The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Mine is trouble free but most likely going to return it only 5 days left of the 21 day return. The issue is heat IMO the components will most likely have a shorter life span down the road.
It's bad enough that people are returning it. No one is going to be able to tell you whether it is too hot for YOU or not though. Give it the 21 day test if your curious.
Well I finally got my shipment initiated confirmation from FedEx today so now at least I have a reliable outlet for information and confirmation that my Envy 17 is built, though I doubt it will actually be picked up till monday. I ordered on May 27th so maybe that can be some help for those of you still in Envy limbo on an actual estimate for your Envy 17. Seems no ryme or reason for units delayed and units received before est build date but here are my specs anyway:
HP ENVY 17 customizable Notebook PC
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-820QM Quad Core Processor (1.73GHz, 8MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to3.06GHz
4GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm)
1TB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (500GB x 2) 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
6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard)
I'll keep everyone posted on built quality, flex and other issues posted here on it's delivery and also the effectivity of my new notebook cooler with an adjustable position fan I can place as a ram air fan directly into the air entry vent for the notebooks suction side fan.
One question for those who already received their Envy 17, how many days was it from HP's notification of ship date till actuall dilivery?
Originally Posted by lovelaptops I find it almost unimaginable that, with all the heat problems with the Envy 15 they released another that still has the problem. Not to mention a certain trackpad that they can't get right after having the Envy 15, 2 refreshes, the TM2t, and now virtually all of their Pavillion line. HP has many very attractive products and many work fairly well, but it staggers the mind that they would release new products, having to know they have heat and track pad problems.
The Envy 15 2nd Gen is not unacceptably hot, especially considering its thin/lightweight formfactor and CPU/GPU combo. The cooling features are really quite efficient, with 2 all copper CPU fans and a separate GPU copper fan. The new Macbook Pro refresh gets hotter in many instances, and they underclock the CPU, and its GPU pales in comparison. I have an i7 CPU and even with that, the temps never become unberably warm, unlike the Envy 17 which does get too hot to handle (palmrest). Granted, I really do like the Sony F, but my envy limited edition runs circles around it. <!-- / message --> <!-- sig --> __________________ Current Notebook: Envy 15 Limited Edition Beats, i7-820QM, 8GB RAM, 5830m GPU, 160GB SSD + 320GB HDD (489GB),1920x1080 Screen (upgraded everything myself!) <!-- / sig -->
Don't know if these will all paste together correctly, but I would say to the Envy 15 owner without heat problems, I was referring to the first and second refreshes of the E15; if yours has no heat problems, I assume you didn't get an "original issue" E15. Read the original posts - they are carbon copies of the Envy 17 "pioneers" posts.
To all you brave, trusting souls, who took the plunge early, I do hope that HP refreshes soon, and gives you big discounts to boot. When you return yours for a refund, I would suggest you ask for a "standing discount" for when they fix the damn thing, if you can wait that long.
I called HP Customer Service to see if they had any knowledge of the Envy 17 having heat issues. The person I spoke to, didn't and she referred me to good reviews (all 4 of them on their site).
If I buy an ENVY17 with just one 160 SSD drive as this is only SSD option on HP web site, will the unit be come with a second bay bracket so I can fit another drive (SATA or SSD?) later? I want to put a SATA drive in immediately as I have one spare.
Ya reviews look great when you only allow good simple ones to get through. I did a good 6 paragraph in-depth look, with only 2 being negative, but it obviously got canned. Not unusual though, and I hope your post was more sarcasm than contrasting confusion.
Now that we have proofs that hp do not post reviews with negative points, can you replay your 6 paragraph in-depht review here so we can read all your experience with the E17 ?
Maybe you can title the post "this is the kind of review that HP likes to censure..."
Huh? 7.86 GB? Shouldn't it see it all. I mean Windows 7 x64 supports up to 128 GB ram.
Get the latest BIOS update from HP. Did a quick search and found other laptops with the same or similar issue. Seems like it's an addressing problem and needs a BIOS update. The newer BIOS may fix this.
You will have to use divertankado's link here:
M471B5273CH0-CH9 Samsung DDR3-1333 SODIMM 4GB Original Notebook Memory - DDR3 SODIMM 200 Pin - SuperBiiz.com the ram at yuskin's link is sold out and is not known when they will receive any new stock.
You had better jump on it right now, I originally bought and provided the link for the sold out one because I knew it couldn't remain in stock at that price for very long and if you dont buy at the provided link above for $120 before it also runs out then the next cheapest I have found is $250.
Wish I could, as I spent a good deal of time writing it up. Unfortunately at the time it didn't occur to me to make copies of the review. I may do a second one and double post it here and there, as it's still relatively fresh in mind.
Sorry to say guys, but I'm sending back my HP Envy 17". The battery life is extremely disappointing, not that I would've expected to get 2 hours out of it (I have the 6 cells one, the default battery)... but taking less than one hour just for surfing internet on a power saving plan, that doesn't cut it for me.
Another reason is that it heats up really bad under the left palm. Right as I write this down, the I have the balanced power plan and the space under the left palm is really hot and unbearable.
As much as I hate saying it, I think I'm gonna go for a MBP 17". I hate its specs but at least it has excellent battery life, provided that I'd be able to adapt to that s^&%y operating system.
Alright, well since the amazon deal isn't in preorder anymore, I went ahead and pulled the trigger. I want to see for myself what this heat thing is all about, and if I decide to keep it, ill buy a 160gb ssd and a 1tb storage drive.
Peoples' memories are short. Note this Envy 15 post from 3-18-10:
Let's face it: HP uses its early adopter customers as alpha/beta testers. You are in the same place today with the Envy 17 as this poster was with the
second generation E15. I hear people are satisfied with the E 15 now, in terms of heat and perhaps other issues too. But the machine has been out since, when, last November?
As I have read generally positive feedback with regards to heat in the Envy 15, and as that is a single negative testimony, I am not inclined to believe it is the rule rather than the exception... it could easily have been a singular case of defective hardware.
Indeed, HP has made a major revision in the E17 pricing and options, bringing it in-line with Amazon's pricing on its preconfig model. Perhaps related to the E14 being available for order this morning, the i5 options have disappeared from both the E15 & E17 and Bing cashback has dropped to 10%.
E17 owners who plan to keep the machine and are still within the 21 day return window should definitely reprice your system using the current HP.com configurator. If you didn't order with 25% BCB, this could be a substantial difference. Consider calling HP and poltley say that you are thinking to return due to the price drop and see if they will match. If not, return and reorder.
For those of us who did get 25% BCB, it may still be better to return and reorder, especially if you are in a high sales tax state. In my case, I would save $70 and get 6GB RAM instead of 4GB as well as a 160GB SSD+640 GB HDD combo instead of 160/500. I'll report back when I have spoken with HP.
Just set up a return for mine because of the HUGE price drops. My i5-540 system cost me $2200 (roughly). The i5 isn't offered, but an equivalently spec'ed i7 system is $1500. HP wouldn't refund the difference (they would only offer $150), I told them it would be cheaper for me to return and reorder. They didn't budge on the refund, so I told them I want to return it.
Very sad because it is a nice system, and I had no heat or other issues. No problems at all, but I'm not going to overpay $700-ish for the darned thing. I don't need a laptop THAT much!
I'm really bummed about this, but they forced my decision.
yeah, i actually contacted hp technical support. the guy also told me to update my bios. and it actually did lower the temps metril. every fresh boot, i usually start at around 55*C, but after the new bios, i now usually start with 44*C. so it dropped about 10 degrees. definitely worth trying out. i dont think i'll return it now. basic internet browsing will only bring it up to around 52*C. i played assassins' creed 2 for about 30 mins, and got up to 78*C in GPU, 66*C in CPU. and i am using i5 540. i like my envy a lot more now. it doesnt burn like it used to on the plane on the left of the track pad. it's only lightly warm. the hot spot is still the little area around and above the escape key. so guys...DEFINITELY INSTALL THE NEW DRIVER. go to the HP website, type in your product number(you can find out by pressing fn+esc) type the exact code into the search bar on the upper right hand corner of the hp website. you should now see a picture of the envy17. now go to the bottom, and click on software drivers and downloads on the left, select your operating system, scroll down, then click on BIOS. install.
also, the trackpad is beginning to listen to me a lot more now. i find it very easy to use the zooming option, as well as the two finger scrolling. one thing that still bothers me though is how my palms cant relax as im typing, or else it'll touch the pad, causing a random click. this is like my 4th or 5th day using my envy..and i have to admit, my poor first impression has changed. i actually like this computer now.
I ordered from Amazon on June 6 and my order now shows shipping from July 15-22. Will Amazon let you return for excessive heat? or will they make you pay restocking fee?
hey guys, is 66-68*C for the i5 540 okay for normal use? or am i stressing it out? also, would 75-77*C be okay for the ati 5850? i just wanted to know if these temps are okay for the specs, because i do want to preserve the lifespan of this laptop. if you guys have any suggestions, pls lemme know. thanks!
* Amazon.com Returns Policies: You may return any new computer purchased from Amazon.com that is "dead on arrival," arrives in damaged condition, or is still in unopened boxes, for a full refund within 30 days of purchase. Amazon.com reserves the right to test "dead on arrival" returns and impose a customer fee equal to 15 percent of the product sales price if the customer misrepresents the condition of the product. Any returned computer that is damaged through customer misuse, is missing parts, or is in unsellable condition due to customer tampering will result in the customer being charged a higher restocking fee based on the condition of the product. Amazon.com will not accept returns of any desktop or notebook computer more than 30 days after you receive the shipment. New, used, and refurbished products purchased from Marketplace vendors are subject to the returns policy of the individual vendor.
Canceled my replacement Envy 17. Placed a new order because I paid $250 more for my configuration than what it is now. Changed the ram to 8 GB since $100 is less than the cost of buying a 4 GB dimm ($130 w/shipping and tax). Changed hard drive to the 640 GB from my original 500 GB. Still ended up being $50 cheaper. Estimated ship of July 9th. My replacement was to ship July 12th.
HP posted my review for the Envy. Titled "Purchase with doubts".
Just installed BIOS F.07 and I agree that it seems to tame the heat for my E17/i720. The surface to the left of the touchpad is now warm rather than mildly hot in normal use. Only the edge to the left of the Esc key is hot but not uncomfortably so. The fan seems to run more but I suppose that is to be expected.
My i720 E17 w/ SSD + 500GB HDD + BluRay now runs cooler than my 3+ year old core 2 duo MBP 17 with 120GB HD and DVD. Still getting accustomed to the trackpad, tho.
Well, now that the super hot situation seems resolved (an ultimate test in super heavy cpu/gpu work load is a clarification point, can you do it and tell us temperatures ?) can you explain how much noiser/audible is the fan now in idle/browsing/dvd play/full load in comparison to before firmware upgrade ??
The day after I placed my order. HP comes out with better specs at lower prices!
I called customer service and they said since the processor (i7 820QM) and dual 320gb Hard Drives are not available anymore they could not price match or credit me a refund.
Update: I've canceled my order and will order instead from Amazon.com - cheaper and no sales tax.
Is there an easy way to check the current bios number on my 17 while in windows. I think I upgraded already and clicked on a link to the bios hp site from notebook review comment a week or so ago. Just want to make sure I have F.07. I forgot what I number I downloaded and installed.
So far, while I definitely felt some heat on the left side, it has not been unbearable on the left side. I am waiting for my cooler which is the one others seem to recommend on this site -zc2000 zalman [forgot actual name].This should help some more in reducing the heat. I have my E17 on many hours every day continuously. I type on and off throughout the day and search the web with about 6-8 windows up. While I type on and off, I don't type for hours at a time so I guess I don't feel the heat. So far I like the E17 but am concerned that the heat will eventually shorten the lifetime. It was a lot of work to load all my programs and set up everything and don't relish sending it back and getting another. But if you guys say the newer E17 is a lot better than I will do it.
sorry to ask again about this bcb. Seems to be at 10% right now. Anyone know if it changes randomly? I decided I'm buying an Envy 17 especially now with the new pricing, I just don't know if I should wait and see if bcb goes to 25%. Anyone know if it has been at 25% recently, or is that over for good? thanks
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
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