Envy 14: Engadget's 2010 laptop of the year

The winners of the 2010 Engadget Awards -- Editors' Choice -- Engadget

 

Is there much difference?. Today I'll have this laptop on my hands... I can't wait

 

Is this laptop still worth buying today or should I wait on a refresh? I've been contemplating on buying a new 15" Macbook Pro but the cost of this is much more attractive.

Really though, I want a 14"-15" gaming laptop but I really won't need it until September (deploying).

 

If you're cool with getting it without Radiance, by all means.

 

I love my Envy, but September is a long time away when it comes to technology. I would wait and see what come out between now and then and buy something closer to the time that you actually will need it.

 

Yeah I'll probably just see if I can find a cheapish Envy for now and get whatever else before I leave.

I'm really surprised to see this laptop win on Engadget though. I was certain Apple would've swept. Here's to hoping HP takes note of the honor and makes the next Envy even better.

 

Man you guys make people with Brightview (me) pretty sad lol.


All this talk about the Radiance display really makes me wish I had waited a bit to get my laptop (got it before the 500 dollar deal).


That said, the Envy is a pretty great notebook given the quality of the build and the price tag. However, its pretty frustrating to know that HP could have made it a whole lot better (not undervolting the GPU, improving battery performance, taking care of CPU whine, making more Radiance displays, and the touchpad issues)

I really think it could have been a true MacBook challenger if it had a few of those problems ironed out. Although that could mean that the next generation of Envy 14's could be what we're waiting for.

 

...and yet, I saved over $600 dollars by not going to a Macbook Pro + using the tweaks from this board. Hopefully HP can iron out some of these issues. The battery life still is my biggest gripe about this great machine as I don't like lugging around the laptop with a slice battery attached.

 

Feels good owning a laptop that's just now getting a lot of critical recognition / awards (long overdue)...
I guess the Apple fanbois @ Engadget finally came to their senses after seeing what the Envy had to offer when compared to the MB.

 

With all this latest hubub, I am once again facing a dilemma: When my Envy 14 with Raciance purchase (for a whopping $944!) went south with a defective Radiance display and the unit fell into a black hole for a month, and then an "executive case manager" was assigned (by whom?) and said my Envy is dead and gone, I went and bought a refurb with the same specs but a 256 GB SSD vs. 640GB HDD for roughly the same price. The decision is (and I've gone both way 4 or 5 times): keep the Envy as the best damn computer for a grand with the best screen possibly for years to come (they keep getting more expensive, and worse) and the best ergonomics? Or send the refurb back (the price will go to $1.200 after I buy the clearly necessary wtty) and keep my powder dry until either: 1) SB models come out and I go after one of the few that will have a decent screen or, 2) The SBs come out and the prev. generation, including Envy 14s, all be it with BV screens, get closed out for something like $600-$700. As much as I want the great screen, I do have two other models with excellent screens, and the purpose of the 14 for me is largely to have a reasonably portable machine fo hauling around town and country; the BV would not be unworkable for such pruposes.

Advice welcomed. I got the RMA and call tags to return the refurb with Raidance and SSD, and they give me 30 days more to get it sent back. I also have the option of going back to the (horrible) "exec. case mgt person assigned to my case and negotiate instead of for an 8540w with Dream Color Screen they have offered as a replacement for the E 14 and get one of the deals others have gotten to take the Envy with the BV screen and some other goodies for under $700.

Or, am I just driving myself nuts because an online magazine gave the Envy an award. One thing I can say with confidence: as much as the internal hardware will improve with Sandy Bridge (and the one practical benefit will be much better battery life), if the Envy 14 is discontinued, there will doubtfuly be another one as good for anywhere near the price. It is a honey of a machine, though I happen to hate ATI gpus.

Well, that was surely too much to digest but any thoughts welcomed.

 

totally agreed!

 

Now the only one left is AnandTech which has been riding Apple for quite some time, including playing ignorant as to not criticize Apple.

 

Yeah sell me the refurb and get yourself a sandy bridge! ha but seriously if you decide you don't want it i'd be interested.

 

RU serious? I'm happy to do business with you, but why would you want my refurb when you already own two E 14s. one of them with Radiance? PM me if you think this needs to continue "in private."

 

Girlfriend broke my radiance She knocked it off the bed.

 

Good news!

 

Anand himself uses a macbook pro, and Brain Klug just bought a new macbook pro. For hardcore mac users, they are already being pretty impartial as not to overly promote everything apple.

It is pretty disappointing that they never did a formal review of the Envy 14,
Mobility Sector Updates: Waiting for Sandy Bridge and Market Analysis - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News.
They've only briefly mentioned it here.
Btw the radiance screen had one of the highest contrast ratio they've ever seen in a laptop at 1000:1, and the 82% color gamut easily trumps anything that apple can offer.
It's a shame they don't offer the radiance anymore, especially considering that they had plenty of radiance screens for their lackluster 13 and 15in models.

 

If their articles on Apple products are not promotional, then I am not too sure if advertisements exist, only impartial wording.

 

lol. At least they've not sunk into gizmodo level yet and their coverage of PCs seems to be fair. I do admit they need to be more critical of macbooks though, especially for their ridiculous price ($2200 for a 15in with a decent graphics card, are you kidding me?).

 

Gizmodo are a pack of rampant children playing experts, I was appalled when they boasted Press protection laws when their equipment was confiscated due to the Iphone 4 fiasco. If I was the judge I would of say they were not Press, and therefore not protected by such laws.

Worst of all is their lack of professionalism or self respect. Nevermind their Apple riding.

 

you sir are outrageous. I'm sending rep on your way.