Envy 17 Q's, Switchable graphics?

Hi,

They just got Envy 17-1080eo with i5-450M in stock. Before pulling the trigger i would be very grateful if someone could answer a few questions i have about the envy.

1. Does the envy have switchable graphics Intel<=>HD5850?
2. If it has can you switch manually between Intel<=>HD5850?
3. How noisy is the envy when not gaming (leafblower/breeze)?
4. If i want to attach a second harddrive do i have to buy a caddy?

Thanks in advance

 

1. No it does not have switchable graphics
2. N/A
3. very quiet, with gaming fans ramp up, but still not disturbingly loud
4. If you ordered with only one hard drive, yes you will need to buy a caddy.

 

Are you 100% sure the envy 17 with an i5 cpu does not have switchable graphics?

(Pcmag mentioned in an envy 17 preview that the i5 versions had switchable graphics)

 

I am absolutely, positively, 100% sure it does not have switchable graphics. When you configure it online there is no mention of it, and check the Envy 17 owners lounge, you'll get the same answer. In fact just check the official specs on the first page.

 

The envy 17 reference guide actually mentions switchable on page 28, see link: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02178460.pdf

Can anyone who actually owns an envy 17 with an i5 cpu confirm that they do not have switchable graphics?

 

I checked some customer reviews on HP's site and there's no switchable graphics on the envy 17.

I'm puzzled why HP did not include switchable graphics on the Envy 17. I also think they will loose many potential customers by omitting it.

 

I agree, having some mobility on a DTR can never be a bad thing. But for most users who bought it, they weren't looking for good battery life anyway so it's a non issue. But it is a nice to have.

 

A DTR for me is not even a laptop, just a transvestite. Its for me the same as the imacs, not a full blown desktop, but not a laptop, for me DTR is just a anachronism for ''you're not going to move this babe as a laptop, but you don't have enough power to replace your desktop for intensive tasks''.

Basically having a switchable gpus, its of no consequence. Maybe you'll lose some customers, but most people who buy a 17'' more than 3kg pc, are not thinking of taking the pc everywhere.

 

My motivation for having switchable graphics is that when i surf the web or do other lighter tasks it feels unnecessary having 5850 generating heat and sucking power. On the other hand i have no idea how energy efficient the hd5850 is. I'm gonna have a look at the new dv7-4000 series since they seem to have switchable graphics on the i3/i5 models.

 

you're going to change a 5850 for a 5650?

better go for something way smaller than a 17'' notebook then

 

I'm leaning towards the envy 17 again. I am a little unsure of how noisy it is - many say it's quiet and a few think it's noisy.

My dv7 is just ok noise-wise, a little more noise and i would have returned it. When the fan starts it is very annoying even on the lowest speed. Thankfully the dv7 fan only runs 15-30 secs every 3-4 minutes.

 

I just ordered the Envy 17 with the following specs:

* Intel i5-450
* Radeon HD5850M
* 1600x900 screen resolution
* 4GB memory
* 500GB 7200rpm hdd
* DVD-RW DL

if they deliver it on time i will do some serious gaming this weekend ...

 

Nice. Hope you like it.

 

If it doesn't have misaligned bezels, wobbly feet, dead pixels or is annoyingly noisy it's a keeper. Otherwise i am back to square one.

 

go to square 2 and order a envy 15

 

It was a hell of a job reading the envy 17 owners thread i don't think i have the energy to read the envy 15 thread so no envy 15 for me.