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

Yep, and another thing. If you decide that you want to run windows on it, via bootcamp, you lose switchable graphics.

 

Excellent thinking on Apples part. What a great way to ruin the users' experience.

 

Apple ruins the experience when you have to pay your credit card bill

 

HP Envy 14 gets Sandy Bridge update - Crave - CNET Asia

apparently the GPU is gonna be a 6630, which means no GDDR5. This is disappointing as i was planning on underclocking the GPU + GDDR to reduce power consumption + heat, while mobile. But without the GDDR5, memory performance is essentially halved. I guess i should have expected this tho, as with the original Envy 14, the 5650 was nerfed, and it used DDR3 instead of GDDR5. Damn you HP, why do are you so awesome at disappointing me!

So, who thinks i should wait for an Ivy Bridge MBP15, or just grab the existing Sandy Bridge MBP15?

 

I'm just hoping that this article is either incorrect or the 6630 is just the base GPU and you can upgrade it...a 6630 will make this refresh an utter disappointment considering that it's not much of an upgrade on the 5650 that the envy is currently running...if HP has nothing better to offer than a 6630, they definitely won't be seeing any of my money.

 

WTH ???

$1800 (approx) ???

 

Singapore.

 

That's about $1,450 in USD, and the base Singapore model will probably be a bit upgraded from the base US model, since HP doesn't do CTO in Singapore.

As Naples said, a 6630 is a horrible move. A 67x0 would keep the Envy 14 in competition with gaming-class laptops while still challenging the Macbook Pro as a premium machine (sans screen...). A 6630 is effectively a downgrade - it's a bit better than the 5650, but an equivalent upgrade would be a 6650, and a real gamer-friendly upgrade would be better than that.

Basically a 6630 looks like a bow-out of the fringe gamer market the first Envy 14 tapped into, while the lack of Radiance makes it a poor man's equivalent to a Macbook Pro at best. Don't get me wrong, the Envy 14's still got some great points, but it looks like they're shortchanging both of their markets on this iteration, assuming all of the information thus far is correct.

A 6630 and Brightview display = better be sub-$1000 base price. Like $899.

 

I'd say with the DV4 hitting the market with only integrated graphics, the 6630 is a lock for the graphics powering the new envy14. Honestly aside from the DM4 the whole HP refresh is looking rather disappointing now. I definitely wouldn't pay over $1000 for a refreshed envy without a high res screen and a better gpu.

Looks like I'm down to waiting to see what the Sony SA comes out as or wait another 6 months or so for what ivy brings.

 

I already posted that cnet asia article in a different thread, but i honestly don't believe that HP is going to do this. If they actually want to sell this laptop, they're going to have to do better.

And despite Cnet usually being a trustworthy source, this article may be wrong... I hope.

 

Where did you hear that the Dv4 is only going to use integrated graphics?

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/in/e...7-3329744-64354-64354-5048648.html?aoid=35252

 

Right now it is on HP's site with only an integrated graphics option

 

This is why, I was looking at it on HP's website since the DV4 was launched today. The only option is integrated graphics.

 

::rant::

While i dont like it, i guess that i understand why HP went with the 6630 instead of the 67xx. Basically it has everything to do with the chassis.

HP, not wanting to have people complain about the heat, and also deal with the increased number of associated warranty repairs, chose to nerf the 5650 in the original Envy15. It worked out for them (and not us), because even though it was nerfed when compared to the Arrandale [HP dv6t-se, Acer 3820/4820t, Lenovo Y460/Y560, etc], it still qualified for the title because it was within AMD/ATI's spec. The other notebooks did not implement a nerfed 5650 either due to greater chassis volume (dv6t, y560), acceptance of increased surface heat (y460), or a moderate combination of both (3820/4820t).

Ya see, the MBP has the 6750, and there have been a number of complaints about it getting too hot for some users when operating off of the dGPU. Since the MBP has an aluminum shell+chassis, it is effectively able to operate as a secondary heat sink, somewhat dissipating heat where the fans cant go. The Envy has a Magnesium shell, with a plastic/metal chassis, which means that it is not able to conduct heat as efficiently as compared to the MBP. The smaller chassis of the Envy14, also works against it in this same manner.

What HP should have done, was not to end production of the Envy15. It is my belief that it was terminated because of the perception that it was not battery efficient, and ran too hot, (not to mention the touchpad issues). This is primarily due to the fact that they decided to make the initial release a quad-core system, designed around the PM55 chipset that did not support switchable graphics. So, even when HP made available the dual-core Arrandale Envy15 models, despite the marginally reduced power consumption and surface heat, the new systems couldn't take advantage of the Arrandale IGP, leading many (like me) to ask, "what was the point?"

If HP kept the Envy15 alive with a chipset that supported switchable graphics when a CPU with an IGP was made available, mid-high level graphics (5750+, 6750+) and the higher resolution display (not particularly Radiance), then we would have had a real alternative to the MBP. It would also have justified the existence of the Envy14 as is.

What is really sad is that most of the tech review websites (Engadget, Gizmodo, Slashgear, etc.) lauded its arrival by looking at the specs, and not really taking the time to understand why it underperformed when compared to other equivalently configured notebooks. So now HP has been validated by the people who are supposed to hold it to a higher standard, and the average consumer who doesn't know the difference.

Ultimately, we will never see an Envy notebook that can be considered a true MBP contender.

::/rant::

 

I couldn't agree with you more! HP's discontinuation of the Envy 15 was a terrible idea, not only for the consumer, but in terms of competing with the 15" MacBook Pro. The only thing I disagree with is your certainty that HP will only utilize a Radeon HD 6630 instead of, at least, offering a second GPU option. Although there is plenty of reason to believe that HP would prefer a low voltage/low heat outputting card, there would be significant sacrifices in terms of performance and competition that many companies wouldn't want to risk. To add to that, the only reason why we believe that HP will only use a 6630 is because of ONE cnet article from Asia (which listed the specs for the BASE model). From what I know, there are no other websites supporting these claims.

Let's just hope that the article is wrong or simply not revealing all of what HP is to release in the Envy 14. If not, then I'm sure I won't be the only disappointed potential-customer.

 

^ Yes, I cannot agree anymore.

HP should have just kept with the Envy 15 and made some revisions.

It's not a MBP contender. Only in price... but not in specs.

 

If HP refreshes the envy with a 6750+ GPU and better display, they'd be no reason to buy the MBP over the envy spec wise...especially considering the $1000+ price of the MBP

 

$2000+ price tag after tax... just adding to your point

 

Hi everybody,

I found This Video

HP Envy 14" Sandy Bridge notebook

I think display is 1600x900

 

I, along with many others have already seen this video. The uploader mistakenly called this 2010 model of the HP Envy 14 a Sandy Bridge model, which is why it has a radiance display.

BTW, look at the comments

 

Honestly, i dont think that were gonna see an Envy14 with two GPU options, for the simple reason that the Envy14 has never seen two GPU options. In fact, the only Envy that ever had two GPU options was the Envy15. Originally it offered the i7-quads with the 4830, and then when the Arrandales came out, they upped the GPU to the 5830. The Envy14 clearly has a heat dissipation problem. If it was possible to offer a second GPU level on the Envy14, we would not have seen the 5650 get nerfed.

The only reason why we are seeing HP offer the 6630, instead of the 6550, is because the Whistler architecture (66xx/67xx) took a few design cues from the Barts architecture. The shaders were redesigned in such a way that allowed a reduction in the number of transistors used, and therefore operate at a higher clock frequency because of the power savings.

Radeon HD 6800-Series Architechture : AMD Radeon HD 6870 And 6850: Is Barts A Step Forward?

The thermal envelope of the 67xx radeons are simply too much for what HP thinks the Envy14's chassis + cooling system can handle.

 

Cannot wait to see HP try to release a nerfed 6630 and a non-hd/radiance display, oh lord if they think people will buy that over any other companies laptop or even there own dv6t or dv4.

Edit: http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/hps-pavilion-dv6t-and-dv7t-available-with-1080p-screens-people/
Apparently now even the dv6t are getting 1080p screens as of today, maybe hp worked on something for the envy 14 too :O

 

ooo 1080p screens... maybe I'll get that instead

 

I'd definitely buy a 15.6" dv6t with a 6770 and a 1080p screen with over an Envy 14 with a 6630 and a 1366 by 768 screen...

 

I meant $1000+ price over the envy

If HP is offering a dv6t with a 6770 and a 1080p screen, they'd be straight up taking the envy out of competition if it's only offering a 6630 and a 1366x768 screen

 

Best deal and Coupon HP Pavilion dv6 & dv6t Quad Edition Core i7 Laptop review - LogicBUY

30% off right now too. The thing is I want to wait to see that the envy has as maybe HP is going to get good LCD's and gpu.

Exactly what I am thinking if they do not put the same specs basically in the envy 14 they might aswell cancel the envy line.

 

I do believe that the Envy will still have just a 6630, but they will probably figure out a way to get a 1600x900 in there...

Either way, im pretty much sold on the dv6t-qe w/ the 1080p matte display. They say 5.75 hours with the high efficiency 6 cell, which is comparable to the Envy14 Arrandale w/o the slice. There is also talk in the modding thread about maybe dropping the envy17 kb in there for some backlight action... another thread suggested that there will be a backlit keyboard available for it in late spring, so maybe that is on its way too. anyway the kb backlight would be nice, but if i get a 6770 2gb GDDR5 and a i7 quadcore, for what will prolly be 400+ bux less, i can live without it.

if the envy somehow magically gets the 6770 (non-nerfed) i may still have the option to return the dv6t-qe, but i think i know what im gonna do now.

 

Even if they keep the same GPU and just add SNB and 1600x900 then I will be happy.

 

If the trackpad is truly fixed as well, then I agree. We'll see.

 

The lack of a back-lit keyboard really hurts the new DV6/7's Outside of that....they are great buys....especially because there are always coupons for them available.

2630 i7
1080p screen now offered
6GB of RAM
Blu-ray player/DVD writer
Up to a 2GB 6770
7200 RPM HDD out the door
Beats Audio
REAL left and right mouse click buttons!!!

You can customize one and it will be between $1000 - $1100 + tax.

 

Do you know which thread that was?
I'm about "this" close to getting a quickship Envy 17 (non-3D) because I'm finally returning by recalled (SB chipset) DV6.
I would get another DV6/7...but I don't want to give up my back-lit keyboard that I have on my current DV6.

 

I think it was somewhere in the dv6t quad/select owners or ordered thread. But then again, I just read another post that suggested HP was done upgrading it. I think that they will eventually release one with it, because the arrandale dv6t select edition had an option for a backlit kb.

Anyway, it would have been real nice, but I'm ok without it for now.

 

I don't mean to ruin the spirit, but what are some alternatives to the HP Envy/DV6t series that are currently or soon to be on the market? I'm looking for something with roughly equivalent components, decent size (not too think) and good aesthetics. This is all incase the Envy 14 isn't what we all hope it to be, and just to compare it to a dv6t

 

Has there been any news to confirm the specs, specifically the GPU?

 

Dell xps15 although the build quality and looks are quite bad. The soon to be released dell xps15z i beleive its called, look around sony aswell.

Im not going to pull the trigger on something else yet till hp officially says what the envy 14 will and will not have.

 

If the Envy 14 isn't getting similar high-res treatment, someone needs to fire the decision-makers at HP. There's no reason why an upscale notebook should only have inferior options.

 

I've got my eye on the Envy and the Alienware M14x. Totally not the same styling, but the M14x comes with a GT 555M, 900p display, and a basketful of nice features.

Dell is also teasing some new (aluminum?) laptops that should be out within the month. No word on specs, pricing, or anything else yet, but they should be sweet. Check out the video on their facebook page.

 

There is some recent information in this thread here

According to this site here, some of the configurations options will include:

So, definitely an Envy competitor.

 

Everyone associates Alienware computers with ridiculous price tags for features that can be purchased for far less from other companies, but I'm actually quite surprised by how affordable this year's line up is from dell.

 

*looks at the 1080p dv6*

gat damn

 

I wouldn't consider getting anything less than something with the following specs for a 14" to 15.6" laptop:

ATI 6750m or NVidia 555m
1 GB of GDDR3/5
switchable graphics
i7-2630m
1600x900 resolution
5+ hours of battery life on IGP
SATA-III
eSATA or USB3.0
HDMI out

To put things into perspective, the 13.3" Sony SB will have a 6630m. And, the HP dm4 has been spotted with a 6750m. CNET Asia says that the new Envy14 will have a 6630m. However, there has been no official announcement yet, so it is still possible that the Envy14 will not disappoint...

Thank god my dv6tqe will not be ship until June 6, giving me time to cancel the order if the Envy14 lives up to my hopes.

 

If the 6630 is as fast as the 5650 then I'll be fine with it. Even more so if it means less heat/better battery.

 

If the iGPU (HD3000) is sufficient to run the original Guild Wars, i prolly just wont use my dGPU (6770m) until either Diablo 3 or Guild Wars 2 comes out. And even then, i will try to underclock the dGPU as much as possible such that I can still run either on a second separate monitor in 1080p, maybe even less when just on the laptop display.

You may ask, well then why isn't the 6630 sufficient? Because when i need that power in the future, it will be there. The GPU is ultimately the most important factor in determining how long a computer will stay relevant.

 

Given a choice between Envy 14 SB and Alienware M14x now i would go for the latter without hesitation Unfortunately it wasn't available when I bought mine so I'll have to live with it for the next year or so. Life of a poor college student haha.

 

Hey make the decisions you can live with. I never had a laptop in college, just a desktop in my room. I was an electrical & computer engineering major,and found that nothing was better than a pencil, notebook, and big eraser. Lookin back, I think that a laptop would have been a distraction, so thank god im all gradumacated now. =)

 

The Alienware M14x looks pretty damn good right now, especially if HP drops the ball on the Envy 14... Great build quality, excellent processor, great graphics card for a notebook in it's size, and not as expensive as I imagined at first.

 

I'm really surprised reading this thread that people are so pessimistic about the new E14 being far better than the DV6. I don't think the notion is lost on HP that people have been waiting IMpatiently for the new Envy 14 and that with the Dell XPS 15, the Alienware M14X and now HP's own 1080p non-glare DV6 model, the Envy 14 is going to have to be really, really special or the brand will essentially die a fast death.

I would take $100 bets right now that the new E14 will blow away the old one, the dv6 and dv7 and will be competitive with the Dell XPS 15 but have some significant features (including very likely multiple GPU choices AND much better battery life) than the previous ones and than competing models. This is a make/break model for the Envy line and with all the awesome screens that the competition and HP itself have put out since the Radiance died, they would be suicidal maniacs to make the new Envy 14 anything but a blockbuster model and I expect that they will introduce it with massive discounts as well, to get the market share way up quickly and blow all the competition away.

I will also take $100 bets that if I am wrong, this spells a huge demise for HP as a consumer brand. If you don't have a flagship, your "budget lines" have no panache at all.

Come to think of it, with the experiences I've had with HP in the last 6 months, they ARE stupid enough to completely blow it! If I was about to buy, nonetheless, I would wait to see what they come up with.

 

The question is, what is high end in our eyes may not be high end in HP's. They may feel that an Envy with better CPU options, a 6630m graphics, etc is higher end than what they have in the severely nerfed DV4 and the mid range DM4 machines.

In terms of what we feel the Envy must have, a 67xx card, high res screen, etc probably aren't concerns of HP. I really hope they make me eat my words by releasing a high res 67xx graphics equipped machine but I just don't see it happening. I would love nothing more than a truly high end Envy14 to hit the market because I absolutely do not want a 15" or bigger laptop. They are just too big. Also I get a nice $200 or so discount through HP thanks to where I work so that is a nice bonus but if they don't offer a machine with what I want I'll gladly spend the extra money for a sony or wait another 6-8 months for the next generation of laptops and get a new smartphone instead.

 

Honestly, if HP wants to compete against the Alienware m14x, or their own DV6t, they'll have to put at least a 6750 in for their graphics card. A 6770 would be optimal, and I know that people have been arguing over it's power consumption and TDP, but Dell managed to gram a GT 555m into their m14x, which consumes more power than a 6770, despite being less powerful.

 

very different formats, not that the envy 14 is the slimmest nor the smallest of all, but the format is still very different. There is no use comparing the envy with the m14x, the m14x is barely a 14'', much like the m11x is barely a 11''

Now if you compared the envy 14 with the thinkpad edge e420s, this might be good. Or the LG blade P430, the vaio CA...

deal with it. Since the chassis is not redone, there is little hope for a better cooling system, its going to be a 6630m. It still will provide decent gaming, and for people who like the envy will be a good buy.