support. The latter allows users to connect optional accessories such as a 4K monitor to the notebook via an optional dock.

It's worth noting that HP has bundled a dongle with full USB connector in the retail package of the Spectre 13.3. It allows users to connect their USB flash drives and other accessories right out of the box.

Wireless connectivity options of the Spectre 13.3 cover all the basics. The notebook features Wi-Fi 801.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2. An HD webcam comes standard on every configuration.

The laptop weighs just under 2.5 pounds, and measures 10.4 millimeters at its thickest point. Every Spectre 13.3 packs a four-cell 38 Wh battery.

Display

The 13.3-inch display of the HP Spectre 13.3 is bright, vivid, and reasonably crisp. Its resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels was one of the compromises the tech giant had to make in order to make the notebook thin yet long lasting in terms of battery life.

Lack of touchscreen functionality is another tradeoff HP had to make in order to make the Spectre 13.3 as thin as it is. This somewhat limits the appeal of the notebook when compared to some of its Windows 10 rivals, as touch-friendly interface is one of the key features of Microsoft's OS.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The keyboard of the HP Spectre 13.3 is excellent. Its backlit keys are well-spaced and offer excellent tactile feedback, so even discerning on-the-go typists should be pleased.

HP's glass trackpad is also stellar. It is among the best solutions in its class, though we genuinely wish that it was a bit more spacious.

Battery Life

HP Spectre 13.3 has a clever hybrid lithium polymer battery, whose four cells have been distributed in the notebook's housing to ensure optimal thinness. The manufacturer promises up to nine hours of battery life on a single charge, though, unsurprisingly, the real-life usage numbers came out lower.

During our time with the Intel Core i7-equipped notebook, we averaged between six and seven hours of battery life on a charge. While the results were not as wow-inducing as the manufacturer's claims, we reckon that the notebook's battery performance is sufficient for most users, especially considering its hardware and form factor.

Performance

We got to test the top-spec variant of the HP Spectre 13.3 with Intel Core i7 CPU and 8GB of RAM. Unsurprisingly, the notebook felt fast and incredibly responsive on all occasions. Even heavier computing tasks are possible with the notebook.

HP deserves a lot of credit for being able to cram an Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 CPU into the sleek body of the Spectre 13.3. Many of the device's competitors are equipped with significantly less powerful Intel Core m processors in order to stay slim.

The thermal performance of the notebook is impressive as well. In order to accommodate to powerful CPU, HP came up with innovative hyperbaric cooling system, which pushes hot air out of the device, while drawing in cold air.

HP boasts that the Spectre 13.3 features speakers tuned by the audio wizards from Bang & Olufsen. Placed on the sides of the keyboard, the speakers sound pleasantly crisp, but lacking in terms of bass. This is not a surprise considering the ultra-thin body of the notebook.

Conclusion

The HP Spectre 13.3 is a pleasant new entry by the tech giant that's handily its most desirable notebook available today. It is gorgeous to look at, exceptionally well-crafted, and plenty powerful even for seasoned mobile power users.

HP deserves a whole lot of credit not only for the intricate design of the laptop, but also for its stellar hardware. Packing an Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processor into a body this thin and keeping it cool is no small feat. Like we mentioned, most entries in the field make do with a less capable Core m processor instead.

Of course, having so much power in a body this thin requires compromises. We wish that the ports of the Spectre 13.3 were more conveniently placed. A higher-resolution display with touchscreen functionality would have been welcome as well.

The pricing of HP Spectre 13.3 kicks off at $1,170 for a version with Intel Core i5 CPU. An Intel Core i7 variant is available for $1,250, so it's the one to go for.

As far as rivals go, the HP Spectre 13.3 is aimed squarely at the likes of Apple's MacBook and MacBook Air. The former packs a higher-resolution display, but an inferior Core m processor and wired connectivity options. The MacBook Air, on the other hand, packs the same hardware punch as the Spectre 13.3 and better battery life, but its screen is not as sharp as that of HP's offering.

In the Windows 10 realm, buyers should take a look at the XPS 13 by Dell as an alternative to the Spectre 13.3. The Dell is thicker, but more versatile thanks to its optional touchscreen. It has a smaller footprint too, though it lacks the conversation-worthy design and thinness of the Spectre.

HP's Spectre 13.3 is a product of obsessive design and engineering. Its old-school functionality and design quirks might not appeal to everyone, but those who are willing to look past them will love what the notebook has to offer.

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Photos by Stefan Vazharov

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