X

This HP laptop has a built-in Leap Motion sensor (pictures)

HP's Envy 17 TouchSmart laptop has Leap Motion technology baked in so you can control it by waving your hand.

Sarah Mitroff
Sarah Mitroff is a Managing Editor for CNET, overseeing our health, fitness and wellness section. Throughout her career, she's written about mobile tech, consumer tech, business and startups for Wired, MacWorld, PCWorld, and VentureBeat.
Sarah Mitroff
HP_Envy_17_Leap_Motion_Special_Edition_TouchSmart_35827865-8934.jpg
1 of 6 Josh Miller/CNET

A special laptop

This HP laptop has a name that's a total mouthful: the Envy 17 Leap Motion Special Edition TouchSmart. What you really need to remember is that it's a 17-inch laptop that includes a Leap Motion sensor.
HP_Envy_17_Leap_Motion_Special_Edition_TouchSmart_35827865-8933.jpg
2 of 6 Josh Miller/CNET

Leap Motion sensor

For those unfamiliar, the Leap Motion is a Kinect-like input device that works with laptops and desktops. It has impressive 3D spatial tracking that lets you move your hand around in the air to control apps.
HP_Envy_17_Leap_Motion_Special_Edition_TouchSmart_35827865-8931.jpg
3 of 6 Josh Miller/CNET

Leap Motion in action

With the Leap Motion on, you can move your hands around to play games and interact with the operating systems. Unfortunately, because the sensor is constantly checking the space around it for movement, it's a major battery drain, so much so that HP says you'll likely have to keep the laptop plugged in most of the time.
HP_Envy_17_Leap_Motion_Special_Edition_TouchSmart_35827865-8940.jpg
4 of 6 Josh Miller/CNET

Aluminum case

The Envy has a sleek aluminum build. However, at 7 pounds, it's a hefty laptop.
HP_Envy_17_Leap_Motion_Special_Edition_TouchSmart_35827865-8937.jpg
5 of 6 Josh Miller/CNET

Standard ports

Like most laptops, the Envy 17 has USB ports, a headphone jack, SD card slot, and HDMI port. It also features an Ethernet port for a wired Internet connection.
HP_Envy_17_Leap_Motion_Special_Edition_TouchSmart_35827865-8948.jpg
6 of 6 Josh Miller/CNET

Disk drive

An increasingly rare feature on laptops these days, the Envy 17 has a disk drive, in case you still have CD-ROMs, CDs, and DVDs lying around.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos