underway binned: HP Envy Sleekbook 6z review: an inexpensive thin-and-light with AMD innards

Saturday, July 14, 2012

HP Envy Sleekbook 6z review: an inexpensive thin-and-light with AMD innards

More Info

HP unveils Envy Spectre XT Ultrabook, other thin-and-lights in various sizes
HP takes EliteBook W-series on a trip to Ivy Bridge, throws in Z220 Xeon for good measure
HP refreshes EliteBook line with five new models, Ivy Bridge and optional LTE

HP has been fleshing out its Ultrabook lineup as of late, most recently adding the metal-clad Envy Spectre XT to the mix, but the company is also addressing the lower end of the market with its Sleekbook line, announced back in May. Confusingly, these thin-and-light systems look exactly the same as the new Envy-branded Ultrabooks, except that the Sleekbooks are less expensive -- namely because for one reason or another they don't meet Intel's Ultrabook guidelines. One such notebook, the Envy Sleekbook 6z, stands apart from the Ultrabook fold with an AMD Trinity APU -- a spec that helps keep the starting price nice and low at $600.

That's not to say that all of HP's Sleekbooks ditch Intel processors, but given the choice between and AMD- and Intel-based model we quickly chose the former. After all, the 6z is the first Trinity-powered system we've had the chance to test, so we were naturally curious to see how it stacks up against recent Ivy Bridge machines -- and we imagine you are, too. So without any further ado, let's get to it.

Gallery: HP Envy Sleekbook 6z review