HP's 13-inch Ultrabook: The HP Folio - First Look Discussion

[sargent75]

Originally Posted by MGS2392

HP needs to release one of these in a 11.6" version. Then I'll have the perfect companion to my 8730w monster.

The thing I never liked about the original MBA (and most UltraBooks) was that it was 13". You can make a laptop as thin as you want, but if it still has a big foot print, it's not going to fit where you want it to. Not that I'm saying that 13" is a big foot print, but if you kept the thinness, and stepped the size down, you'd have much better portability.

That, and I don't like the buttonless touchpad. It aggravates me how much these are proliferating, and how terrible most of them actually are.

You got that right! Ultrabook is a perfect companion for mobile workstations.

[sargent75]

I went to a shop this afternoon to check out this HP Folio. It's good. Love it. So far it's the best value with the features compared to Toshiba Z830 (Malaysia Edition), Asus Zenbook UX31E i5 model, Lenovo U300 and Acer S3.

The keyboard is nice, with the backlight.

[PNUT M&M]

I ended up ordering a HP Folio 13 through OfficeMax (locally).

Should be here Monday sometime. Can't wait!

[SemiExpert]

Originally Posted by PNUT M&M

I ended up ordering a HP Folio 13 through OfficeMax (locally).

Should be here Monday sometime. Can't wait!

Does OfficeMax have a good returns policy?

[SemiExpert]

Originally Posted by sargent75

The keyboard is nice, with the backlight.

Superficially, drop-in HP keyboards are very acceptable, but they are very flexible and bounce, especially if they've been bent during assembly or repairs. Flimsy. Cheap.

[PNUT M&M]

Originally Posted by SemiExpert

Does OfficeMax have a good returns policy?

Their standard return policy is 14 days, but may be subject to a 15% restocking fee. If the item is defective I can get an exchange in the 14 days, so I plan on checking everything out over the first few days to make sure everything is in working order.

I plan on keeping the HP Folio 13, but if there are issues I can get an exchange within 14 days, after that I have a 1 year warranty with HP.

[PNUT M&M]

Received my new HP Folio 13 yesterday and am absolutely loving it.

[SemiExpert]

My initial hands- on impressions of the Folio:

1. Better hinges than the Acer S3 or Toshiba Z830. The hinges are almost too stiff for single handed opening.

2. The keyboard looks like a typical Pavilion keyboard. Cheap.

3. Cheap feeling touchpad.

4. The screen has terrible viewing angles, perhaps worse than the Toshiba Z835, when sitting side by side, if that's possible.

5. The stability of the case might be better than the Z835, but it isn't as solid as a Macbook Air.

Overall, this feels like a very thin Pavilion. Typical HP.

[Mitlov]

Originally Posted by SemiExpert

Test HP Folio 13-2000 Ultrabook - Notebookcheck.com Tests

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This "ultrabook" has an ultra-dim 170 nit display.

Yep, by all accounts, the Folio's screen is nothing to crow about. Good thing HP offers the Spectre for people who want a multimedia-oriented ultrabook instead of a cheap-and-solid business ultrabook.

[nando4]

Originally Posted by SemiExpert

2. The keyboard looks like a typical Pavilion keyboard. Cheap.

I layered my 2560P keyboard over a Folio 13. The width and height matched perfectly. Only problem is the 2560P has less rounded corners. The 2560P keyboard added about 30% more to the value of the thing

If anybody is seriously annoyed with the Folio 13 keyboard then they may consider a retrofit. Yeah.. 2560P has no backlit keys, hence the interest in the Folio 13 that does. It does have a touchstick but that requires a second connector to be attached. Doubt the Folio 13 would have it.

REF: QUESTION: Does a Folio 13 backlit keyboard fit a 2560P?