*HP ENVY 17 & 17 3D (2XXX series) Owners Lounge*

How's the battery life on this beast?

 

We who are considering buying could reaaaaaally use someone doing a max battery life test - low brightness, integrated graphics, web browsing/Office software, that sort of thing. Basically, the "how long can it make it in class/on a plane/in a coffee shop" test. I don't expect to be able to be unplugged for long if I'm playing a game, but can I get through taking notes in a 3 hour class?

Thanks!

 

Question on order status: What does "in production" mean? Does it actually mean they are building my laptop?

I ordered last Friday 4/1, order status was "order accepted." Sat 4/2 changed to "order dropped to factory." Today, 4/4, it's "in production," am I going to be getting this sooner than expected? Estimated ship date is 4/21.

 

Does anyone in this forum own an ENVY 17 3D Sandy Bridge and using it now? I read there are many returns...

 

I wouldn't say many returns. There are a few, for different reasons...but all in all...I think there are more "happier" owners than not. Few isolated incidents where the posters are very active on the thread...Myself, Killa Joe to name a couple. Mine was NOT hardware related. Paperwork snafu with Warranty, and an unknowing Customer Service rep...had me send mine back...and I had to re-order. Still awaiting my new one...but I can say this. I have tried out the new Asus model G73SW, and a few others and nothing touches the Envy 17 3D. Machine is well thought out and construction is good.

 

in
–preposition

3. (used to indicate inclusion within or occurrence during a period or limit of time): in ancient times; a task done in ten minutes; an HP Envy 17 3D in production

pro·duc·tion
–noun

1. the act of producing; creation; manufacture.

 

lol, cheeky

 

Yes, but that's not because it is 120Hz ,its because its refresh rate can be adjustd to a multiple of the frame rate native to the active content. For exapmle, a 60Hz display would also be smooth for both 24 and 30 if it supported a 48Hz frame rate.

 

Yes, they are actually building your laptop. LOL.

 

If you don't have an urgent or immediate need for a laptop, the Envy 17 3D SB is worth the wait.

 

Yeah. But I'm in college and after I returned my DV6T I'm back to using my slow 4 year old laptop, so this long waiting period really negatively affects me.

 

Seriously, it really affects you? For college work? I am sorry, but I would doubt that your college work is being affected by it. Well, hold on, maybe it is in a positive way though, since your old laptop won't handle the newer games
I am sorry. No offence. I have a 6 year old laptop. Pentium M 1.6 GHz and I am still using it professionally (3D CAD and BIM and CS 3 run well. They might take a bit longer to open, but still).

 

The manufacturers really don't care about our personal situations. In their eyes, quick ship models are there to meet the deadlines we impose on ourselves while trying to entice us to buy a specific brand. Same is true of in-store models where they are looking for impulse buyers. Otherwise, it's assumed custom orders are worth the wait.

 

I'm looking forward towards tomorrow, 4/5/11 when HP is supposed to complete and send Stephan C's Envy 17 3D SB to him. If all goes well, then its safe to say the rest of us should be getting ours soon as well.

KJ

 

Good call Joe. If he gets his...will set the tone for the rest

 

What about me? LOL. An HP representative said that my system most likely shipped out on Friday, April 1. But tracking numbers usually appear a business day later. So she assured me (crosses fingers) that I will get an e-mail with tracking information before the end of the day to day. Hold your breath...

 

iwantanenvy...

My fingers, legs and eyes are crossed! Here's hoping....yours will also dictate future events this week and next. I have to believe that something's up...the estimated build dates on new systems is moving backwards...last week...4/21...today 4/20...perhaps the line is moving again

 

Haha, ok, well....let us know when HP says yours is due to ship.

KJ

 

April 4th my estimated build date. So far no news on my laptop. I am starting to worry that my system may be part of those "delayed" laptops.

 

I have a bad feeling that they are all delayed. However, with that said...when they start to ship...I have a feeling it is gonna be a massive shipment of many many systems...

 

Hi my friend... ...I knew it that you were still here... LOL ther is not a page where I don't see you (not only in this thread)... you are officially a HP secret agent.

NO MORE 3D 's just ...

This is my new signature
|
|
V

 

Does anyone actually have the Envy RIGHT NOW?

If so could they do what was suggested and try to determine the maximum battery life on this notebook?

 

Hey guys. I'm brand new to this forum. I am in the same boat as a bunch of you and am eagerly awaiting my Envy 17 to ship after being delayed once already. I placed an order on 3/10. My original ship date was March 28. On the 29th, I got the Shipping delay notice email. Now my ship date is 4/12. I called HP and the rep tried to assure me that most of the time these delayed shipments ship early. I'm not buying it. I called them to make sure they wouldn't delay my order further once the next estimated ship date comes around. I tried to strong arm for a discount, but they weren't cooperating since I initially received $400 off when I ordered. This will be my first laptop and it is being used to replace my desktop. So far I'm left with a sour feeling about it all. Should it really take over a month to get my premium custom envy? I understand the earthquake excuse, so I have decided to be patient. Although I may call and give the old discount/upgrade angle another try. This forum is the only thing keeping me sane in this laptop fiasco. Thanks! Cheers!

 

J-coffee

I think many of us are staying as calm as possible. I just wish HP would stick to ONE story. The only real thing to derive is the Earth Quake...BUT...with that said...Dell and Asus have been shipping at full speed since last week. The XPS series is taking 7 days to turn around...I am not so bad..."In production" since 3/15 with ship date of 4/8...but others here, yourself included, are much more patient than I would be at this point. HP needs to get to it and fix this problem. Not exactly making a lot of contented customers...

 

I've had mine since March 14th. I'll use switchable graphics, turn brightness all the way down, and report back in a couple of hours. Time for lunch.

 

mcchea, good to know you still have yours. Not sure who else has the SB edition from NBR. Some others I'm sure have theres, and some returned like for exchanges....

Yes, NBR and posting here with the rest of you is keeping me sane and calm about this long waiting period. I'm seriously looking forward to the day we all get our systems, and start testing it out, improving performance, and using it for work/play, and whatever.

If the Envy lasts me over 3 years I'll be one happy customer.

P.S. Jose, what can I say buddy, this is like my second home right now. I know I'm posting a lot, but its keeping me occupied between work and other stuff. I'm sure it will pass....its the waiting period...ugh.

KJ

 

Cool...I'm just glad that someone's Envy is working fine. Look forward to hearing the results.

 

Well, sheesh, my Envy looked awesome, no gaps, scratches, dents, no dead pixel, no floating fish....LOL And it was very very cool...felt cool as well as worked cool (uhm no, forget that last part.) It was slow, slow, and more slow supposedly due to a bad MOBO according to Envy support. Otherwise, I was really loving her. If my new Envy looks just as good, and works even better, I will be like, OH YEAH!

KJ

 

My point was that you could just keep it at 120 Hz and get smooth playback for both 24 and 30 fps without switching the refresh rate of the display.

 

My first Envy 17 3D was perfect! Ran fast...had everything tweaked to the max...MAN! Then one of the Customer Service reps...played stubborn with me over a paperwork snafu and refused to let me speak to a supervisor. She gave me no option other than return the machine to HP and order another one. At that point...wrote a complaint about the rep...and a VP of the company got back to me later that afternoon. Told me he would fix the issue...but already sent the machine back. If he had been faster...I would still have the machine. Again...no dents, no scratches, nothing. I hope my new one is as good!

 

Leave it to Killa Joe to be having daydreams of computer s3X with his Envy!

I'm Envyless!

 

Hey guys. After reviewing my order sheet, I notice I will be receiving an Envy 17 with the old Intel Core i7-720QM. This is obviously not the 2nd gen (Sandy Bridge, I think) processor. I am now leaning toward cancelling b/c this is possibly the version with the overheating issues. I am going to call and see if they will upgrade me. If they don't, I will be cancelling. But if they do, I am hoping it won't push my shipping date back. Any thoughts?

 

@Slotti

I am glad that your old laptop can still run those programs well, but that doesn't mean mine can. I'm on a crappy Compaq that barely plays music. I am constantly working with and compiling code and the lag is very noticeable for me.

 

J-coffee, welcome to NBR. Hmm, you must have ordered yours just days to a week or so before HP upgraded to the Sandy Bridge for the Envy 17.... Yeah, it might have heating issues, but we on NBR got the impression from those who received their Envy 17 later on that HP corrected the heating issue to a certain extant.

If you want the Sandy Bridge with better performance and cooling, I'd suggest to place a new order ASAP with HP so you don't have to wait to long, and send you Envy 17 back when you get it.

KJ

 

Wow...that's odd! Even late with the older version of the machine! Did you intentionally order it that way? I don't remember the non 3D having the Sandy Bridge that early on. I would definately cancel and re-order a Sandy Bridge one...much faster!

Actually KJ is right...once an order is in...cannot cancel. Just order another one and return the older model....

 

i have my Envy since March 20 and I don't have any problems so far

 

yes that is a good point. couldn't do that with switched graphics though -- you'd be using the discrete GPU.

Could someone post the available refresh rates for the 3D display when using the on-chip (switched) graphics?

 

My Envy so gould arrive Friday

I'm a real Vaio stalwart, having bought them for over 10 years! I was fully intending on getting the new F 3d.....but that graphics card just let's it down.

I came across the Envy almost by accident having dismissed it I. The heat of the Vaio forum - but what a spec for a laptop!

I've gone top whack here -

Intel 2820 ( think that's right! - the top one anyway)
8gb ram
160gb ssd and 640gb hdd combo.

I just want to be able to use the pc for photos, music, media as well as enjoy some decent games in detail. The 3d was secondary for me.
Cheaper than Alienware and more my design style - it's a real power house, oh, and love the fact that the screen is smooth corner to corner, not framed.

Wondering how Friday is going to come quickly and how I'm going to sleep!

 

I have spoken with HP customer service (Not Resolutions, I figured I've given them enough trouble already ). They said that my laptop is on schedule and should ship on time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

I almost did what you did. I saw the new F series and then I saw the graphics card and it's puny 500 GB HDD. The Envy 17 3D SB is the top of the line.

 

I was looking over the chat transcript from today. Here's one of the gems from the conversation:

" And after that, we need to have one day custom clearance to make you computer safe on shipment, because we build you amazing computer in Shanghai, China. "

Yeah, and I'm starting to think that she learned her English in Shanghai, China. I'm being told that the "Shipping" date of April 5, 2011 that I received is actually the computer's build date but that it should take one day to build. I'm kind of confused.

WHEN will it get here???

 

Stephan C, if it ships out tomorrow 4/5/11, and you did not opt for the 2 day shipping, then I'd say Tuesday or Wednesday next week, again, assuming HP really does ship it out tomorrow. Once shipped they will give you a date when you can expect delivery.

KJ

 

So after using switchable graphics and turning the brightness all the way down I got about 3.5 hours on a 6-cell battery. I did not use the laptop at however I just realized I ran it in the High Performance power profile and was connected to a wireless network...

 

Nice. How is the screen at lowest brightness? Is it still usable?

 

Thanks for doing that....

From what I understand the way the switchable graphics is this way right?

On Battery: Integrated

Plugged In: Radeon Card

Am I right?

 

These b****s...
So I just got the dreaded "delay" e-mail, stating that my new build/ship date is April 18. However, if I go online and order one right now, the build/ship date is April 20.

They sent me a 15% off coupon, I guess to keep me from whining. I think I'm going to order a second one (same configuration), and return the first one. And since I'm getting 15% off, I will save $270 from what I originally paid, and only wait two days longer. Or, I can add the 3 years of accidental damage protection, and still come out cheaper.

By the way, how is the accidental damage protection package. Worth it? Is there a limit to how many claims you can file? Any deductibles?

 

It's set to automatically switch to Intel Integrated Graphics when on battery by default. You can disable that option and can also manually switch between the discrete and integrated options. The switch is not instantaneous as you would like. The screen goes black for about 3 seconds and flickers a few times. Takes about a total of 10 seconds to complete switch. Also, I noticed that when you switch back to the discrete graphics, it does not switch the refresh rate back to 120 Hz so I had to change that back manually.

 

Interesting....while a good feature it sounds a bit annoying. I may just end up disabling it all together.

IF I can get a solid 2 hours on battery alone then I'm fine with keeping the discrete graphics on all the time.

 

Wow, that sucks. So yeah, use the 15% for sure. I'd at least call and see if you can get that money credited, although there is a very good chance it won't happen. For some reason lately HP reps are getting tough with agreeing to deals/discounts much. You might just end up re-ordering, but like you said, its only 2 more days wait.

I don't see this delay going on for much longer. As my build date is the 20th, I can't imagine a further delay.... I won't be able (I wouldn't want to) to use the 15% even if they did offer it to me since I'd lose money if I used that coupon, as my savings were a bit more than 15%.

I'm surprised they say the 18th, but it has to be a safe date....I would bet anything orders will ship by late next week.

KJ

 

Well, I called back and spoke with a customer service representative, who said she could only apply a max of $200 discount to my already-placed order. So I had her transfer me to Resolutions. Even the lady in resolutions didn't have the power to let me apply the 15% discount right away. So I explained it to her this way:

My system has been delayed to ship on April 18. I can order a NEW system, which will arrive two days later, April 20...and use the 15% coupon with no problems. So why not save a loyal HP Customer (who has spent THOUSANDS on desktops, laptops, monitors, printers, and ink for the past decade) some time and some money for his inconvenience.

Furthermore, I explained that when I return my Envy under the 21-day return policy, HP will have to cover the cost of return shipping. And when I re-order, HP will again cover the cost of shipping the new order to me. On top of all this, they will have to waste parts and manpower re-building the exact sameconfiguration again. So allowing me to use the 15% off now, would save HP some time and money as well. So when I put it that way, a lightbulb went off in her head and she said "Hmmm...I see your point." So...I am supposed to receive a call from an HP Resolutions Supervisor tomorrow after 9:00pm EST. If approved, they will allow me to save 15% on top of the discounts I already received!!

So here's my current order which has already been placed (i7 2820; 8GB RAM; 2TB HDD; 6-cell & 9-cell battery):

$2,314.99 - $231.49 (HP Academy Discount) - $100.00 (phone order coupon) = $1,983.49 (subtotal) + $153.72 (tax) = $2,137.21 (total)

If the Supervisor in HP Resolutions approves my new "apology" coupon, I was told it will be applied to my current subtotal, $1,983.49, saving me an extra $297.53. I was also told, that my other discounts and coupon would not be affected, because this would be a credit issued after my system finally ships. So I'm looking at $2,137.21 (old total) - $297.53 (15% apology coupon) = $1,839.68(new total). That would be a total savings of $629.02!!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed...