HP Envy 14 User Review

[Alienwho]

I love my Envy 15. Every time I see other (non mac) laptops I can't help but just feel how big POS's they are. It's one of those things where you don't realize how much they feel like junk until you've spent a week with something better. I will never be able to own another laptop with lower quality than the envy or macbook pro line ever again because I have been spoiled rotten.

 

[Willhouse]

Does anyone know anything (or have an educated opinion) about the lower resolution (and probably lower quality) display? I'm strongly considering buying an Envy14, but want to keep the price down (ideally below $1K). The Radiance display is an extra $300 now. Additionally, I might be able to game at the native resolution with higher quality settings. I've never been picky about displays in the past.

In a price related question, are any of the processors above the i3-370M (2.4 GHz) worth the upgrade? Two i5s with same base speed are available: An i5 with turbo up to 2.66 GHz is an extra $50, and an i5 with turbo up to 2.93 is an extra $150.

This computer would be used for everyday (web-browsing, iTunes, youtube, etc) tasks at home, but for gaming (primarily SC2) and DVD/netflix viewing while on travel.

 

[vbuggy]

Well that's what we only apparently get over here. As far as comparisons go, it's no worse that most other lipstick-on-a-pig glass-fronted glossy displays, if my experience with the 13-inch Macbook Pro's, Adamos, etc etc are anything to go by.

However I personally find these sorts of displays unusable in actual portable use and draw the line at plastic glossy displays which don't exhibit as much reflection/glare (or break up the reflections to a degree), so the Envy definitely wouldn't be on my 'to get' list as a primary notebook.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Does anyone know anything (or have an educated opinion) about the lower resolution (and probably lower quality) display? I'm strongly considering buying an Envy14, but want to keep the price down (ideally below $1K). The Radiance display is an extra $300 now. Additionally, I might be able to game at the native resolution with higher quality settings. I've never been picky about displays in the past.

In a price related question, are any of the processors above the i3-370M (2.4 GHz) worth the upgrade? Two i5s with same base speed are available: An i5 with turbo up to 2.66 GHz is an extra $50, and an i5 with turbo up to 2.93 is an extra $150.

This computer would be used for everyday (web-browsing, iTunes, youtube, etc) tasks at home, but for gaming (primarily SC2) and DVD/netflix viewing while on travel.

From what I've heard, the BrightView display is decent, just not as good as the Radiance display (obviously). It should still be fairly close to the top of the list as far as display quality goes, considering how many crappy panels there are out there these days.

In regards to the processors, the i3-370M is plenty adequate. The i5-450M basically offers Turbo and not much else, and the i5-520M offers Turbo and AES hardware encryption support, I/O virtualization support, and perhaps one more thing. Really nothing support important unless the program(s) you're running specifically make use of those features. I'd suggest the i3-370M if you really want to keep cost down, or the i5-450M if you don't mind throwing in $50 for Turbo.

 

[Willhouse]

Thanks - now I just need to take the plunge...

 

[StrangerGuy]

HP wants to sell Envy 14 for the price of an Asus G73 in Singapore...I want some of the crack they are smoking.

 

[ed21x]

Does anyone know anything (or have an educated opinion) about the lower resolution (and probably lower quality) display? I'm strongly considering buying an Envy14, but want to keep the price down (ideally below $1K). The Radiance display is an extra $300 now. Additionally, I might be able to game at the native resolution with higher quality settings. I've never been picky about displays in the past.

In a price related question, are any of the processors above the i3-370M (2.4 GHz) worth the upgrade? Two i5s with same base speed are available: An i5 with turbo up to 2.66 GHz is an extra $50, and an i5 with turbo up to 2.93 is an extra $150.

This computer would be used for everyday (web-browsing, iTunes, youtube, etc) tasks at home, but for gaming (primarily SC2) and DVD/netflix viewing while on travel.

eh... i wouldn't get the Envy14 for gaming. I mean, sure the computer looks like a Mac (it's main appeal), but they downclocked the radeon 5650, so while the card model is fine, it performs subpar to other laptops of similar specs. The laptop suffers from cooling problems much like HP's other laptops, which is why the card is downclocked, and Envy 14 owners complain that at that speed, artifacts still appear. I dunno, its kinda disappointing considering that despite its good looks and heavy build, they skimp on cooling =\ Check out the notebookreview forums for feedback from the community.

 

[Infrnl]

Did they get rid of the 14.5", 1600x900 "Radiance" Display with Edge-to-Edge Glass option? They do not appear to offer it anymore. What is going on

 

[CurseTheSky]

I heard their supplier of the 1600x900 panel is either having issues, or is now defunct. Word on the street is HP is scrambling to find a new supplier. That means could mean a few different things:

• The 1600x900 Radiance Display will never be an option for the Envy 14 again. That would SUCK and I'd probably stop recommending the notebook to people unless they drop the price another $100 or so.

• They will find a new supplier, and it will be an inferior display. It could happen, but at least you still have the superior resolution as an option if needed.

• They will find a new supplier, and it will be a superior display - unlikely. It would piss a lot of current owners off, but it would be all the more reason to recommend the Envy 14 to more people.

• The current supplier will some how miraculously start making panels again.

• They will discontinue the Envy 14 and focus on 13.3 and 15.4 / 15.6" models again. The Envy 14 is currently their best offering, so I don't see this happening.

Either way, it really sucks that the panel has become scarce.

 

[Infrnl]

That does suck. I am currently in the market for a good laptop. Ive been looking at the HP Elitebooks, but not sure how they are for battery life. I know you also recommend the Z series but I think those are way out of my pricepoint.

I kind of like having the 10-key too, which would mean 15", but I may be able to deal without it. Time will tell I guess. Back to research.

Thanks for the info on the display

 

[finbarqs]

i really wanna see the envy 14 without the radiance.. is it THAT bad? I mean no where have I seen anyone have one!

 

[Infrnl]

I am sure the envy with standard screen will be fine for most avg users, but why not get the radiance screen for a little more. It used to only be a $100 upgrade which was well worth it.

I may just look at the Elitebooks or possibly the vaio business line; not sure. Every manufacturer has their stupid differences in upgrade options for their different models.

 

[CurseTheSky]

i really wanna see the envy 14 without the radiance.. is it THAT bad? I mean no where have I seen anyone have one!

Nope, it's not bad at all. It's just average.

And by average, I mean still better than half the junk screens out there today. It's nothing to write home about, but I'd take the 1366x768 Bright View display over the panel that was in my UL30A any day. So, if you're just looking for a laptop with decent specs and a good solid chassis, the Envy 14 with the 1366x768 display is still a decent buy. It's just not as good as when the Radiance was only $100 more.

 

[Computers_Plus]

No offense to anyones opinion but i would buy anything but an HP laptop I see more HP laptops come into my shop for serious hardware failure than any other brand.

here is a link to a reliability study done by Square Trade in November of 2009

http://www.squaretrade.com/htm/pdf/SquareTrade_laptop_reliability_1109.pdf

 

[Emulex]

squaretrade is where the #1 fence (b'ay) is how folks get free laptop fixes.

wait 30 days and booya.

I'd bet over half the notebooks on 'bay are professionally laundered (re-tattoed/serialed/etc).

just sayin' like craigslist bad mojo buying off there.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Considering HP is the #1 notebook manufacturer in the US, it doesn't surprise me. That's not to say that their laptops don't have problems - they do - but I'd still take an HP over an Acer / Gateway / Emachines or even certain ASUS, Toshiba, or Dell models.

 

[StrangerGuy]

There is a huge rant thread over at Notebookreview.com regarding the Envy 14 5650m being underclocked from 550MHz to 450MHz. Some are even reporting that their 5650s are of lousy bins and can't even reach 550MHz even at the same voltage as other laptops. Buyer beware.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-envy-hdx/503246-hp-envy-14-gpu-clock-undervoltage-poll.html

 

[Emulex]

you ever think that maybe they don't want a nvidia-gate BGA meltdown (RROD) incident again? they are giving out new laptops (hp) to everyone that had one of those.

 

[RobsTV]

No offense to anyones opinion but i would buy anything but an HP laptop I see more HP laptops come into my shop for serious hardware failure than any other brand.

here is a link to a reliability study done by Square Trade in November of 2009

http://www.squaretrade.com/htm/pdf/SquareTrade_laptop_reliability_1109.pdf

As another tech that has to fix these regularly, I agree 100%.
But, stop causing problems for us.
The more they sell, the better job security we have.

Please, keep buying HP's. I need another car and boat soon.

 

[Computers_Plus]

Yeah RobsTV I agree for sure keeps us busy lol

 

[CurseTheSky]

There is a huge rant thread over at Notebookreview.com regarding the Envy 14 5650m being underclocked from 550MHz to 450MHz. Some are even reporting that their 5650s are of lousy bins and can't even reach 550MHz even at the same voltage as other laptops. Buyer beware.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-envy-hdx/503246-hp-envy-14-gpu-clock-undervoltage-poll.html

I just read something interesting and posted at NBR, but I'll share it here too. The Sony Vaio Z (which is in an entirely different size and price class) apparently has an underclocked GT 330M. So, for all of those people saying "Downclocked HD 5650?! WTF HP! I'll just go get a Vaio Z instead!", they might be in for an unpleasant surprise, especially considering the Mobility HD 5650 beats the GT 335M and it's slower GT 330M brother, at least at it's highest clock speed (who knows at 450MHz, but I've heard that it still beats a stock GT 330M easily).

The first small drawback is seen in the theoretical graphics performance. Sony's built-in GeForce GT 330M has been significantly downclocked and thus "only" achieves the rate of a GeForce GT 325M.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Sony-Vaio-VPCZ11X9E-B-Notebook.28704.0.html (under the Windows Experience Index and under Gaming Performance).

Of course, that doesn't give an "excuse" for HP to use the lower clock speed part, but it at least shows us that they're not the only ones doing it. It's not easy to keep heat in check in a relatively small chassis crammed with a bunch of other stuff. As long as you're not buying the Envy 14 strictly for gaming, it shouldn't concern you. If you are looking for a laptop for gaming, you should be aiming for the 15"+ segment anyway. Otherwise, the Envy 14 is an excellent compromise.

 

[dbhatt]

Which of the two would be a better buy: The 13' Macbook Pro and the 14' Envy if I don't care about the extra 100 bucks which of the two would be a better buy? I know that the Envy is more value for money since it has a discrete graphics chip included as opposed to the MacBook, which has integrated graphics, but from a usability standpoint (such as build quality, battery life, overall feel, etc) which of the two would be better? I read the review and understand that the Envy has a lower battery life, but what about the others and good build quality but I'd like a direct comparison?

I don't really play that many games but the discrete graphics card is still pretty useful to accelerate 1080P video, say. So which one would you guys suggest?

 

[TheStu]

Which of the two would be a better buy: The 13' Macbook Pro and the 14' Envy if I don't care about the extra 100 bucks which of the two would be a better buy? I know that the Envy is more value for money since it has a discrete graphics chip included as opposed to the MacBook, which has integrated graphics, but from a usability standpoint (such as build quality, battery life, overall feel, etc) which of the two would be better? I read the review and understand that the Envy has a lower battery life, but what about the others and good build quality but I'd like a direct comparison?

I don't really play that many games but the discrete graphics card is still pretty useful to accelerate 1080P video, say. So which one would you guys suggest?

Holy Thread Necropathy Batman!

The 13" (the single ' is for feet) MacBook Pro has the newer Sandy Bridge CPUs and if you aren't gaming then the integrated graphics will be more than sufficient to power any video (or 10) that you throw at it. Bear in mind that if you want to run Windows, you will have to supply your own copy, and it will have to be Windows 7.

Conversely, the HP comes with Windows 7 and does have the separate GPU if you wanted to game more, or found the intel integrated to be lacking.

I would choose the MacBook Pro personally, but that is just because I prefer OS X on a portable. If I didn't, the Envy 14 would be almost at the top of my list of PCs to consider.

 

[dbhatt]

The 13" (the single ' is for feet).

Oops! Also, the Envy website says that we can buy it with a quad-core Core-i7. Is that not the Sandy Bridge line?

 

[LucJoe]

Oops! Also, the Envy website says that we can buy it with a quad-core Core-i7. Is that not the Sandy Bridge line?

No.