Future of Envy line now that HP is abandoning hardware?

I don't know if this thread has popped up already, but what do you guys think will happen?

I've been looking at getting an Envy for over a year now, and was hoping for a good SB update, but am now pretty lukewarm on the idea. I have a 2011 MBP, which I really like, but I would prefer to be using a Windows only laptop, and would like a better GPU.

Do you think more revisions are coming?

 

Who knows? Sorry to not have a better answer, but HP is not for sure abandoning its hardware line. It publicly stated that it's exploring its options, which include selling it, spinning it off as an independent company, and keeping it. Since the future of HP's PC division has not been settled (and indeed may not go anywhere), it's probably too early to draw any conclusions whatsoever.

 

I'm pretty much adding nothing to your question but...

Slim Ultrabook-inspired Envy 15 w/ a touchscreen 1080p display + Windows 8 = must buy for me.

 

I hope the next company who buys HP's computer department is more high end. Depends on the goal of the next company? Are they going to compete with Dell and their budget orientated goal or are they going to tackle the giant Apple at the high end market?

HP is getting a lot better with their quality. They moved from glossy plastic in 2008 to metal in 2011.

I'm still wishing for the reinvented Envy 15. An Envy 14 + dv6t = instant win.

 

I wonder if the ENVY line was their last shot at making a great prosumer notebook and the lack of bang/buck was the last nail. Or the Radiance was never re-sourced because they knew this was coming.

 

Rumor has it that HP had two Ultrabooks in the pipeline. Sounds credible, but of course it was only a rumor.

I was told by an HP rep when I bought my ENVY 14 that the problem with the Radiance was that the supplier had some problems (he made it sound like the supplier pissed HP off) and then HP ended that relationship. I've also heard that they went under. It's possible that both are true.

I get the feeling that all the stuff to come from HP last week was not part of a long-term plan and in fact was the result of some (very) recently made decisions. It seemed more of either a knee-jerk reaction to somebody important's epiphany... I thought I read somewhere that the head of PSG (the HP division in charge of PCs) didn't even know until he had dinner at the CEO's house the night before the announcement.

 

More likely the panel manufacturer quit business because there's no radiance panels in the market as separate components either.

 

HP IS in the high end market, Elitebooks and probooks etc. HP is just seemingly better known for its consumer models from which Apple competes with. they have run both sides of the spectrum for years as has Dell and Lenovo

 

I agree in the fact that this was a fairly quick reaction to the existing economic situation. HP probably considered plans in the past to exit the consumer business but it was too profitable and irresponsible to give up the golden goose despite its low yield and high cost. However, due to the existing economic crisis; long term and high unemployment, contracted consumer spending, and reduced lending capability combined with the additional uncertainty of the overseas markets and the predictions from economists that this is going to be a lengthy recovery (whether we fall back into a recession is still up for debates, but so far it looks like we are in this stagnant mess until 2013), all signal to HP that now is not the time to take on Apple in an attempt to dethrone them from the tablet mountain.

Putting technology aside, it would take lots of cash by HP in an attempt to win mind-share in the consumer market away from Apple and they think its too risky a proposition compared to the alternative; shedding the consumer business as it becomes a burden. HP probably figured they have 2+ years to transform themselves into another IBM. If they can succeed, they can emerge from this economic crisis as a very strong player. Even though companies are sitting on boatloads of cash, they can't spend it frivolously (except on lavish Cx0 perks).

The companies that survive always look to the big picture, and right now tablet computing is seen as a fad. Apple pioneered it in so much as they were first to market with a targeted vision, a consumer friendly and intuitive interface, and a whole solution foundation (ie. iTunes, App store, etc) to back it up. The PC solutions (and even Android) are having a hard time fighting against Apple (and not just in the patent wars) because they don't deliver what consumers want; a solution that just works, doesn't have compatibility issues, and has a solid foundation for future software needs. Granted, Apple achieves this by controlling their vertical market and acting as judge, jury and executioner to their product inception, development, production, marketing and eventual selling. It's a paradigm they have shown can work despite their almost near extinction, but it remains to be seen if this won't also be their Achilles heal.

Years ago, we were all cheering for Apple to fight the big M$ monopoly. It looked like an almost certain death, but humans invariably like to root for the underdog... it makes us think we can all overcome obstacles. Now, Apple fans are vehemently refereed to as fanbois; and we believe Android will rise if only to prove that Apple can eventually fall... Google was the underdog, and with its purchase from Motorola is now being seen as a potential pitbull...

Personally, I love my iPhone and as long as Apple doesn't mess it up, I'll stick with it for awhile. I don't feel like Apple is locking me into something I don't want because honestly, I'll jailbreak it if I need something they refuse to give me. In the meantime, their high prices keep me away from Macbooks; and lack of flash support has kept me from parting with my ca$h for an iPad... which is why I bought my HP Envy 17 3D.

Then again, the world is changing... while it goes down the proverbial "drain".

 

Keep your options open. We will inevitably see a thin/light/powerful notebook sometime in the next year or two when ultrabooks manage to get past current obstacles.

 

HP needs at least one more major refresh.


/begins insane dream


envy 15 beats edition, no optical drive, 1080p S amoled +++ hyper next gen display, amd trinity apu with fastest dedicated gpu possible for dual graphics in the chasis. 100 WH battery that sits flush with the machine. Switchable graphics native, red backlit keyboard. m sata ssd drive option coupled with standard drive bay. state of the art materials and cooling for confined spaces.. within reason.

Beats logo can be replaced with custom logo or sticker like say...






All other laptops in the world = irrelevant.

 

Ehhh. In the current state of things, I'd be happy with:

Envy 15
-True aluminum unibody design
-Thin/light form factor
-Good battery life
-1080p Radiance display
-No ODD
-Good GPU with switchable graphics
-Good CPU options
-Hard drive (I'll save $$$ and put in my own!)
-Webcam that adjusts screen brightness according to room light (Macbooks have this!)
-Backlit KB
-Multitouch touchpad with butter-smooth scrolling and many gestures
-Switcher/Expose functionality (I've cloned switcher on my Envy already)

 

but what about a starfleet logo ?!?!?!??!?

I want one that glows.

 

Too distracting for me. I'd rather there be no glowing logo. If they can also somehow design a cooling system that's much quieter than the current one, I'd gladly pay $100-150 extra.

 

If HP wants to put a glowing logo, they can and should come out with a cover that can lock into place and cover that logo for those who prefer no glow.

 

Ehhh, in an age when cost-cutting's important, I can see why the future leaders of HP's PC business would opt to ditch that idea. A cover/latch would be impractical as it would probably break easily in my backpack. A glowing logo won't be a deal-breaker for most anyway. It's just a thought of mine.


In the grander scheme of things, I view the logo as merely a marketing device for the buyer and for others who may see the logo and be reminded of who made the notebook.