HP Envy 14 or Envy 14 Beats Edition

Need comments on how is the built quality of the beats and what differences are in both... General aspects of each one, there arent many threads about this

 

I just got an Envy 14 Beats Edition last week and overall I'm very impressed with the build quality. It's very solid, runs great and I haven't had any major problems with it at all. The soft matte paint on the palm rest is also really nice, and the machine seems less glossy overall than its siblings.

There has been the issue of the glass over the screen being a bit tilted on some machines, thus cutting off a few pixels in the top right of the screen. Mine has this, but it's such a small thing and is only really noticeable if I have certain windows maximized, so it doesn't bother me at all. But it does mean that my machine wasn't perfect out of the factory, and I know others have had this problem so if you are very particular about things it might be something to think about.

I've never used or seen a non-Beats Envy, but I imagine that the build quality is the same since the same materials are essentially used. The Beats Edition does have a strip of blackish chrome going around the machine that adds a little heft to it, but I don't think it makes it overly heavy.

 

Do you know it has a chrome stipes in the side right? Does it look like is going to lose the chrome painting?

 

It's not chrome "painting," it's chrome metal. Very solid.

 

If given a choice between my Beats Edition and the standard Envy 14, I'd go for mine any day. The look is unique and subdued (the Beats logo on the lid really isn't that pronounced), and as mentioned the soft-touch paint on the palm rest really is comfortable. And I find the red backlighting to be more pleasing than a white backlight.

Mine has the issue with the bezel being a little shifted toward the right side, but it doesn't really bother me either. In fact, I wasn't even aware of it until someone pointed it out. Certainly it doesn't detract from the machine's use.

 

Red backlighting is beastly. And the only other system with it an Alienware, which doesn't look professional.

However, the regular envy 14 is the same hardware, and still looks dam good.

 

I don't find the Envy Beats edition terribly professional, either.

 

Is the red backlighting truly visible as it is shown, Ive read that it is not that visible. also, have you had any trouble with keyboard flex or the touchpad thing? I really dont know that to choose. Between Envy 14 with core i5-460m, 4gb ram, 640gb HDD (also with Beats by Dre iBeats) and the Envy 14 Beats Edition, same specs and no headphones. Im just looking forward to the Beats Edition cause of its awesome look... It is bad and red and black are my favorite color but also I think the normal envy just looks more elegant

 

My touchpad and keyboard are solid. I'll say that in person, the only thing about the look of the Beats Edition that isn't entirely elegant is the Beats logo. But seriously, it's not garish at all, and otherwise I find the machine to have a very subdued, elegant, and futuristic look to it.

In person, it is simply not at all "unprofessional," and I'll note that I've been in sales and marketing for very conservative companies for years. I wouldn't have any qualms taking this notebook into any of those settings.

I like the look of the standard Envy as well, but it's also a bit derivative for me.

 

I love the design of the Envy 14 BEATS edition I had a feeling they would release one when I purchased my envy 14. If they refresh this line when sandy bridge releases I'll upgrade to a BEATS edition if its available. The color alone is beast. :wub:

 

Ive had both, I liked both, I still have the Beats and I still think the Beats sound system is better but Ive read on here there the same.
If I had a choice Id have the Beats with a regular color key board, the red looks cool but I find that I always have to have the back lighting on to see it better.
The black finish always has finger smudges on it and the soft touch is different but I would not say its better.
Over all I'm happy with my Beats.

 

I have the beats edition, I love it except that it is a finger print magnet on both the lid and the inside rubbery paint..