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Say hello to the first of the 12-inch MacBook clones: HP’s 12.5-inch fanless Core M EliteBook Folio

Apple’s 12-inch MacBook broke new ground when it opted for a fanless Core M processor in a form-factor that was all about creating the sleekest, most portable laptop around – and it was only a matter of time before Windows machines followed suit.

Like the MacBook, the HP EliteBook Folio strips back the ports to just USB-C and a headphone socket – though HP has opted for two rather than one USB-C ports. It weighs a touch more than the MacBook, but is marginally thinner. Design-wise, well, judge for yourself.

HP has gone further than Apple on the display, however. While the MacBook’s Retina display hits 226ppi, HP has squeezed in a 4K display to the top-of-the-range model, giving it a pixel density of 352ppi.

The EliteBook Folio goes on sale in March, with pricing starting at $999 – but that’s with the entry-level 1080p display rather than the 4K one.

Via and image credit Engadget

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Comments

  1. Robert - 9 years ago

    Hello
    And
    Goodbye

  2. Here it coms again. Shameless copying. Just like they (all, not just HP) did with MacBook Air. There was no such a thin notebook on the market however 1-2 years after Apple came with MBA, all others started to do thinner notebooks as well (although their attempts look ugly to be honest).

    • Eric William - 9 years ago

      You mean like when Apple jumped the gun using Intel Ultrabook reference designs with a generation early processor (MacBook Air) while the other OEMs waited to do the thin computer with the correct CPUs. Same thing now with fanless designs using the M-chips. Apple didn’t break ground with the new MacBook. They made a computer that was as thin as the 5th gen M processors would allow (with shit performance) while OEMs waited for the 6th gen chips in the same body, but with out compromises.

  3. alexandereiden - 9 years ago

    Yeah..No. Just no. It is funny how PCs can copy Apple and say they are original. For instance, the image has a dented rear corner (the hell?) and a super thick display. It is a rectangle. Similar with the SurfaceBook (the Book was copied too -.-), they were rushed off the line. The SurfaceBooks in the Microsoft store (which one kid was in playing the xbox… not to mention Apple Store Employees (when I asked) were asked by Microsoft poachers in the store itself what they made per year and offered to double it. Only one employee turned from Apple lol. Anyways back to rushing off the line, the SurfaceBook backlit keyboard didn’t even work. It looked like 4 incandescent bulbs spaced randomly under the keyboard because the light was somewhat yellow and VERY uneven, with some keys that you wouldn’t be able to tell were lit. The keys were not pristine either, many had dark spots on “white” letters. I asked why to the employee, and I got a rude answer saying it is supposed to look like that. Great job Microsoft and HP and every other copycat

  4. j0hnf23 - 9 years ago

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MHdE_g8Ewc > the screen is slightly jiggely :) not really a competition to the macbook, more like a cheap knockoff.

  5. mytawalbeh - 9 years ago

    Copiers gonna copy copy …
    Not News anymore.

  6. PMZanetti - 9 years ago

    $999 and up? No one spends that kind of money on a thing that only runs Windows. Apple owns something like 92% of that market.

  7. Sebastian - 9 years ago

    And with a battery life of about 12 seconds.

  8. iphonenick (@iphonenick) - 9 years ago

    I checked out linked article. I’m shocked HP still insists on shipping laptops with VGA ports in 2016.

  9. nealhen - 9 years ago

    I’m sure windows 10 will look amazing on a 12.5 inch 4k display!

  10. Austin A Linstruth - 9 years ago

    The same price as the MacBook, but instead you’re left with a cheap design with less durability, and worst of all… Windows.

  11. tylerallen86 - 9 years ago

    Hahaha! None of this matters. It’s Apple’s BSD/Darwin (UNIX) based system and its vastly superior ecosystem that sets it apart. That’s not even getting into Cocoa APIs, and Xcode development platform, swift….

    … But, sure, copy the exterior and think your on the same level!

  12. Paul Van Obberghen - 9 years ago

    Why would anyone buy such a MacBook clone that would run Windows only (and presumably Linux) when one can have an actual MacBook for the same price or so that would run _both_ MacOS X and Windows (and Linux)? Someone, please, enlight me.

    • Eric William - 9 years ago

      Did you look at the comparative specs of those “copycats”? For less money you get much more machine.

  13. Van Curren - 9 years ago

    It’s still not a Mac, and is further crippled by the operating system.

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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