Canada: Found Envy 14 with Radiance!

Hey Canadian folks!

I haven't posted here in a while but was lurking and looking at the Envy 14 reviews and details. I really wanted to get the 1600x900 (900p) Radiance display which is so difficult to find. Well, I found them and picked one up yesterday in Ottawa with the Radiance screen! So I thought I'd share in case someone else is looking for it.

Some of this information is available elsewhere on the forum, but I'm not sure all of it is.

As you know the Radiance display is discontinued by HP and it's extremely difficult to find a new laptop with one on-line.

As others here have stated, HP Envy 14-1 050ca does come with the Radiance 1600x900 (900p) screen. However what's important to mention is that HP Envy 14-1 150ca does NOT. The difference between the two models seems to be only the processor i5-430m in 1050ca vs i5-460m in 1150ca, and the screen.

The 1050ca however is still available through FutureShop (1299) and BestBuy ($1499.95). I also must say that I saw 1050ca and 1150ca both side-by-side and separately, and in both cases the difference in the screen quality was apparent to me. Radiance screen is not that much brighter than BV screen, but I find that Radiance looks a lot cleaner and offers the "right" amount of screen estate.

In any case, if you're in the same boat as I was, what I recommend you do is go to BestBuy and price match the 1050ca model to FutureShop's pr evem Staples ($1197) price. That way you will get an additional (10% of the price difference) off.
All in all, probably a little too expensive for 6-7-month old technology (no i5-5xxM CPU, no USB3, etc), but there is still nothing else out there in this form factor with this kind of screen and performance, and I hope the CPU and eSATA will suffice for a while.

And by the way, I dropped in an OCZ Vertex 2 SSD instead of the standard 7200rpm drive and the performance increase is AMAZING. HD Windows 7 experience index went from 5.9 to 7.6 with overall index going to 6.7 based on all other components. I'm surprised to see THIS much of a difference because I had an Alienware M11x until it got stolen and I didn't see nearly as much difference there (it was slower).

Anyhow, hope this helps!

 

Best buy Canada shows three 1050ca units in stock. The description is wrong re the screen res. I can confirm the 900p screen.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product...430m-14-1050ca-silver-14-1050ca/10146623.aspx

Here in Calgary I scored a couple open box units yesterday in store. Will keep the best one.

 

I can confirm they do have the 1600x900 screen. I bought one online from Best Buy.

 

The open box units were 1099 and 1069 respectively.

Thats ok. Not really hot. Factory fresh is better if you can wait.

Sb will be here soon, but for now these look good compared to the 13" mbp.

 

Weird, clicked your link and in the description is says its the BV screen....

"The 14.5" display offers a stunning 1366 x 768 resolution, so every image is vibrant, detailed and simply breathtaking" Also, it goes for $1,399.95

KJ

 

as seventhedition and I mentioned, these def have the 900p screen.

$1399 is reg price - watch for deals.

But I would not wait too long in case they sell out.

 

what do you guys make of this?

If I am reading this right, we can buy the extended warranty and get a full refund via MIR

http://www.hp.com/canada/promotions...-Risk-Free-Hp-Care-Pack-Rebate-Claim-form.pdf