A product video posted on HP’s website has revealed that the company is gearing up to introduce a laptop using Google’s Android operating system (and we don't mean Chrome OS). The video, originally listed here, is no longer posted on HP’s website, but it was live long enough for us to grab a few details about the upcoming product.
The unannounced laptop seems to be your typical clamshell model: no transforming form factors will be found here. The screen measures 14-inches, has touch-based input and a Full HD resolution, aka 1920 x 1080. Backing this screen is an Nvidia Tegra SoC – likely the Tegra K1 or the Tegra 4 – and 2 GB or 4 GB of RAM. The version of Android running on this device is unknown although it’s probably v4.2 or v4.3 offering Google’s portfolio of services.
HP is calling this device the Slatebook 14, and including Beats Audio speakers. The Windows key was ripped out and replaced with the Android Home key accompanied by the Recent Apps button on the left, and the Back key replaces the Escape key. A handful of soft keys are lined along the bottom of the screen
Based on the video, there are also three USB 2.0 ports, HDMI output, an SD card slot and a 3.5 mm audio port. The laptop presumably has Wireless N and Bluetooth 4.0 as connectivity options. There also appears to be a SIM card slot so that users can check email, browse the internet and more outside the local home/office network via a mobile data plan.
Given that the promotional video was removed from HP’s website, the company probably isn’t quite ready to launch the product. Why use Android and not Chrome OS? Good question given that HP has already dipped its toes into the Chrome OS pool. However Android isn’t completely web-based: users can play their games and write their documents offline if needed.
Since HP’s video didn’t release any details regarding price and availability, stay tuned… something will likely show up within the next few weeks.
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