HP Envy Spectre XT review

Unfortunately, the display didn’t impress us. Although the 1,366×768 resolution is to be expected from a mid-range laptop, its glossy finish makes it all but impossible to see clearly in bright sunlight, something that’s exacerbated by distinctly average brightness levels. There’s a reasonable amount of screen tilt, but the TN panel has predictably poor viewing angles. We also found the display surround and hinges to be the one weak link in terms of build quality, as they’re made from plastic and feel flimsy. This is a shame, as the rest of the body is built from aluminium.

The Spectre XT is a Windows 7 Ultrabook. If you want a touchscreen and Windows 8, you’ll have to buy the much more expensive Spectre XT Touchsmart. This model includes free copies of Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, and both are welcome additions to HP’s usual array of bundled software. Should you just want Windows 8, you should consider the HP Envy Spectre XT 13-2100ea, which has the same specification and is priced similarly.

The Spectre XT gives a good first impression thanks to its all-metal construction, SSD and reasonable price. However, its mediocre display lets down what would otherwise be a great mid-range Ultrabook.