Laptops

HP's Chromebook 13 is the first premium Chromebook that isn't the Pixel

HP's Chromebook 13 is the first premium Chromebook that isn't the Pixel
HP's latest chromebook takes aim at Google's Pixel, with premium specs and a wallet-friendly price
HP's latest chromebook takes aim at Google's Pixel, with premium specs and a wallet-friendly price
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The Chromebook 13 packs a pair of USB-C ports, and will work with a dock solution from the company
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The Chromebook 13 packs a pair of USB-C ports, and will work with a dock solution from the company
HP's latest chromebook takes aim at Google's Pixel, with premium specs and a wallet-friendly price
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HP's latest chromebook takes aim at Google's Pixel, with premium specs and a wallet-friendly price
The Chromebook 13 offers a backlit keyboard, audio from Bang & Olufsen, and a rated 11.5 hours of battery life
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The Chromebook 13 offers a backlit keyboard, audio from Bang & Olufsen, and a rated 11.5 hours of battery life
The machine runs on a 6th generation Intel Core M processor – a first for chromebooks
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The machine runs on a 6th generation Intel Core M processor – a first for chromebooks
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While most Chromebooks are budget-focused machines with low-end specs, HP is aiming a little higher with its latest notebook, which has a pixel-dense display and capable Intel Core M processor, all while hanging onto a wallet-friendly starting price. With an all-metal build and somewhat premium specs, it's also looking to encroach on the Chromebook Pixel's territory – and, as you may expect, its higher-end configurations are in the same pricing ballpark as the Pixel.

HP's recent notebooks have paid a lot of attention to design, and the Chromebook 13 is no different, with an attractive-looking aluminum build that measures 12.9 mm (0.5 in) thick and weighs 2.86 lbs (1.3 kg).

There's some solid hardware under the hood, with the machine running on up to a 6th generation Intel Core M processor – a first for Chromebooks. The entry level model, though, is running a weaker Pentium processor, with higher price tiers delving into 6th-gen Core m3, m5 and m7 CPUs from there. The Chromebook 13 has 4 GB of RAM in the entry-level model, while more expensive configs will get you 8 GB or up to a whopping 16 GB of RAM.

The Chromebook 13 packs a pair of USB-C ports, and will work with a dock solution from the company
The Chromebook 13 packs a pair of USB-C ports, and will work with a dock solution from the company

The IPS display here is perhaps the notebook's stand-out feature, with a 3,200 x 1,800 resolution over 13.3 inches (that's 276 PPI). There is also a pair of USB-C ports included, and the machine will work with an HP dock that links up via USB-C, allowing for the connection of dual displays, full-size USB devices and wired internet.

Elsewhere, there's a backlit keyboard, audio from Bang & Olufsen, and a rated 11.5 hours of battery life – not bad considering the pixel-dense display on offer.

The machine runs on a 6th generation Intel Core M processor – a first for chromebooks
The machine runs on a 6th generation Intel Core M processor – a first for chromebooks

The company has also made a handful of enhancements to Chrome OS, including a Lucid Sleep mode that updates documents, emails and notifications while the machine sleeps, as well as improved security features and a local print solution compatible with the company's own products.

The Chromebook's US$499 starting price might sound enticing, given its specs, but keep in mind that only gets you a Pentium processor and 4 GB RAM. Jumping up to a Core m3 chip (also with 4 GB RAM) shoots the price up to $599, while the maxed-out Core m7/8 GB model is pricier than the Chromebook Pixel, at $1,029.

... so be sure not to confuse the "starts at" price with its "up to" specs – there's very little overlap there.

The new Chromebook is set to launch this month.

Product page: HP

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1 comment
1 comment
Donald Burgres
10 years ago I preferred watching movies on DVD over the Internet. Last week I used word online and even though it's not as good as the regular version, it's something I could use again. I agree with "future of computing" but nowadays, no point in spending money on those.