HP Launched New 15 Inches Spectre x360 Uses The hybrid Intel/AMD Processor Learnonlinee

HP has a pair of new laptops at CES 2018 this year, although the word new is kind of a stretch. That’s because, like many other laptop companies at the show this year, what HP means by “new” is “updated versions of our models from last year”, because truly there is nothing new under the sun.

When news broke of Intel’s cooperation to design a processor with its archrival AMD, many felt it sounded a lot like “human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, MASS HYSTERIA,” to quote the comic genius of Bill Murray. However, as odd as it may seem, Intel’s collaboration with AMD to integrate Sunnyvale’s Radeon RX Vega graphics core on the same chip packaging as its 8th Gen Core series processor, makes for a powerful 1-2 punch combination for thin and light laptops. Now known as Kaby Lake G, or more officially as Intel’s 8Th Generation Core Processor With AMD Radeon RX Vega M Graphics, the chip offers some of Intel’s fastest quad-core mobile CPU technology, combined with AMD’s Radeon Vega GPU core and coupled with 4 Gigabytes of fast HBM2 (High Bandwidth Memory). The chip connects these various elements up with something Intel calls an EMIB (Embedded Multi-Die Interconnect Bridge), that provides high-speed data transfer between all of its high-performance subsystems. 

The new Spectre x360 15 is one of the first systems to be announced that uses the new Kaby Lake-G processors from Intel. These processors combine an Intel CPU (with its own integrated GPU) with an AMD GPU, all within a single package.

While Intel has positioned the Kaby Lake-G as a gaming chip—the company's benchmark scores are all games—the Spectre x360 15 doesn't have the usual bright LEDs and garish design of gaming systems. It uses HP's "Dark Ash Silver" with "Copper Luxe Accents" color scheme that we've seen on a few of the company's machines over the last few years. The color scheme is attractive and serious, but with enough accents to add visual interesta. The Intel-based Envy x2 is set to release sometime in the spring, although pricing, exact release dates, and details regarding cellular carrier partners have yet to be announced.

On the software side of things, HP has its new Omen Game Stream software, which lets you stream games from your Omen gaming PC to a less powerful computer on your network, similar to Nvidia’s GameStream technology on the Shield.

HP has also announced a refreshed version of its Envy x2 hybrid tablet. The 1.65lb, 12.3 inch, 1920×1280 tablet has a detachable keyboard/cover/stand, a fanless Kaby Lake processor, Windows Hello facial recognition, stylus support, and 5MP front/13MP rear webcams. Integrated LTE is optional.

And if you don't want an Intel chip at all, an ARM version of the Envy x2 was announced last year. HP claims as much as 20 hours of battery life, with integrated LTE, with the same screen, keyboard, and stylus support.

And last but not least, HP has a new “Spectre Tote Bag”, made from full grain leather with a dedicated “tech pocket” designed to carry all your devices, and an optional battery pack that can charge multiple devices at once on the go