HP Spectre x360 13 gets big refresh with Intel's 11th Gen chips, 5G model coming

Hp Spectre X360 13 2020 Different Modes
Hp Spectre X360 13 2020 Different Modes (Image credit: HP)

What you need to know

  • HP announced a refreshed Spectre x360 13 today.
  • The updated premium consumer laptop adopts Intel's 11th Gen processors and will get a 5G option in 2021.
  • The new Spectre x360 13 is expected to go on sale later in October starting at $1,200.

HP took the wraps off of its fall 2020 premium lineup today, and topping its updates is a new version of the Spectre x360 13. One of HP's consumer flagships, the Spectre x360 13 has gained some extra power thanks to the latest Intel 11th Gen processors and Iris Xe integrated graphics. In 2021, it will get an additional connectivity boost with a 5G model.

The HP Spectre line has been riding a pretty steady all-metal design with a stylish two-tone finish and prominent corners for a while now, and the new Spectre x360 13 carries that forward. The biggest addition is that of the 11th Gen Intel Core processors, which HP claims provide a performance increase of around 35 percent over the previous models with 10th Gen Intel processors. Intel's new Iris Xe graphics also mean you're getting a substantial boost to graphics power, despite the fact that they're still integrated graphics instead of a discrete chip.

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CategoryHP Spectre x360 13 (2020)
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home
Display13.3 inches
Up to 4K OLED
500 nits
100% DCI-P3
Touch
ProcessorIntel 11th Gen CPUs
Up to i7-1165G7
Intel Evo platform
GraphicsIntel Iris Xe Graphics
MemoryUp to 16GB LPDDR4x-3733
StorageUp to 2 Intel PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
32GB Intel Optane memory
CameraHP True Vision 720p HD IR camera
SecurityFingerprint reader
Webcam kill switch
ConnectivityIntel Wi-Fi 6 AX201
Bluetooth 5
5G option (coming in 2021)
Ports2x Thunderbolt 4 w/ USB4 Type-C
1x SuperSpeed USB Type-A
1x headphone/microphone combo
AudioAudio by Bang & Olufsen w/ dual speakers
BatteryUp to 10 hours (mixed usage)
Up to 12 hours (video playback)
Up to 10 hours (wireless streaming)
Dimensions12.08 in x 7.66 in x 0.67 in
Weight2.80 lb
ColorsNightfall black
Natural silver
Poseidon blue

Perhaps the more exciting addition is a 5G model. While you won't be able to get your hands on the 5G version at launch, HP says that it expects to offer it starting in early 2021. Once it arrives, you'll be able to stay connected to the internet with 5G and LTE speeds while on the go.

Note that the 5G connectivity is of the sub-6 variety. While mmWave can provide much greater speeds, it isn't as widespread as sub-6 5G at the moment. In other words, the Spectre x360 13 is set up to connect to the 5G networks you're most likely to encounter as of right now.

Hp Spectre X360 13 Nightfall Black Modes

Source: HP (Image credit: Source: HP)

Beyond the move to Intel's 11th Gen chips, you're getting a pretty standard generation-on-generation upgrade here. You can expect Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, along with a fingerprint reader, IR camera, and HP's integrated kill switch for the webcam.

The HP Spectre x360 13 is expected to go on sale from HP's website starting this month at a starting price of $1,200. It's also expected to go on sale at Best Buy in the U.S. starting in November. There's no pricing available for the forthcoming 5G model yet.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl