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    Envy 14 - UK Thread

    Discussion in 'HP' started by Davidevo, Jul 13, 2010.

  1. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    No problem mate, you guys just fire away.

    I chose the $100 shipping option, it was fedex 2 day service, I couldnt be more pleased as the tracking worked every step of the way. I even phoned this morning as I saw it enter my hub to check for duty charge.

    If valued at $500 and it was lost then yes it would be insured at $500, which could be a problem. I didnt ask her to reduce it though so it would have been her problem if it was lost. If you only pay 7% then it might be worth telling her to ship it at the correct value. Unfortunately here its 17.5% :(

    I havent changed the warranty over yet, but a couple of people have phoned (demonhotrod being one) and in the UK it seems to be about £60 but we arent sure if thats 1 or 2 yrs. The accidental was about £120 I think.
     
  2. SuGaR847

    SuGaR847 Notebook Guru

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    @ ninja2000

    I think it's time for the first UK video preview :)
     
  3. crovax

    crovax Notebook Geek

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    AGREED!!

    Post us a video of that wonderful screen :D
     
  4. sasjegbruv123

    sasjegbruv123 Notebook Evangelist

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    oh lawdy 10char
     
  5. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    damn you guys....let me just play with it :)

    Only kidding, just installing some games then might try and video it. I only have a HTC desire phone cam, not sure what the quality will be like
     
  6. demonhotrod

    demonhotrod Notebook Evangelist

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    Off topic...but high five for the HTC Desire, 2.2 Froyo with 720p recording soon (hopefully)

    ahem

    Won't happen again Mr./Mrs. Mods
     
  7. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    yeah its a wicked phone! Will be good with the 2.2 but so far the video looks great on the phone, just need to download it to PC. I should have some time tomorrow so will put a couple of vids up on youtube.

    Got carried away playing DOW2, COD WOW and BFBC2 all of which played amazing at native with high settings. I was concerned that the underclocked gpu would not pull its weight but with the way this thing plays I cant even be bothered to overclock it yet.

    BFBC2 put the system under the most stress and the fans kicked up to a similar ratio as prime and furmark. It was audible but still nothing like my m15x on load. I had a mix of medium and high settings (but low shadows) and x2 AF and I had between 35-60fps on a 32man server
     
  8. Dokiz

    Dokiz Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi guys, little question here. In France, HP just released the technical presentation of the Envy 14, and contrary to what has been said 1 month ago, the screen is 1366*768 instead of 1600*900.
    It's the 1010EF reference. I still hope that it's just a mistake, so can someone tell me if the UK screen is actualy 1366*768 or if it's just a mistake ?

    Thanks
     
  9. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    The UK model hasnt even arrived over here yet so no one can confirm.

    the canadian 1050ca was supposed to come with the 1366 screen but the first users have reported receiving a 1600 screen so fingers crossed we may get lucky
     
  10. demonhotrod

    demonhotrod Notebook Evangelist

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    So is the 5650 underclocked in the E14?
    I knew Sony did that to prevent the E series laptop from overheating but I didn't realise that HP had done the same thing, annoying. Still, if it plays DOW2, CoD and BC2 mid-range then i'd be happy (though im more of a Team Fortress 2/Mass Effect 2/Company of Heores player).

    This is probably a silly question, because it's hard to relate from person to person, but how does it feel "gaming" on a slightly smaller machine? The keyboard from what I have seen, looks quite spacious.

    Very much looking forward to your videos mate and im glad you're having fun with it :)
     
  11. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    Its not underclocked per se, as ATI state the 5650 can range from 450-650. Hp chose 450. Still it plays everything I throw at it at native res. I will test overclocking later to see how high I can go. But I like it being at 450 at stock as it keeps it nice and cool, I will then clock if I ever need to (ie future demanding games)

    Feels great gaming on it. I have used 11", 12", 13" 15" and 17" laptops and this is a great compromise. I find 11 and 12" too small for serious gaming (ie online multi TF2/BFBC2 etc) but fine for casual gaming. I love the m11x but I wouldnt play online with it, its just too small. 17" is great but then you have the massive disadvantage of carting it around.
    This feels like I am gaming on a 15" but in a compact body. I can pick people out easily at range in FPS and the keyboard is a joy to use.

    I am also a TF2 and COH player but wanted to start with more demanding games first to see how it handled it. I can run you the COH bench later if you want? I will also run the forged alliance bench later.
     
  12. demonhotrod

    demonhotrod Notebook Evangelist

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    (Just so it doesn't get lost in my edit and behind ninja2000's post)

    I'd just like to add...I've just gotten off the phone with HP in regards to the warranty and keyboards etc for UK envy 14 owners and this is what I've been told:

    1) They can't guarantee getting you a UK keyboard because the machine is so new and not officially released in the UK yet but they will try as HP is releasing the machine over here eventually. They said they wouldn't be able to order the keyboard until you actually have the unit in your possession because they need a P/N number or something...basically a parts number. In regards to cost the guy said it changes massively so could range in cost from £15 to £40. If anyone wants the phone number to ring about spare part then let me know

    2) About the warranty. Slightly more alarming I got told that HP don't sell a warranty for laptops bought outside of HP UK, so any E14's from the US wouldn't be covered. I got told this by 2 separate agents as I was being transferred from one "department" to another, so make of that what you will. I'm going to ring up and ask again in a few days (or maybe once the E14 is "out" over here in it's full splendour) because to me, that doesn't sound right.
     
  13. PlasmaBomb

    PlasmaBomb Notebook Consultant

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    Can you fire up some pics? (US keyboard and machine)

    How long did the process take from start to finish?
     
  14. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    demonhotrod - that sucks :( I will also try and ring around a few agents early next week. And if you could PM me that phone number for the UK keyboard I would be grateful. The part number is in the service manual

    Plasmabomb - do you mean the order process? if so it took 15 days from order to delivery (as my order wasnt placed straight away due to the US independace holiday). Will try and take some photos later
     
  15. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    Quick update, I just OCed my 5650 to 500/900 and got a 3dmark06 score of 7500. My card crashes at 550 :( I dont know if it is the card/drivers/msi after burner so will try and get a higher clock when I install catalyst 10.6's
     
  16. derpderp

    derpderp Notebook Evangelist

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    Overclocking memory show very little fps gain. You better do 550/800 than 500/900 if it works.
     
  17. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    unfortunately not. 550 gives me a hard crash at stock 800 mem settings :(
    Havent tried 510-540 yet.

    I will try it again when I get ccc 10.6 on, I am hoping its just dodgy HP drivers.
     
  18. PlasmaBomb

    PlasmaBomb Notebook Consultant

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    Yes I did mean from order to delivery, it seemed pretty quick, 2 weeks aint bad for a newly released lappy built to order!

    :D
     
  19. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    Yeah I couldnt believe it myself. Especially the fact it arrived in the US on Tuesday yet I got it in my hands on Thursday!!!
     
  20. towely420

    towely420 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Most other laptops with the 5650 have it clocked at 550mhz, so I guess some would consider 450mhz to be downclocked.
     
  21. demonhotrod

    demonhotrod Notebook Evangelist

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    Bummer.

    Whats the process like to get it back up to "stock"? Will I have to constantly click something or have a process running (in the notification area etc etc)
     
  22. sasjegbruv123

    sasjegbruv123 Notebook Evangelist

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    i'm hoping the uk model has had a misquote in specs like on the canadian model which has the 1600*900 screen though it states 1366*768 on their website... one can hope =) would be nice to just be able to get it in the uk rather than order online and worry about customs. Still can't believe ninja got away with £70, i would've expected £150 - £200
     
  23. sasjegbruv123

    sasjegbruv123 Notebook Evangelist

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    also does anyone remember or have a copy of the specs and price of the uk model?
     
  24. derpderp

    derpderp Notebook Evangelist

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    Anyway I don't think 1336 is that bad either, at least you get to run games as good as the acer 3820/4820TG series.
    I mean, the 13" mbp is at 1280* since ages and no one cared and kept praising it until the envys came around.
    1650* is really bonus only if you do things that require a big workspace on your laptop, then again, professionals for that will have an external display 99% of the time...

    Yes, I'm close to saying that 1336 is actually a wiser option for the everyday gamer/document typist/mail consulting/chatting consumer. On 14" displays I doubt you would even see a difference, at normal usage distance of course, on a full screen picture displaying on a 1336 and a 1680 side by side. Both screens dpi would remain above good enough for the average human eye.
     
  25. SuGaR847

    SuGaR847 Notebook Guru

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    Again, the customs' charge is the VAT on the value stated on the shipping label. So for the UK it will be 17.5% on what ever value the sender declares.
     
  26. SuGaR847

    SuGaR847 Notebook Guru

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  27. sasjegbruv123

    sasjegbruv123 Notebook Evangelist

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    Has anyone else from the UK ordered from US yet?
     
  28. DanH

    DanH Notebook Guru

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    Yes, I ordered Tuesday and it is currently being built.
     
  29. SuGaR847

    SuGaR847 Notebook Guru

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    I am thinking of pulling the plug as well. Where did you order it from ? What specs ?
     
  30. DanH

    DanH Notebook Guru

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    Ebay, computerupgradeking and just had i5-450 cpu, 500gb hdd and 4gb of RAM in 1 dimm so I can upgrade later. Already have an intel SSD here so Ill swap that over and use the HDD in my caddy as an external.

    Just waiting for it to arrive now!
     
  31. towely420

    towely420 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yeah, paying an inflated price for a laptop with inferior specs to notebooks that cost ~50% less is a tough pill to swallow.

    Just wish they hadn't underclocked the GPU.
     
  32. sasjegbruv123

    sasjegbruv123 Notebook Evangelist

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    So guys help me out... i5-520 vs i5-450. What can i gain with the 520 over the 450?

    also guys when you recieve your units if you could let us know how much customs hit you that would be helpful.

    thanks in advance
     
  33. Armen.SG

    Armen.SG Notebook Enthusiast

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    Im thinking of shipping to a friends address in the US and have him DHL it to me in London. Any ideas whether i will pay customs or how much i will pay customs?

    Would it not be possible to quote a different price to avoid customs payment?

    Or if he takes it out of the box and stuff? =\
     
  34. GottaFeeling

    GottaFeeling Notebook Guru

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    I am dying to buy the machine but pretty worried about the warranty. The guy on eBay says that a 1year warranty is included. If anything happens to my laptop would I be able to send it to HP UK or will I have to send it to the US?

    Some companies offer international warranties meaning that you can return the product in any country ( Apple is doing that I think ). Does HP do the sane thing?

    I was also wondering about the radiance sceen. Is it possible that HP just did a mistake in the specs? I don't think anyone in this forum managed to get a low res screen, may be that screen option doesn't exist at all :)
     
  35. SuGaR847

    SuGaR847 Notebook Guru

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    If a judge from the Envy 17, the exact same model that appeared on the HP website in mid June and has been on and off many times since, it's the one being sold now. So I don't believe that any dramatic changes will happen with the Envy 14. On the other hand, nothing is sure until it's actually being offered for sale...
     
  36. demonhotrod

    demonhotrod Notebook Evangelist

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    Im not an expert when it comes to the new Intel lineup but the general consensus seems to be that the processor to "go for" is the 450.

    The 520M is .333MHz quicker (in turbo boost mode) and has extra "security" encryption "stuff" that tbh, I don't really understand but I did read somewhere someone say "if you don't know what the security encryption is, then you don't need it" which was sufficient enough for me.

    Ninja2000 is the only person (knowingly) that has imported from the USA so far and he got the eBay seller to down mark the cost of the goods to $500, so he ended up paying £70 to Customs...i think. It's in this topic somewhere

    You will have to pay customs and I dont think there is anyway of avoiding that. You'll be able to mark down the cost of the "gift" so that you pay less but remember if anything happens to the E14 in transit, you'll only get the insurance upto the amount that was marked.

    Ninja2000 might be able to help you a bit more.

    If it turned out that the UK model didn't have a low-res screen then i'd snap it up in a second. Unfortunately im not willing to shell out £1000 to find out!..Well not yet anyway, if I can't find out some solid proof soon then i'll take the plunge and let all you wonderful people at NBR know the score first.

    In regards to the warranty, the HP website isn't very good when it comes to information but I don't believe the warranty on the E14 isn't international, meaning if you import from the US then you'd have to get a warranty from HP UK. I tried asking them about this when I spoke to a couple of agents last week and they both told me that they DONT sell warranties for the E14. Feel free to ring and ask them for yourself, agents have a reputation of being clueless at best, at times.

    EDIT:
    For all you people wanting to know about the import charges, Ninja2000 said this:

     
  37. GottaFeeling

    GottaFeeling Notebook Guru

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    Can you please PM me the number to call?
    If they were selling the warranty I believe this would be pretty expansive anyway so at the end the laptop might cost more if brought from the US, right?
     
  38. demonhotrod

    demonhotrod Notebook Evangelist

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    Done and done mate
     
  39. xell

    xell Notebook Enthusiast

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    This seems a pretty conclusive answer from HP. The first year warranty is valid only within the country of origin only when that model is not on sale in your country. Otherwise, and in our case, we should be ok - however I question if this means our screen would be replaced with the crappy one.

     
  40. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    Thats great news Xell, thanks for that. Saves me buying a warranty, I can just contact HP if I get a problem.
     
  41. sasjegbruv123

    sasjegbruv123 Notebook Evangelist

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    nice one, so wait... if we get any processor other than an i5-450 would we not be covered by hp uk?
     
  42. xell

    xell Notebook Enthusiast

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    To answer my further questions I just replied - fast response...well done HP :)

     
  43. xell

    xell Notebook Enthusiast

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    I can't imagine we wouldn't be offered the same processor - but ultimately, yes, if they don't offer the i5-450 in the UK, they may just replace with a lesser one.

    That said, we could always contact the US and ask for them to fix it - shipping would be a pain though.
     
  44. demonhotrod

    demonhotrod Notebook Evangelist

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    Cheers xell for getting that information, it could help a lot of people out
     
  45. SuGaR847

    SuGaR847 Notebook Guru

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    Great news Xell. It just makes me feel a little bit better for ordering from the US.
     
  46. sasjegbruv123

    sasjegbruv123 Notebook Evangelist

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    so how have you guys ordered from the US?
     
  47. xell

    xell Notebook Enthusiast

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    No worries lads, I thought it would be helpful. It seems I have a mainline into HP by replying to the emails they've sent (the original one using the form took 2 days, even when they stated 1 day maximum). So any more questions just ask.

    I'm still on the fence about ordering - the money I will save being around 120 quid, but the downside is the potential issues with the warranty.

    When it comes down to it, the likelihood of my screen needing replacing is small enough for me to be willing to import it... and if the screen does end up dying, well it looks like a trip to the USA will be on the cards!

    I'll be buying mine from the same ebayer as ninja.


    EDIT:

    Ok, it looks like HP are now charging an additional 200$ for the 1600x900 screen. :(
     
  48. demonhotrod

    demonhotrod Notebook Evangelist

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    Im in much the same boat. On one hand I could get the spec I want for a "fairly reasonable price" but on the other hand I don't know if I could bare the thought of having to RMA it IF anything were wrong...not that i'd be expecting problems but it has to be thought of.

    The appearance of sub-standard 5650 cards is also slightly putting me off but tbh, there are very few alternatives :/

    If I do import though, i'd probably go through eBay (possibly where ninja2000 got his)
     
  49. sasjegbruv123

    sasjegbruv123 Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm thinking along the same lines in terms of RMA... i really think i won't get any problems, but if i do get something major returning would be both a hassle and very expensive
     
  50. xell

    xell Notebook Enthusiast

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    Where are you seeing these?! Fark, this is not good...
     
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