HP Envy 14 vs. Sony VAIO Z ... I have them both. Help me decide.

I, like a lot of others here, was really looking forward to the Envy 14 for months now. It had the right combination of screen size, style and performance...and also it's not a mac. Pretty much all I was asking for.

I was in the lucky 30% BCB club and got myself a i5-520M with 8GB of RAM and the 256GB SSD for $1601 after BCB plus CA state taxes.

I got my laptop on Monday and like others here have run into a range of issues from serious to nitpicking:

• Trackpad - My initial experience was pure rage. Coming from a 5 year old MacBook (physical button) and a recent buttonless MacBook Pro (for work)...the fact that I can't just rest my thumb in the button area is ridiculous. I've since played with the Synaptics settings to get the jumpiness to a minimum, but it still happens occasionally where the mouse will jump or get stuck. Sure, I can unlearn the button and learn tap-to-click. It does get a bit tough for me to switch between my work MBP and the Envy...but whatever. I feel like this isn't working as advertised. One bright spot is the two-finger-scroll project. I rely on that for two-finger-tap to right-click. Besides that, the buttons are slightly too stiff for my taste. I'd rather have physical buttons.
• Samsung SSD firmware - TRIM is important/not important? I would have been better off not knowing this was an issue. When I first read about this, I was OCD. I feel ok that I can restore performance by performing a full wipe (or whatever it's called). I have a HP MediaSmart Server, so I'm fine with restoring a backup.
• Fan & Whine - The darn fan seems to be on all the time. It seems like others here have tried to narrow it down. All I've tried is the BIOS setting without success. The whine for me is slightly noticeable. Irritating? Only when I think about it. Maybe I'm just used to having buzzing coming from electronics.
• Power connector - Would have been nicer if the connector was an "L" shape.
• Volume OSD - The darn thing kicked me out of Starcraft 2. Luckily I figured out to uninstall the HP MediaSmart menu.

By Thursday, with BCB's last day approaching and these issues popping up, I decided to pull the trigger on a VAIO Z (VPCZ124GX/B) i5-520M, 4GB RAM and 256GB SSD. I got 15% BCB and no CA state tax for a total of $1912. I've been able to spend quality time (e.g. SC2, Google Chrome and Trillian) with both laptops and I'm leaning toward the VAIO Z.

I've got just over 2 weeks to decide on one and return the other. I hope some of my observations will be helpful to someone else.

• Performance: Tie - Both machines have amazing performance. The SSD makes a world of difference for boot time and application startup time.
• Screen: Envy - The Envy's radiance screen is MUCH brighter than the VAIO Z. Perhaps the glossy finish on the Envy vs. the matte finish on the VAIO makes a difference. The VAIO packs in a 1600x900 resolution on a 13" screen. The result is almost too small. Sony defaults the system font size to Medium (125%). That makes text more easily readable.
• Trackpad and keyboard: VAIO - VAIO Z trackpad has buttons and tap zones. Solves a lot of my problems with the Envy. My Envy showed flex around "P", but I only slightly noticed it during heavy typing sessions. I prefer the VAIO keyboard layout as well. The Envy chops off a chick of the the right shift key for the Up Arrow. I also noticed that since the Envy trackpad is in the center of the keyboard, I find my right palm hitting the trackpad often. Also, the VAIO's backlit keyboard lights up automatically unlike the Envy where you have to turn it on manually
• Size & Style: VAIO - VAIO Z is so light! It makes the Envy 14 feel like a 17" laptop. The L shaped power connector on the VAIO is a nice touch.
• Bloatware: Envy - Wow the VAIO comes with a lot of extras. I'm actually not too OCD about bloatware, I prefer to uninstall bloatware instead of doing a clean install. Maybe I'll change my mind later.
• Fan: VAIO - I have no issues with whine or an always-on-fan on the VAIO.
• Speakers: HP - The VAIO is has a tinny quality compared to the Envy.
• SSD: Slight edge to HP - It seems like the jury is still out on HP's Samsung SSD, whether or not it has garbage collection and if HP will update the firmware. The VAIO doesn't have TRIM, but it does have garbage collection. Sony uses a proprietary setup for their SSD, so replacement parts will be expensive if needed.
• Value: Tie(?) - Hard to evaluate this value + quality equation. Do I care about the extra $300 on the VAIO? Not really. Sure, the HP gives me 4GB more RAM and cheaper extended warranty options if I decide to buy one.

I think that wraps up all my thoughts. It's not an easy decision for me at the moment. I see the great screen and hear the great audio on the Envy, but then there's the fan noise and the trackpad issues. I look at the VAIO and think why isn't this screen brighter?

I think I can be happy with either laptop. Neither one is perfect. I just have to figure out what workarounds I'll be willing to live with.

Are there other factors that I should be considering? Is anyone else having the same dilemma as me?

 

Well, if you're equally satisfied with both, why not get the cheaper one?

 

The problems seem more pronounced in the ENVY, I would keep the SONY.

 

You should consider future fixes for the envy.
The volume OSD thing is fixable, there was a guide I think in the first owner lounge thread to replace the volume controle with another one (that also had an envy skin file).

For the trackpad and whine, well most annoying ones, yet maybe synaptics will fix it someday, or you could get used to it like everyone does (its the point of brain plasticity right hehe). You could even RMA your envy once bcb refunds you to get the whine fixed.

Maybe you should also take in account which laptop you simply prefer by the looks.

 

I considered the Vaio Z as well. Problem is I could only really afford the 128GB version. That aside they are quite comparable machines.

I like the lightweight, but the screen was almost too small for me.

I also didn't like the fact that I can't update the SSD later if I want a faster and/or larger one. But if you can afford the 256GB version, then it may not be as much of an issue. I hear the GC is pretty decent on the Vaio SSD's. Problem is the HP Samsung SSD has zero GC software. I'd be ok if it was a utility I had to run once a week or two, or something that could be scheduled to run. But they have NOTHING.

Personally, I think the Envy 14 is the better buy. Unless you really need the really small and light weight of the VAIO Z, I think you're better off in the long run with the Envy. Screen is bigger and brighter and overall better, it uses traditional drives for future upgrade options, and likely there will be a Blu-Ray third party drive soon, where the Sony's costs $500. Not to mention the HD 5650 is a newer tech part supporting DX11. But most importantly cost. I don't see the Sony as a $300 upgrade.

But not to make your decision harder, but Sony has a trade-in program that you can get $300 for any useable laptop Pentium 2GHz or faster. Many people have been finding some on eBay or Craigslist for $50-$100, effectively getting $200 or so off their Envy.

Bottom line though. My vote: Envy 14.

 

How is the battery life between the two of them?

They seem pretty similar. I am actually in the same exact boat, only my Z hasn't gotten here yet. I am a little disappointed with the Envy14 for a couple reasons, namely poor battery life (about 3.5 hours on power saver) and poor built quality (problems with warping and separation of the palmrest panel and the outer aluminum). I am also kind of irritated with the lower clocked gpu - mainly because I bought the envy thinking it would outperform the Z, but with the lower clock it performs about the same as the 330m. I really think I would prefer the lighter weight and size of the Z as I carry my notebook with me a lot.

Either way, I will be missing the 7-8 hour battery life of my lenovo x200t.

 

Can you list some of the apps that you will need to be running on these machines? That could make a difference.

1600 is a pretty amazing price for the config options you have with the E14. Do you work with any apps where the 8GB RAM will be handy?

I've found a pretty significant difference between 4GB vs 8, 16 and 24GB when working with very large files in Photoshop.

The touchpad is a pretty important feature since it is how you will be making use of the computer on a daily basis. If you find the VAIO touchpad that much easier to use, maybe it's worth the higher price and lower RAM.

Also, is the SSD in your Z a Raid0 config of smaller SSD drives or only one 256GB drive?

 

The Vaio Z uses a proprietary design of double sided SSD that links them together in RAID mode on a single board. It's effectively two 128GB SSD's, but seen as a single 256GB drive. You can't fit a conventional SSD in the slot though.

 

Yes, I understand some of the Vaio units with Raid0 configuration have gotten pretty amazing speeds. However, it was my understanding that some of these options are only available in Asia, such as the models with 4 x 64GB and 4 x 128GB

 

I don't mind the missing OSD now that I've uninstalled it. My point there was that it was annoying and unexpected.

What do you mean by RMA after I get the BCB refund? BCB is 60 days and RMA is 21 right?

For the trackpad...I could just use a bluetooth mouse all the time. Or train my thumb to not hit the trackpad ever. He's a stubborn one.

 

All good points in favor of the Envy. The last time I did any serious gaming was 10 years ago for SC1. I'm not really a gamer, so DX11 doesn't matter that much to me...or does it?

I think you meant "$200 or so off their VAIO".

 

Battery life on the VAIO Z is great so far, but I'm not doing any scientific tests. I've been online for about an hour now and it appears that I have 4:40 left on the battery. I've got my graphics set to auto.

 

Thanks for the input.

I'm a software developer (Java, Flash, Android). Having extra memory speeds up my compile times. Other than that, I'm pretty simple: Adobe Photoshop+Premiere Elements for photo organizing, iTunes, Slingbox, Office.

I have CS5 Web Premium installed, but I'm not a graphics artist. I don't think I'll be working with large files in PS too often.

My VAIO is the RAID0 of two 128GB drives: Sony VAIO VPCZ124GX/B Laptop Computer - Intel Core i5-520M 2.40GHz, 4GB DDR3, 256GB SSD, DVDRW, 13.1 Display, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, Black at TigerDirect.com.

I do find the VAIO trackpad much easier to use. I could learn to use tap-to-click, use two-finger-scroll for right click and scroll. Tap-to-drag is a bit weird for me, but something that I can get used to. It seems like if I avoid using the Envy physical button, things just take a little more time. The motion of lifting your finger to tap on the main surface or hovering over the button area to then lower and press is just more motion than I'm used to. I wish I didn't have to work around the bad trackpad. If it worked right, I'd probably pick the Envy and deal with the fan+whine+SSD problems.

 

Ugh. This isn't getting easier. I'm seeing the diagonal lines issue on the VAIO Z http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/400972-vaio-z-diagonal-lines-screen.html. I only see it when playing video content. It seems that other people are more sensitive to the problem. I have the same video playing side-by-side with the Envy and the Envy is perfect.

 

Can you please post side by side pictures of the two laptops... I too am trying to decide between them!!

 

I already returned the VAIO Z because of the diagonal lines problem. Was there something particular you wanted to know?

 

Hi jsanjose! Great, great post my friend. I had the exact same dilemma... until HP took the radiance screen away.

1. I want to ask you a few things... like if u had to choose again and u couldnt get the radiance screen would u still get the envy?

2. What if u knew that the ssds can be replaced in the sony with regular 1.8 ssds ?

3. Regarding the extra weight of the envy.. The metalic body looks much sexier to me but do u actually notice the difference of the weight? I mean after a while does the sony still feel that much lighter?

4. 1600x900 was looking smallish to you? I mean would u consider getting the full hd version ?


thank u so much for the great post and feedback!

anestis

 

1. Hmm...at that point, I might as well have picked an MBP.
2. Not a big factor for me.
3. The VAIO Z was unbelievably light. The Envy 14, for it's size, is deceivingly heavy.
4. 1600x900 on the 14" Envy is perfect. On the VAIO Z, it was a little small at the normal font size. I believe Sony ships it with large fonts on by default to compensate. There's no way I would go to 1920x1080. I had that on a 15" screen a few years back and it was just too much.

 

VAIO Z HANDS DOWN AND NO COMPETITION lol.

I will soon be an owner of the Envy 14 with Radiance display but the new Z is the ultimate laptop IMO and nothing beats it.

Just my .02 and the only reason I don't have the Z is because I don't have enough money for one hahaha.

Your choice though and they are both good systems.

 

Please report back ur impressions when u get ur Envy 14..

 

Both are equivalently awesome machines. Honestly. This is probably one of the toughest decisions in the portable premium notebook market.

All the biggest points have already been mentioned. I own an E14 with Radiance, and for me personally, it's the best laptop, hands DOWN, I've ever owned, issues aside.

I've fiddled around with the Z; it's very sexy and clearly a top notch machine.

The main reason, (price wasn't an issue, I'm spending whatever $$$ will get me the best laptop for my uses) that I went with the E14 over the Z is heat. Ironically, the Envy 14 has a cooling system I simply trust WAY more than the Z.

If you're going to be pushing the machine, there is simply no way the Z's ultra-tiny form factor will cool the components to the same extent as the Envy. I use my Envy 14 for in-bed gaming, and I gotta tell you, the thing stays cool all over.

The Vaio heats up, a lot.