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Thickness is measured from the thickest point.
If you drive an 18-wheeler and see a low bridge, do you use the height of the hood to see if your 18-wheeler will fit under?
Do you know what volume is? Volume is what a truck driver needs to fit packages into his cargo. The three dimensional space you need to fit stuff in a computer.

Spectre has a powerful processor in a package thinner than a MacBook.
Thinner in 1 dimension. That's 33% of the real world. ;)

The keyboard in the MacBook is awful. I don't know what you called that.
You can't magically create key travel when there's no where to travel. Despite that, the keyboard is still accurate.

The Spectre also has a new battery layout.
Not terraced

And obviously, the MacBook has no fan because it uses a fanless processor: real big achievement there!
The Macbook is the smallest Core M fanless laptop. The innovation is with Intel as they make the processor. Although, Intel has been lagging as of late.
 
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Gawd its awful bling bling. I will appeal to a very narrow audience.
You are appealing to a very narrow audience :D

But so does the rMB

We who own the rMB know exactly what it is and at what price and compromises you pay for such a svelte device.

The Spectre is appealing to another group IMO and only over laps the rMB in 2 small areas it's thin (but not small ie footprint) and subjectively has some cosmetic appeal.

Otherwise they are chalk and cheese, however on paper, spec wise (bar the screen) the Spectre looks competitively priced, which may help it's appeal to some.
 
Yes, but the Macbook tapers down to an edge. This makes the Spectre larger than the Macbook volumetrically.
Irrelevant when comparing a 12" rMB to the 13.3" screen Spectre. By definition a 13.3" 1080p screen is wider than the rMB edge-to-edge, then there's the ugly bezel making it even bigger.

The Spectre is a 13.3" class laptop. Comparable to the MBA13 not the rMB.
 
Irrelevant when comparing a 12" rMB to the 13.3" screen Spectre. By definition a 13.3" 1080p screen is wider than the rMB edge-to-edge, then there's the ugly bezel making it even bigger.

The Spectre is a 13.3" class laptop. Comparable to the MBA13 not the rMB.

Agreed that the Spectre should be compared with the MBA13
 
The 1080p screen is an immediate deal breaker. I will never use a non high-DPI display again, unless it's on a really large screen that is 27"+
 
You are appealing to a very narrow audience :D

But so does the rMB
Apart from the specs, looking purely at the design, the HP is very.. eh.. distinct. The MB is really generic looking in comparison, fits in everywhere, and appeals to a way broader audience. I'd say it'd be difficult to find anyone who wouldn't buy the MB just because of its looks. With the HP though, that group will be a lot bigger. Personally I wouldn't want to be caught dead with that thing :D

I think generally speaking PC buyers care less about design (yes, a huge generalization), or at least won't let it stop them from buying a device. So while Mac users might hate the look, many PC users will simply not care (enough). So this particular look won't hurt their sales as much as if it were the MB targeting Mac consumers. But... I can easily see that there are quite a few PC users who simply don't like the bling and will wait for another brand to come out with similar specs but a less pronounced design.
 
Apart from the specs, looking purely at the design, the HP is very.. eh.. distinct. The MB is really generic looking in comparison, fits in everywhere, and appeals to a way broader audience. I'd say it'd be difficult to find anyone who wouldn't buy the MB just because of its looks. With the HP though, that group will be a lot bigger. Personally I wouldn't want to be caught dead with that thing :D

I think generally speaking PC buyers care less about design (yes, a huge generalization), or at least won't let it stop them from buying a device. So while Mac users might hate the look, many PC users will simply not care (enough). So this particular look won't hurt their sales as much as if it were the MB targeting Mac consumers. But... I can easily see that there are quite a few PC users who simply don't like the bling and will wait for another brand to come out with similar specs but a less pronounced design.

The opposite is true.

The HP Spectre has a relative normal keyboard with considerable keyboard travel and three USB ports.

The Apple MacBook has a keyboard with barely any key travel and a single USB port.

Looking at that, the HP Spectre definitely has broader appeal.
 
I think generally speaking PC buyers care less about design (yes, a huge generalization), or at least won't let it stop them from buying a device. So while Mac users might hate the look, many PC users will simply not care (enough). So this particular look won't hurt their sales as much as if it were the MB targeting Mac consumers. But... I can easily see that there are quite a few PC users who simply don't like the bling and will wait for another brand to come out with similar specs but a less pronounced design.

id say thats relatively true. design is almost irrelevant to me, im foremostly about specs, usage potencial(how many ports, how upgradeable, etc) and value. that said. this product doesnt appeal to me. it looks like something a news station would give to their news clerk for her to look presentable or something. or something a blogger would be paid to use. im not super keen on a Macbook either because of the illuminating Apple logo that serves no purpose other than to u̶s̶e̶ ̶b̶a̶t̶t̶e̶r̶y̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ act like a portable advertising billboard(can you turn that off?), but id take that over this HP Laptop.
 
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illuminating Apple logo that serves no purpose other than to use battery
If you're going to think ill of something, at least educate yourself about it first. Ignorance is rampant enough in this world without adding to it.

#1: the retina Macbook doesn't have the lighted Apple logo.

#2: on the prior Macbook Pro models that have it, the light source is the screen backlight. Apple just cut a logo-shaped hole in the metal screen backing and put white plastic in its place. There's no additional light and thus no effect on battery life.
 
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And you can always do what crappy TV-shows and movies do when they can't pay for product placement: put a nice sticker on it :D
 
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Apart from the specs, looking purely at the design, the HP is very.. eh.. distinct. The MB is really generic looking in comparison, fits in everywhere, and appeals to a way broader audience. I'd say it'd be difficult to find anyone who wouldn't buy the MB just because of its looks. With the HP though, that group will be a lot bigger. Personally I wouldn't want to be caught dead with that thing :D

I think generally speaking PC buyers care less about design (yes, a huge generalization), or at least won't let it stop them from buying a device. So while Mac users might hate the look, many PC users will simply not care (enough). So this particular look won't hurt their sales as much as if it were the MB targeting Mac consumers. But... I can easily see that there are quite a few PC users who simply don't like the bling and will wait for another brand to come out with similar specs but a less pronounced design.

Whilst we are playing with generalizations, speculation and guesses :)

I agree with you generally on the cheaper end of laptops etc where bang for your buck counts more once users start in on the MAC prices and higher the emphasis on design aesthetics kicks in and generally has always been the case, lets not get confused, if Apple made cheap laptops they too would similarly have to compromise, but simply they choose not to play in that area of the market.

The rMB has been slated by many for it's pure emphasis on form factor and none no more than fellow MAC users, you only have to read the replies here to see. I agree the Spectre is more bling than the gold rMB and may have limited or short appeal but lets not forget OSX is already a minority group and the rMB a further subset minority of that. Although I like to think the rMB is a more rounded device for it's intended audience and should fair better than the Spectre.

Apple only have 5 laptop shells and two of them are ~8 years old and the others are certainly looking for a major revamp (other than rMB). Other OEM's have a much more diverse range which allows them (or forces) to push more niche/limited products to stake their place in the market. If the Spectre spurs on others to bring more design and appeal to the lower ranges and pushes Apple to higher levels we all win providing the trend is not so loud they need to be bundled with a fee pair of Oakley's :)
 
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If you're going to think ill of something, at least educate yourself about it first. Ignorance is rampant enough in this world without adding to it.

#1: the retina Macbook doesn't have the lighted Apple logo.

#2: on the prior Macbook Pro models that have it, the light source is the screen backlight. Apple just cut a logo-shaped hole in the metal screen backing and put white plastic in its place. There's no additional light and thus no affect on battery life.

Huh, clever. didnt know that. point revoked. though i dont think too many mac owners even knew that

And you can always do what crappy TV-shows and movies do when they can't pay for product placement: put a nice sticker on it :D

I probably would if i owned one. well, actually i do. its a 13 inch Late 2010 Air. mainly used for OSX testing and as a reserve machine. i never take it outside so i havent bothered with the logo
 
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It includes a USB C adapter in the box! Gasp! IN THE BOX!!

I don't think the two are a good comparison. The HP is a slimmed down laptop with all the issues that can come with that. The MacBook is...well a MacBook.

Linus's review summary of the MacBook sums up my test drive with one.

"So if Apple wants your devices to reflect who you are as a person then I guess if you bought a MacBook 12" late 2015 Retina you are the kind of person that's not in a hurry and even if you were you don't have anything particularly important to do. But you need to do it for a long time between charges and look really cool while doing it."
 
the gold bit is gross! .. the hinges could've been more "hidden", and it would've looked even more slim ..
 
While i have a rmb and other macs.,i recently plcked up a lenovo yoga 3 pro. 13.3 but as light as and slightly thinner than the rmb. retina-like screen and multiple ports. lovely machine. windows10, but as simple as osx. great keyboard.
 
Overall I like the look of the Spectre, but I don't like the hinge at all. I guess it appeals to me because it looks 'different'. I'm just confused by why some are knocking 1080p, anything higher is pretty much just marketing numbers and a battery drainer. The human eye can only see so much, I just think too many people on here judge based off of stuff that isn't even needed. Just like those who call the rMB slow, most people who buy a rMBP don't even use a fraction of it's power (like the guy who said his fans are inaudible) and then call the rMB "underpowered". The rMB is powerful enough for almost anyone, it's just tech geeks want better specs, specs they will never NEED.
 
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Hm, am I the only one who actually likes the rMB keyboard?

It's much tighter to type on, and feels quite a bit better than my 15". The keys on that feel like marshmallows now..

The rMB is one of my favorite computers..the HP looks neat, and like they're going in the correct direction - but there's too many negatives, and why switch when Apple is already making a laptop which highlights the features people who want the rMB, are looking for (portability, fanless, OS X)
 
Hm, am I the only one who actually likes the rMB keyboard?

It's much tighter to type on, and feels quite a bit better than my 15". The keys on that feel like marshmallows now..

The rMB is one of my favorite computers..the HP looks neat, and like they're going in the correct direction - but there's too many negatives, and why switch when Apple is already making a laptop which highlights the features people who want the rMB, are looking for (portability, fanless, OS X)

No you're not the only one, I love the rMB keyboard.
 
Wait for new rMBP this summer, they will blow thing windows thing out the window in 2 seconds.
 
I disagree. Innovation is new or novel use of technology. Simply adding a bunch of good pieces into a product is not innovative, its just good design.

But its really just semantics, so not a huge deal regardless.

The new Dell XPS 13 and this laptop are getting closer and closer to not making apples aging lineup as appealing.
 
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