*HP ENVY 14 & ENVY 14 Beats (2XXX series) Owners Lounge*

You get what you pay for. MBP is the most complete notebook around. Most people just diss it because they don't have that kind of cash to throw around.

 

I just browsed through some of HP's pages on Facebook, and they all say few days/couple of weeks. To me it sounds like HP's way of saying "we just want to get rid of the first gen before we make the refresh available". Pretty obvious and logic business strategy, even though they should have started this earlier, if they expected the refresh to be released on June 15. Oh well, I'll wait..

 

I would never buy an Envy, too much money for me to spend on a notebook. I am just saying that the linked Samsung isn't much competition unless you really want something now and can't wait a couple of weeks. Even then, there are better options like the m14x or NP5165

 

not to mention the dv6t qe

 

The NP5165, m14x and dv6t qe are much more affordable than the MBP 15 and therefore are better options (unless of course you are flushed with cash, and even then I need windows).

However I would never buy a m14x unless I get a real good price, mostly because it s ugly.

And the sandy bridge dv6 has a couple issues that need ironing out, so I would wait for the next builds. (the current 33% coupon on it may confirm my suspicion that HP is trying to unload those faulty dv6's)

So that leaves the NP5165

 

Not really. I'm currently in the process of ordering a dv6 with the 2720QM, 6770M, 8GB RAM, a 1920x1080 display and Blue Ray for a grand total of $1200 (including 8.75% tax). The base MBP model with a comparable GPU costs $2200 before tax so it's literally more than twice the price (and that's before you pay extra for a high-res display and such). The MBP is nicer in some ways (16:10 resolution, better keyboard and touchpad, slightly longer battery life), worse in others (no BlueRay, no NumPad, weaker GPU) and different in that you get OS X instead of Windows. Unless you really love OS X, I cannot see how those differences justify an extra $1200.

Its only notable issue is that for a few games, AMD's switchable graphics do not work right. This can be fixed with a driver update. Also, waiting for the next builds will take you a long time -- the current build just came out in May.

HP has had approximately equivalent coupons ($500 off, 25% off + free 8GB RAM and BlueRay, etc.) since January; they come and go.

Using a GPU with a 128-bit DDR3 memory bus that has almost the same memory bandwidth as a mid-range card from 3 years ago? Thanks, but no thanks -- I would much rather take my chances with glitchy GPU switching that will probably be fixed with drivers than a crippled GPU that you are stuck with unless you upgrade the hardware.

 

Imagine if they put in a backlit keyboard I would buy it in a second. It is basically an envy 15" if they did that minus the build materials quality.

The decision is between 14" envy with crappy screen and below average graphics but really nice looking laptop and good build quality and a backlit keyboard.

Pretty funny there premium model is worse.

 

Ever thought about spending money wisely? Or do you think all rich people just throw it away?
If you call the macbook complete...
- low res (13 and 15")
- lack of USB3
- lack of even something essential as HDMI
- heat (40 to 45C casetemp arent really comfortable), inside is burning hot (CPU up to 90C, GPU too)
- 5400RPM HDD...
- ridiculous pricetags for upgrades
- not able to play any game (unless you install windows, which will run even hotter and louder. And HDD waste of space coz of 2OS'es + switching OS: waste of time)

 

Uh, the most complete? The only true feature it has is running macOS IMHO. (and i've worked on more macs than most here have ever seen)

The MBP as a package would be interesting if the MacOS premium didn't double the price of the hardware its built on and the design didn't have the tendency to fail after 1.5 years. (despite being only 10% of our laptops here at work... Macs with show-stopping problems outnumber every other brand in 2011 so far.)

Note the MBP even when everything works is a lackluster windows machine at best.

Due ot the sheer failure rate I have seen, I'd rather own an old envy than a new MBP...

 

Agreed with most of what you said. Except in my experiences, MBP's have been much more reliable than Windows laptops. My boss still uses his old PowerBook actually...

 

If you're really worried about gaming, just buy a damn clevo-based laptop and be done with it, they're the best around.

 

That is indeed a disappointment, the benchmarks on passmark looked pretty good but I guess these were done on the better version of the card.

 

Just spent $600 on bodybuilding supplements. Could have put that towards a laptop and could have been close to a MBP 15 with my student discount...hmmmm.

 

One of the reps on HP for Students - US group on Facebook wrote: "there is a slight delay in the refreshed Envy. In a couple weeks it should be good to go...so just wait a little longer. We're bummed too " Yay AND he also said that the Xbox deal will be extended so it will still be valid when the refreshed Envy comes out. So I guess that is good news for those of you in the states

 

Damn, I can't wait a couple of weeks. It better at least come out before the first week of July. My accidental damage protection expires August 21st, and I've been waiting for the refresh to call to replace my Radiance screen and try to get some type of compensation for getting a BV.

 

Xbox deal ends June 30th. So do they expect it to be out sometime in July?

I'm willing to bet the new ENVY won't be out for awhile. Can't believe HP is pulling this crap.

 

I'm still pretty sure the "delay" is that they want to get rid of old stock first. But that is just me A couple of weeks isnt an issue for me though (when I ordered my last cellphone, it was delayed like 3-4 weeks and I survived that, too ).. the one who waits for something good, never waits for too long.. or something like that

As for the Xbox deal, the rep on that Facebook page said it would be valid through july now, it was extended or something.. that deal was Microsoft's thing I think, so I doubt it really has much to do with the delayed Envy. Still good news I guess, for the americans here

 

Hardly anyone ever mentions the MBP's battery life! The quad i7 MBP 15'' can get 8 hours of video playback! In my eyes, battery life is a deal-breaker. But price is also a deal-breaker! Hahaha

There are power users, mobile users, and all-around users. Everyone has their good opinion.

 

microsoft, when they came out this this student deal, said it would go on until I beleive September 3rd (or 13th) while supply lasts, so i wouldnt be too worried about that deal vanishing

 

Each computer manufacturer (Dell, HP) has their own time frame for the xbox 360 deal. For Microsoft, it lasts all the way to September (probably applied for the Microsoft store and Best Buy). I know for Dell online it lasts until July.

 

That's what people thought about the radiance. Then poof! It's become a mystical unicorn.

 

I don't get why a computer manufacturer would want a shorter time frame with a deal like this.

 

My prediction:
2011 - Tablets gain market share
2012 - The notebook strikes back

 

I know this is a computer forum, but why did you spend $600 on supplements? The only thing you need IMO is a proper diet containing protein rich foods (fish, lean meats, nuts, milk, etc), and protein powder (not necessary by any means). The only supplement I use is protein powder and that is for post workout recovery. To each his own though, and good luck mass building!


"Insert obligatory HP screwed up this refresh here"

 

They are supplements, obviously they are not needed. I bought them to supplement my diet and training and because I had the money.

Any info on a more specific release date?

 

For those still looking for an ENVY alternative the Vaio S looks like a worthy adversary. (it has a 1600*1900 screen!)

Sony VAIO S arrives stateside, brings along an advanced extended battery -- Engadget

 

unless supplements=PED's?

 

The only supplements I'd spend that kind of money on and that would be one helluva cycle!

 

The C Series is another good option, with many of the same feature as the S. The only major difference is the lack of an i7 option, but the i7 in the S is only a dual core anyways. It looks like there a ton of components out of stock on the C, so I'm not sure if it's being discontinued or what the deal is.

 

I'm about to just buy a used Envy cheap and use it for a year and buy the summer 2012 refresh. Maybe those AMD APUs will get in there or Ivy Bridge by then...

 

You don't even need to buy used, just pick up the old gen envy then

 

I can get an i5 for ~$500 used. And an Envy 15 for roughly the same. I'm deciding between a backlit keyboard or the 1080p screen right now..

 

Robinhood1 in the owners thread had chatted with a HPUSA agent who said June 26. Fingers crossed

 

I just looked into the S series some more and its a good alternative, however I'd still rather have the old Z as it is one of the few laptops with a screen that rivals the radiance.

I guess the S series is great other than its poor screen...hmmm sounds like another premium laptop that I know.

 

I have given up I will have 21 days after the 27th of june to return the laptop I order. So if the Envy drop with in that time I will return my laptop and get if not I got a good deal on the max out dv6t quad edition.

 

if you used the 33% coupon deal, you got a great deal.
Besides the lack of backlit screen, built quality and maybe a problem with switchable graphics, its better than the refreshed envy in every aspects.

 

I did use the coupon. I really dont know that much about computer as you guys I upgrade to a 1080 screen was that the wrong thing to do? Did I get cheated? I watch a lot of blu ray and that was the main reason for the upgrade.

As far as the built quality should i call and get a extended warranty? This is going to sound funny but what are switchable graphics for I think games but I dont really play the on computers so will the problems with the switchable graphics ruin other things with this computer.

I will be using this laptop for watching movies recording vocals over rap beats and loading up hard drives.

Thanks for any information you guys can provide.

 

Nope, you should have zero issues!

 

Switchable graphics means that your computer has two separate graphics chips. One is integrated into the motherboard and doesn't use very much power, but it doesn't have the best performance. The other is a dedicated graphics card that uses a lot of power and has good performance, but lowers the battery life when you use it. You can switch back and forth between the two.
I don't know what you mean by "loading up hard drives".
Integrated graphics these days can handle Blu Rays, so having a dedicated graphics chip is more for gaming.

 

Hello, guys! This topic is huge
Are there any official info about the possibile specs of the new envy 14? GPU?

 

This is from HP's Malaysia website for the Envy 14 Beats.
HP ENVY 14-2000 Beats Edition Notebook PC series specifications - HP Home & Home Office products

Keep in mind, the regular (entry model) Envy 14 may not have that good of specs when it comes to HDD, RAM, and CPU. But the graphics card is most likely the same.

 

What I mean by loading up hard drives is that I let people copy everything I have on hard drives and they let me copy their hard drive. Most of time the hard drives are a least 1TB.

As of today I have some where around 11 Tbs and adding sorry for the slang.

 

Any cheap computer that has a USB port can do that.

 

Yes you are right but it take a very long time right how I have a aspire 5551-4200 and all the usb ports are 2.0. The hp I order has two 3.0 usb ports
so that would really cut down the waiting time.

 

Are dedicated graphics cards switchable since it isn't built into the motherboard? Would it be easy like switching hard drives/ram? (Doing research on the envy and the lenovo y470/y570) Also, are laptop builds geared towards certain kinds of graphics cards, ie: switching the graphics card for one with better stats but it isn't very compatible with the build/drivers/software etc? Sorry for the question bombardment

 

The computer's drivers handle just about everything for you. You just tell it to use one or the other. Although you might have to close a few programs first because it might be finnicky. You don't have to manually open the laptop up or anything...


On computers with Nvidia switchable graphics (not the Envy!) it automatically switches because it has Nvidia Optimus technology.

 

yes thats the idea of switchable graphics, to get something dedicated and switch to the integrated.

However you are partially right, since the 6630m would be on the motherboard itself.

Errr... what are you talking about, you mean putting another gpu in there? if that is it, sorry you cant do that, on this model

More professional or gaming laptops are geared towards multiple gpu options, which is not available in comsumer lines. For example the sager NP8150 can hold 5-7 different gpus (gtx 460m, gtx 560m, gtx 470m, gtx 485m, HD 6970m...), another example is the 8560w, that can hold 5 different cards. Those notebooks use the mxm format, and in the examples all are equipped with the mxm III type B format slot.

@Auxilio_ab_alto

there is also the possibility of BACON getting into the envy line, thus automatic switching

 

This is obvious, but seems you might not know... but you'll also have to make sure your HDD enclosure is also USB 3.0. Even then, it won't be THAT much faster unless you're using a very fast HDD or SSD.

 

Is there a new release date for this thing?

 

I think the general consensus is end of June (fingers crossed), but someone mentioned 26th of June in this thread.

Does anyone know if there is a specific reason why HP would stick with the low resolution BrightView screens? Is there no better 14" screens out there?