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

Just got my HP Envy 17 3D, and although it's one sweet laptop, I've got a few issues:

1. The battery is absolutely awful. 2 hours max when not plugged in.
2. The mouse buttons are non-responsive. sometimes I have to click two or three times for it to take. Will have to get used to double-tapping the mouse area instead.
3. Why on God's green earth did they put the plug it on the right side where one would have the mouse plugged in? Seems like a very bad design IMO.

 

LOL....I'm loving the new Pepsi Throwback for real

And I'm so glad its on the way. Quicker I get it the quicker I sell it and buy the Envy 17 3D I've been DREAMING about for weeks now....

HP Envy 17 3D

• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• No Additional Office Software
• 2nd generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2820QM (2.3 GHz, 8MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz
• 1GB GDDR5 Radeon(TM) HD 6850M Graphics [HDMI]
• 8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 750GB 5400RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• 30% OFF! One 6-Cell and One 9-Cell Lithium Ion Battery
• 17.3" diagonal Full HD HP 3D Ultra BrightView Infinity LED Display (1920x1080)
• Blu-ray player & SuperMulti DVD burner
• HP TrueVision HD Webcam
• Intel 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R) with Wireless Display Support
• Backlit Keyboard
• Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Elements 9 & Adobe Premiere(R) Elements 9
• HP 3D Active Shutter Glasses

Only thing that really bothers me is the all silver backing/design (would rather have the nice umber black color of the new dv7 line) AND the lack of the fingerprint reader....sigh.

That fingerprint reader made me so lazy...lol

A nice 25% OFF coupon would be greatly appreciated as well HP! In the next 2 weeks shall we say...

 

D@mn it!! I think mine is in the seat next to yours as well as it is in Anchorage, but I was thinking mine was coming TOMORROW...and now it is not coming until THURSDAY...when I'm out of town all stinkin' day!! Grrrrr.....grumble grumble........

 

1. With the Intel Graphics enabled or the more power consuming Radeon?
2. Get a new mouse then, don't blame it on the Envy
3. Yeah I agree, the power plug should be in the back or atleast left side.

 

1.Yeah, i7 is like a v12 engine, that's why I get i5, last about 6 hours on battery. Not HP fault.

2.You probably do not press it strong enough, I do not have problem clicking the mouse buttons. I rarely do it though, thanks to logitech BT mouse

3.They cant put it on the back side due to the lid design, left side is for the fan.

 

Well, it may still arrive tomorrow. I think the only reason they pushed it to the 28th, is if you look on HP's confirmation page they have it on the top with red bold letters regarding bad weather in Memphis....so it may cause delays. I'm still hoping we get it tomorrow for those who have the 2 day shipping, otherwise, one more day won't kill....lol. Remember, I was in this "Envy" cycle for over 7 months.

KJ

 

Hahaha, I so agree. The dv7 fingerprint reader has spoiled me, but as we know, they have the USB fingerprint readers out there. Just pick one and enjoy.

Google

Wow, they range from $33 to $212 just on that page alone. Not sure who in their right minds would pay over $200 for a USB fingerprint reader.

$33

$212

KJ

 

I appreciate the input but those just look too tacky. And its not as convenient as a built in reader you know?

But all in all I'm willing to make that sacrifice.

 

That is also my favorite drink, at first I was put off by the ugly can but the drink is nothing but awesome...I haven't tried the zero version yet I'll make sure to give it a go.

 

Sigh, I'm so tired of the seemingly endless stream of problems with this computer. I can't watch a 3D movie cause the glasses keep switching off every 5 seconds unless I shake my head violently. Luckily I don't care much about 3D, but this just adds to my advise against buying an Envy. It just has way too many flaws even though it's great looking and quick with a sweet screen.

 

i have bought last week an Envy 17 and found a 25% OFF coupon in the Internet 400 Reduced

 

Have you tried replacing the battery in the glasses? Sounds like you have a short or bad battery...

 

Well I have barely used the glasses, I don't think the batteries are out already

 

Altas!!!! c'mon, tell us the coupon code.

 

it was working to order the Envy in Switzerland if it also work in other Country that i dont know

but try it here Coupon 25%

 

...didn't work.

Hey guys check this out:

2nd generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2820QM (2.3 GHz, 8MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz
1GB GDDR5 Radeon(TM) HD 6850M Graphics [HDMI]
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
750GB 5400RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
30% OFF! One 6-Cell and One 9-Cell Lithium Ion Battery
17.3" diagonal Full HD HP 3D Ultra BrightView Infinity LED Display (1920x1080)
Blu-ray player & SuperMulti DVD burner

 

You sure you need the 2820QM?

 

If you recall, slotti, opened his up and reported that he had to soldier something in there that was not connected. Sounds like Apoxxx might have a similar deal. HP!!! ARRGGGHHH!!!!

By the way, looks like my shipment bypassed the Memphis hub and flew down to Texas, then to Ft. Lauderdale just a few miles from me! I wonder if our shipments got seperated in Alaska and sent to Texas or Memphis depending if its 2 day or 5 day shipping method.

KJ

 

I have my Envy 17 replacement laptop in front of me RIGHT NOW!!!! FedEx showed it as being at my local FedEx sort desk so I just went there and picked it up on my way to library to study.

Taking pics now and will list it asap....

So close to the Envy 17 3D.

 

Awesome!

KJ

 

Have you checked yours yet? It might be there already....

OH WOW...for those of you mad about the lack of 7200 RPM drives they've NOW got

1.28TB 7200RPM Dual Hard Drive (640GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection +$90.00

Not to mention

8GB 1600MHz DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)

 

Me, check? I'm checking every 30 minutes or so, lol. Its now at the North Miami Beach facility~~~ They are moving fast. I still think I might get it today.

If it does come in today, I am not sure how much I'll get to do with it. First thing of course is inspection! Then, I'll make recovery disks....then I don't know yet.

P.S. I suggest everyone getting the 3D version, check your 3D glasses functionality ASAP!!! Looks like slotti and Apoxxx, both had/have issues with this.....

KJ

 

I'll check them but I'm never gonna use the 3D glasses or the 3D effects of the laptop itself so I'm most likely gonna throw them away once I'm sure the laptop is completely fine and operational. No nicks and scratches etc etc...

 

Just a tiny tidbit for everyone with the 3D function. I make backup copies of my DVD's, because when I travel...I will watch a movie or two during a road trip. Well...the software I use, removes the "protection" from the movies, so I can make the copy. Mind you this is legal, as long as I am not giving the copies away. Long story, short...When I play back the copies on the Envy...the movies are played back in 3D, even though the master copies weren't 3D to begin with. Seems that PowerDVD is set up for movie files as TriDef is with games. It works best with Pixar movies like Toy Story, Monsters, Inc and the like...

If you have "digital" copies of movies that you have purchased...download them to the Envy and play back with PowerDVD...and enjoy! Works with them as well

 

For an extra $20 I would have gone for it. Now to buy from an outside source will be around $90, plus fiver5 mentioned its not much of a difference.

KJ

 

When they shipped mine...the original post from FEDEX said picked up to late to send on time. They estimated the delivery one day later (4/15)...and still got them the day before (4/14). It's up to FEDEX...if they decide to sit on it ....they will make you wait til tomorrow. If not...you WILL see today.

The other thing about the glasses. When my machine arrived...there was a big, white, plastic pull tab in the battery compartment. Put there to keep the battery from making contact and using up the battery. I pulled the tab and the glasses made contact with the battery. Open the battery compartment of the glasses...and make sure to take the battery out and check if there is any leftover tab that might be breaking the contact.

 

Hi Guys,

I also had to send my Envy 17 (2001eg) back because the case was not manufactured properly. You could see through a gap between the housing and the case on the right side where the power connector and the USB connectors are :-(
Tomorrow I should get a new one but I will try to order with the code in switzerland now. Then I will switch to the 3D version (even if I don't care) and add the BR drive and 8GB instead of 4GB. I will also need to order the drive bay in the US becaus in EU there is none for the second drive which will be a SSD :-(

So there are only some questions left:

• Does the 3D display makes sense even if I am not interrested in 3D (maybe better colors or brightness)? Who did compare them already?
• Does the 3D display reduce battery time if I use 2D and similar brightness?
• Did anybody of you buy such a battery?
  9cell Battery for HP Pavilion dm4t dm4-1000 G62 Envy 17 | eBay
• How is the battery time compared to the original battery and does it fit into the case or is it bigger?

Thank you very much for your time and some answers!

Best regards from Germany,
DvP

 

First comparison. The display of the 3D model runs at 120 HZ, when the Radeon 6850 is active and 60 HZ with the Intel GPU

I only purchased the 6 cell battery and can tell you that with the Intel GPU on battery...I am getting between 3:15 and 3:25 battery time. That was all I wanted. My old Dell Inspiron with 15" screen used to get 2:00 of battery time...this bad boy is a major step in the right direction. I have read that the 9 cell battery gets over 4:30 battery time, but don't have any way to prove or disprove that. The 9 cell battery will stick out from the bottom of your machine, so be prepared that your machine will sit about an inch "up" in the back. The 6 cell if flush to the surface

 

few weeks after we get ours, they now offer 1600 Mhz ram, and 7200 rpm drives??? smh

 

Just an FYI...Synaptics is offering a new version of touchpad drivers 15.2.7

They offer two finger scrolling on our touchpads. Just tried it. With two fingers, you can now scroll up and down and left and right...but it takes two fingers...some improvement...and the touchpad seems much more sensitive

Drivers | Synaptics

 

Waaaay to go. Mine was picked up Saturday evening after Fedex cutoff. Finally left Shanghai Monday evening heading straight into the storms around Memphis. Waited out the storms in Memphis an extra day and made it out early this morning heading for the West Coast and maybe delivery tomorrow before 4:30 pm as originally scheduled. It has been a long (ordered March 9) and arduous journey for this little guy and I hope it does not encounter anymore obstacles before it reaches its new home and/or becomes obsolete. Oops! I think obsolete has already happened.

 

On truck for delivery. Now I still have to focus on working, lol..... wish it was the weekend.

KJ

 

I knew it!

 

If you are refering to the 1600MHz, its not that much of a difference to warrant an obsolete rating....lol. You can always upgrade that part for less than $100.....but eh...no biggie. If it was a super new processor, that is a different story.

Speaking of which....let's see how the Ivy Bridge does next year.

KJ

 

Oy...this is going to be the painful part of continuing to read this thread after receipt of my baby - it's not even the latest and greatest and I don't have it in my hands yet!!!
EDIT: You have to purchase the faster CPU for $350 more to get the faster RAM, not worth the $$ IMO....
I reconfigured everything I already purchased, but swapped the 5400 drives for the 7200 drives and my price went up over $200 from original even though the price difference between the two drive options was $40, so looks like they have increased base price or something. :sigh: unless I can come up with a coupon, I'm not reordering to get the faster drives...although I'm tempted.

I've got the 9 cell coming with mine, I'll give it a shot once everything is charged and report back on the length. Were you just doing normal stuff for that time or watching a movie?

 

Just normal work. I would imagine that watching a movie on battery would entail using the Intel GPU...vs AMD. Earlier in this thread...thought I read where someone watched a movie on a plane and was able to complete the entire movie.

 

Again...1333 vs 1600 would also depend on the CAS rating of the memory. I really don't see the benefit of the 1600. Nowhere in the system bios is there a way to clock the memory any faster. I really think it's a wash!

the rating on the 1333 memory on the machine is 9-9-9-24. Unless the 1600 memory runs at the SAME or lower CAS (8-8-8-24) then there is NO value to the upgrade. As a matter of fact, according to CPU-Z, if there were a way for me to clock the memory at 1200 vs 1333...I could then set the CAS on this memory to 8-8-8-24, which would give me a performance boost

 

Thanks for the scoop. Also, it would be good if fiver5 reposted the 1333MHz vs. his 1600MHz numbers just to put people's minds at ease.

P.S. Just a tiny note..... ENVY is in my hands now!!!!!
I think I might be tempted to open her up, just to see cosmetics..... I'll report as soon as I had a chance.... and yes, I'm kinda nervous, but if the gaps are not too big I can live with it...and God forbid any dead/stuck pixels, but I won't know till I'm back home and booted her up.

KJ

 

Hi Guys!
What do you think of this? ---> HP - ENVY Laptop / Intel® Core™ i7 Processor / 17.3" Display / 6GB Memory / 1TB Hard Drive - Carbon Relic - 17-2070nr
It's the BestBuy model, I was thinking of ordering it since it looks like it will arrive earlier than ordering directly from HP.
The only difference I see is that it has 1 year warranty, are there any other things that I need to be concerned about?
Thanks!

 

Congrats!!! The wait is finally over.

 

I can only base a response by what those who purchased an Asus G73 model for Best Buy said. First of all...your technical support is the Geek Squad. I would inquire with HP if you can get their care pack warranty upgrade...or if you have to purchase from Best Buy. When those people purchased the Asus...they HAD to purchase the Best Buy Geek squad upgrade. With that said...when there were problems...they brought the machine to Best Buy, who then sent the machine in for repair to Asus. So basically...you are getting a middle man. With that said...the specs of the machine are nice. Looks like the 7200 rpm HDD is back...a plus. IF HP will sell you a three or four year care pack warranty upgrade...and you don't have to bring to Best Buy for issues...then this machine would be worth it...

 

Thank you Sir! I don't have my envy yet so I can't test this out myself but does the improved sensitivity make the touch pad tolerable?

 

its not the 3d model, if thats ok with u..then its fine

 

Congrats KJ!!!! Happy you got it after this long wait....let us know how it is.

 

@Bobmitch - Thanks for the advice, I might ask HP about the Care Pack

@the beast 711 - Yeah I know, I'm actually only interested in the non 3D model, but BestBuy also has the 3D model for $1699. By the way is there a noticable difference in the display quality between the 3D and non 3D models ?

 

Right about now Im SOOOOO happy I went with the Dual drive SSD + 7200 RPM HDD combo. Even with the new dual 64gb 7200 RPM drives Im still better off. The big reason why I didnt settle for the 5400 rpm drive was for this very reason. Theyd release 7200 drivesd and Id be stuck and definitely returning it. Phew, so glad I made that decision.

 

frankieo11, love that outlook, very cool and easy going. Heck anyone withing their 21 days can still return and exchange, but you have to ask yourself if you want to go through that hassle, is it worth it. Those with the 5400rpm might want to jump on it.....those of us who got the SSD/HDD combo with either super savings of the 25% well, guess we'll keep that! LOL.

KJ

 

I just threw in new drives myself to replace the 5400

Crucial 80GB SSD $149
WD 500GB Scorpio Black $30
Drive Caddy $39
The time it takes to startup and open programs, priceless

 

I have one of these voltmeters and checked the battery holder. It was a cold solder joint at the battery holder. Once I found it, it was a 5 minutes fix.
It is stupid that we have to take care of these things, but I did not want to send my system back just because of the glasses. Well, now it looks like I have to send in the entire system anyhow due to my throttle issues.
Been quite busy, but will do some final testing this weekend, before I decide to send it back (resolutions has not been helpful for me so far) within the 22 day return period.

 

My Envy is on truck for delivery. Waiting these last few hours is worse than waiting the previous 2 weeks. I just hope it doesnt come with issues.

It figures that right after I order mine it ships with the 7200 drives and 1600Mgz memory, I specifically ordered mine with 6 gigs of ram since I was planning on buying the 1600 memory to install. I guess it isnt that big of a deal as far as the drives go since I intend on buying an ssd to replace the 5400 drive as soon as I run it long enough to verify no defects.

Speaking of memory, I never seen a reply to my question from you gurus out there as to the best memory to buy for the envy.

Congrats to all who have already recieved theirs from this shipment.