*HP ENVY 14 (1XXX series) Owners Lounge, Part 1*

Well said. I think you could squeeze 5 hours out of it if you really wanted to but we shall see.

 

Not for me, I've had huge issues with laptops and hibernate. I had my laptop set up to where it would hibernate instead of sleep when I close the lid and it would just mess up (fan stays on sometimes, won't load windows when i open the lid, had to force shut down).

It works fine for me though if I just tell it to hibernate instead of doing it automatically.

 

Same here. I've never been able to get hibernate to work properly, but I've always had it set to hibernate when I closed the lid. I'm definitely gonna try just setting the sleep button to hibernate, like you said, and see if that does the trick.

EDIT: Just tried it. That worked. Thanks, scishock. Now, if I can just figure out how to change the boot order in grub, I'll be set.

 

I was just looking at the Asus U43JC laptop with the bamboo body on bestbuy.com and it looks good. How does it stack up against the Envy 14? It certainly seems to offer improved batter life (although those are manufacturer claims, which as we have sen can be wrong)

 

I hear you, but people have their taste. But yes, the last credible argument in the mbp 13 favor is the touchpad (primarily in osx) and battery life (again, biggest advantage in osx, not when they are running windows), and for some, size. Some people place those things much higher than a more powerful and up to date cpu, gpu, and a better screen, and are quite happy and contented to spend the same money for much less in those areas.

Don't try to understand it. Just hope that enough people break for the combination of features, form factors and price you prefer, to get more of those types of machines made. In this case, I think envy 14 type machines will be ok.

 

One can't play modern video games,the other work well.

 

BestBuy typically doesn't update their lineup, so the only time I'd buy a notebook from them is when it's a nicely discounted outlet item.

 

I'm thinking I should have gone for the i7-720QM. Oh well, I don't need it but it would be nice to have it. And I plan on keeping this laptop for a while so I wanted it to be really good.

 

I agree the integration of osx allows for longer run time. But as a former osx user and an avid w7 lover, I prefer my aero to anything.

I really hope they sell the slice separate and at a much more reasonable price (sub 130) because I want one before school starts, otherwise I've going to have to put the pixel qi screen into my netbook to extend battery life.

 

I dont know whats the problem, but battery eater didnt record the time but kept on counting even while the computer put itself to sleep at 2% battery..
It showed some adress violations and similar errors...

How did you make it work?

 

Those pictures are representative for bright lighting.. In darker environments its more greyish/bronzeish...

Its not really silver, but that makes a nice contrast to the actually silver band around the side of the machine...

 

For me it works without a glitch.. Even reboots/reloads quite fast afterwards.. No complains there

 

Tipp: Start Battery Eater with rightclick as admin = no errors

To start the recording with integrated GPU I did the following:

0- AC is plugged in - battery is fully charged - dedicated GPU is active
1- disconnect AC - integrated GPU becomes active
2- start Battery Eater
3- plug in AC - windows says it can't change GPU because running programs
4- toggle "begin test when diconnecting AC" in Battery Eater window
5- disconnect AC
6- Battery Eater starts recording the time

To start with dedicated GPU just ignore "1".
But you could also change the GPU by catalyst control center.

I changed the Energy settings to do nothing when battery gets critical. You could also change it to shutdown at 2%. Perhaps it doesn't work if you just put it to sleep instead of shutting down.

Next time after reboot when you start Battery Eater it shows the results.

 

I have a question for erathostenes. When the laptop is not plugged in (running on batteries), is the CPU locked at 1.2GHz? Does the computer lower in performance a lot? Or does it stay the same?

 

If you tell me how to find out I might be able to provide you with an answer..

 

Hey its our two hero's erathostenes & StefanHT!

Thanks for all the info guys!

Could you please tell me what temps you get when you place your laptop on a soft surface, like a couch?
My concern is that the laptop will shut down, as I can only see 3 air intake slots that are on the bottom.

Would using the Envy 14 in this manner reduce battery life because it may be hotter?

What do you guys think?

Thank you!

 

Thanks.. The admin mode might have been the issue.. Well, I will repeat my test tonight...

 

Great question!

I think CPUZ would do the trick.

 

Both screenshots were made on idle:
On Battery with energy saving mode:


On Power

 

Thank you Sir! This is good news, I think!

I wonder if you could stress those cores on both battery and plug to see if we can get both on max?
I believe DVDShrink is multi threaded, so ripping a DVD should do the trick....

 

Maybe the best way to measure battery life is to remove it, power on the laptop using only the external adapter to the mains, and measure the current draw using something like a 'Kill-a-Watt', then divide the total battery capacity by those figures?

 

Thank you so much sir. It looks good. So I'm taking it lowers the CPU power but not by half. Thank you again.

 

Just wondering how high the CPU will max on battery...

 

This won't account for efficiency lost in the AC/DC conversion. You really need to use a dc clamp meter around the cord right before it enters the laptop, while the battery is out, and while using a windows battery power profile.

 

Of course it will, why wouldn't it? It downclocks to save power when its idle.

 

Under load on Power:


I was using WPrime:

Under load on battery on maximum performance profile:


It keeps the speed when I am on maximum performance profile.. On my power saving profile it will throttle as much as possible.. Which is good news, you have the option for low power and for high performance..!

 

I wonder why no one is opting for i3 370? With only a difference in turbo boost of 266Mhz I would've thought it's logical to save $50 from the upgrade to i5 450?

or am I missing something?

 

But you see the reason I asked was because I heard that on the Envy 15 when you use it on battery it downclocks the processor to 1.2GHz (half of its full potential). I hope this doesn't happen in the Envy 14 and it doesn't look like it does.

 

Thank you again kind sir. This is great news.

 

Because on battery, the Envy 15's would max at 933MHz for i7's and 1.2GHz for i5's.

Thanks! You've completely cleared this up... many will appreciate tomorrow when reviewing!

Any thoughts on ventilation? Could you lay it on your bed and use it?

 

Thank you for the advice I am going to look into that.

 

The i5's integrated gpu is a bit better too. Just a bit.

 

BTW: The results of Wprime:



And the temperatures after 700sec 100% load (see max temp):

 

I think those who are considering getting the i5 over the i7 only because of temperatures should just go for the i7. I don't think they would have put an i7 into this thing if it couldn't handle the temps.

 

Hey, keep that to yourself, you are spreading knowledge!

 

yeah another 100Mhz...........worth the extra $50? Thinking about whether to save it and put on something else.......like more RAM

 

I finally made my order after returning my Envy 15:

i5-450M
4GB 1dimm
160GB SSD

rest is preconf.

Getting my lap in the end of july cuz of international shipping...


Hopefully this lap will keep the idle temp under 40c, as my envy 15 did 46c idling with the i7

 

We dont know how it is going to affect the external temps yet. Those i7's really kick out the heat! (although they are stated at 45w they usually pull 55w, whereas all the i5's I have tested pull about 28w) That is a lot of extra heat to expel even with those two fans. I will put money that the centre of the keyboard will be hot to the touch with an i7 if gaming/intensive cpu tasks.

 

Sounds great. I ordered the exact same specs today. Looks like I'm also going to get mine at the end of July cause of international shipping. Looks like the e14 will stay a LOT cooler than the e15.

 

Not bad. Could you lay that on your bed and play with it?

 

Maybe, but only if it's true that HP's Envy 14 engineers have carefully accounted and compensated for potentially heating issues. We only need to look at the example of the HP Envy 15 Gen1's heating issues with the i7 to know that BECAUSE of the placement of an ODD we shouldn't assume they've completely eradicated the high temps.

 

Indeed. Look at the i7 Envy 17's heating issues as well.

Im wondering if an i7 Envy 14 would get 3 hours on battery? My i5 Envy 15 gets 3 hours, upgrading to an Envy 14 would give me a back-light keyboard, optical drive, superior CPU, and equal battery life.

+ all the way for me!

 

I'm sure that the Envy 14 can handle the heat put out by the i7. But, the issue here is whether the user can handle it. How many of you remember the removal of the word "laptop" from the 2006 macbook manual? Although, with all that time that your laptop is not actually on your lap, you can make a nice breakfast.

 

Cool! I know we made the right configuration. This gonna be awsome Like a kid on christmas eve.. cant wait

 

QFT! But, even as hot as it is, those CPU's are meant to handle 212F, and the MBP's body is meant to handle that too.
BYOB (Bring your own butter!) :laugh:

Since HP calls Envy a Laptop line, and the first thing they tell you about in the Envy 14 manual is a warning, Im concerned that I wont be able to use it anywhere I want to... like you can do* with a MBP.

* Butter & Eggs not included.

 

haha yes. Just like a kid on christmas eve.

 

I didn't try that for the same reasons you mentioned (vents on the bottom).
It could be OK if you just surf the Internet and don't use anything which needs more power as for example vids.
I'm more concerned that my legs could get hot if I place it on my lap while sitting on a couch.

To be on the safe side I will buy a portable Lapdesk.
After considering some products I'm about to buy the N315 from logitech:
Portable Lapdesk N315

There are other good products which are also padded and more comfortable for home use but this one is smaller and should fit in my messenger bag (Belkin 15,6 Inch Messenger Bag) together with the Envy.

 

Shouldn't the case have vents on the bottom where the fans are?

 

Thank you for your response StefanHT!

This is a big deal for me, although I clearly see most dont share my needs or opinion about using a laptop on your lap.
Ive grown so used to literally placing by boyfriends MBP anywhere, without hesitation or worry.... I always know the MBP will be fine because there are no vents on the bottom. Its designed for use, anywhere.

I currently have a metal mini breakfast stand that I sit over my torso while laying in bed; just to use my Envy 15 laptop.
I get tired of having to rig things up just to use it. I made a comment about it last night and my boyfriend looks at me ssooo nicely says... think different.

Smack upside his head!

 

Although I usually don't put my laptop on my lap, I see your point. A laptop is supposed to be portable, to be taken anywhere.