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

No. You can purchase a SATA III SSD, larger for the same or even less

 

It worked! Thanks man! It must have been the Windows Update that screwed it up. Thanks Peaches07 for your input also. I love this thread and I love my Envy.

 

Its not really $600...some of that price includes the 7200rpm drive. Still, the price is inflated somewhat. Many have found websites you can buy an SSD for much less.

KJ

 

I am 10 days into my 21 day period. and will need to make a decision before it ends and so very much need your advice.

I am also an average user and besides just don't have time to do all the tests your guys have been talking about to make sure the laptop is up to your its capability. (rather than testing all ports are functional, making recovery disks, testing 3D viewing capability, etc )

As to my needs, I MUST have a 1080p screen for my work; and speed in day-to-day use (that is why i plan on switching to sdd) so that i can be more productive; do not play game at the moment, at lease not until my 8-year old daughter shows some interest down the road; Absolutely don't want to deal with random freezes and blue screens for just normal business use;

What i need help is in what i need to do to make sure my envy is ok to keep? I heard about issues of not able to replace HDD w/ssd (which i need) (some say it is not an issue, other seems to still have problems), processor throtling (some says it is due to temperature, some say it is not related to temperature as it happens even when it is 50 degree C, some say it is Intel, or HP, or Hardware, or Software) ; random freezes from network card or other reasons, Switching from IGU to GPU back and forth, etc.... I am confused.

And i don't think we, as a user, should be doing so many activities as "avoid updating this driver", "install that driver", etc on a brand new laptop in order to have it functions properly...

From what i need i can as well get a XPS or sager or Asus, but who can be sure these problems won't exist with those brands. I have not seen the other brands but i have seen Envy and in love with its screen. I would be reluntant to return it for something else but just don't accept poor reliability as some one mentioned (freezes, blue screens, etc.) which i have not seen for 5 years in my previous lower-end Dell inspiron e1505.

I never expect purchasing a high-end laptop is so much challenging. When i bought my e1505, i just purchased it for its screen and did not think of anything else. Now I have been watching this thread as well as the XPS, Sager, or even Dell Latitude, and still in the purchased/returned/evaluation cycle since Januauary 2011.

The bottom line is: Can we comfortably, with high confidence, to say that Envy 17 is of high-end product, built in high quality, and backed up by good support?

 

Support is mediocre, HP style. It is built very well, and it is high end however has it's issues.

If your primary concern is business I would recommend you look to buying a business class laptop.
Thinkpad P or W series, Latitudes, or Precisions are some of the finest options.
I would personally go for Latitudes or Precision, they should come with onsite tech standard in their warranties. Meaning you got a problem, they send a tech usually the next business day.

 

Slotti

Dying to hear if you got everything worked out with the c300

 

I did not go with Thinkpad W series, or Dell Latitue e6510, or Precision M 65xx, etc. because of the 15.6 screen. For FHD it is too hard on my eyes.

I found that 17.3 with FHD is good compromise and I want to go with SB too. Some of other models such as Precision does not come with SB at the moment. Envy 17 seems to have less weght to carry around. On that aspect, Precision 17" is a 10+ lbs machine which is too heavy. So far i would say envy is a very well balance in terms of feature, weight, and potentials, and price wise (i got it with 25% discount, which came down to similar to Dell XPS or Sager 5170, ). Precision or HP Pro are just too expensive for me.

Thanks for your response.

 

***YO***

There is either a MASSIVE deal....or a MASSIVE glitch on the HP website.

I saved a screenprint to my work computer...but check out the "quickship" version of Envy 17-3D for $1699.99. Check out the specs.....
---------------
Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Processor 2nd generation Intel Core i7-2630QM processor 2.0GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.9GHz

Processor speed 2.0GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.9GHz

Memory 8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM); Max supported = 8GB

Accessible memory slots 2

Display 17.3" diagonal Full High-Definition(8) HP 3D Ultra BrightView Infinity LEDDisplay (1920x1080)

Video graphics Radeon HD 6850M Graphics with 1024MB GDDR5 and up to 4083MB total graphics memory

Audio Beats Audio and HP Triple Bass Reflex Subwoofer

Primary CD/DVD drive Slot-Loading Blu-ray Player & SuperMulti DVD Burner

Hard drive 1.5TB Dual Hard Drive (2x750GB (7200RPM)) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection

Networking Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)

Wireless options Wireless LAN 802.11a/g/n WLAN & Bluetooth

PC card slot N/A

I/O ports SuperSpeed USB 3.0: 3 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, 3rd port shared with eSATA; mini-Display port; 1 HDMI; 1 eSATA + USB 2.0; 1 VGA (15-pin); 1 RJ -45 (LAN); 1 Headphone-out/Microphone-in combo jack (compatible with 3.5mm 4-conductor jack with stereo audio and mono mic)

Finish Laser-etched aluminum finish in carbon relic; HP TrueVision HD Webcam with integrated microphone

Software, security and support Microsoft Security Essentials; HP Support Assistant; HP Power Manager; HP Recovery Manager; HP Setup; Sun Java; HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection (3D DriveGuard)

Software, productivity Microsoft Office 2010 preloaded (purchase of a Product Key required to activate a full Office 2010 suite); Windows Live

Software, multimedia Adobe Photoshop Elements 9; Adobe Premiere Elements 9; Cyberlink PowerDVD 10 3D; Cyberlink PowerDVD Premium BD (Blu-ray Disc); Cyberlink DVD Suite Premium; Cyberlink YouCam BE (Webcam); Tridef Ignition Gaming Client; HP Music Store powered by Rhapsody; HP Movie Store powered by RoxioNow; Beats Audio

Software, internet solutions HP Wireless Assistant; HP Connection Manager; Bing Toolbar; Microsoft Portal; Skype; Ask.com; Microsoft Silverlight; Sun Java

Warranty and support 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty with Toll Free Support (NA); 1-Year Free Hardware Technical Support; 30-Days Free Limited Software Support with 1-Year (from date of purchase); Free Limited Software Support with Product Registration.

Dimensions (unpackaged) 16.38" (W) x 10.83" (D) x 1.25" (min H)/2.15" (max H)

Weight (unpackaged) 7.82 lbs

Power 120W AC Adapter; 6-Cell 62WHr Lithium-Ion Battery + 9-Cell 93WHr Lithium-Ion Battery

EcoHighlights, ENERGY STAR Qualified No

EcoHighlights, EPEAT Registered No
----------------
Two batteries, dual 750GB 7200rpm HDD's and 8GB of Ram for $1700? (The PDF shows dual 5400 rpm drives) That is a really good deal.

Looks like the warranty is dropped to 1 year....HOWEVER....there is also a deal that allows you to get 4 year Housecall with ADP for $299.99. Slap the dealigg $30 off code and you have a really nice deal there.

 

Problems exist in ALL brands. I also had the Dell E1505 that I used for four plus years. It was a pretty good basic laptop with some pop to it. I now have the Envy 17 3D. Today is day 21 for me, and with the issues (the only issue really for me is having the keyboard replaced...tech coming tomorrow and I have new keyboard on my desk in a box)...and the throttling thing. However, the throttling thing is something that is showing up, regardless of brand. As for tech support...Envy has North American tech support, based out of Little Rock, Arkansas. If you want that from Dell...it's an extra $300-$400 depending on how long you want it. Most other companies don't even have that option.

As for tech "saavyness"...HP is no better or worse than others. I have spoken to a few techs...some better than others. If you have some knowledge...it helps no matter who you deal with. I have read some posts here, where Tech support told an owner something pretty stupid...this goes for all companies. During my Inspiron days...I remember calling to ask a question about a bios update...the tech wanted me to run a system recovery...there are some good and some bad. Prepare yourself before making the call and most likely could end up positive.

My decision to keep my Envy comes from the fact that if I wanted anything like this machine...I would pay a lot more elsewhere. Why? I had working knowledge of Dell and HP (my son's Pavillion now going on four years old). HP always did right by my son's machine. Dell did OK with mine. I like the features on this machine and find that Dell, with the XPS 17 3D charges a larger premium for a bulkier, heavier, no better than Envy for more $$$.

As far as what drivers, etc. Many on this board, including myself...do that part of it as a hobby. I like the latest, greatest. However, with that said...and this should go for anyone...no matter what knowledge you have...be careful of what updates you are going to install on your machine. Example...I have an Nvidia video card in my desktop and ATI in the Envy. I will NEVER download and install video drivers from Microsoft Update...what does MS know about these cards. I don't think you can be too careful. Downloading the Windows Update ATI drivers seems to have messed up people with Envy, Asus, Dell...pretty much everyone. It is not Microsoft's business to write video drivers...and most times they cause issues. Knowing that...you don't want to do that. The network card issue was mainly drivers. If what you have works...don't change it. I like to try and squeeze every bit of blood from a rock...so I will try. If it works, great...if not, I go back to drivers that do work. You have people on this board who are pretty good at sharing information on what works and what doesn't. We are "tinkerers"...and pass the info on to others. Don't want updates...don't do them. HP set these machines up pretty well for the "average" user who will never upgrade or play. The rest of us are they type who believe "If it ain't broke...break it and fix anyways". You don't have to do anything you don't want to do...except...enjoy the Envy if that is what you like...


I think laptops are like cars. How does it feel when you wrap your hands around it. Does it make you feel the way you want to feel? Does it get the job done and help you save time? If you are satisfied...what are the reasons you would want to return it?

 

Isn't the Envy 17 3D suppose to have a DVI slot? Mine does not have DVI. I have HDMI, VGH, and Display Port. Why on earth would they put VGA instead of DVI??!!??

 

It's quite easy to be confused by all the techie jargon you've read in these pages but the average user doesn't need to know the technical reason behind such problems if they are just satisfied with a working end result.

1. SSD vs HDD - There is no reason why replacing an HDD with an SDD shouldn't be possible in the Envy. Most of us have proven it works fine. Others have run into a snafu but I'm 99% confident I could fix their issue if I had the laptop in front of me. Since replacement with an SSD requires a re-install, have a qualified technician install it and restore your PC if you feel uncomfortable doing it or fail on your own attempt.

2. Throttling - Don't worry about it. The others are working on it and chances are a fix will eventually be released. If not, HP better be prepared to take back a bunch of laptops from unhappy people.

3. WAN Freeze - It's a well known fact that the 6200 wireless card that HP installs has issues with some routers. Solution is to downgrade the driver or upgrade the hardware. While neither solution is optimal, both bring closure to the problem.

4. Switchable Graphics - If you want flawless switching, stick with the HP stock drivers.

Actually, normal users are expected to do this. This is an inevitable problem with any manufacturer and a myriad of drivers. Thanks to the way PC standards (or lack thereof) work, we have to deal with bugs. The most important bugs are (usually) fixed with updates that need to be applied by the consumer (usually through some software update mechanism). Back in the day before Windows 95, there was no such thing as Windows Update. Consumers have it easy now!

Of course they do to some extent. HP is not the only one with problems like these. At some point they all have problems. They all learn from each other on how to prevent such problems. The issue is that we as consumers are the BETA testers. Sure they put it through some testing before product launch but ultimately we as consumers have such varied backgrounds and habits that we ultimately test the end result.

I would say yes, though some people don't necessarily agree with HP's support policy. Do I think HP can do better with their customer service? Yes. Better with support? Yes. It's not as bad as people make it seem; I've been through worse.

 

No it does not have a full DVI port. You can buy an adapter to convert your mini-display port to a DVI input. As for the decision, they probably figure most newer LCD's are going to go with HDMI and they wanted to give backwards compatibility with older LCD's, CRT monitors and video projectors.

 

No DVI. I guess you might achieve it with a VGA to DVI adapter if you wanted to...just no place to screw it in

 

I am quite certain this is a stupid question, but if I use the VGA to DVI adapter I will not get the clarity benefit of the DVI since it starts out as a VGA right? Nothing is going to "upscale" connection?

I am really making a mountain out of mole hill since I only use dual monitors and can just use the display port and hdmi, I just thought it strange.

 

If anyone is in the market.....peep out the quick ship....I got the EPP to work on it.

If I could post a print screen of this...I would show it...

I'm trying to make sure that I'm not missing anything...(it is indeed a 3D version with a 2nd gen 2630.

That quick ship Envy can be had for $1940 shipped (including tax) with an EPP discount....and the dealigg coupon still worked on the carepack.

----------

HP ENVY 17-2090NR, aluminum
EPP_00_LV045UA#ABA

Free standard shipping on this item

The HP Home & Home Office Store will accept returns or exchanges for this product up to 21 days after delivery

« Save for re-order
Remove »
Qty. Update »
Price: $1,699.99
Discount: -$98.57
EPP Price: $1,601.42
HP 4-year Care Pack House Call Service with Accidental Damage Protection for Select Pavilion or Envy Laptop
UN079A

Free standard shipping on this item

The HP Home & Home Office Store will accept returns or exchanges for this product up to 21 days after delivery

« Save for re-order
Remove »
Qty. Update »
Price: $399.99
Discount: -$32.00
EPP Price: $367.99
Notebook+ESP instant rebate: –$100.00
Coupon: –$30.00
Price after savings: $237.99

Order subtotal $1,839.41

Shipping Standard 5-7 Business Days FREE
Two Business Days $69.99
Next Business Day $79.99
Next Business Morning $89.99
Saturday $89.99


Estimated tax 60504 $100.09
--

Recycling $0.00
Total $1,939.50--
$0.00
$0.00
Coupon code ?
Coupon code ? (DEALIGG30) remove » $30.00
Updating
Balance due $1,939.50--

---------

 

For some stupid reason that only HP knows...the SSD option on the DV7 is almost $200 less compared to the ENVY.

It is $420 to go from the base HDD (choice of 640GB 5400rpm, 640GB 7200rpm, or 750GB 5400rpm), to a 160GB SSD and 500GB 7200rpm on the DV7...

But it is $610 to grom from the new base HDD (750GB 7200rpm) to 160GB SSD and 640GB 7200rpm HDD on the Envy.

I have no clue what HP is doing.....but I think they would sell a lot more SSD's on the Envy if it were priced like the DV7. I don't think it should cost $190 to go from a 500GB 7200rpm HDD to a 640GB 7200rpm HDD.

 

HDMI IS dvi+audio. All you need is an adapter and you will be all set.

Here:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041902&p_id=2029&seq=1&format=2

Or Here:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041902&p_id=2080&seq=1&format=2

 

All good. Was a bit tricky though.
Win7 did recognize it as SSD and made all necessary changes (turn of defrag, etc).
I tried different Benchmark programs and none recognized it though. And the tested speed results were obviously wrong (one test gave me 350 write speed).
Turns out that the stock HP chipset drivers caused this. I installed the full driver package from intel website (it is different, though is carries the same version number). After that....everything great.

As it turned out, the firmware on the crucial was 0006 already (remember they tols us it would be 0002, and I believe the box said 0002 as well).

Now accordinag to crucial, you can upgrade to 0007 even in AHCI mode. Well not with the Envy since it seems to run osme hybrid IDE-AHCI mode. So I took the drive into my desktop and flashed it. 20 seconds and all software was still on it.

Runs like a charm now. I am tempted to get a 2nd one and run them in RAID

 

Have you tried CrystalDisk Mark???

 

Since as mentioned by others you can get a cheap hdmi to dvi adapter or cable so it basically has DVI already. The only major limitation is that HDMI is single link only and will not support super high res 26inch+ monitors which require dual link dvi. But 1080p monitors work fine. VGA is still a usable port and can run at very high resolutions if the VGA cable is well made. If you need dual link DVI then your only option is an active display port adapter and some of these adapters can cause problems for some. I would also assume that a cheap passive display port to single link dvi cable would work as well. This would allow you to run two external dvi monitors up to 1080p. However be warned that with a passive display port adapter it will not allow you to use 3 monitors and you would have to turn off the laptop display to have two external monitors (unless the internal display uses embedded display port which i have found no info either way myself)

Actually that is something someone with an Envy SB can test quickly to see what it can support. If someone has a spare moment and two external monitors you plug one monitor in via VGA and another via hdmi. You can use an hdmi tv if you only have one vga monitor and since you may not have a hdmi to dvi adapter needed to plug in a dvi monitor. If you can get it to work with three displays (internal/VGA/HDMI) then the ineternal dispaly is the new eDP connector instead of LVDS used in 99% of all laptops (read all non mac laptops). Its a pity that no laptops come with eDP internal displays because it makes multi monitor support a lot easier. The only laptop's that have it (mac laptops) only every put one display port output for external displays so you can only do one external display (plus internal) unless you use so far unreleased display port chaining to get two extra external displays.

The reason this is an issue at all is that most graphics cards like the 6850 only have two signaling circuts that can support VGA/HDMI/DVI/LVDS displays but they can have 2-4 display port outputs that live outside this 2 display limit. Active DP adapters basically have another signaling circuit built in and allow an extra non DP monitor to be added.

 

Hi KJ!!!

I just pulled the trigger on 04/28/2011, here is my specs:

• 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)
• 1.28TB 7200RPM Dual Hard Drive (640GB x 2) 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

Envy 17 3D: $2,121.99 (no tax NH)

DV7tqe: $1,077.99 (to be exchanged for my new Envy17 3D)
+
$500.00 coupon + $544.00 (Additional charge)

In TOTAL: $1,621.99
est. delivery date: May 20, 2011

I'm freaking happy, and now that I know how the DV7's screen sucks big time !!!

 

That's a pretty nice deal you got there.

And you got the special memory option that has since been removed....

Now all you gotta do is hope and pray that your system is in excellent condition when it arrives with none of these issues plaguing the rest of the members here....

 

Jose, I always knew it was a matter of time, lol. I could tell you wanted that 1080p display from day 1 and no way will that DV7 satisfy. You got a very nice deal. Now you have no excuse, you need to hang on our Envy 17 3D SB thread....

KJ

 

Well put, and I appreciate everyones input. I will just get 2 monitors that can use the hdmi and/or mini display port and then I will not have to worry about the adapters.

Thanks again for everyones input, and for that matter the people that dedicate so much of their time to fixing issues with the laptop and posting the results/fixes on this forum for wanna be techies to follow.

Regards,
Robert

 

CrystalDidk Mark did not identify it either. But as I mentioned, it seemed to have been the driver. Once I got the original intel installation package, the SSD was idetified by everything I threw at it.

 

Granted...my SSD is the one supplied by HP...but CrystalDisk Mark...got it with no problems. Interesting about the chipset drivers. I saw them on the Intel website when I first got the machine...and updated...was never sure if anything took.

 

Very nice! That is one fast system you got there.
Did the number HP provided take you straight to resolutions?
I'm still holding off on ordering until the DV6/7 modding thread confirms one way or another if a back-lit keyboard can be added. But right now....I'm about 99% sure I'll order an Envy in the next week or so. I'm hoping I can use my EPP and slap the $500 off coupon on top of it....if so...I may go with a quick build Envy 17.

 

I think I found a fix for the WAN freeze. I used this USB network stick to maintain an internet connection and then uninstalled the Intel WAN drivers from Uninstall Programs under Control Panel. Then I let the computer find the regular drivers for the Intel WAN card from the net instead of reinstalling the drivers that HP provides under SWSETUP. Since then, I have not had any problems with the WAN freezing.

 

Now that u mention it, I was never transferred to a resolutions department or anything like that.

... believe me, u wil love the Envy over the dv7, I don't have any doubts about it now.

Now, I'm hunting for these accesories, what do u guys recommend?
-A 17" laptop sleeve bag (for quick and non-business trips)
-A reliable NAS (Single drive Synology?)
-The best 27" 1080p monitor for $280-350
-A wireless n router (Netgear WNDR3700?)

Thank u in advance.

 

1 - I just bought a Kenneth Cole "Tricks Up My Sleeve" case at Frys. I like it.
Kenneth Cole Reaction Business and Luggage "Tricks Up My Sleeve" Laptop Sleeve - eBags.com
3 - I've heard good things about this Samsung
Samsung - 27" LCD HD Monitor - P2770FH
4 - I have the WNDR3700 and its great. I think its on sale at best buy for 129

 

I have a question. I have a Motorola SURFboard SB5101U into a Netgear WNDR3700 router. A few days after I got my Envy I started experiencing random disconnects across both my laptops and my hardwired desktop. Every now and then I can't access web pages for a few minutes. I installed utorrent today and noticed when firefox quit receiving internet connectivity my utorrent kept downloading. The fact that it started occurring slightly after I got my Envy may be purely coincidental. I just thought I'd ask.

 

Would be nice to know what driver version windows found online for you. To find out go into device manager, find the wirless card and right click properties and then look at the drivers tab. What version number does it show here?

 

My Vertex 3 240 GB SSD arrives this coming Monday, but now I'm not looking forward to swapping out the 640 GB HDD and having to reload all of my software. But, to verify what Killa Joe says, I did get the screaming Vertex 3 for less than $600, and it's 80 GB bigger capacity than the 160 GB SDD HP offers for the Envy.

So somebody please convince me that it will be worth it to swap out the HDD with the new SSD.

 

Jose...

As far as a router. I use the D-Link DIR-655 and it works extremely well with the wireless card in the Envy. I connect consistently at 130kbps and never freeze...

As far as Monitors...I am preferential to LG monitors...check out their line...I have the 24" on my desktop and love it!

 

It loads up driver version 14.0.2.2 for the Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 AGN card. I also noticed when I was having a problem that under Network adapters in Device Manager, I had 2 listings for the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter. Now I only have 1 listing for that.

 

Just wanted to update everyone on my keyboard replacement. The AT HOME tech showed up this morning at 9AM. He took very good care of Big Momma and made sure not to scratch in any way. Did the replacement in 15 minutes. Stated that it looked as though the person who built my machine was a little over zealous with the screw driver, when putting the first board in and may have bent the frame a bit doing so. New keyboard is in...fully functional and my Envy 17 3D is as "Perfect" as can be at this time. HP uses some pretty good people for the AT HOME warranty. If you have that warranty...you will be pleased, I know I am!!!


Slotti...you need to call support and have them send you a new keyboard...it will make s difference for you! I know you repaired yours...but a new one really changes the appearance. No more rises, twists or waves...

 

Bobmitch, I am very pleased to hear it went well. I am sure you will get full enjoyment of the Envy 17 3D SB for many years.... and us NBR members will have the pleasure of your company, lol.

P.S. slotti....hope you take Bobmitch's recommendation.

KJ

 

Since I know many of you here check this thread frequently, since this is where the whole throttling issue started, I have a suggestion before you return your Envy assuming its defective. Although some of you may actually have throttling issues, I think my machine along with many others here, does not. Despite CPU-Z report of a 798mhz core speed when performing the aforementioned test, a different cpu monitoring program gives me dramatically different results. I suggest all of you performing these tests to run CPU-Z along side another CPU monitoring program such as All CPU Meter. And report back with your results.

 

Dear fellow HP ENVY enthusiasts I would like to ask a question regarding this laptop. I read in this thread several statements about quality of lcd panels of non-3D ENVY 17 SB and ENVY 17 3D SB saying that the 3D panel has better specs that the one used in non-3D version of the ENVY.

However according to the reviews of previous year ENVYs edition (links below) it seems that some stats (contrast, black value) of the non-3D panel from previous year ENVY 17 are slightly better than lcd panel on E17 3D. Does not HP use the same lcd panels in the new non-3D and 3D ENVY17 SB? Does anyone of you people on this NBR thread have the non-3D SB E17 in order to compare the stats?

Review HP Envy 17-1190eg Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

HP Envy 17: HP's MacBook Pro Killer? - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

Anyway both of them are extraordinary and way above average lcd panels used in most of other laptops. Probably the average human eye would not even notice some difference between them.

Thank you for your opinions.

 

I have had 3 Envy 17 SB's. One Regular Envy 17 1080P and 2 Envy 17 3D.
The Envy 17 is brighter and has better image quality than the regular, however the regular has slightly better viewing angles (very very slight).
The Envy 17 3D is definitely the better LCD just needs some serious calibration. (both do)

 

Joe....any futher news on your new machine???

 

redacted for stupidity. see slotti's post below.

 

Happy for you.

Did you get the $500 coupon from previous dv7 purchase?

 

The full system recovery WILL NOT work. Please do not advice people with steps you have not tested yourself.
Yes, you can keep the HDD in bay 2 and use bay 1 for the SSD. BUT, you CANNOT do a full HP out of the box state recovery from neither the HDD nor the recovery partition. The system recovery from HDD or recovery disk will try to write a full image of your original disk to your SSD. You will get an error message like "Not enough space on drive" or "cannot write disk image" depending on which option you use ('out of box' or 'factory default').
The only way you can make this work without doing a clean install is to use the recovery disk and choose the 3rd option: "Recovery of minimal Win 7".
Which actually turns out ot be a pretty good option. It will install all Envy specific drivers and transfer your win 7 registration. It will even install the PowerDVD suites.
It will not install the Adobe products and things like MS security essentials and TriDef.
I would recommend this approach.

1. Move your HDD to bay 2 and install SSD in bay one.
2. Boot up your envy with the recovery disk
3. Choose the option to install Win 7 minimal
4. The above will take you through all 5 recovery DVDs, this will take some time.
5. Once you are done, your computer will reboot and you will get an error message, that you can't boot from the current drive. Use Bobmitch's guide to repair the boot sector (thanks again for it).
6. windows 7 will load up, FIRST thing I recommend doing now, since it triggerd some issues on my Crucial C300 is to change the intel driver chip set. You will find it here http://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProductFamily=Chipsets&ProductLine=Chipset+Software&ProductProduct=Intel%c2%ae+Rapid+Storage+Technology&ProdId=2101&LineId=1090&FamilyId=40 Please note that the installed driver on your envy will show the same version number. Disregard it and just install the full package from the intel site (above link). It will overwrite your old one (which seems to be a crippled version that works well with the stock intel SSD, but might have issues with other manufacturers).
7. Install TriDef from the TriDef webpage. Use the link fiver5 has provided previously (I do not have my notes on me, so I don't have it on hand). This will install TriDef. Don't worry about the registration and just close the window once you get to it. Navigate to your old HDD and in programs look for the TriDef folder. Copty the 'HP' folder inside the tridef folder into your new installed tridef folder on your SSD. Open it and run the HP license. You will get a message that your TriDef version has been successfully registered and activated.
8. Go to your HDD and navigate to your swsetup folder and install any other software you wish to use (e.g. Adobe products, MS security essentials and so on). I only installed the MSSE (security essentials).
9. Run windows 7 update. Be careful on this one and only update the essential items. Once you get to SP1, do not check any other updates and let it run by itself. You might get one or two error messages on installing some security updates, don't worry, they will install themselves on the next round (this is due to dependancies of some being installed and a [ending reboot, win7 is too stupid to recognize that it can't install one before the computer finished installing, through reboot another one).
10. You are ready to enjoy.
11. If you need help or have any additonal questions. Ask me. Took me quite some time to figure this out (in particular the intel chipset thing).

xx. if you need to update your SSD firmware software, you are in for another treat. The Envy bios is some weird mixture of IDE and AHCI mode. At least for crucial, it requires you to run either or. Only way to update the firmware. Put it into a desktop and do the firmware update there (took me like 20 seconds).

Hope this helps some of you.

P.S. if you do a clean win 7 install, you won't have to fix the boot sector, but you will have to manually activate and register win 7, plus install drivers for the envy from the swsetup folder. In the end, I really liked the minimla win7 recovery options, since it seemed to give me only the essential HP products and got rid of all the bloatware (if you choose, you can still install all of it from your swsetup folder, which is conviniently located on your HDD in bay 2).

 

Slotti...had to rep you on this...great clarification...

 

OCZ Vertex 3 (240GB) Review - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

 

Repost page 411. Forgot to include original post to which I was responding AGAIN, on cell phone. Just keep missing that elusive box below my pop up keyboard on cell to include orig post

 

Okay so now I finally have my HP envy 17 3D, picked it up today and I loooove it already!

And I gotta say I was very lucky (knock on wood), I got a machine without any cosmetic issues and without dead pixels which I was super afraid to get since I had one on my last laptop (I was lucky enough to change that one).

The screen is freaking amazing I'd say And the sound is VERY good compared to my other laptop also an HP.

But I have a question, as always ^^ The turbo boost thing does that kick in by itself? And also, can you play anything in 3D or is it just some games?

One new happy HP Envy owner

 

Enjoy the machine...they are great!

 

Thank you Yea I'm already enjoying it it's awesome The Tridef 3D thing was on my laptop already maybe it was suppose to be

Thanks for the help!