![]() ![]() The clickpad’s multitouch capabilities are a mixed blessing. The left and right clickable areas are a little stiff and did not improve with use. It took some tweaking to get the palm check to the right sensitivity to keep my cursor from jumping around as I typed. Most basic usage is fine, though when I needed very fine accuracy the clickpad couldn’t deliver. The one on the Folio isn’t as troublesome as clickpads of the past, but it’s still not as easy to use as the MacBook Air’s. It appears that HP is not giving up on the clickpad, at least not for their premium laptops. The white backlight illuminates and outlines each key isn’t as strong or bright as I’d like - the MacBook Air’s backlight is about what I expect - but is welcome, especially on a business laptop. Tactile feedback isn’t strong, but neither are the keys mushy or weak. There’s no dip at the center, which helps with accuracy, though the tops have a slight matte coating that compensates. The spill-resistant island-style keyboard is standard HP. There’s no removable battery, just like all the other ultrabooks we’ve seen so far. Screws on the bottom are all accessible, so users will be able to open the Folio up to replace components. However, it’s worth noting that the Portege has one of those as well. VGA ports feel less necessary, especially with ultraportables. I’d appreciate at least one more USB port as on the Portege z835 since this is a 13-inch system. The Folio 13 has two USB ports (2.0 and 3.0), an SD card slot, and full HDMI and Ethernet ports plus a combo headphone/mic jack. Skimping on ports won’t do for a business machine. It’s still light enough to carry all day without straining your back. It’s not as light as the Portege z835 (2.5 pounds) or as thin as the Lenovo IdeaPad U300s (0.6-inches, 3 pounds) so it comes off more as a “mere” ultraportable, but that’s no cause for complaint. When you pick this laptop up you know right away that it’s an ultrabook thanks to the 3.3 pound weight and 0.7-inch thickness. It doesn’t flex as much as the Toshiba Portege z835 and doesn’t feel un-sturdy. I also noticed it a bit when carrying the ultrabook by the corner. Pressing down on the lid or the wrist rest betrays a slight flex despite the aluminum. HP kept the color scheme simple as well the silver color contrasts with the black keyboard, touchpad and bottom panel to create an elegant, minimal look. The bottom and rounded edges are plastic with a soft-touch coating that makes the notebook comfortable to carry with the side benefit of looking good. We’re fans of the ProBook look, so seeing it slimmed down is great.īrushed aluminum graces the lid and deck, minimizing the appearance of fingerprints. The Folio 13 isn’t a big departure style-wise from HP’s other business laptops, and that’s a good thing. Mainstream consumers who value portability and need a decently powerful laptop should also take a look. Mobile workers who want thin and light and don’t need a workhorse or heavy duty machine won’t be disappointed with the Folio’s overall performance. HP is selling this ultrabook on both the consumer and enterprise sides, positioning it as a great choice whether you’re using it for work or everyday computing. Watch our video review below for the highlights of the HP Folio including speedy performance and a demo of the clickpad. The central question for potential buyers is whether a sub-par touchpad is enough to put them off the entire laptop? Pros Things have gotten better, but still not good enough. We’ve been here before with the troublesome clickpads. HP did so many things right with the Folio - it looks good, performs well, has great speakers, and lasts all day on a charge - that the one misstep stands out and nearly derails the whole thing. Instead it’s about the balance between power and portability, design and function. The $899 HP Folio 13 is not the thinnest or lightest ultrabook on the market, and it stands as proof that what makes a good ultrabook isn’t razor sharp edges or the ability to float away like a feather. ![]()
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