A silent but pervasive revolution has occurred in laptop design. Tablets haven't replaced them, as some analysts forecasted when the iPad was first launched; but laptops did a huge evolution in the last few years
cannibalizing features introduced by tablets, like touch-screen displays, pens and a simpler interface. These new devices, the convertible PCs, are a new hybrid generation of laptops which can be used in the traditional way, but also as tablets or media stations. HP produces some of the best that you can buy today and among them the elegant and slim 13" HP Spectre x360, which delivers great performances and extra long battery life. It's an excellent device – great screen, premium audio, slim body – enriched by many gorgeous details: the angled “diamond” edges of the corners, the rhomboid-shaped pattern of the B&O speakers, the charger's cloth-braided cable. It's one of the best examples of the new design-centred approach of HP, a company founded back in 1939. “At a baseline, laptops today are all about the right balance – battery life, power, weight and feature sets: at HP we strive to go much further than that with our focus on design”, says Kevin Massaro, VP, Consumer Product Design of HP. “These devices are extensions of who we are and what we do. From a product that turns heads with its precision jewel cut surfaces to confidence of knowing the battery will last more than 20 hours”.

What are the main design trends in laptop industry today?
The predominant conversation in laptops today is on materials. We are always trying to push the boundary in this area. For our metal chassis designs, we are focused on the craft of CNC in creating beautiful surfaces that are otherwise unachievable in more conventional means that you would see in an aluminium pressing/stamping. For our Spectre Folio, we changed the conversation on what defines a premium material in a laptop with the inclusion of a leather chassis.

How do you achieve balancement between features and details?
The key features we believe consumers care about are superb design, security, and performance. Craftmanship and detail are immediately apparent in the device, which features a gorgeous gem cut design. Functional design is equally important, which is why the angled USB-C port is now placed on the right side of the device for better cable management. It is also equipped with leading security features, such as the privacy camera kill switch, that allows the user to electrically turn off the webcam when not in use.

The keyboard is responsive and easy to use. Did you use any particular strategy in designing it?**
Test, refine, test. Keyboards are one of the most important parts of the notebook as you want the experience to be the best and most responsive. In addition to Human Factor team evaluations, we have a rigorous set of performance tests that the keyboards go through.

The charging cable comes wrapped in fabric. It’s functional and beautiful. How did you come up with such an idea?
The authenticity of material is an important aspect of our Spectre line. Going further with a material that had a tactile quality, was easy to wrap and was an extension of the visual experience was important to us.

You can flip the screen and transform the device into a tablet. What kind of challenge is there in doing such a kind of device?
With its design chiselled by CNC machines, this precision-crafted unibody device was engineered with artful, refined durability. Generally speaking, we design our x360 laptops focusing on additional strength, durability and resistance; qualities a convertible laptop needs to endure all the additional ‘stress’ given by its innovative form factor.    

What are the advantages of a convertible device like this vs a detachable notebook/tablet?
There are a few advantages. In a detachable, the question of where the to put the keyboard always comes into play whereas the keyboard to a 360 never gets lost. Another aspect is lap usage. Typically a detachable design will put all of the essential hardware in the panel side requiring a kickstand to support itself. In a lap, the kickstand can often be more problematic as it becomes a much longer device to balance in your lap. The 360 works perfectly in your lap.

This laptop is part of your collaboration with Bang & Olufsen.
Audio plays an important role in the experience customers have on their PCs, tablets and accessories, whether it’s watching a movie, listening to music or communicating with friends and family. We decided to work with Bang & Olufsen because of their passion and expertise to custom-tune each device for precise sound. Moreover, all HP devices that carry the Bang & Olufsen or B&O PLAY brand, which isolates the sensitive audio circuits from other signals on the motherboard, reduce background noise to help further perfect the audio experience.

HP unveiled a “leather laptop”, the Spectre Folio. What’s in the future HP’s design story, more organic materials? Maybe a PC with a foldable screen?
Wait and see… this is just the beginning 😊.