Computex 2014: HP's Windows-based Envy, Pavilion, Slate series get new hybrids, all-in-one

Besides announcing new Chrome OS and Android-powered devices, HP is also bringing new Windows-powered PCs in its Envy and Pavilion series

The Pavilion line gets new 14, 15.6, and 17.3-inch variants. All three have either AMD A-series APUs or Intel’s Core i3, i5 and i7 CPUs. You would get a maximum of 12GB of RAM, 1TB HDD storage. Interestingly, these feature HP’s signature Beats Audio software. Post the Beats acquisition, Apple now owns the audio enhancement tech as well, so this is the arguably the first Windows machine to feature Apple-owned software. It’s not yet clear how the Apple acquisition will affect any future Beats-enhanced products from HP or other manufacturers such as HTC. HP likely had this device ready for unveiling much before the Beats deal.

The Pavilion series feature unibody plastic designs and will be available in multiple peppy colours. The Pavilion line starts at $429.

The Envy series will also be available in 14, 15.6 and 17.3-inch variants with optional touchscreens. No AMD parts within the Envy series, and HP has packed eihter Core i5 or Core i7 processors along with Nvidia GTX graphics.

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You are looking at up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1.5TB of HDD storage in the Envy hybrids. Being the more higher-end models, the Envy series feature a metal finish body. The Envy range will retail starting, at $849, which clearly ear-marks their premium status.

The third device in the hybrid territory is the Slate x2. Based on a fanless design, the Slate X2 has the main storage on the tablet side, so you can carry all your data even in tablet mode.  The Split x2 has Intel Bay Trail and Haswell CPUs, from 4GB up to 8GB of RAM, and up to 500GB of hybrid storage. The tablet alone can last for up to 5.25 hours as per HP’s tests, and for up to 7.75 hours with the keyboard attached. The Split x2 will be available from next month for a starting price of $600.

HP also announced something for the all-in-one segment. The Envy 23 features a full HD display and runs Intel’s Core i3 to Core i7, and feature up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. Again, HP is betting big on the Beats Audio branding; the all-in-one has quad speakers and quad subwoofers. The all-in-one starts at $999.