Even though many consider the 12-inch MacBook imperfect, it’s the most popular 12-inch ultraportable notebook on the market. However, thanks to HP’s EliteBook Folio G1, that may change soon. CNET gave the Folio G1 four stars .
“HP’s take on the 12-inch Core M laptop could use a few design tweaks, but it evokes the best parts of Apple’s 12-inch MacBook, with better value and more options.”
The HP EliteBook Folio G1 is considered by some to be a better buy than Apple’s 12-inch MacBook [Photo via Daryl Deino]
The review likes the fact that the Folio G1 is very thin, very light, and has an upscale look with a great keyboard for an ultraportable laptop. CNET doesn’t like the fact that the battery life (on the 4K version) takes a huge hit, and they criticized the lack of ports.
Some of the commenters on the article had doubts about the device.
“$1499? For an HP? Sorry. Any other company maybe, but HP reliability isn’t worth that price,” comments Rodrian Roadeye.
“Holy BEZEL Batman!” exclaims GLuv.
However, any negative comments have been dwarfed by continuing positive reviews. ComputerWorld also gave the Folio G1 a great review.
“If you’re looking for a lightweight, portable laptop — but aren’t interested in a tablet with a snap-on keyboard such as the HP Elite x2 — HP’s 12.5-in. EliteBook Folio G1 makes the most of the traditional notebook design. The company has built an excellent display and keyboard into one of the smallest and lightest systems around.”
The reviewer, Brian Nadel, claims HP’s new laptop has one of the best keyboards around. It has 18.2mm keys that provide 1.4mm of depth. This is a great alternative for those who don’t like the MacBook’s butterfly-shaped keys.
“The EliteBook Folio G1 is an ideal size for productivity users on the go, providing enough room for a full-size keyboard and a screen that can show plenty of content without making you squint. With strong performance, a colorful display, a world-class typing experience, accurate face logins and a drop-friendly design, HP’s laptop also ticks off most of the boxes we’d put on a checklist for making the ultimate ultrabook.”
HP has really made a comeback in the laptop world lately. Last month, they introduced the HP Spectre 13 to the market, and The Verge was very impressed. They noted that the Spectre 13 is just 10.4mm thick and supposedly the thinnest laptop ever made. It has runs either an Intel i5 or i7 6th-generation processor, unlike the Intel Core M processor that is usually contained in very thin laptops.
“And, at 10.4mm thin, the Spectre is about as thick as a AAA battery, making it not just the skinniest PC in HP’s portfolio but the slimmest notebook on the entire market. Think of it as HP’s answer to Apple’s 12-inch MacBook, except with a bigger screen, extra horsepower and a little more bling,” claimed reviewer Dana Wollman.
Twitter has been nothing but complimentary about the HP Spectre 13.
The HP Spectre 13.3 Is The 12″ MacBook Killer: Hewlett Packard or HP has managed to shine itself with what it… https://t.co/WIyeN6gDYl
Some people have commented on the fact that the Spectre 13 only has a 1080p screen, which would have been considered okay just two years ago. With 4K laptops such as HP’s new EliteBook Folio G1 making waves, the Spectre 13 could be overshadowed. If you had a choice, which laptop would you rather have — the EliteBook Folio G1 or the Spectre 13? Let us know in the comments section.
