HP just announced a new line of laptops in its Envy line, and hoo-boy makes one model in particular that has the right to kudos.
Launching at $949 later this month, the HP Envy x360 15.6-inch 2-in-1 will be the first IMAX-certified laptop.
Given that the average IMAX cinema screen is at least 52 feet tall, we struggle to see the appeal of the first “Computer Certified IMAX Enhanced.” Unless you’re the size of an ant, the idea of a 15-inch laptop that has cinematic credentials seems a little silly.
Although IMAX certification has been popping up in the home theater space for a few years now, this is the first time it’s been introduced to the portable computer market. One of the main reasons for awarding this certification to a device is its ability to display IMAX-shot content in its original aspect ratio; Which usually measures at 1.43:1 or 1.90:1.
Considering that the HP Envy x360 has a 16:10 screen, you can look forward to some big black bars when watching IMAX-certified movies on the 2-in-1 laptop.
Mad Max
Don’t expect a lot of laptop-compatible, IMAX-ready content in the near future. Currently, Disney Plus only plans to support expanded aspect ratio content for “select movies and series”.
Given that the average IMAX cinema screen is at least 52 feet tall, we struggle to see the appeal of the first “Computer Certified IMAX Enhanced.”
The HP Envy x360 will also be treated to an “IMAX theatrical sound mix” of sponsored content, but unless you really offer up the x360 soundbar, this probably isn’t much of a selling point.
Most relevant to the vast majority of potential buyers, the HP Envy x360 comes with a 5MP webcam, along with an infrared camera. HP also announced 14- and 17.3-inch versions of the Envy x360, though the former is missing an IR snapper.
If you’re still up for the whole “IMAX in laptop form” gimmick, the 15-inch x360 comes in both Intel Core and AMD Ryzen CPU flavors.
The Intel version can also be upgraded with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU. So if you want to play games on the Envy while enjoying dreams of watching Chris Nolan’s upcoming Oppenheimer sometime in the future, you’re in luck.
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