HP Spectre 13 (Late 2017) Review: Ceramic White, Touch Display, Eighth Gen. Quad-core CPU

This is the unboxing and review of the HP Spectre 13 (Ceramic White) by AMDtech
Buy Here: tidd.ly/e3efcc25
Operating system
Windows 10 Home 64 [22]
Processor
Intel® Core™ i7-8550U (1.8 GHz base frequency, up to 4 GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology, 8 MB cache, 4 cores) [16,17]
Graphics
Intel® UHD Graphics 620
Display
13.3" diagonal FHD IPS micro-edge WLED-backlit multitouch-enabled edge-to-edge glass (1920 x 1080) [13]
Memory
8 GB LPDDR3-1600 SDRAM (onboard)
Hard drive
256 GB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD [14]
Wireless technology
Intel® 802.11b/g/n/ac (2x2) Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® 4.2 Combo [11,12]
Power supply
65 W AC power adapter
Battery
4-cell, 43.7 Wh Li-ion
Battery life
Up to 11 hours [23]
Video Playback Battery Life
Up to 11 hours and 30 minutes [24]
Battery Recharge Time
Supports battery fast charge: approximately 50% in 30 minutes [5]
External I/O Ports
2 Thunderbolt™ 3 (Data Transfer up to 40 Gb/s, Power Delivery, DP1.2, HP Sleep and Charge); 1 USB 3.1 Type-C™ Gen 1 (Data Transfer up to 5 Gb/s, Power Delivery, DP1.2, HP Sleep and Charge); 1 headphone/microphone combo [8,9,10]
Energy efficiency
ENERGY STAR® certified; EPEAT® Silver registered
Webcam
HP TrueVision HD IR Camera with integrated dual array digital microphone [7]
Audio
Bang & Olufsen, dual speakers
Color
Ceramic white
Pointing device
HP Imagepad with multi-touch gesture support
Keyboard
Full-size island-style backlit keyboard
Dimensions (W X D X H)
12.13 x 8.83 x 0.41 in
Weight
2.45 lb
Warranty
1 year limited hardware warranty (information at www.hp.com/support); 90 day phone support (from date of purchase); complimentary chat support within warranty period (at www.hp.com/go/contacthp)
What's in the box
Sleeve; USB Type-C™ to USB 3.0 adapter
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[@andrewmarcdavid]

Stunning Looks, Good Audio, quad-core CPU and inclusion of a touch screen (4k also available). But battery life on the 4K model is disappointing. Let me know what you think of the new HP Spectre 13.

[@zahar027]

Andrew Marc David i'm not surprised with the battery life due to power hungry 4k panel. Same scenario happens on most 4k laptop like the XPS15, Razer blade. So i'm betting for better battery life on the 1080p display

[@PriyankMavani]

I have the 7th gen i7 version of the hp Spectre 13, and it works like a breeze! This one looks completely overhauled...!! And again, great review!

[@orangedac]

After much research, I finally decided to purchase this laptop (the i7 8th gen model, non 4K). It was a close race between the Spectre x360, the Asus ux330ua and this laptop. All 13.3". I spotted the Spectre 13 on sale and clinched the deal. The main reason I like it beyond its looks is its light weight. I can take it to and fro the office easily. Its something i will be using a lot. So i decided it was worth the investment. If I was on a tight budget however, the Asus ux330ua offers the best value.

[@BollywoodMediaOnline]

I am so sad, it looks like it is not selling anymore. Do you know where I can buy it?

[@ordinarygeek1893]

Good review! I just saw this machine in Best Buy this morning. It's quite striking. Great design. Very distinct. I ended up buying the x360, though (off HP's website. Better deal). While I will likely never use it in anything other than laptop mode, I at least will have the ability to push the display back further than this one goes (other reviewers have lamented that the hinges on this one don't go back very far). On the x360, I opted for the 1080p display. This non-convertible Spectre is a great machine for someone who only intends on doing light work, and likes to stand out, though. It's very tempting, still. HP is crushing it this year!

[@Dexduzdiz]

The ceramic white looks incredible

[@dxace1]

This is a killer design -- I went for it, using the end of year HP discounts which dropped the 16GB/1TB version down below $1500.

[@frog-px7gp]

This laptop is very stunning, I might get it for Christmas, this is amazing!

[@sofa_kingcool985]

Still going to get the 4K display version, as far as battery life, the only two places I’ll be using this is at home and in coffee shops, both places I’ll be using my power cable into the wall. No gripes about battery life being a deal breaker

[@MultiRyan58]

I have the 15" x360 and it is great but this thing looks awesome! Good review!

[@TallyHoTech]

Wow White and Premium. That’s right up my alley. Great review T. Battery life is a deal breaker though.

[@Tigerex966]

everyone is getting those 4k touchscreens now and thats great, they look amazing.

[@daviddaaannggg]

Damn that’s a beautiful laptop. I just wish Windows had the aesthetics to match. What the hell happened to their fluent design revamp?

[@viktorpetukhov727]

Totally love it. Great build quality and a jewelry design. Pity it costs $1700 for i5 in Russia.

[@orangedac]

Joseph Stalin would have executed anyone selling this laptop for $1700 in Russia when it costs $1100 in the US.

[@interproservice]

Can you add celcius temps as well not all viewers are from US thanks!

[@carmennooner2027]

Battery, battery, battery! Thanks, Andrew. You always save me money!

[@Dexduzdiz]

I was waiting for this review!!

[@bler43]

Seen your channel here and there. Now subbing the quality of your vids and review ia going up. Keep it up :)

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Thanks Blair!

[@prashantvimal871]

thanks for the honest review. Subscribed :)

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Thanks! I really appreciate it!

[@CH-ol5rh]

That front facing camera though.. It looks 10x better on my Surface Book 2's one.

[@j.r.j.8499]

Merry Christmas Andrew. Thanks a lot for the great review! I cannot decide between this laptop and the Dell XPS 13. What is your recommendation? Thanks in advance for your help.

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Thanks! I really appreciate it! I have the updated Dell XPS 13 with the Eighth Gen processor in the studio. I will be unboxing and reviewing it this weekend. Stay tuned.

[@j.r.j.8499]

Andrew Marc David Cool! It will be great. I would love to hear your impressions and recommendations. I can't really decide between de Spectre and the XPS and will be nice to have your thougts about it. Thanks in advance.

[@armanmahdiani9472]

Hi Andrew I bought this laptop after seeing your review and some others. I don't get a new laptop every year and I really needed a good one for school which has good performance and is light at the same time. My school offered 30% off HP so, it looked like the best option for me. Long story short, this was the worst decision of my life. I practically threw 2000$ away. The laptop freezes when you are doing anything remotely heavy. I'm not talking about gaming or video editing, just high resolution KZbin videos and PDF editing. I had to uninstall Photoshop because you know... it would freeze. I know your reviews are just your ideas and the blame is ultimately on me, but I thought I can trust these review videos. Please guys, if you want to do a review at least use it for a month or so. I'm now stuck with a useless pretty laptop and no money to buy another one.

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Sorry you are having issues with your unit. Sounds like you have a defective model. I use Photoshop on it with no issues. Why didn't you return it or exchange it for another unit?

[@davidly2607]

Excellent review. I still like my Dell XPS for the battery life.

[@beeb1134]

Now if only they made the x360 in the same white color :/

[@Mareepu]

Great stuff! Would you suggest this model or the 15-inch model, given my usage? I'm a professional who usually does word processing and PowerPoint, but on the side I do artwork, which involves Photoshop and InDesign. (I play some old MMOs, as well.) Everything tells me to take the 15-inch in terms of specs, but the 13-inch size is more comfortable for me, and the color matches my other devices.

[@MattUKepcc816]

Just bought this laptop and I lost the USB-C to USB -A converter the following day...lovely

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Good news is you can pick up a replacement pretty cheap on amazon

[@MattUKepcc816]

Yes I saw some, $7.99 for an aluminum one.

[@alt4119]

3:30 "something missing from last years model..." they had this touch screen model (HP spectre x360) for at least...last 2 or 3 yrs or longer..First, intel core i7 5th gen "i7-5500U" broadwell (HP SPECTRE x360 13-4003DX) in 2015, and then HP Spectre x360 13.3" 6th gen i7-6500U "skylake" in 2016, and HP Spectre x360 i7-7500U kaby lake in 2017, and this yr...HP Spectre X360 i7-8500U coffee lake....so they've been around for quite...awhile now. I know cause I own 2017 version HP Spectre x360 i7-7500U...sorry I just wanna clarify the info that's all. Overall great video. Thx for the review.

[@simondva1]

Please Andrew do the xpectre x360 13 inch!! Great video as always!

[@mrmonday42]

I have yet to see any reviewer open this laptop up. It's important for me to be able to change the SSD and battery in the future.

[@hugostudiesmedicine]

Please, make a smackdown against the spectre x360 🙂🙂

[@KTPurdy]

Very useful review

[@321bluff]

You can fry chicken on its back its so thin and metal.

[@TheDodgefan9]

I really like this, but I ended up getting a Zenbook 3 for $749. It's just as thin and just over 2 pounds with a good 1080p screen and last year's processor is good enough for my student use.

[@whitemustang8356]

Joey Barretta did u get the new zenbook 3 for under 800$ wow man that seal i got it for 1200$ on black friday

[@TheDodgefan9]

White Mustang I got the Core i5 model in silverish gray rather than the great looking blue color. I'm happy with it though and have an old 15 inch Samsung if I need anything wrh more ports.

[@whitemustang8356]

Joey Barretta that's good the sliver is also dop color enjoy

[@TimPearcy]

Great review, notebook is a bit overpriced, but still seems like a winner! Will be shared in 12 minutes as usual.

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Thanks Tim!

[@krzysiekzmora1422]

Great review mate!lot of details what others dont talk about. How about keybord backlit?cuz on video it wasnt showed. I know it have it but it is not to weak?cuz was hard to note it.

[@andrewmarcdavid]

It has multi-level back-lighting and it worked very well.

[@vladimir1834]

This laptop suffers from it's thinness. the battery life is a deal breaker for me, If they would of focused on the design and given a backseat to thinness, I believe this would be a perfect laptop. Really hope HP releases some kind of hybrid with the internals of the X360, thickness of X360, but the slick design of the regular.

[@BollywoodMediaOnline]

Does anyone know where I can purchase this? It is not on HP's website or Amazon.

[@GavinPhillips]

Hey thanks for the review! Are you able to test an external gaming card?

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Thanks! I really appreciate it! I have an external gpu coming stay tuned...

[@GavinPhillips]

Andrew Marc David I'll try my hardest to stay updated with your channel and watch it, I'm concidering buying this laptop but I also wanna be able to game on it

[@abhimanyuaby8447]

Sir Which one is better to buy ? Spectre 13t or Spectre x360 - 13-ae502tu

[@iamzuhayrhasan]

Is ceramic white color of laptop got dusty??

[@Tigerex966]

wow sd card slots are so thin and small, i wonder why they could not get one to fit? and why the dongle does not have an sd card reader on it with the usb a, that is confusing?

[@Al-uq6es]

what type of pen can use with this Hp Spectre ? there is no pen in this.

[@drew-skiii]

Are you able to charge it with a power bank?

[@MarcoChapita]

i have the first gen of the spectre and as you know we cannot charge the first gen laptop with powerbanks or other power sources like monitors,we could only charge with the oficial cable and power brick.do they solve that with this new gen???

[@SaravanaKumar-bs6gj]

Can we connect Bluetooth sound bar?

[@igorbarsowski2380]

Display ? 13.3" diagonal FHD IPS micro-edge WLED-backlit multitouch-enabled edge-to-edge glass (1920 x 1080) [13] OR 3840 x 2160 ?

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Go with the FHD display, as it is excellent and you will get better battery life than the 4K model.

[@igorbarsowski2380]

Thank You.Your rewiews are great.

[@angeliquedurand]

I got it and returned it. Battery is extremely bad : I have only 4 hours WITH THE FULL HD MODEL (not the 4k). For this price this is highly disappointing !

[@aliel1924]

Can you do a review of the zenbook ux430UN ?

[@PSBrathwaite]

Just wish android partnered w windows and synced my data.

[@Eric-vh1zv]

I am getting the Full HD one. But for storage option I don't know what to get. 256 SSD or 512 SSD? Is 256 SSD enough for Windows 10? Need help to decide.

[@zerokool-2058]

Eric is enough. Also what will you be doing with it? What programs??

[@andreibrahim4097]

Hai , could you review new hp envy 13 ? , thx

[@MasterMoose04]

Can I be opened with one finger or no?

[@ahmedbhaa]

What is the smartphone brand next to the laptop, any help please?

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Essential Phone in white.

[@ahmedbhaa]

Anyone faced any heat issues in this model?

[@havif1071]

4 lanes or 2 lanes thunderbolt 3?

[@e39lwd]

I would also like to know that. Judging from past HP Spectre laptops, specifically the x360 13" which has 2 thunderbolt ports which are both 4 lane tb3 I would hope that this model has that too.

[@master__oogway]

This or the x360?

[@saytoecharles6776]

Niggato Orange Juice if you like 2 in 1s. Get the x360. Buy if you don't like Em explore other options.

[@markholle3450]

I have had the Spectre 13 i7-8550u for close to a month. I am not getting the toasty thermals that are posted here. The fans rarely turn on.

[@sw1a]

Did you get the 4K screen? Maybe that's got something to do with it.

[@markholle3450]

I don't have the 4K screen. I love the 1080p display so if you are right, it looks like the improved battery life and price aren't the only reasons to go with FHD screen.

[@sw1a]

Yes, I'm inclined to believe that the 4K heats it up.

[@setodanu]

I found this....no coming up yet 😅

[@aliatif5750]

hello