*HP ENVY 17 & 17 3D (1XXX series) Owners Lounge*

This is the Official HP Envy 17 Owners Lounge.

The Envy 17 Specifications:

CPU:
Intel Core i5/i7 Dual Core (Arrandale)
Intel Core i7 Quad Core (Clarksfield)

GPU:
Discrete - ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 w/ 1GB GDDR5

Chipset:
HM55

Memory:
2 x 1066Mhz DDR3 Slots (Arrandale)
2 x 1333Mhz DDR3 Slots (Clarksfield)

Display:
17.3" 1600x900 LED backlit (non-Radiance type, 200 nit)
17.3" 1920x1080 LED backlit (non-Radiance type, 300 nit)
E2E Glass w/ Protective Bezel

Storage:
2x SATA/300 Port (256GB SSD or 640GB HDD)
Slot Loading DVD-RW or BluRay

Notable Extras:
Backlit Chicklet Keyboard
Out of the box Eyefinity
Beats Audio Speakers (arguably the best laptop speakers)

Ports:
Mini-Display Port (Eyefinity Support Display #1)
HDMI (Eyefinity Support Display #2)
VGA (Eyefinity Support Display #3)
Low Light HD Webcam (1280x800)
1x USB 3.0
2x USB 2.0
Esata/USB2.0 port
Gigabit Ethernet
SD/MMC card reader
1x Headphone Jack
1x Headphone w/ Mic Jack
Subwoofer

Battery:
9-Cell
6-Cell

Dimensions:
16.38 x 10.83 x (1.24-1.52) inches
7.51 lbs

Envy 17 Service Manual: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02160120.pdf

*Thanks to one33_bpm for compiling most of this

DRIVERS - thanks to justinkw1

Press Stuff:

HP Envy 14 and 17 officially official, Envy 13 slowly waves goodbye -- Engadget
HP Unveils Latest Spring 2010 Laptops - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

Videos:

Overview - by Insomniac2k77
YouTube - HP Envy 17
YouTube - HP Envy 17 EyeFinity Demo
Unboxing by Nohm
Keyboard Flex - by Jaxxy
Eyefinity Dual Monitors - by Jaxxy
Eyefinity Triple Monitors - by Nevian
Eyefinity Triple Monitors [2 monitors + laptop screen] - by Jaxxy


A STEP BY STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO FIX THE "TWEATING/NOISES/MORSE CODE" PROBLEM. ("MIC FIX"): HERE - by Jaxxy

DOWNLOAD NEW BIOS FROM DRIVER LINK PROVIDED, LAPTOP WILL RUN COOLER

New Touchpad Driver released. Apparently it helps. Alot. Want to make it even better? Look HERE Credits to JJB

Want to make audio through headphones sound even better, check out THIS

Clean Install Guide - by HannesS

Want a NumLock Key? - by Benny Pac

Hard Drive Installation Info- by Benny Pac

 

Reviews

First Impressions by Aus8ball

Mini-Review by Jaxxy - First Owner!

Mini-Review by Kiwi Style

First Impressions by Jaerb4

First Impressions by pedromartinez

First Impressions by Hitman322

Detailed Impressions by Yukstin

First Impressions by PhatCat

Review by metril

Quick Review/Comparison by sgtpokey

 

Benchmarks

Temps after Gaming/Benchmarking - Jaxxy, i7 720/6GB RAM/2x500 GB HD

Temps during Light Tasks - Jaxxy, i7 720/6 GB RAM/ 2x500 GB HD

Idle Temps - Jaxxy, i7 720 / 6 GB RAM / 2x500 GB HD

3DMark06 - Jaxxy, i7 720 / 6 GB RAM / 2x500 GB HD

3DMark Vantage - yukstin, i5 540 / 8 GB RAM / 160 GB SSD

3DMark Vantage - Nohm, i7 720 / 4 GB RAM / 160 GB SSD

Crysis with Fraps - Jaxxy, i7 720 / 6 GB RAM / 2x500 GB HD

Alien Swarm, L4D2, and TF2 - sgnhh

OC: 3dMark06 - Jaxxy, i7 720 / 6 GB RAM / 2x500 GB HD

Heat Testing - Shiboe, i7 720

Heat Testing - Benny Pac

 

FIX for loss of keyboard brightness control after waking from sleep: (for 1920 x 1080 screens ONLY).

Whenever you close the lid on your laptop, do you lose control over the brightness controls via the keyboard?

Solution - Thanks to divertankado
Go to Device Manager
Go to Monitors
Select Update Drivers
Browse my computer for driver software
Let me pick a list of device drivers on my computer
Uncheck "Show compatible hardware"
To the right of "(Standard Monitor Types) - select "Digital Flat Panel (1920x1080 60hz).

Illustrated guide here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...hp-envy-17-owners-lounge-434.html#post6793140

 

Nice- I'll be posting here shortly once the US store is updated and I've processed my order. I'm very excited

 

I customized one the way I would if I were to buy, came out to around $1950:

• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-540M Dual Core processor (2.53GHz, 3MB L2 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.06GHz
• 4GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm)
• 500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5850 Graphics
• 17.3" diagonal Full HD HP Ultra BrightView Infinity LED Display (1920x1080)
• Blu-ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• HP TrueVision HD Webcam
• Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
• Full-size island-style backlit keyboard
• 50% OFF! One 6 Cell (standard) and One 9 Cell (over-sized) Lithium Ion Battery
• No Productivity Software

With the current BCB that will be around $1500 or so. Awesome

PEOPLE ORDERING REMEMBER BCB, USE IT, SAVE SOME MONEY! 25% Off right now. Won't last long.

 

What's a BCB?

 

@L3vi

I configured it almost exactly the same as you, but with the i7-720QM (I'm just too used to its power from the Envy 15 to let it go now.. ;] ). I didn't include the 9 cell.

I saw your post about the 17 being up, and so I rushed over and started configuring. By the time I was trying to add it to the cart though, HP took the 17 off the store...

^@ehsad
Bing CashBack, right?

 

Yes Bing Cashback. Use the Bing search engine to get to HP's site.

That's weird it was taken off. I think it may be best to wait for a bit for the site changes to "settle in" so there are no mishaps in ordering.

 

I bought the HP Envy 17-1002TX for AUD$1400 and here are my specs:

Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Processor (1.6GHz, 6MB L3 Cache)
Intel ® HM55 Express Chipset
ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5850 Graphics with 1GB GDDR5 VRAM
Beats™ Audio , HP Triple Bass Reflex Subwoofer
17.3” diagonal HD+ HP BrightView Infinity LED Display (1600 x 900)
6144MB 1333MHz DDR3 (2 Dimm)
1TB 7200RPM (Dual HDD - 500GB x 2)
SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support
Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector); 802.11abgn + Bluetooth
5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader* for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
1 SuperSpeed USB 3.0
3 USB 2.0 (3rd shared with eSATA port)
mini-Display Port
HDMI
eSATA Combo
VGA
RJ-45
Headphone out
Headphone-out/Microphone in combo jack
HP TrueVision HD Webcam
AC Adaptor
From 3.44 kg
41.6cm (W) x 27.5cm (D) x 3.17cm (min H) / 3.87cm (max H)
Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit

 

Looking good Jaxxy, I see you opted for the i7 720 as well.

 

@L3vi

I never used BCB before. So it's just as simple as searching for "HP store" using Bing and shopping through their search result link? Is there some confirmation that comes up when I'm about to purchase? Does it provide me a separate purchase option? Would BCB work even if I purchase using BML (Bill Me Later)? I seriously want to save as much as you've stated.

@jaxxy

Congratulations! I guess you're not a fan of the 1080 screen?

 

Here what I do to get it.

1) Go to Bing.com
2) Search "HP Direct"
3) Click the Bing Cashback link
4) Fill in your info and your off to shop
5) Check your email for confirmation
6) Refund comes in like 2-3 months, maybe more or less

*Cannot be combined with any other discount

 

Oh, no wonder I wasn't seeing it... I want to know how much each configuration costs in comparison to the same config in the envy 15...

 

Where do you se 25% Bing cash back?? It only says 10%

 

its back

Buy an HP ENVY 17 series notebook PC from HP | HP Official Store

 

^I checked, but it goes down when you try to customize. Dang, maybe I should just wait like L3vi said.

 

Make sure you search "HP Direct" It should be the first link. Click the Bing Cashback link right next to it.

 

Still nothing for me...

 

Actually my configuration was set in stone. Perhaps it's just Australia but I had zero configuration options...I would have got a BDROM otherwise...but at the price I paid for it I can't complain!

 

ok i found the 25%...but how do i know i'm getting the cash back? Im placing my order now and i don't see any reference to bing.

 

If you really want the BDROM you could probably buy one and install it yourself if your up for it.

 

You guys think the 160GB SSD they using is the Intel one, it doesn't mention the brand on the website? I'm kind of on the fence of returning my Sager to order one of these.

 

Don't worry it's not supposed to. You'll get an email with directions to open your BCB account and confirmation of the purchase. Should come within 10 minutes (but some users reported it coming in like a couple hours).

Read this if you aren't sure.

Bing shopping

 

It is likely they will be Intel G1s or G2s, like in the Envy 15.

 

Yes, every other ssd manufacturer creates SSDs in base2 sizes. Intel does 80-160.

Oh btw, it's back up on the site.

Interesting they're not offering 12mm HDDs like they were advertising.

 

Thx for the quick reply, if that's the case NOW I'm really tempted to place an order. I can deal with having the 5850 instead of the 5870 hopefully, gotta think this out some more.

 

Hi was wondering if anyone knew this thing has switchable graphics? Since accord to this it has a HM55 motherboard with is suppose to support the i5 and i7 620m integrated graphics.

HP Envy 17-1008tx Notebook PC (WY371PA) specifications - HP Home & Home Office products

If it does support integrated graphics why is the battery life still only 2.5
hours?


Also what are the chances of a envy 15 refresh with the same specs? lol

 

Sorry Tekka no switchable graphics, and not much is known about the Envy 15 refresh, except it will likely have switchable graphics and a 5730 option, none of that is set in stone yet.

 

Argh, it keeps getting taken down; I think I'm just going to wait a few hours...

@jaxxy

That's no fun. You could definitely purchase and install the BR drive yourself like L3vi suggested. That first pre-release manual has really good illustrations on taking your notebook apart, so you could probably follow the diagrams and safely get the job done. My only concern for you is whether or not there will be a good resale value on the DVD drive.

 

Ok, I think I'm going to sleep now, I'll catch up tomorrow afternoon if I can. Good luck with your orders everybody.

 

Envy17 back to HP/USA site
Buy an HP ENVY 17 series notebook PC from HP | HP Official Store

 

huh what was the point of the HM55 then lol isnt the PM55 better since it had more features or something like that?

 

Me too- I give up for tonight. Good night and good luck everyone.

 

It works for me, isn't being taken down. But I can't see the BCB before I hit the "submit order" button, so I'm scared to hit the button.

 

Yes that's an option...or I was thinking just buying an external USB BDROM if such a beast exists?

 

Yeah. Matter of fact, HP sells one as an accessory for the ENVY 15, so you could probably purchase it separately through their store. The price is stated at $200.

 

Its 10% discount now from Bing. And you have to buy the laptop first with full payment and after 1-2 months money will be credited to you account I'll still stick to Envy 14 as Envy 17 is outof my budget (

 

Yes but last time I used BCB, they let you know the BCB is taking effect BEFORE you hit the "submit order" button. As I don't see any indication that the BCB is working, I'm not going to order yet.

 

Why is the SSD option so expensive? 300+? A bit too much if you ask me. I am hoping that the envy 14 wont have this same problem or I will just go with the sony z.

 

How could you complain, that Vaio Z is expensive as hell

 

that SSD on Amazon is $427.

 

I am a bit out of it right now.. nevermind, the options look really good for its price.

 

I honestly don't see much value in SSDs so far in relationship to its pricing and longevity. I can see it's worth for notebooks like the toughbook and such, but not so much for the average consumer wear-n-tear (the only exception being for intensive graphic/video rendering, but even that will severely shorten the life span of the drives with the intense rewriting going on).

 

Wait so no more 25%? Guess I can't order now.

 

Have you ever owned an SSD?

Here's my life told through storage media in the last 6 years:

80gb 7200 - omg this is fast
160gb 7200 - faster and bigger!
250gb 7200 - amazing
500gb 7200 - so much storage I don't know what to do with it all (it's full now)
16gb (yes sixteen) SSD - ... why is my $220 netbook with it's 1.6ghz atom processor faster than my $2500 alienware?
128gb ssd (ocz vertex) + 500gb 7200 - processor power + high end ssd + large cheap storage = pretty much the best of both worlds
160gb x2 ssd in RAID0 (intel x-25m g2) - everything happens instantly, my computer can take the every day wear and tear of going to class and back, walking around with my laptop for miles, and be perfectly fine. photoshop cs4 opens in about 1.5 seconds.
160gb 5400 - photoshop cs4 now opens in about 50 seconds, i hate my life and constantly want to throw my computer out the window. i can't multi-task at all. everything takes forever.

Basically, if you've never owned and used an SSD for a significant period of time, you are forbidden from commenting on the usefulness of an SSD.

 

^Haha, I see your point. I do find the wait for PS to open a bit annoying at times (and rendering time does feel like it takes forever in dog years). So, if I understood correctly what you're implying- If I downgrade my (ENVY 17) options from the i7-720QM + regular HDD to the i5-540M + SSD, the loss in processing speed will be made up for by the read speed of SSD (in regards to time)?

Good timeline story btw.

 

Without getting too far off-topic, yes. For a large majority of the time, downgrading from an i7-720 to a i5-540 and picking up a 160GB SSD will make your computer MUCH faster. Actually, downgrading from an i7-720 to an i5-540 will often make your computer faster most of the time even without an SSD upgrade.

Basically, there are many bottlenecks in a computer, including but not limited to: RAM size and speed, processor speed, cache size, harddrive speed, and gpu speed (depending if your particular program uses the gpu). For many non-gaming tasks, especially in the last ~5 years since the Core series processors have come out, the bottleneck is the hard drive.

By the way nohm, a lot of smart SSD users get a bunch of RAM and setup a RAM disk to use as temp/cache and scratch disks for photoshop and similar programs. RAM doesn't degrade (at a rate worth noting at least) and is faster than any SSD utilizing SATA.

For most users, the durability and reliability of SSDs are secondary to their performance boost.

 

I want to place my order already but I'm nervous if the 25% Bing cash back will work.

 

I don't think it's working on the Envy17.

edit: nevermind, it works.