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

That's weird. I had the exact same problem. All I had to do was install the 12.1 drivers over the drivers that came with the HP Envy. After that, it worked fine.

The windows xp compatibility should be used to improve the framerate in the game.

 

Greetings to the lounge members. I am about to order a replacement HP Envy 17 for my girlfriend that includes the following items:

• 2nd generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2450M Processor (2.5 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.1 GHz)
• 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 910GB 7200 rpm Dual Hard Drive (SSD 160GB+750GB 7200 rpm) With HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection

She will be using it for basic office applications, playing games like Sims, and digital image processing and possibly video editing.

Do you think the i5 processor will be sufficient? Will the i7 be any big performance improvement?

Thank you in advance for your response.

Gary

 

I'd grab an i7 to extend the useful life of the laptop, eventually more and more applications will be coded to take advantage of high core counts.

However, If you are working on a budget the i5 will work.

 

I think it really depends on the specific application (not the type of application). Most software still isn't optimized for dual cores let alone quad cores.

The only program I run that ever uses all 4 cores at once is a music file converter.

 

Alright, so I received my ENVY 17-3002ef (non-3D), ordered directly at HP France for 1498 €. Specs are 1920*1080 Radiance display, i7-2670QM, 6 Gb DDR3 (extended to 8 Gb with a 4 Gb PC10600 stick replacing the 2 Gb one), 1 Tb 5400rpm HDD (replaced it with a 500 Gb 7200rpm HDD and added a 120 Gb SSD), the rest is standard to the 17-3XXX line.
So here's maybe one of the first "extended" reviews on this side of the Atlantic Ocean!

First I checked for any build defect and the laptop has NONE. No USB dent nor trackpad bump (as you can see on the pictures below). That may give credit to the fact that there are issues only with CTOs laptops, and that standard configurations are fine. Note that we don't have the choice here in France, so maybe no laptop will be impacted by the build issues.




I already own the ENVY 17-2000 for more than 6 months now, so I can actually compare both laptops, and this is going to be the axis of my review.

*** PROS ***

- Nice power block zip cover case with ENVY logo.




- Power block is a bit wider but almost twice thinner than the one for the 17-2000, and it feels lighter. Good point HP!




- Very well built laptop. My 17-2000 was well built as well, but it had a small screen issue on the top right corner (it was not well fixed to the laptop casing).

- Overall the battery/HDD/memory access seems better (although you have to remove 6 screws to access the memory module - but there you can access all components). I moved the HDD caddy to the second bay (replaced the HDD) and added an SSD in the first bay with some tape. No problem here, the casing is well-suited even if you don't get a second caddy for the SSD, it won't move.




- One of the first things striking you when you turn the laptop on is the quality of the keyboard backlight. WAY better than the 17-2000, where the backlighting was very disappointing to me. No more light coming out of the borders under the keys (or very slightly), letters are a lot brighter. Plus you have the choice of 3 backlight levels, and it switches on/off in a nice progressive way along the keyboard.

(17-2000 vs 17-3002)





- The keyboard has somewhat a more robust feeling, less flex than the 17-2000 one. For now I noticed it's a bit harder to have a perfect typing without any missing/wrong keystroke, but I think it's only a matter of being used to it. Keyboard is about the same as the 17-2000 one, with some keys that have been replaced (finally some play/pause and previous/forward multimedia keys, yay!).
It has no flex/clicking issue on the left side as some reported.

- The screen luminosity increases/decreases in a smooth way when you use the luminosity keys (up/down), or when your computer display is dimming (and back on) after some time. On the 17-2000 each luminosity level was a "step" up and down. It's really a small cosmetic detail but it adds to the laptop overall "comfy" feeling.

- Screen quality is very good. I couldn't notice any major difference with the 17-2000 screen (which is not meant to be a "Radiance" display), but maybe the colors are a bit more vivid. Viewing angles seems the same to me.

- Fans are definitely quieter than my 17-2000 (Coolsense ON - using AMD graphics). You can still hear them and they are always on, but the sound is less noticeable than on the other laptop.

- Laptop is definitely cooler than my 17-2000 while in standard use (internet, multimedia, etc.). As the CPU and GPU are located near the back of the laptop the palm rests never get hot (while the left palm rest on the 17-2000 was getting hot, especially when playing games). But overall I think the location of the fans and other components is smarter than on the 17-2000.
Note that I couldn't check the temps/fan noise while playing games yet.

- There is no more annoying optical drive "self-extracting" sound when starting the laptop (only a very slight sound but nothing like the one on the 17-2000) ! Man, this is nice...

- I confirm you can plug a USB device (like an iPhone) on the USB port with a flash logo on the left side of the laptop and you will have power to charge it when laptop is shut down.

- Love the volume adjuster. It generally works on the main Windows volume, although I noticed it only impacts the application's volume in some cases (e.g. Media player classic). I'd love to remap the Beats button action for something else (new Chrome page or something), but couldn't dig to find out how yet.

- Laptop is actually a tiny bit thinner and smaller than the 17-2000.


*** CONS ***

- Chipset is HM65 Express, whereas the 17-2000 had the HM67. But then again when comparing the two chipset specs it's definitely more or less the same...

- I confirm the first HDD bay is SATA III whereas the second is only SATA II. That doesn't bothers me in my current configuration. Looking at the chipset specs it seems that it supports only 2 SATA III ports, so I guess the 17-3002 is using it for the mSATA port.

- <s>I definitely have the sound volume issue some others reported</s>, i.e. when listening to music the volume seems to vary in time depending on the part of each song being played (e.g. a part with lots of bass and instruments will be played at slightly lower volume). It's very noticeable when I use the headphone port to plug my HiFi amp/speakers.
I don't seem to have the static/buzz issue some others reported though.
I didn't have much time to look at it but it seems like a driver issue. I've tried to install the latest IDT driver but it did nothing. EQ was off in both iTunes and Winamp (as was the Beats EQ), but the issue was noticeable no matter the player being used. I suspect the Beats software being the cause.

EDIT: OK, so I just uninstalled the IDT Audio from the Programs and Features menu in the Control Panel, reboot, then Windows detects the hardware and installs the driver, and tadaaa! Played a few song, and the volume issue is definitely gone! Now the sound is muuuuch better! Interestingly enough, the driver version Windows installed is 6.10.6359.0, whereas the latest from HP I had (and uninstalled) was 6.10.6370.0. Beats Control Panel is still there when you push the Beats button over the volume wheel, but the Beats "disc" icon when turning the wheel disappeared, replaced by a standard sound icon (?!) :



EDIT 2: Well after reboot the problem showed up again. No solution so far. :/

- Overall if you uncheck the Beats option from the software the sound coming out of the laptop speakers is quite flat. But with it on it's fine, definitely in the same league than the 17-2000, maybe slightly better. But again I think it needs some adjustments to have a correct sound.

- IR sensors doesn't seem to work for me? I configured it at maximum detection level and 10 seconds delay but the keyboard backlight doesn't switch off (or back on) when I'm away from the computer? Maybe I missed something because I didn't search a lot though.
The IR sensors are located on the top of the display panel (on each side of the webcam), and they are definitely noticeable (two red dots), but I thought it would disturb me when using the laptop, while in fact you don't notice them much when looking at the screen.

- <s>Couldn't make GTA IV running on it yet, same for EFLC. The installation seems fine but when I install the latest patch the game just won't launch. Couldn't figure out why yet (I suspect some SecuROM/Windows Games Live issue or something)...</s> EDIT: fixed! Patch installation path stupid issue...


Some comparison pictures:










CPU-Z:






If you have any info you'd like to know just ask and I'll see what I can do.

<s>I'm interested if anyone could fix the audio volume going in and out... or if anyone can post their Beats audio settings here!</s> <s> EDIT: seems to be fixed!</s> EDIT 2: Still there after reboot...

 

regarding the sound - try changing the power options inside the beats control panel. dont know whether you can turn it off completely without turning off the beats software.

one question:

are these some speakers on top of the keyboard? or are the only speakers those on the front side where theyre also placed on previous envy versions?

i like the top cover design of the envy 17 1000/2000 MUCH more than the boring new one, no matter whether some find it to be too feminine, but thats just my personal opinion.

 

Thanks for that fish1203

 

Thanks for the review fish1203. I see you are in France like me. I do also have an envy 17, but it came from the US. I thought I would buy a french keyboard part and replace the qwerty one, but I see you have an extra key on azerty keyboard : the one used to make <> symbols, on the right of your left shift button.

Here is what I posted on the 15 Owners lounge :

Had the same problem to make IR sensors work and I ended up turning the thing off. Keeping keyboard always backlighted isn't a problem at all.

[/QUOTE]

Could you try this settings and tell me what you think ? I tried it quickly and it sounded better:





Also for your touchpad, you should install reil's envytouchpad. Here are my settings for synaptics and envytouchpad:

 

Howdy all,

I was wondering where I could purchase the Envy 17 3D 3000 series in Australia? Do they have stock out here yet everywhere I've contacted they haven't heard of this model.

Thanks.

 

I agree. The top of the old Envy is what I miss most. The new top is quite a bore.

 

Quick question...I read in the Envy 15 lounge about this red/violet color issue they are having with the displays. Is this just a 15 thing or do the 17 experience this also?
Also...wat the USB dent I keep reading about? Any idea what's causing it? Is it still a widespread issue?
Thanks for your replies.

K.C.

 

The red issue is particular to the 15.

 

How is the 3D experience in the 3xxx series? Any improvements from the 2xxx series? What about the ghosting?
The 3D experience in envy 2xxx models as per many reviews didn't stand up with the nvidia 3d vision. Is it the same with 3xxx series or is it any better?

Does anyone have a date for the release in India? Presently the hp india site shows only the 15 inch version.
Any way to get it to India without huge customs and shipping charges ? (comes upto 20k just to get it shipped )

 

Well before uninstalling the IDT driver I played a lot with all settings in the Beats Control Panel as well as the Windows audio devices settings, to no avail...
Also when Windows reinstalled the driver after reboot, I first tried to play some songs to check: problem disappeared. And then WHILE playing a song I just tweaked a little bit one of the Beats settings, and all of a sudden it was like the audio changed to a different "device", the sound was noticeably transformed as soon as I tweaked the setting just by a tiny bit, like the signal was now being passed through the Beats pipe (can't find English words to explain better, sorry!).
But still, the volume issue now seems to have disappeared, which is a relief!

Well to be honest I also liked the 17-2XXX look, and the case felt great. But I'm not disappointed at all by the one of the 17-3XXX. Just different, but I like both. What's more important is that the keyboard backlight definitely brings the 17-3XXX case a whole new feeling, really. Plus I also choose to go on with the 17-3XXX because of the volume wheel (I use a lot the audio on my laptop), the wireless audio feature that I plan to use (as soon as the HP wireless audio receiver is available in France!), and some other "details" that make this laptop top notch.

I forgot to mention it in my review but to me, even if there are some downgrades (GPU, mostly - or the look for some people), the overall feeling of the 17-3XXX is that it's a 17-2XXX that came to maturity. Can't really explain why, it's the overall impression, backed up by the components location, available keys/button, backlighting, screen, fans/cooling, etc. It's definitely a multimedia beast.


@Yaka2manD: hey, thanks for the hint about the Beats button! Might try it later... even if it wouldn't be a definitive solution though.

Yeah the keyboard has got the < > key. Isn't it what you were looking for?


Also, does anyone else have the IR sensor issue ?

 

I'm looking forward to getting my Envy 17 3d on the 21st. Quick question, I have gunny's "New Envy owner guide to initial setup" saved for when I get it. Is this guide pretty much up to date to use for my initial setup? I want to take my time and get all the drivers and things I need updated before serious use.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-envy-hdx/638263-new-envy-owner-guide-initial-setup.html

This guide is awesome, thanks Gunny for writing it.

 

In step 2B, he says to download the latest Tridef software, however your HP Envy only comes with the Tridef Ignition (for games), so if you download the latest Tridef you will need a serial code. In other words, you don't need to worry about this.

In step 5. he says to exclude the AMD GPU Update, but I just downloaded all my windows updates and have no problems with games or anything.

Bottom line: Just backup a couple folders, install all your software, and update your computer then you should be good. Enjoy your Envy

 

Thank you my friend, appreciate the help.

 

has something changed with the tridef software that now theres a license?

on my envy 17 3d i installed win 7 ultimate freshly on a new hard disk, so there was absolutely no trace of the factory-installed tridef software, and after downloading it from the tridef website it recognized that its an envy 17 3d and automatically activated the software without any serial key or license, so the warning in step 2B doesnt apply (if nothing has changed).

 

You're welcome for the Beats button trick.
As for the keyboard, the problem is that the layout is different. I've also notice that your enter key is different: it's two lines high. This means I can't replace a qwerty keyboard with an azerty one.

Only option would be to remove some aluminium part, but as you can imagine I'll not go this way !

Anyway, I don't look at my keyboard when typing and I use an external keyboard at work, so that's no big deal.

As for the <> key, I've discovered "Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator". This soft let's you remap keyboard key's and create new shortcuts.

 

I have a burnt out key on my number pad. I also have the dented USB port on the left. HP is sending a box to repair. Totally love this laptop. WAY better deal than apple. HP has great service from what I remember in the past...

 

Ok, it's a bit off-topic but I solved my GTA IV installation issue. The problem was totally stupid. I wanted to install the game in a different folder than the default one (i.e. C:\Program Files\Rockstar\... as opposed to C:\Program Files (x86)\Rockstar\...), and while the initial installation goes fine, when installing the latest patch (1.0.7.0) you can't choose the game installation path...

I was naively thinking the patch would find the actual installation path by itself but it doesn't! It installs the patch in the default installation path no matter what, thus not replacing files, etc.
So re-installed the game in the default folder, installed the patch and voilà, it works...

That's stupid, really...

Anyway, I launched the game and set the graphics configuration to "Auto config", most of the options were set to High. When launching the game well... it's laggy, like every second there's a slowdown, not really playable (although it does a nice "bullet time" effect...).
I reduced the setting to medium and while it was better it was still not perfectly smooth. I'm not sure whether it has to do with Coolsense reducing the pure perfs or something, couldn't play a lot with the settings yesterday. Might try it again tonight.

But there's one thing I'm sure of: the laptop is waaay cooler than the 17-2XXX. The palm rest never gets hot (this is great - especially when summer will be there!), the top of the case above the keyboard is merely hot (most of the heat is dissipated behing the laptop), and the CPU reached a mere ~76C while the GPU was ~71C tops!

 

Can you burn Blu ray dvds on the envy 17 3d?

 

For the love of God, somebody please help me.

I've spent all day trying to figure this out

I have an ENVY 15

WHY isn't there any WOL or WOWLAN settings in the Intel 6300 wireless adapter (its a new-age product, i mean it SHOULD have it) (drivers 14.1 i believe)

and WHY isn't there any WOL or WOWLAN in the BIOS

SOOOOO confusing, i really need to wake my laptop fromsleep either through another computer on the same network or via the internet

THANKS IN ADVANCE !!!

 

No, you cannot, but you can certainly upgrade it to do just that. The drives are available, although I'd caution against buying used ones. Too much bad merchandise out there, including ones misrepresented as new. You can install it yourself by carefully following the service manual, which may or may not already appear on this site, or take it to it a skilled mom-and-pop and have it done for like $45. I installed a burner in my old Envy. As I do not have the will to open up the new one yet, I bought an external burner. The benefits of an external burner is that the speeds currently outpace internal ones, but good luck finding discs that can even take advantage of the speed boost beyond 6x.

 

I have the early 2011 envy 17, the one before this one. I wish I knew about this one when I was looking at mine. I love mine but I also love this one too, love the anolog dial. I think I'm gonna go get me the 15. Anyways, I'm a begginer and still learning all the terms. Can someone help me with an issue. I want to watch movies from my envy to my TV. When I plug HDMI from my laptop to my TV, it obviously plays and has sound coming from the tv. How can I hook it up where I get HDMI picture but audio through my reciever? When I hook up the audio to my reciever via headphone jack on laptop, the picture cuts off. Is there a setting on my envy that allows me to control the audio output. I don't mind( actually would be better) if the audio/video comes from the TV and through my suround sound speakers. Please help, I am a movie nut and obviously this laptop is made for that,thanks

 

Can't you plug your laptop's hdmi output into your receiver and use the receiver's hdmi output to your tv (assuming of course that your receiver has hdmi input/output).

 

Well I spoke too soon about the audio problem... After a single restart the problem showed up again! And the speaker icon was automatically replaced by the beats "disc" one, probably meaning the Beats software has taken hold of the audio device...

I tried everything I could, uninstalling the driver again, reinstalling the newest one, unchecking the Beats option in the Control Panel, messing with Windows audio "enhancements", nothing. Audio quality is still bad and it messes with bass, there is volume distorsion when playing a track (it seems depending on how much bass is currently streamed on the sound card?)...

In any case it indicates it's a software/driver issue. Beats settings seems to be messing with the sound card, I don't know how or why...
I hope there will be a driver correcting this. But the latest is from February 3rd and the issue is still there... :|

By the way, the issue is present with internal/external speakers or headphones, and no matter what jack output I connect them to.

So if anyone got a clue... would be much appreciated.

Besides, anyone has a clue what the "power activate/deactivate" in advanced tab of Beats Control Panel does? Tried activating or deactivating it, didn't do any difference to me...

 

Mine (3005-17) has the same problem, the 'subwoofer' rarely turns on, and when it does it feels like a blanket has been lifted off the sound. Very frustrating.
I had problems with much noise on the signel when using my headphones (the headphones made it very noticeable) but somehow that went away during the first month I had it. Only thing I can recall doing is disabling some random processes from starting with windows. The beats buttom no longer works e.g. The volume dial works though.

 

I've found an "IDT audio" program in the windows starting list (in msconfig) as well. Tried to disable it but the issue didn't went away. It just made the Beats Control Panel icon/shortcut disappear from the notification area...

Some reported it might be a conflict with another driver. Best would be to do a clean install and then install the IDT driver first, then all others one by one and check at each step... But I don't have the patience to do that.

 

DUDE;
Beats Audio is a rebranded IDT Audio
I have the IDT in my HDX 18 and the GUI looks the same as the Beats Audio GUI, except the name has changed.

 

No you cannot, but you can get something like this:

Newegg.com - SAMSUNG USB 2.0 External Slim Portable Blu-ray Writer Model SE-506AB

Got one for my 2nd Gen Envy 17 3D. One of the best drives I have ever acquired. Burn quality is stellar and it also does quality scans using Nero Discspeed or Opti Drive Control

 

Thanks but I was actually well aware of that...

 

Anyone have some info on the 80 GB SSD mSATA available in the Envy 17-3000 3D
LINK: HP ENVY 17-3000 3D Edition Notebook PC series specifications

Some of the questions iI have are:
1) 80 GB SSD mSATA, what brand?
2) Is the OS on the the mSATA?
3) Is the mSata CARD sata II or III?
4) Is the mSATA SLOT sata II or III?
5) Installing an 2.5'" SSD to HDD bay 1, do I need sata II or III?
6) If I have the mSATA and a 2.5" SSD, booting from HDD bay 1(SSD), the mSATA isn't any real use to me, is it? All 2.5" SSD's are faster than an any mSATA's. The only real use for the mSATA would be for a duel boot setup (UBUNTU/XP). Am I correct with this???

Finall Question for now,,,,,,,,,
Has HP screwed up the series numbers on the Envy 17-3000 3D?
From the Envy 17-3090nr 3D page, envy 17-3090nr 3D it takes me to the envy 17-3000 3D page????
Whats wrong here??

 

is HP ENVY 17-3090nr 3D Edition Notebook PC the right product support page? its the same on the hp canada website

 

So, I just ordered myself the ENVY 17 with the i7-2670QM and no other modifications. Quite excited to get this beautiful machine! I heard some complaints about the trackpad and the graphics switching.. I was planning on doing the guide that gunny made for when I get it.

 

Just got mine in and it's gorgeous. Just had time to get Windows loaded real quick. I'll be creating a backup disk and getting windows updates going this evening when I get home. So for I'm very impressed with this machine.

 

For some reason the Beats audio knob on my Envy 17 is not working correctly. When I press the knob the Beats Audio Panel does not open & when I turn the knob the volume bars are not displayed on the screen. However it does change the volume. It was working fine yesterday, so I don't know if windows updates had anything to do with it not working anymore. I'm just hoping it's software & not a hardware problem.

Just found out that when I press fn+esc, this does not bring up the production information window either. I guess I'll try tech-support....oh no!

If anyone has any suggestions I really appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

Gotta say it's one of the nicest computers I've had. Love the solid look and feel. I've gotten nothing but compliments, even from HP haters!

 

Suggest you re-install HP QLB SW/driver in c:/ SWSetut

 

You my friend are a genius......thanks so much!

I spoke to tech-support for 1/2 hour & they suggested I do a system restore or do a factory restore. I'm so glad I asked on the forums before I tried anything that HP suggested.

 

Envy 17 3xxx custom:

Just got my Envy 17 3D yesterday and upon reading your comment I checked and my left USB port next to the slot drive is dented at it's base just below the port opening it's bent inward making a gap with the lower body section. I would not notice if I was not looking for it. I read about those color issues and the Envy 17 doesn't have the problem because it's using a TN display instead of a IPS. They are both still a very good displays.

 

the battery life on this thing is abysmal

 

Ive been impressed with the battery life. The only problem i am having is the keyboard will start to randomly miss keystokes. Does anyone have a fix for this issue?

 

Has anyone tried Kleernet? I know the Bluetooth speaker systems are a lot better now... Thoughts?

 

Anyone know if there is a way to rig the proximity sensor to wake the laptop from sleep - not just turn on the keyboard?

 

sleep on proximity and switching graphics with beats button

Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk

 

I get about 90 minutes on batter, tops

 

i get 6 hours

 

I'm guessing brightness is definitely not at 100%? What settings are you using?

 

Brightness medium, Coolsense on, Hp power plan.