Envy 14 - options + warranty price?

If I decide to get one if they're still being made, I'm probably going to go with whatever model has a 1920x1080 display , add in a backlit keyboard, and go with a base i7 with the base dedicated graphics card.

Whenever I decide to save up another 1500 dollars on a computer, anyway.

 

It's highly dependent on architecture.

6MB cache Core2Duos are much faster than the 3MB cache Core2Duos.

 

Still, in our case it's a difference between 4mb and 3mb, not 6 and 3. Now I won't pretend to have concrete evidence proving that the extra cache helps the arrandales significantly or not, but there is some data I've seen suggesting it won't. I believe the study I'm mentioning was done by either tom's hardware or PC magazine.

 

When Anand reviewed the MBPs, I believe they found about a 10% performance increase when jumping from the top-end i5 to the i7 620M. Now granted, some of that is clock speed.

 

I'll be buying the highest processor (likely 820 Quad) and graphics available, along with the best screen. I'll purchase the largest 7200RPM HDD, as its usually only $50 over the other options, but I'll leave SSDs alone as they're way to expensive these days. RAM wise, if its anything like the Envy 17's configurator, I'll get 4gb in 1 DIMM which is like $25 over it in 2 DIMMs. That way I can head over to NewEgg and pop in another 4gb stick for under half the $385 or whathaveyou that HP asks for 8b. I'll also buy the slice battery since its typically cheaper buying it with the laptop - right now there's a half price promo going on the Envy 17's config if you buy the slice.

Pretty much what I can replace or upgrade myself for cheaper, I'll buy later and do so. Stuff I can't, I'll buy top of the line.

I really hope there is another Bing 20-25% cashback for the Envy 14's launch. That was a fabulous deal and the main reason I bought the first one, even though I sent it back.

 

Is the 10% student discount guaranteed for the Envy 14?
I'm new to this student discount offer... 10% is a lot so I'm skeptical.

 

Hi, new to this forum after deciding that the new Acer Aspire Timeline X is not worth the wait (from the reviews the machines fan seems as if it will be very loud and the screen is also sub par). I just have a few specific questions for the HP Envy experts, as I have no experience with HP machines and more specifically the Envy line.

My questions are:

- Do the HP Envy lines tend to run cool and when the CPU is pushed will the fan run loud or soft (my 4 yr old Acer Travelmate 8200 runs very hot and the fan is very loud)?

- Someone mentioned the slice battery, is this a thicker battery than the standard that will be included on the Envy 14? How much battery life will you get with the standard battery vs the slice battery

- I have seen people mention the i7 chips. Do you know if these chips still tend to run at high temperatures?

Sorry if these questions seem obvious to you but I am very unfamiliar with HP machines.

Thanks in advance.

 

HP offers 10% bing cash back for everything purchased from its site. At this time, the cash back offer is 25%. So, the buyers of the Envy 17 and the DM4T are getting their notebooks for 25% off. My guess is that the Bing Cash back will be back to 10% by June 27th. Nothing to be skeptical about.

Bronsky

 

Anyone who is works at a school, or attends a college/uni can sign up for HP's edu. discounts. I believe I posted a link in the original post on this thread. *edit* It's not the same as Bing cashback, edu discounts are instant, whereas bing works like a rebate.

 

Am I right about the prices?

Base Envy 14 $900
I5-540M $150
4GB 1 DIM $ 25
160GB SSD $375 (my thoughts on the SSD is that with the 10% min off the price, which is ~ $350. That is less than I can buy it for so makes sense to install it factory - if there is 25% off, it's even less expensive - unless they put G1s in these)
$1,450 subtotal.

less 10% $1,310 either student or bing standard
less 25% $1,137 if the 25% is offered by HP.

Here are the only other options i am thinking about - slice battery and warranty. Is there a consensus on the least expensive way to buy a warranty? Price on the battery? Any other options to consider?

These prices are really great for the specs being offered. I'm still waiting for the Acer 3820TG because of the portability factor, but I have a feeling that there will still be no 3820TG/I7-620M's for sale in the US by June 27th. If that's the case, HP gets my dough.

Bronsky

@P51mustang53 - with his skepticism, I was pointing out to him that he can get 10% off regardless of the student discount. (apparently not too effectively )

 

I'm with you on this one, Bronsky. Hopefully someone comes through with proof that the 5650 can do SC2 on high or ultra with no problems.

 

Yea anyone and everyone at all times in the foreseeable future can get 10%. Students just get the advantage of it being instant. Cuz we're sm@rt.

As for the warranty, someone said it was available for like $320 as a separate purchase on the HP website vs either ~370 with edu discount or 399 normal. I never fully looked into it but I think he left a link in one of the 2 threads. Mayb if I was to order over the phone I could point that out and get it at the same time for the lower price...

 

I thought they anounced $999 for the Base Envy 14 ?
Which would mean $1,549 in total.

But otherwise that seems to be very realistic.

 

What they announced was that the Envy 14 with i5, 5650, and 1600 by 900 res was $999. That is likely not the base specs since it can be configured with an i3 processor.

 

If you are right it would mean that we will have a higher upgrade cost for the CPU.

Ati 5650 and 1600x900 display seem to be the base for any Envy 14 configurations, because there is no other option mentioned in any document.

From the configurator for the Envy 17 we know the following upgrade costs:
i5-430M --> i5-520M = $100
i5-520M --> i5-540M = $50

We don't know:
i3-330M --> i3-350M = A ???
i3-350M --> i5-430M = B ???

If you assume the base model with i3-330M to be $900 it would mean that A + B totals $99 , if there are no other differences.

And the Upgrade from i3-330M to i5-540M would cost:
A + B + $100 + $50 = $249

 

Dam! I didn't know there was going to be a math quiz today or I would have studied.

If you look at the other models, the upgrade from the I3-350M to the I5-430M costs $75. (G42 Pricing)
The cost to go to a single Dim 4GB DDR3 Ram is $25 (Envy 17 pricing). My guess would be that the $999 model incorporates both of those improvements and possibly some other minor upgrades for the extra $100. I actually remember reading the $900 base price somewhere too. Since we are still guessing though, i won't hurt my brain too much.

It may be that I am underestimating the cost of the CPU upgrade and should add the $75 to the cost of going from the I3-350 to the I5-540M ($225 total ). That would put the total cost w/o discounts at $1,525 which probably makes more sense.

Bronsky

 

Don't you lose a lot of memory bandwidth by using a single 4GB module? I think that until you get the 2nd one you'd have it crippled somewhat.

 

The whole idea of the single Dimm for me, is the cheap upgrade. Nevertheless, I think your referring to dual channel performance. Guess it depends on who you read ... "There have been varying reports as to the performance increase of dual-channel configurations, with some tests citing significant performance gains while others suggest almost no gain." Even the studies that concluded that there was an effect on performance, like the ones done by techconnect, demonstrated that performance differentials are most noticable in memory intensive tasks involving blocks of information exceeding 4GB. On the other hand, Toms Hardware found no effect on performance using synthetic gaming benchmarks. Go figure.

Bronsky

 

So, no real-life loss of performance by losing dual-channel on a laptop? If so, the 25$ single module option looks pretty sweet for future upgrades .

With 8GB I could run a lot more of VMs in the future, if needed

 

If your not confused enough, check this thread out. Removing 1 stick of ram apparently allowed for higher OC speeds.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/485426-overclock-g73-higher-removing-stick-ram.html

 

It could be an isolated case with a faulty (or less tolerant) memory module, or too much stress in the memory controller already as he had 4 modules.

Nonetheless, if dual-channel only realistically helps when copying huge amounts of data, anyone that wants to upgrade later should really get the single-module option.

I wonder if using an SSD would change any of it. With higher transfer rates it should require more RAM bandwidth for full speed (note that it may be not enough to require dual-channel bandwidth, but it would be an interesting test).

Would be awesome if someone with a core i5+ ddr3 modules and a SSD \ HDD could test it ^^

 

If I get the 14, I will configure it with the 4gb single Dimm, I5-540M and the 160 SSD. I'll let you know.

 

Really, with a screen size of 14 inches, do you think you will be able to tell the quality difference? Besides, SC2 requires you to be constantly moving your mouse around and microing; no time to focus on the pretty graphics!

 

If the Envy 14 is given this option like the Envy 17, I will definitely get the single dimm 4gb.

Right now, the a single dimm 4 gb is much more expensive than 2 dimms 2 gb.

And, you can just buy a cheap 2 gb dimm from pretty much anywhere for 40-50 and get 6 gb ram total.

----------------

in reality though, 4 gb is more than enough for most people. at any given time, i rarely rarely go over 2 gb. i don't do much OS virtualization

 

Wouldn't 1 dimm consume less power as well?

 

I'll buy the combo in my signature, Ithink it will cost me around < $1300 before BCB.

 

I'd anticipate it to cost around 1500.

 

For the Envy 15, the upgrades are:

540m - $150
6GB - $150
Slice - $125
160GB SSD - $320 (??)

Translate these to the Envy 14, and I'd say you're looking more at $1745..
With 10% Bing cash back, that'd be $1570
With 25% Bing cash back, that'd be $1308

But honestly, I'd expect the Bing cash back to remain at 10% for a while at this point. I'd be looking more for coupons from HP like the Envy 15.. it got up to $450 at one point.

 

The Envy 17 has the 160GB SSD as an option for $375. I think the 540M upgrade could be more like $225 from the base model with the I3-350M. On the 17, it is $150 to upgrade to the 540M from the 430M. On the G42, the upgrade from the I3-350M the I5-430M is $75.

I configured a single Dimm 4 GB rather than 6GB and held off on the slice battery. My estimate was $1,525.00 before any discounts. I really expect HP to have some great promotion on the 14s release. They were brilliant in handling the roll out of the Envy 17.

Bronsky

 

FYI, in the dv6t, going from i3-350M to i5-540M is +$200.

 

Cool. That means my configuration is an even $1,500.:laugh:

 

For extended warranties if you don't need in home Squaretrade is generally pretty good. It's mail-in, but they guarantee your laptop fixed in 5 days or they'll cut you a check for the purchase price. About 3 years ago they were horrible, but they switched their warranty contractor then and now I have nothing but good things to say about them.

Their price for a 3 year warranty, assuming the notebook costs $1300, is $160. You can add accidental damage protection for an additional $140 (no deductible, but doesn't cover theft). There's also always 15%-30% coupon codes lying around for them if you google.