eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.
HP has unveiled the Chromebook 13, which is the company’s first Chromebook to include Intel’s 6th-generation Core M processors for additional power and versatility for office workers, mobile business users and consumers.
The Chromebook 13, which has a modern, all-metal design, can be configured with a choice of Intel Core M7, M5, M3 or Intel Pentium 1 processors, as well as up to 16GB of LPDDR3-1866 SDRAM, depending on the processor that is chosen. The machine features a 13.3-inch full HD anti-glare display (1,920-by-1,080 resolution) or an optional 13.3-inch quad HD+ display (3,200-by-1,800 resolution), 32GB of eMMC 5.0 internal storage and integrated Intel HD Graphics 515, which supports 4K video output.
The system, which runs on the Chrome OS operating system, also includes a high-capacity 45-watt-hour battery that promises up to 11.5 hours of use on a charge, as well as USB-C fast charging using an included charging cord. The machine was announced by HP on April 28.
The Chromebook 13 is 12.59 inches long, 8.64 inches wide and 0.50 inches thick, with a weight starting at 2.86 pounds, depending on configuration.
Also included are an integrated HP TrueVision HD camera; Intel Dual Band WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2×2) and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity; a multiformat digital media reader that supports SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards; two USB Type-C ports; a USB-A 3.1 port; and a headphone/microphone combo jack. Dual speakers, a backlit keyboard, a touchpad and B&O Play audio are also included.
Multilayer security features are included through a TPM 1.2 Embedded Security Chip that allows users to sign in with their Google credentials.
The latest Chromebook is also the first from HP that can be used with an optional docking station so that it can be easily connected to dual high-definition displays, full-size keyboards, wired networks and more.
The new Chromebook 13 starts at $499 and is expected to be available by the beginning of May.
Through its Chrome OS operating system, the Chromebook 13 promises fast boot times, easy navigation and syncing, and multilayered security capabilities to share and access information from any location, according to HP. Also included in some configurations is a Lucid Sleep feature, which updates documents, emails and notifications while the HP Chromebook sleeps so data and messages are already updated whenever users are ready to resume working, according to HP. In addition, the HP Print for Chrome app is available, which enables local printing from Chrome OS devices to HP network and local printers in home or office environments.
Last October, HP released two previous Chromebooks—the Chromebook 14 and the SMB- and education-targeted Chromebook 14 G4—to market, with Intel processors replacing the Nvidia Tegra processors that were used in previous models. Also added at the time was a new full HD screen option.
The Chromebook 14 G4 could be purchased with a choice of Intel Celeron processors, while the standard Chromebook 14 was equipped with an Intel Celeron N2840 dual-core 2.16GHz processor.