There is no shortage of ultra-thin, ultra-light laptops on the market but Apple’s MacBook range has arguably always been the benchmark against which every new contender is measured. Although many have tried, no manufacturer has quite been able to out-design Apple when it comes to ultrabooks.

HP Inc. may just be the first to offer something so stunningly beautiful and well designed that the MacBook may have some serious competition for the first time.

Launched at the New York Times International Luxury Conference in Versailles, France yesterday, the HP Spectre claims to be the “world’s thinnest laptop” at just 0.41-inches, or 10.4 millimeters.  

With a CNC machined aluminum chassis combined with a carbon fibre bottom, copper accents, and unique piston-like hinges, HP says it wanted the Spectre to feel more like a piece of jewelry rather than a laptop — perhaps that explains why it was launched at a luxury show rather than at a tech show.

So how does the HP Spectre compare to those bastions of design and portability, the 13-inch MacBook Air, and the Retina MacBook?

HP Spectre vs. Retina MacBook vs. 13” MacBook Air: Tech specs

Design

There’s no arguing that Apple’s now one-year-old Retina MacBook is a thing of beauty, but you’d have to be blind not to appreciate the design and attention to detail that has gone into the HP Spectre. Instead of listening to me wax lyrical about it, see for yourself: (also see the image gallery at the end of this post)

Processor

The MacBook can be had with either an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor while the Retina MacBook comes with only an Intel Core M option.

HP offers the Spectre in i5 and i7 guise and has even devised a unique cooling system to keep the spectre slim and trim. HP’s hyperbaric cooling system provides a two-way flow of air — it draws in cool air directing it over the processor while pushing out warm air at the same time.

Battery

The hybrid battery is split into two thinner pieces and provides a claimed 9 and a half hours of battery life — not on par with the MacBook Air’s 12-hours, but neck-in-neck with the Retina MacBook.

Superb entertainment experience with full HD 13.3″ diagonal edge-to-edge display and Bang & Olufsen sound.

Ports

The HP Spectre out-classes the Retina MacBook here — compared to just one USB Type-C port to handle charging and peripherals, the Spectre boasts three USB Type-C ports, two of which support Thunderbolt.

Price and availability

The HP Spectre is available for pre-order on HP.com and BBY.com on April 25 at a starting price of $1169.99 and will arrive in Best Buy stores on May 22 at a starting price of $1249.99.

In Apple’s defence

Rumors and expectations suggest that Apple will refresh its MacBook lineup this year to include Intel’s new, more-powerful Skylake processors and USB-C with Thunderbolt 3 support. As for design, it remains to be seen what Apple will bring to the table for its MacBook refresh — new, innovative design, or just upgraded specs.

Images via HP Inc.