HP ENVY Ultrabook and Sleekbook

HP is launching the latest additions to its ENVY lineup in the thin category, namely the HP ENVY Ultrabook and the HP ENVY Sleekbook .

Both series offer very similar configurations, and since the Ultrabooks have to be powered only by Intel processors and are required to meet Intel’s specifications, HP had to categorize the rest of its ultra-thin offering under another brand name: Sleekbook.

The ENVY Sleekbook 14”  is powered by 2nd generation or 3rd generation Intel Core processors but does not offer a 32GB (cache) mSATA with its 500GB HDD hard drive, and the ENVY Sleekbook 15.6” features AMD’s second generation Mainstream APU and does not offer 32GB (cache) mSATA with its 320 GB hard drive. Additionally, the Ultrabooks come with the following Intel technologies: Rapid Start, Identity Protection Technology, Smart Response and Smart Connect Technologies.

All units (14” and 15.6”) are as thin as 19.8 mm, weight less than 4 pounds, come in silver or in black with a red accent on the edges (see picture) and are priced between $600 and $800 (starting price), which is a great pricing when compared to the MacBook Air (17.7 mm – o.68″ thin). In my opinion, the ENVY elegant form factor is now on par with the Apple design.

The HP ENVY Ultrabook 14” and 15.6” powered by the 2nd generation or 3rd generation Intel Core processors come with 500GB HDD, 32GB (cache) mSATA, 1366 x 768 display resolution, Beats Audio, and include two USB 3.0, one USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet port (no dongle!), SD Card Slot and HDMI. The 14” starts at $769.99 and the 15.6” starts at $799.99.

The HP ENVY Sleekbook 14” powered by the 2nd generation or 3rd generation Intel Core processors features 500GB HDD, 1366 x 768 display resolution, Beats Audio, two USB 3.0, one USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet port (no dongle!), SD Card Slot and HDMI. The 14” Sleekbook starts at $699.99.

The HP ENVY Sleekbook 15.6” powered by AMD’s second generation Mainstream APU features 320GB HDD, 1366 x 768 display resolution, Beats Audio, and includes two USB 3.0, one USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet port (no dongle!), SD Card Slot and HDMI. The 15.6” Sleekbook starts at $599.99.