Kicking things off, HP and Microsoft have debuted a range of creative new PC designs, which highlight that despite the age of the category, innovation in the…
Why it matters: More than ever before, PCs have become critical devices for a huge variety of people. The requirements for new PCs have also evolved, particularly when it comes to communication and collaboration. Thankfully, many PC vendors have taken these trends to heart, and starting this fall we’ll be seeing some of the first new machines that were designed post-pandemic. Toss in the fact that these new PCs were crafted with Windows 11 in mind, there’s a lot to look forward to. Kicking things off, HP and Microsoft have debuted a range of creative new PC designs, which highlight that despite the age of the category, innovation in the PC world is still alive and well. HP unveiled PCs in several different form factors — from a tablet to a 2-in-1 convertible to a huge, widescreen all-in-one — as well as new monitors and software tools. The software is designed to make the PC communication experience better across these new PCs and to extend its capabilities to multiple screens. The HP 11-inch Tablet PC offers a highly portable, inexpensive ($599 with a keyboard, $499 without) option for people looking for a lightweight, touch-capable device with a high-resolution (13 MP) rotating camera, detachable keyboard, and built-in kickstand that supports both landscape and portrait modes. The idea is to offer a Windows 11 option to those looking for a modern tablet design. In the convertible space, HP’s new Spectre x360 16-inch builds on the company’s line of 2-in-1 designs with a bigger, higher resolution (3K+) display,5 MP camera with IR support for Windows Hello, and the latest Intel Evo platform powered by an 11th-gen Core i7 and an optional RTX 3050 discrete GPU. Other cutting-edge technologies include two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports (plus USB-A, HDMI, and headphones), integrated Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless, and 32 GB of Intel Optane Memory. The latest Spectre x360, which starts at $1,639, is built with both recycled aluminum and plastic and includes HP’s new Tilt Pen and Protective Sleeve in the box. On the software side, the company’s new GlamCam app adjusts the light sensitivity of the built-in camera and offers “beauty” filters that can improve your appearance on video calls, regardless of the environment in which you make them. For many people who are now comfortable working from home, desktop PCs have taken on new relevance and importance during the pandemic, particularly if they’re connected to large displays. Addressing both of those issues, HP’s Envy 34 AIO PC starts at $1,999 and incorporates a big 34” ultrawide 5K display and offers both Intel’s top-of-the-line 11th-gen Core i9 CPUs along with an option for Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3080 GPU.
