Dv7 or Envy17?

I have an order for the Envy17 but unsure about the heat issue mentioned at length on threads. Anyone think the dv7 is a better alternative? I'm looking at quad core versions of each.

Things I'd miss on a dv7 that come with Envy would be no 1080p screen option(??), no USB3, that's all?

Things I like on a dv7 that don't come with Envy are price, looks (it looks better than an Envy from photos I've seen of each?) and far better battery life.

Any opinions either way? I am seriously thinking of pulling my Envy order in favor of dv7 but really need a 1080p screen?

 

Envy 17 has the 5850 card and the backlit keyboard along with the Magnesium construction.

DV7 has the Aluminium and the finger print reader that the E17 lacks-also costs quite a bit less.

Dv7 quad core systems seems to be running significantly less hot also!

 

I just bought a DV7 so I'll know more as I use it over the next few days. My first impression, I really miss the 1920 screen, the 1600 doesn't bug me as far as width goes, but 900 height? Come on HP, offer the 1920 in the DV7. I think I might be able to get over that, I do use external monitors quite a bit..

Another thing I absolutely can't stand is the clickpad. I think it's pretty poor quality tested, especially the gestures. If anyone at HP is honestly proud of that thing, they are lying. I know it's synaptics issue mainly, but cmon, it's HP responsibility to put something in that isn't a pain to use. I'm sorta getting used to it, but it's probably the least favorite trackpad I've used in a while. Mainly due to the integrated buttons and they way they sense your finger movement.

I have the slowest i7, it's insanely fast for a laptop, I'll give em that. I was looking at getting the i5, but I do a lot of virtualization with virtualbox/vmware so I wanted the extra cores and better memory throughput.

The envy was tempting, but a comparable configuration always came out to be $500 more, so it was really tough to justify the extra cost just for what amounted to a better screen and backlit keyboard.

The heat on the dv7 is a little bit of an issue, but I sorta expected that with an i7. If you want less heat I think the i5 would be a much better choice.

Good luck.

 

Envy has,

Full HD screen
Sexier, thinner chassis
USB 3.0
More powerful graphics
Backlit keyboard

dv7 has,

Better thermal efficiency (due to bigger chassis)
Better battery life (switchable graphics)
Price advantage
Fingerprint reader

 

The only other advantage that dv7 has is the bluray burner which I really need and is not offered with Envy. However, not having Full HD screen was a deal breaker for me so I ordered Envy and I'll just get an external bluray burner separately.

 

Thanks for inputs guys, I'm leaning towards ENVY still just because of screen. If the dv7 had 1080p I would get it.

I think I'll go for ENVY 17 i5 only to reduce heat and get an SSD.

 

Yeah I've got ssd on this DV7, it's really nuts how fast it is. hard drive is the most limiting factor, the i5 is a screamer and can do a heck of a lot.

 

@palatkik . I'd go with the envy if the extra cash isn't too painful. I'm taking my dv7t back tomorrow, the screen just sucks IMO.

I have an older HP workstation with a 1680 x 1050 screen and I'd rather be working on that than this new dv7t with the 1600x900. The color angles suck, the brightness isn't that great and I can't hack the 900 height...