Ever since Apple released the first unibody laptop more than a decade ago, anodised aluminum has become the defacto material by which premium notebooks are constructed. HP is looking to change all that with the leather bound Spectre Folio that can easily switch between laptop and tablet mode thanks to its unique convertible hinge.

The full grain leather covers the entire outside of the device and elegantly borders the display, keyboard and trackpad. HP assures us it is not out there slaughtering cows and instead uses leftover leather from factories. Either way the leather feels extremely high quality.

There are a number of benefits to using leather over metal or plastic. Firstly, the leather feels pleasant to the touch while also adding a grippy texture, making it more comfortable to hold when closed. The base of the laptop is never to hot or cold on your legs and you can throw it in your bag and move it around freely without worrying about scratches or dents. Leather simply ages better provided you can keep it away from substances that may dye or discolour it such as ink, lipstick, red wine or oils.

Outside of the unique look and feel the HP Spectre Folio, which starts at $2999, boasts one of the best convertible PC designs. There's a seam in the leather case behind the display that allows it to transform into various modes from the default laptop mode.