Anyone know anything about the 2014 Envy 14T?

I'm looking at this laptop:

HP ENVY - 14t | HP® Official Store

It can be configured with an i7 and 850M for $890. That's a great deal for the specs, and the sub 5 lb weight. The question then is build quality, screen quality, and battery life. Those are all very important to me. I was wondering if anyone has this laptop and could comment on those or if maybe someone has last years model of this laptop and we might be able to extrapolate with what has changed.

Also, can the optical drive be switched out for an SSD? I have zero need for an optical drive but I do have a 2.5" SSD lying around.

 

I've seen my buddies 2013 Envy 14, and he loves it. The 1080p screen on the envy 14 is better than the 15 inch model. Its a solid notebook, but im not sure about the optical to ssd conversion. The only thing that has changed is the optical drive, and control zone touchpad, far as I can see. For specs its an awesome value. I'd order it, and if you don't like I, just return it for full refund, plus shipping both ways.

 

Does HP have a return policy where it's possible to do that? I was burnt last year when I bought an MSI GE60 from Newegg and it turned out the performance wasn't as good as I had hoped, it overheated and it was .8 lbs heavier than advertised. I tried to return it but they dragged their feet and I ended up paying almost $150 in restocking fees and I was only able to get Newegg credit in return.

 

| HP® Official Store

It's shipping is not returned, but shipping is usually free.lol. For return shipping, the send you a prepaid label. First hand experience.

 

Be advised that the 14ts don't have backlit keyboards, if that worries you at all. That was the dealbreaker for me. I wanted a smaller laptop, but it had to have a backlit keyboard.

 

So they would allow "I don't like it" as an acceptable reason for returning?


Also, the keyboard is no problem at all for me. I don't care in the least about backlight as I'm a full touch typer and the light of the screen us usually enough to get me situated. What I can't stand though are mushy keyboards with flex.

 

Yes, I don't like it acceptable

 

I am finding that HP seem to moving most of their line to keyboards actually pressed into the palm rest, from the bottom with a keyboard support bracket. The bracket seem not to firm but rather weak, with the keyboard that is less quality. Pretty much this where the mushy flex is coming from.

A good example of a reasonable keyboard from HP was the 2012 dv6, a keyboard you can actually unscrew and remove, which also had a somewhat decent recess to sit on. After then is when these new design started to come out and the trouble started.