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

With the 5850.. no wonder that air is hot. Have the same thing with my GX640... what are the idle GPU temps? You can use HWMonitor to check.

How about palm rests too?

 

Check out the product spec pdf.

On Page 64, you can see the fan assembly. Looks like they tried their best to pull fresh air then exhaust on the corner of the laptop.

If you look at the design of the Asus G73 (arguably the quiestest high performance laptop), you can see that having 1 fan assembly is quite crazy for a high perf GPU + a quad.

If you also look at NP8690 or NP8760 they are like double the thickness which means there is a very big heatsink with 2 seperate fans. Sounds like a jet but keeps everything pretty cool. Maybe a bit overkill infact. I have seen temps probably around CPU around 55C and GPU around the 75C mark.

Jixxy, what do the GPU and CPU temps look like after running 3dmark?

As long as CPU stays below 70C and GPU below 90C, I would consider that "reasonable".

Even desktop GPUs are setup to stay around 80C I believe and vary the fan speed to gain cooling.

 

So wait, the i5 17 DOES have switchable graphics? Only it's not enabled explicitly by end user via software but automatically in firmware when you are not on A/C power?

Also is there any talk of a matte screen in near future? The 15 has it.

Jaxx ... when laptop is idle, can you hear the fan at all?

 

hey guys. This may have already been discussed (I can't read through 30+ pages right now), but how is the trackpad? I'm looking at the Envy 14 and the trackpad issues is one of my main concerns.

 

All laptops with the i5 or i7 dual core have switchable graphics. It all depends on what kind of motherboard the CPU is sitting on..... And well, we know for a fact that the Envy 17's mobo supports it. It just all depends on wither or not HP enabled it..... I'm hoping they did for obvious reasons....

 

IF they stick with E2E they probably wont have anti glare.

 

Did anyone ever establish that the i5 machines will have USB3.0?

 

So is the E2E considered a 'better screen' and I should suck it up and get this puppy?

 

Another (perhaps naive) question from an interested observer...

I'm very much used to using laptops (like my 8730w) with a docking station when I'm at home (external monitor, keyboard, etc.). I know that the Envy line doesn't have a docking connector and that I'd have to use the various video/USB connectors to use it with the external peripherals.

I'm assuming that I'd have to actually find space to open the display to turn it on and leave it on. But I'd rather not.

So... is there any way to power it on with it closed?

Thanks for any insight...

- J -

 

Thx, I'm aware of the onboard GPU on Arrandales as well as H55 chipset, just thought you had some info detailing this feature. I take it your statement hypothetical or did I miss some announcement?

 

Hmmm. I thought this was going to be an easy question by looking at the Maintenance and Service manual. In there, there's no indication I've seen that the USB ports differ depending on which processor you get. But, I found an odd discrepancy that may be a typo:

On page 4, it lists the ports as: "eSATA/USB 2.0 (1), USB 2.0 (2)".

But on page 12 where there is a product image and accompanying descriptions it says there's an eSATA/USB port and a "SuperSpeed USB port" that "Connects an optional USB 3.0 device and provides
enhanced USB power performance." And

And on page 14, it says there are two more USB ports.

So, the list indicates 3 USB ports but the component identification shows 4 and one of them is marked as USB 3.0. And I found no indication that these 4 ports varied based on any configuration choices.

Looks like an error on page 4 to me. But we can hope one of the actual 'owners' can confirm.

Hmmm.

- J -

 

Case parts aren't all that much really. The LCD backpanel (with the red B on it) is $80, I have an extra one I can sell for $55 if interested. The Base was also around $80 I believe. The most expensive part is the keyboard/palmrest assembly, think its $120 or so. Go to HP parts and search "Envy Limited"

 

There is a way to extract the installation key from your HP ENVY 17 and save it, and then download a full copy of Windows 7 HOME (its legal and free) and then do a totally fresh install of just the drivers and essential software. Search the forums, I'm too lazy and its late and I need to go to bed

 

take it from someone who owns one....the black picking up ALL your fingerprints and smudges gets old fast... and the inside...for some reason, that black picks up dust like a magnet.

 

Skip the Beats and Gen1 and go with Gen2 or better yet, wait for the Envy 14. See sig

 

fan noise is minimal at idle.

no way to power it on without opening the lid, but you could just open it up, power it on and then close the lid

I can't really run any benchmarks or tests such as 3dmark as I have determined, with the assistance of HP tech support that the nb has bad RAM. They are treating it as DOA and sending out a replacement...The system just runs slooooooooowww after about 10 mins.

 

Forgot where it is. Did it for Vista.

 

from your reading your posts it seems that you are a bit disappointed so far in the laptops performance? Thats not too happy to hear seeing as how I was seeing this as a near perfect laptop. But I guess technology never has anything that is near perfect.

 

I have my Envy! Jaxxy will be dissapointed as it sounds like hes received a dud which is always going to be a big let down. Jaxxy you'll be better to judge when you get a proper unit, I will test and use it over the next wee-while, and let you all know.

 

$300 off coupon code NBSW39851
can this be used in combination with the bing 10% discount?

 

this ^

Always read the fine print. Always.

 

Of course I'm disappointed, my unit is DOA....but I'm confident that HP will rectify the issue. So it will just be delayed a week or so. Meanwhile I can still play with it, just not in all its glory.

And grats on getting yours Kiwi =]

 

This will help and it works for office and windows.

 

BCB and any coupon code whether its HP or not WILL NOT work. Period.

 

Who in here is getting the Envy with i5? I'm really interested if the switchable graphics will be enabled or somehow can can be enabled?

Kiwi style which model did you receive?

 

Not sure if I missed it out in any of the postings, but I can't remember the specs of the DDR3 memory that is shipping in our units. It won't make a big difference to me, but does anyone know if it is the one's with 1066 or 1333mhz? I had selected the additional $25 for the 1Dimm 4GB config.

Thanks.

 

Well since you ordered the I7 I would assume it comes with the 1333mhz memory.

1066 is for I5.

 

Good to know! Thanks. Guess it would have been better if they stated the info during your config process during the online shopping experience.

But just to make sure, I will wait for the laptop to arrive before purchasing the additional stick of 4GB mem for it.

Still waiting for shipping tracking info.....it's been 8 Days already, and I have read that in many instances, people get their shipping notifications around now.(even though the ship date was estimated to be June 1) Hope the whole issue with the factory manufacturing worker conditions now will not be affecting the current productions schedule, although if I were HP I would also be very concerned about it.

 

I'm that same way, want to wait on memory just to make sure.

I check every morning and evening... is that obsessive?!?!

 

What happened to the SSD option?!?!?!

 

it's gone , I saw it too

 

I knew i should have already ordered! anyone know why it is gone or when it is gonna be back? I need the SSD for the speed boosts.

 

Maybe they don't have one anymore, or maybe they are going to offer dual SSD options, don't know the exact reason though

 

I think it's most likely due to shortages. Not only did they take it off the list of options, but if you look at the Recommended Configuration price, it used to be $2000 somewhat, but it's been price adjusted for the lack of SSD. I hope for your guys' sake they just made a huge technical error on their store database, or they'll restock soon. What's with the random shortages lately (displays, storage, dslrs, etc....)?

Seriously, that's what I was thinking... if the Foxconn scandals are affecting the production schedule (and more importantly, the quality of assembly), then it only serves as a detriment for us the consumers.

 

I got an Intel Gen 2 160GB SSD on the way from ewiz for $384 with free shipping. $30 off coupon good for a couple more days folks.

 

Glad I didn't get SSD with my order, may delay shipping if I had.

 

I have the i7 820qm, 500gb HDD, 4gb ram. Got it late last night and it's still in the box! It's 8.20am here now so will be playing with it today. Like I said earlier, there's no option to order and build custom machines here in NZ, just what the shops have from Australia. But we have had pre-built stock much earlier than the US.

 

Congratz on being #2 on NBR to receive your ENVY 17!

Unfortunately, we all know what happened to Jaxxy's DOA unit, so it all depends on you now to continue the initial review impressions and Q&A torch lit by Jaxxy

What are your exact ENVY 17 pre-configured specs?

1)It would be great if we could get your impressions of the Fan noise both under load and idle.

2) There seemed to be some individuals who made a very big fuss about the ENVY 15 webcam having bluish-purple colors under all lighting conditions except Flourescent lighting, could you test this out? It's not a deal breaker or anything for me since I did not buy the ENVY for it's Webcam,just curious if HP listened and fixed the issue.

3) If you received the ENVY configured with the 1920x1080 screen, it would be great to get your take on it.

4) Whats your opinion about the trackpad? I would probably use an external mouse with it most times, so again, just curious about your impressions.

5) GPU & CPU temps under load and idle.

If you just want to take time off to enjoy your new laptop, don't mind my questions for now, but it would be great if you could answer them sometime later..Thanks! hee

Do have a great day with your new ENVY!

 

Seems like SSD options are off all machines. I can't remember which one, but one of the DV or DM machines had that option, and it's now gone. Actually, at least two of them at SSD options, because I remember checking the upgrade prices against each other. Anyway. The upgrade price was $370. You can get a brand new one around the web for $384, saw it actually as an ad over at laptopmag.com. So if you buy it separately, you're actually saving money. You get the 500GB drive with the Envy 17, then shell out about $20-30 more, at most, for the SSD. As opposed to spending $370, and just getting one drive. So in reality, they did you boys a favor.

The SSD options used to be priced at $300. Back when the SSD would cost $450-470, it was a huge deal actually. But now, at the $370 price-point, with the drop in the SSD's price, it makes more sense to buy it separately, since you're essentially getting a drive for "free" in this scenario.

 

You're not making any sense.

 

I think I'm making sense, you're just not understanding me.
I'll explain:

Option 1:
To upgrade to an SSD at the HP site, it would cost you $370.
You get a single Intel X-25m 160GB SSD.
Total cost: $370
Total drives: 1- 160GB SSD

Option 2:
Get the base 500GB HDD included in the $1,400 base price.
Pay ~$385 at various e-tailers for an 160GB Intel X-25m SSD.
Total cost: ~$385
Total drives: 2- 1 160GB SSD & 1 500GB HDD

I hope that clears it up.

 

Thanks for the offer, but I was just wondering what the price was so I could ballpark the price for the 17's enclosures.

I didn't know they had a separate HP parts website- I always thought it was through phone order. Thanks a lot for letting me know

 

Strange that 500GB HD is the same price as the 320GB HD.

Assuming this isn't a pricing mistake...

Option 1:
+$370 for 160GB SSD + 500GB HDD (yes, SSD+HDD was an option and many people, including me, bought it), then include some discounts here and there like BCB. So it's more like $330. And even if the combo isn't an option and you MUST upgrade the 500GB drive to a 160GB SSD to get that price, you can pick up a 500GB drive for less than $100.
Option 2:
+$420 for 160GB SSD + 500GB HDD

 

I'd like to know where to get it for ~$385 as that's an astonishingly good deal for a bare drive (I've only been able to find them for $425+). Link please.

I noticed that HP sometimes offers a free storage upgrade from 320 to 500, but they usually label it in yellow with some sort of "free upgrade" marker. It looks like it's either a pricing mistake or labeling mistake.

 

Apparently it was an ad on laptopmag.com, according to nu_d, but I can't find it anywhere. The lowest I've seen a 160GB X25-M at an online retailer is $400, with coupons. Even Amazon has OEM X25-M (160GB) at $420.

 

I paid for the 2x320GB on the HP site, want the cable for 2 drives, it was cheaper this way actually.

 

Yup, thanks to some sound advise from Koshinn (Thanks Koshinn), I also purchased the SSD 160GB during the BCB deal which made the 160GB SSD come down to around $280 which is unbeatable at the current market prices. I did not choose the additional 500GB HHD cause I wanted to drop in a 1TB HDD instead.

 

I want to drop in a 1 or 1.5TB HDD in too, but I figure the 500GB HD can 1) hold me over for a while, 2) ensure I get mounting hardware without hassle, and 3) I can use it to upgrade my (60GB 5400rpm) PS3 when I get the 1-1.5TB drive.

 

I regretted not getting the 160SSD+500HDD combo once I heard that the mount only comes in pairs so far, and it costs ~$100 w/ shipping.

 

Yes, to anyone reading this thread, DO yourself a favor and config your HP with the dual drive option if you want to add in another drive in the future. It would end up being ALOT more expensive purchasing the Hardware itself.

In fact, upon examination, you will realize that the 2 drives have unique mounting cages, so it will be impossible to purchase the kit and split the cost with somebody else.

I was fortunate, and just remembered that I have a contact that will be sending me the Hardware Kit for free. Owes me a favor. So I guess, in my case, it worked out better since I did not want to spend the money on the 500GB HDD but instead put it towards the 1TB. But I was lucky in this case.

nohm, don't regret, you already received a great deal with your 25% BCB. Pat yourself on the back for acting fast!