CES 2016: HP Inc. Updates Laptops And Hybrids With OLED Option

HP Inc. Throws Hat Into Laptop Ring

The CES laptop battle is heating up.

HP Inc. proved Tuesday it isn't messing around when it comes to keeping its edge as a leading innovative and reliable PC maker. Here at CES 2016, HP unleashed a bevy of glitzy consumer and commercial tablets, 2-in-1s, convertible PCs and laptops. The goal, the company said, is to not just blur but remove the line between consumer and commercial PCs as millennials hit the workforce and demand style, mobility and performance.

HP Inc. Tuesday released a Spectre x360 hybrid with an OLED display, just a day after Lenovo unveiled its first OLED hybrid. The HP Inc. line of systems also packs even more processing power and battery life into increasingly smaller and more stylish chassis.

Both HP Inc.'s consumer and commercial lines received big updates. The moves answer Lenovo's challenge as it unleashed a product blitz of its own on Monday. Dell is expected to chime in with its own product blitz this week.

For now, let's take a look at what HP Inc. has in store for 2016.

OLED Heads To Spectre x360 Convertible Hybrids

OLED is now an option for new 13.3-inch and 15.6-inch Spectre x360 hybrid PCs, delivering 2,560 x 1,600 resolution 4K displays. This is a big deal. OLED displays, typically used in smartphones and tablets, have advantages over LCD displays. OLED displays are more power-efficient, thinner and can display a wider range of colors that deliver crisper images.

HP Inc. said the new OLED options will be available starting in March, but didn't say how much extra the features would cost.

Spectre 360: 15.6-Inch, 13.3-Inch Convertibles

This rev of the popular Spectre 360 line is HP Inc.'s thinnest and lightest convertible PC to date. Specs include a 4K Ultra HD 3,840 x 2,160-pixel touch screen, Intel's 6th i7 or i5 generation processor options and up to 13 hours of battery life (with the i5 model). Standard features include a USB-C port (for charging and external peripheral connectivity), an HDMI port and Mini-DisplayPort port for external monitor expansion. The Spectre also features front-facing Bang & Olufsen quad speakers and a full-size backlit keyboard with a total weight of 4.12 pounds for the 15.6-inch model.

The 15.6-inch diagonal Spectre x360 is expected to be available on Feb. 14 at a starting price of $1,150. The 13.3-inch diagonal Spectre x360 is expected to be available in spring 2016 with unconfirmed pricing. Both models can be configured with the OLED options, again, with pricing not yet disclosed.

HP Inc.'s Affordable Microsoft Surface Alternative: 12.1-inch Pavilion X2 12

HP Inc. said it would start shipping its 12.1-inch Pavilion X2 12 next month at a base price of $500. The tablet will feature Intel's 1.44GHz Cherry Trail processor and can be configured with up to a 256-GB solid-state drive. Standard features also include a full-size detachable keyboard (which uses a magnetic connector), a USB Type-C port and 1,920 x 1,280 resolution 12-inch display. The tablet and keyboard weigh 3.2 pounds and is 0.3 of an inch thick and can go just more than eight hours between charges. The Pavilion X2 will be available next month.

EliteBook Folio

The EliteBook Folio, which HP Inc. dubbed its "sleekest business-class notebook to date," prides itself on its thin and light design -- at 12.4mm thick, the new notebook is 21 percent slimmer and 15 percent lighter than the company's Elitebook 1020.

The aluminum-bodied 12.5-inch notebook has a 180-degree piano hinge, which is perfect for users who are looking for a flexible, thin product to travel with. The EliteBook Folio comes with a full-size HP Premium Keyboard and Windows 10 gesture-enabled clickpad, as well as two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3.

With up to 10 hours of battery life, this notebook also includes Windows 10 Pro and is powered by Intel's sixth-generation Skylake processors. The EliteBook Folio will become available in March starting at $999.

EliteBook 1040 G3

HP Inc. took the wraps off its 14-inch business-class Elite notebook, the EliteBook 1040 G3.

Running on Windows 10 Pro and powered by sixth-generation Intel Core vPro processors, the EliteBook 1040 G4 contains the Elite line's signature aluminum body and thin, durable design. It also contains DDR4 memory, an FHD or QHD screen, and enhanced audio features to improve Skype for Business—including Audio by Bang & Olufsen, HP Noise Reduction and HP Clear Sound Amp.

The EliteBook 1040 G3 will be available at an unspecified date in January, starting at $1,199.

EliteBook 800 G3 Series

The EliteBook 1040 heralds HP Inc.'s new Elitebook 800 G3 Series, which includes an array of premium- designed notebooks with new magnesium and aluminum body design for better durability.

The EliteBook 800 series is available in 12.5-inch inch, 14-inch or 15.6-inch screen sizes, with display options of FHD, UHD or QHD screens. This notebook series will offer Windows 10 Pro and Intel Core sixth-generation vPro processors, as well as PCIe Gen3 SSD and DDR4 memory. The EliteBook 800 G3 Series will be available at an unspecified date in January and will start at $949.