The mystery of the missing AMD sleekbooks

Earlier in May I flew to China, Shanghai to be specific, for the launch of a host of new HP ultrabooks and sleekbooks, a term created as a result of Intel's trademark on the word ultrabook.

The only difference between an ultrabook and a sleekbook is the processor under the bonnet. Obviously, for ultrabooks there is an Intel Core i-something inside and for sleekbooks, an AMD processor awaits.

At the Shanghai launch, HP showed off the Envy4 and Envy6, promising that both would be available with a choice of Intel or AMD processors.

However, a quick scour of the HP website — in this case the US version as they are not listed on HP's UK site — shows that the only configurations available on the 'sleekbook' Envy4 include Intel processors.

So where are the AMD options promised at the launch?

Well, according to sister site CNET Asia, HP said it has no plans to offer the AMD version in the Asia-Pacific region, and judging from HP's website, you can add the US to that list too.

I've been in contact with HP in the UK to try to get to the bottom of the situation, but at the time of writing the company hadn't managed to shed any light on the issue. More confusingly, the US website doesn't list any sleekbooks that offer the option of an AMD processor at the time of writing.

If I do get a response, I'll be sure to let you know.