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

THIS again? Has HP never learned from its past models?? DV6700's 9000's dv5, dv7t's.. and still the heat issue? Considering how HUGE is the envy17 chassis is can't they THINK of another location of the HDD other than the damn left palmrest?? Yeah they pumped the whole specs but never paid attention to the heat problem going on for YEARS. Why not move the HDD to some other place other than the palmrests for a friggin change?

 

If you get the i7 720 battery life will likely be halved because you will be using the discrete GPU all the time. Do you really need an i7? Most users don't.

 

Steve Jobs.

So I paid for FedEx 2nd day shipping. My shipment went from Shanghai to Alaska to California and is sitting there right now... exactly like my standard FedEx shipment from my Envy15, and exactly like everyone else who didn't pay for 2nd day shipping. Wow.

Oh it departed from CA like 10 min ago apparently.

 

Could you elaborate please-some temp sensor readings would be great. What specs are you running?

 

I ordered from Amazon on 28 May as well. This was when they still showed as shipping in 2-4 weeks. When it changed to "this item has not been released", I called them to check if it would have any impact on the shipping date. Spoke to them on 7 June and they replied saying that they confirm that they still expect to ship my order by 16-23 June. I elected for 2 day delivery so should be delivered by 18-25 June, but I guess will have to wait & see.. Will let you guys know if I hear any new info!

PS. was surprised to get an email from them confirming the convo, but think this is just because they then go on to ask for feedback, so use the confirmation as an ice breaker of sorts.

 

This thread has been slowly deteriorating into a place filled with complaints about shipping delays and people bragging about harassing HP and Amazon (mainly HP) customer service employees and the discounts they've been awarded for their unpleasantness. It just seems to go against the title of the thread "OFFICIAL: HP Envy 17 Owners Lounge!" Notice the positive character of that title. Notice the "Lounge" part and the "!" part. I'm not trying to say that your shipment did or did not get delayed, but I am saying that it would be nice if the posts weren't just whining or only negative. Let's get some more excitement going about this thing! The Envy 17 looks like a great machine that we are literally spoiling ourselves with!

Note1: Thanks to all the people that have been continually keeping things positive and realizing that getting this computer is not a punishment.

Note2: For those of you who ordered from Amazon and got an email about a mid August ship date...ouch. You guys should probably open a new thread titled something like "Dear Mr. Amazon, how do you expect me to wait for my Envy 17 for two months and keep my sanity at the same time. I mean come on, I'm only human!" Because seriously, that's a bummer.

 

Thank you - I do a lot of video conferenceing for work, mainly under incandescent light, so this really is a deal breaker for me. (assuming the 14 will have the same cam as the 17)

David

 

Fair enough - first timer on this forum (or any other internet forum for that matter) so was just taking my cue from others. I agree completely with what you are saying about it being an amazing laptop - can't wait to get it and thanks again to all those who have received it and have been posting their impressions!

 

I thought it was the GPU that determined if you get switchable graphics or not. If it is the CPU that decides, then do HP Envy 17 owners with an i5 get switchable graphics?

Why does the i7 not do switchable graphics?

Also, on the 17, are there those small rubber strips on the perimeter of the screen, like on the HP Envy 15 (to protect the screen when it is closed)?

 

Can anyone say more about the battery life with the 9-cell vs. the 6-cell?
I don't think it would be worth it to pay $75 for 1.5 hours of battery life instead of an hour, because that's what it sounds it would be like on the i7. And is the battery life on an i7 vs. an i5 really going to be "halved" or is L3vi just exaggerating?

 

Both i7-720\820 don't have switchable graphics because they DO NOT have any integrated GPU chip.

Seriously, this has been discussed countless times already both here and around the internet. It's also on the Intel Ark pages if you must know.

Also yes, there seem to be rubber strips around the screen, even though it's E2E glass.

 

RE: posts about delayed orders. While I agree about the whining and harrasment factor, this forum is being used by many to help decide what to purchase and those people should be informed of all aspects including the ordering process and possible/probable delays. It may be a deal breaker for some. After all it is HP who sets their own deadlines for build date and shipping, they could just handle information process to their consumer a little better. Hell even Domino's Pizza can tell you if your pizza is in the oven or being boxed and who is handling it in real time. I only post my experience here to inform others who are in the same boat and to compare info of what to expect. Sometimes posting here is done very soon after bad news is received by someone and that is obviously reflected in tone of their message, let's try to be a little patient with those who are obviously upset. With that of my chest I am however very excited about this machine and can't wait for it to arrive. I have heard very good things here about it and I know it will be worth the wait. Switching into positive mode ......... NOW!

Thank you for your patience!
_________________________________________________
"I'm just kidding, but seriously."-White Goodman, Dodgeball.

 

I don't want to continue dragging down stuff for negatives, but I wanted to say I ordered an Envy 17 on May 26 at 9:04PM Pacific Time and was told that it would be built by June 7 and would arrive BY June 14. This was a major point in me deciding to make the sale since I am moving apartments on the 15th and going out of town on the 16th and I wanted my laptop for my travel.

I made my order by phone as my current laptop was having disk read errors and when I could get it to boot up the backlight no longer works. I am using this computer now with an external monitor I borrowed. The sales person assured me that it would definitely be at my address by the 14 making the comment "under commit, over deliver."

Well my laptop did not get built and shipped on the 7th, or the 8th. The evening of the 8th I received an e-mail from HP stating there had been a delay and that my laptop would ship on the 9th or within 7 days of the original date. I am sure you are all familiar with this e-mail. With my current access to a computer I was able to see that I could have had two day shipping, which means I could still get my laptop on time.

I figured I would call HP and ask them to change the shipping method, because they were late in building it I figured they wouldn't have a problem changing the shipping method, and if they did I would have been willing to pay it (unhappily, but I would have) if they wouldn't do it for free. Talking with the first customer service person got me know where other than, we gave you a $25 dollar coupon, your laptop will be late and I can't do anything.

Apparently changing the shipping method for an item that has not yet shipped is a huge task for a big company like HP. I worked my way up to the supervisor of that guy I talked to and she also said I she couldn't change the shipping method and tried to offer me more coupons. At this point I was pissed and ready to cancel my order, and look elsewhere for a laptop since if I couldn't get it by the 14th, I would have an extra 10 days before I get back. I let the supervisor know that I wanted to cancel my order and HP could say goodbye to all my future business. At this point the got her manager and I went through the process again. Finally this person said they could make a request to change the shipping method. Well a request is better than a "no we can't do that."

I did some shopping around during this time and I really do want my envy for all its specs and everything, big display, good GPU, SSD, (why does the 17 only accept 8GB of RAM but the 15 can support 16GB? yeah I know the 15 has two more dimms but what about 8GB chips?)

Well I got to work yesterday and finally had a tracking number saying shipment information had been sent to FEDEX and then a few hours later another line saying that it was in Shanghai but was delivered at the cutoff time and I am happy that FEDEX has it now and is hopefully in route.

Anyway I read through the majority of this thread and a few other here while constantly refreshes my tracking number and decided to post to let off a little steam but also for anyone reading this trying to decide if they want an Envy 17 to say that I am happy with the specs and configurations that I was offered and I am sure in a month or two the shipping fiascos will be sorted out as the volume of orders comes down from the initial surge.



Finally a question: How often does FEDEX update their tracking information, my computer has been sitting in Shanghai for almost 24 hours?

 

mines been in shanghai over 2 days

 

For those who already have their Envy 17 systems, could you tell me if the included HP MediaSmart DVD / Blu-Ray Player software integrates directly into Windows Media Center? In other words, can you go into MediaCenter and directly launch the player software from there?

There's a few such players (for example, Arcsoft TotalMedia Theatre) that add in a plug-in directly to MediaCener while others do not. I was just curious whether HP integrated nicely like this.

 

Mine was in Shanghai for 2 days as well. It did seem like forever, but it finally got a move on and starting inching its way closer. It also took 1 full day to get through customs or whatever when it was in Alaska.

 

Quick question to the owners of the new Envy 17.

How far does the screen open on the new hinge design?

I went through up to page 60 and couldnt find the answer... if Jaxxy or someone else could answer me that would be great. THanks.

 

Sorry I didn't grab a screenshot! I completely forgot.

 

I travel a lot for my work and I have used both a ZD8000 and a DV9500 during my travels without too much effot. Both were 17 inch DTRs. This envy is even thiner and lighter than those so I don't see where it would be a problem. As long as you get a decent backpack or case to carry it around it will be fine! My opinion though because I don't know anything else but a 17 inch laptop!

 

System,

Here is a picture of side the laptop with the screen as far back as it can go. Let me know if this is what you are looking for.

 

Thanks for the picture. Can you confirm this with a yes or no:

On the 17, are there those small rubber strips on the perimeter of the screen, like on the HP Envy 15 (to protect the screen when it is closed)?

 

Not familiar with the Envy 15 but yes there is a small rubber ring around the edge of the mointor to protect it from dust and such when it's closed.

 

Instead of strips, it's a whole ring around the edge of the screen now. Hope that answers your query.

 

@ sasjegbruv123

You had the HP Envy 15, and know what I am talking about? Thanks!

EDIT: Here is a picture of what I mean.

 

Thanks Yukstin it opens more then i thought i would.

My XPS M1530 is pretty much a permanent desktop now.. bought it cause it was the only laptop i could get with 1920x1200 resolution (need real estate for work) that was under $1100... but because of DELL's cooling design... one of the heatsink's 8 mounts popped up and now during certain games it will over heat.....

I am well aware of how hot a laptop with aluminum palm rests can get... on the M1530 it was where the HDD left palm rest that was really hot...

I just hope the ENVY 17 doesnt get internally too hot until it damages any hardware inside.. would really like to use this for at least a solid 2 maybe 3 year... a little bit too cheap to buy extended warranty...

Does anybody know if HP's extra warranty like the 2 year accidental overlap with the 1 year standard warranty?

 

I believe it overlaps.

 

The thin rubber rim that lines near the edge of the ENVY 17's laptop screen is very similar in concept to the Macbook Pro's. It is not like the ENVY 15 you had where it was tiny strips of rubber pasted onto the surface. Instead, it is kinda built into a narrow groove indentation space surrounding the rim. I would not worry about the ENVY 17's protective rim 'peeling' off.

 

The person was referring to the Envy 14, because with an i7 720 there would be no switchable graphics, hence half the battery life.

 

Positive
Running for 24hrs now & no clicking or buzzing sounds. Nothing to complain about.
Only removed Norton AV
Installed AV & Firewall Only
Will run the factory settings for a few more days

 

If I replaced both the hard drive on the left side of the palm rest with a 160 SSD will it still be hot?

 

Left Palm Rest Temperature Question:

I am a week or more away from receiving my Envy 17, but if someone with their own has one of those digital room thermometers with the remote or outside sensor (thermistor at the end of a wire), then they can tape it to the case of the notebook and get a reasonable reading.

If not, I will do it after mine arrives.

 

anyone has opened the notebook inside?? is the graphic card upgrable?? i means is it a MXM module?

 

I have an SSD right now. The palm rest is warm. However it is not hot by any means even under load. Even with the metal alloy vs. plastic on my old computer it's still an improvement.

 

No, not MXM. Soldered to the motherboard.

 

Ok, I have been following this thread since the very beginning, and I am also about to receive my laptop tomorrow. I have seen numerous CONFIRMED postings by ENVY 17 owners that the palm rests under idle or load is just warm, even cool to the touch on the right area.

I just don't get it when people keep asking the same question. Is it because they just want to come to a consensus by averaging the warm, not warm, hot, very hot votes by each owner? If so, there have already been a view comments about this. Judging from all the palmrest heat opinions from various owners, unless you have wrists made from heat-sensitive jello, I would think that the temperature of the ENVY 17 palmrests are more than bearable, and will not cause you bodily harm or discomfort. I mean, i see one post where they even requested for a thermometer sensor to be taped on the palmrest to get more accurate reading!

And btw, Hot air coming from the vents are normal, and will not indicate any issues. ANd components close to the vent area will get warmer due to the scientific principle known as conduction, and should not be a cause for suspicion as a malfunction or hardware issue.

 

...and I'm back.

Thanks 2.0, I made sure to put two in the chest and one between the eyes.

Haha, I was wondering about our group shipment and if anyone got theirs early. Mine is currently out for delivery (Orange County area) Did you just get yours?

I was wondering if yours got split from Alaska and sent straight down to Hawaii, but it went to CA? What? That's retarded of FedEx to do that. Why couldn't they have just sent it straight from Shanghai??

Finally, some vindication from tech support- I hope HP starts acknowledging it as a legitimate issue! Dude, I hope your third one doesn't result in a FOURTH one. If I end up with the noise again, I don't know if I'll be up for a replacement...

 

A simultaneous request and offer of empirical data contributes to an objective analysis of a product, one that is no different than a run of 3DMark on multiple machines of the same or different configurations.

Different configurations may generate different heat signatures.

Similar configurations may also generate different heat signatures if manufacturing variability is at issue.

Empirical data contributes to analysis better than subjective invocations of "warm", "hot", or "cool".

{Mod edit }

 

Funny enough, when we do site reviews of a notebook, we post thermometer readings at various points about the notebook.

 

Hi Nevian,
do you forget something ???

We are all yet in waiting about your super comparison of the monsters.

Some problems about it or is arriving very soon ?

Thanks a lot.

 

Hey BennyPac, nothing against you. I understand your concern.

2.0, I know the benefits of having a means to standerdize and quantify opinions, and that's why you guys include thermometer readings.

When I spoke my mind, I was basing an evaluation based on all current owner reviews and agree that is still purely based on user opinion, not scientifically quantified. However, if we assume that most humans have the same tolerences for stimuli, than if the majority say that it is bearably warm, than I would tend to believe it.

BUT, if there was scientific data that was available that detailed the specific temperature readings of the surface of the palmrest, than I would think it will be appreciated by some. And be the justified conclusion to the palmrest heat questions.

 

HAHA! I did not even know that it was on for delivery today until I read your post.

Guess what? It just arrived!!!!!!

UPDATED:

Box looks pretty beat up. Hope it's ok inside. Can't open it yet as I want to wait for my better half to come back so that we can enjoy the excitement and anticipation of opening it together .

 

No worries. I understand your frustration. Even when we do temp readings, it's still subjective since they are usually taken under a specific load. Not that everyone is going to run their notebook exactly like that under the same conditions.

Bottom line; it's all subjective. Even with temp readings. So the best opinion one can gather is from a conglomeration of subjective assessments that use adjectives like "comfortable", "a bit 'o sweat on the palm", "hot", "Diablo's bed hot!", "omlette anyone?"



BTW word of the day is: conglomeration. Runner up: empirical.

 

Make an unboxing video!! =D You'd get views like mad on youtube

 

SOooooo tempted! We'll see.....since no one seems to be interested to make one yet. Do I want instant Stardom?

 

I STILL have not seen a single video of the 17 in the hands of someone that didn't work for HP, so I think you definitely need to do it =)

 

Alright guys, I'm out. I'm holding out for a 14 as it would be more portable and have better battery life. I wish you guys luck with your beastly laptops

 

Yea. The best reviews I have encountered include empirical and subjective reports. I tend not to agree with the idea that humans share the same tolerances for stimuli. Sensitivities to temperature (husband vs. wife) or noise (father vs. rocker child) are comedic clichés.

Anyway, if we are told 85 deg F and "warm" or "hot", readers can evaluate this on their own whether 85 deg F is warm or hot.

Additionally, empirical data helps reveal outliers, whether a box is much warmer than a collection of seemingly similar boxes.

A good scenario in this case would be simultaneous readings of:
* Contact Temp
* CPU Temp
* GPU Temp
* CPU % Activity, by core
* GPU % Activity (if available)
* with list of active software (3DMark, for example)
* with list of configuration
* test duration

This data set can help normalize the test across boxes. The tools to generate it are mostly free to users, too.

Well, I gotta run. My day continues . . .

 

My box was beat up too, had a big dent in the side of it, the box on the inside was perfect though so I didn't mind much!

 

Haha, my box is pretty beat up too. I'm contemplating doing a quick and dirty box opening video. Until then, it'll just be sitting around.

Or would you like to do the honors?

 

Both can make a video