HP Envy 14: Availabilty, etc.

It's got a minimum of $1299.

and goes away after 1350 uses or 6/26/2010.

nba5193862

 

Well there's the vent on that envy14 preview picture website.



...that thing better not cause problems.

 

from reading all of the negative reviews on the 17, I am almost positive this laptop will have a HUGE number of problems.

 

Read about that some pages back. Do the side vents draw in air, or do they blow it out? If it's the former, the back vents could be a real cause for concern as it looks like from here they get stifled. If it's the latter, it shouldn't be a serious cause for concern. Either way, I'm going to be taking a close look at HWMonitor readings and posting my own screenshots for comparisons.

 

What are the negatives?

 

And I'm almost positive we'll never come out of this recession and that I'll die a virgin.


Seriously? It's one thing to be realistic when the situation calls for it, but there's absolutely no need to be a negative nancy.

 

I did.

I'm hoping the side ones blow out air.

 

No, I meant read (Past tense, pronounced "red").

 

3.0 is useless if external storage is your concern about speed. USB 3.0 tends to be about 20% faster than eSATA at reads, while eSATA was about 20% faster at writing data to the disk

 

It seems like I am the only one being realistic while you guys continuously seem to ignore the reviews of the 17.. you do realize it is the same architecture of the 14 correct?

 

oh.

the other read.

heheh

 

as for usb 3.0

isn't it limited by slow drives right now (it's not really any faster than eSATA)

 

Yea its limited by 7200 rpm, sata to usb data interface in the cable, and it also drain battery way faster than normal usb ports. eSata remains the king of external... sata drives

 

What in our post indicates we're being unrealistic? Has your reading of the posts so far brought you to the conclusion that we seriously believe that HP has hired unicorns to do their Envy 14 assembling at the factories and that the notebooks will have unicorn dust sprinkled all over them?


The best thing to do right now is what we're doing, which is simply waiting and hoping. If you think with all certainty that the notebook will be a serious flop, then don't buy it. If it's the case you're not interested in buying the Envy 14 and have nothing else further to contribute, then there's no further need to post in this thread. We're for the most part aware of the potential pitfalls that could crop up and yes, we're all capable of using the interwebs.


Really, it's that simple. You're not doing yourself (or anyone here) any favors by circulating FUD.


P.S. A good number of us have been frequenting the Envy 17 thread and noting the usual i7 heating problems, the webcam sound issue, and the lingering gaps and screw bugs. Don't draw any conclusions about us until you've actually read more than 1-2 posts here.

 

Same look, but not chasis. The vent positions arn't even the same... Same goes for mobos and components...

 

Does anyone know of a nice esata external hdd that might look good with this notebook?

 

Google shop it. Theres a bunch.

 

Actually the best plan for you (and me) is :
Buying envy...
Buying 500go momentus XT drive (hybrid SSD) (139$)
Replace envy HDD by momentus (or a SSD... to your liking, but momentus is enough for me as it speeds up booting and common aps nearly as much as a SSD)
Order "Hard drive enclosure e-sata, usb powered" (no AC adaptators FTW)
This is one example : Amazon.com: Eagle Tech ET-CS2XMESU2-BK 2.5" SATA to USB/eSATA Portable Hard Drive Enclosure (Tool-less): Electronics
theres a lot of colors and models around, but I like this one cause it uses one to two usb ports to be powered (so in the end you just plug one usb and one esata and it rolls).
And dangdang you've got a 500gig external and a blazing fast 500go momentus hard drive in the envy for a total of 160$

Edit: Other models here that would look good with the envy.
http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-E-SAT...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276806881&sr=1-23
http://www.amazon.com/2-5-HDD-Enc-U...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276807129&sr=1-12

 

For me, it's hunt for a SSD a month or two down the road when I feel like I'm down for upgrading.

 

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum and looking at buying an Envy 14 when it comes out.

I was wondering if anybody knows how exactly ATI switchable graphics on laptops work. Is this something done through the hardware or the software? I ask because I'd like to swap out the hdd that comes with the Envy for an ssd so I can do a clean install of Windows and get rid of HP's bloatware (and it's also cheaper). But having never dealt with a laptop with ATI graphics I don't know if that somehow removes the switchable graphics? Or can I just reinstall the drivers and such after I pop in my ssd and everything works?

Sorry if this has been brought up before but I couldn't find my answer in this huge thread.

 

Doesnt change anything you just have to install ATI hybrid drivers (which are included in all current catalysts correct me if im wrong ?).

 

yeah you just install the latest catalyst drivers and in the catalyst control center somewhere there's a "switch graphics card" button or something

screen goes black, card switches over. takes 'bout 10 seconds.


also you may note that the catalyst release notes say "doesn't support switchable graphics notebooks (intel). That means notebooks that have two graphics card on the motherboard an intel gma thing and the radeon.

that does not mean switchable graphics from an i5 processor (like the envy14 or the dv6t or the dm4t, etc)

 

What brand SSD is coming in the Envy 17?

 

Thanks DerpDerp!! I was not aware that the momentus XT drive existed; that sounds like a great option!

 

My fingers are crossed about the Envy 14....

All points of interest are valid here, but Im more interested in substantial issues rather than nitpicking over i3 vs i5 and screen resolutions (which were stated many times to be 1600x900) ... you can do that with any laptop. This is HP's best they can do... The Envy Series! They gave us Premium, lets talk about Premuim.

I believe the intake vents are on the bottom and side, while the exhaust is on the back. You can review a side angle of the Envy 14 on Engadget, and deduct there should be some room for airflow, as it appears to be semi directed at the screen and not totally covered.

Ventilation issues still have not been resolved (see youtube video explaining bottom of envy) as the intake vents are located on the bottom. People use these on their laps, place them on beds, lay them on the couch... yet HP fails to design with usability once again. As hot as a MBP may get, you can still place it anywhere you desire. Its designed with use in mind.

I believe the severely poor quality control of the Envy 17 does lend to a potential problem with the Envy 14 (Im trying to forget about the 15's many problems as evident by the forums), and it is a valid point to bring up on this forum. Both 14 & 17 are from HP's top design studios, so the design decisions made on the 17 very well may be carried over to the Envy 14 in many specific places.

I also dont believe this notebook should be structurally compared to a MBP (as folks do so often on these Envy blogs), as HP does not have the capability to build with Unibody construction type yet. All Envy's (and HP laptops) are still only glued and screwed so it does not matter if its metal or plastic, Envy will never be as structurally sound as MBP until HP decides Premium Laptops are worthy of a 30+ year old technology like gutted metal to craft its casings in 1 solid and unified design form.

As for the touchpad... who knows? I doubt the Envy 14 will get the new clickless touchpad. HP decided to use a 3rd party to design and implement one of the single most important aspects of a laptop, the touchpad (lets hope Palms tech gets in the Envy soon)! MBP users all pretty much states the Envy's touchpad is not up to Mac standards... probably so, as Mac is committed to designing its own OS, GUI, and software. HP relies on Synaptics... so this touchpad is only as good as the 3rd party vendor sees necessary.

Im still hoping the Envy 14 has some features that make it a truly Premium laptop beyond the use of a Premium looking skin material.

Here's waiting for you baby!

 

Brand? I'm guessing Intel.

 

@ droid - Good points.

I think this notebook is in the same class as an MBP, at least as far as size, specs, and materials. But it's hard to compare something that costs nearly twice the price. HP is like Ford, they look to bring a great and reliable product to masses, but have to cut corners somewhere to keep it affordable. Mac is like Mercedes. It drives like a Ford but spends the money to make it more "luxurious", and that cost is passed on to the buyer. I'll put the money in my pocket and deal with the design compromises, as long as they don't affect overall usability of the laptop.

 

Quality issues or none, the 21-day return period no questions asked should make the decision-making process easier. If HP takes a while to build and ship the Envy 14 as they did with the 17, I may have to delay the purchase a couple of weeks until I'm settled into my apartment. My purchase timeline would be a lot clearer if my wait-listed schools would hurry up and give me a reply.

 

I don't understand why everyone thinks Apple makes such quality products...they're made in China! The Envy series is more bang for the buck and a better all around computer. Apple fanboys just keep telling themselves that MBP's are top qualtiy to make them feel better about the outrageous price they paid for a piece of metal. I will be optimistic and feel that the E14 will be a quality product that consumers can actually afford without breaking the entire bank.

 

yeah.

I've decided to go with this:

1. pass on the dv6t:se after working at 1366x768 for 4 hours on my G1. It's just not going to work right for what I'm doing.

2. Go for the envy14 and then when it arrives stress the hell out of it to see the temperatures (furmark, whatever that cpu stressing thing is, then do both with crysis or something). And then show you guys the temps and ask ya if they're high or something.

3. hope to hell the envy14 was actually well thought out and that if the back vent is exhaust, hope it is on purpose and the screen and the exhaust act in a way to shunt the air down and out not up at the screen.


4. If it's a no go, return, stick with the G1 til a better 1600x900 or 1680x1050 or whatever switchable graphics Asus shows up, one that uses something better than the 335.

 

A product that does not exist, you havent seen and has not been reviewed can really be "compared" to anything. Nor can one credibly claim that it is XYZ class of materials used. It does not exist.

 

Thanks!

I agree with you that the Envy and MBP are comparable in size, specs, and materials. I dont think and HP Envy is the same class as a MBP at all. Even cheap Hyundai adhere to more stringent spec for the machining and designing of motors compared to Ford. The costs are equivalent. The problem is that Envy is designed and made in an old fashion. The design principals and construction methodology clearly separate the classes of MBP vs Envy. Glewed & Screwed notbooks will never attain the construction advantages of a Unibody construction type.

Indeed, but here's a better analogy than Ford. Hyundai has better longterm dependability, its proven technological superior building techniques and dependability are better than Ford, and even though the Hyundai is 1/2 the price of the Mercedes, Hyundai rival Mercedes in all these important factors.

Now look at the Envy, cheaper than a MBP, and does not come close to its Premium quality fit and finish, which are all due to design technique and use of decades old technology.

HP does not need to cost $2000.00 to rival MBP. HP needs to design better, construct better, control quality better. HP has had time to learn from the 15's design mistakes and had time to investigate competitors more advanced design and learn how to make a more elegant and thoughtful Envy 17 & 14. Looks like HP is clearly failing significantly on many aspects of the 17... aspects that were better on the 15.

You can take apart a Yugo or Pinto and build it perfectly, but the bumps down the road will make the Yugo look like .... a Yugo! This is what worries me about the 17's poor design decisions that are self evident by the creases and gaps in all the seams of the 17 that I reallllly hope wont be evident on the 14.

I wait patiently, but my Envy blinders Im wearing are only effective for so long....

 

That's a pretty bad argument. Where a product is assembled has nothing to do with the quality of that product.

An example of that way of thinking would say that because VW and Mercedes are both built in Germany, they must both be of the same quality.

Quality has much more to do with the firm that is doing the design work than where final assembly takes place.

 

The location where the laptop is made does not make it better or worse.

The design decision made through construction type is what makes a laptop Premium.

 

We've seen it, it's been in numerous videos. And yes, we know what it's made of, aluminum and magnesium. It's easily comparable to MBP in terms of design, materials, screen, keyboard, touchpad, just not the price

As long as I receive a solid Envy 14 with no defects and it works the way HP planned it to work, I'll be one happy camper.

 

The Envy 17 lends many ideas to HP's idea of Premium laptops. The Envy 14 may perfectly address any and all issues the 17 is currently having, but with HP's placement of last place among all Laptop vendors for quality control and dependability, I tend to rely on what they did, and what they are doing now.

So yes, one can justifiable and honestly compare a future non existent laptop that will be on my lap in weeks to its sister laptop that was just rolled out these past few weeks.

I do hope the 14 will be a more supervised and quality initial roll out than the 15 & 17 so far...

Here's to hope....

 

Comparing automobiles made in Germany to apple electronics in China is not the same. I have had both a VW and Mercedes actually, and very good quality. I can't say the same for the Apple products I have owned. I will admit that I hate Apple, but consumers are just paying for the name.

 

+1 (We both posted at 5:51)

 

I agree, although the use of "design" is subjective... it se ams (grammatical error/pun intended!)

I believe design to include many areas, but more important to the focus of laptops and this discussion... aesthetics are inextricably intertwined with construction type. Envy's and MBP's are easily comparable in many fashions... but not at all comparable in construction type, which lends to tangible things like fit, finish which are very important for user experience.

 

What I don't understand is why everyone thinks China-made products are of bad quality. The laborers may not be American, but the quality control processes are still supervised by the brand. One can argue that a 1986 Hyundai was "better bang for buck."

No, it's fanboyism, throw in former users such as myself. The design and assembly process that Apple implements is clearly superior. You don't have multiple materials being utilized and all these gaps and creaky palmrest issues you're seeing with the Envy 17. Apple's quality control process is a lot better and the price is easily justifiable for Mac buyers when you consider the alternatives and the value that OSX brings to many. Sorry, and hate to break it to you, but the other poster is correct. The HP Envy is more comparable to a Ford.

We don't know that for certain.

 

Ok. I dont hate any company, and I dont personally know many folks who purchase laptops because of the brand (although Envy is trying to do that no doubt!), but I do know that I value every cent of my money that will purchase the Envy 14.

I believe folks on here speaking of Apple are concerned with Envy's quality, features, and performance, not branding.

 

+1


As someone who owned and used a MBP for a month and played with an Envy, I can attest that HP has made great strides. But unfortunately, they haven't caught up completely. They've stolen more than few customers from Apple especially in this economy if the discussion forums across the web are any evidence. But let's just face the cold, hard truth. Macbook Pros get neither the kinds of gap/seam issues nor the dead screen issues that the Envy seems to get. Sure, they run hotter than the previous generation, but hey, that's expected with any thin n' light notebook!

 

I posted an Envy 14 Wish list earlier on this blog... and got hounded!

I see that Sony is rolling out a laptop that has a WiFi Hot spot feature built in. Toshibas and Acers have 3D. Some Asus's have nice BIOS security features like remote wipe. HP's have finger print readers & BluRay. Dells, have touch screens and web cam biometric security.

Im still trying to figure out if this Envy 14 will have any Premium features beyond metal skin and Beats audio. Should we not expect any new advanced (or not so advanced) features on a Premium machine or should we think Premium has only to do with Windows 7 skinning, Beats, metal cladding, and form factor?

 

Exactly. Mentioning "Apple fanboys" and about "bang for buck" only distracts from our real concerns about quality and presents a red herring.

 

"Premium" is just all in the mind. We've been had.


But seriously, I hear that wifi feature's been available for PCs since Windows XP. I'm skeptical about the merits of 3D for now, though I have no doubt 3D content will become available. By the time 3D moves and TV shows become readily available AND watchable without the need for glasses, it'll be time for me to upgrade anyway.

 

Indeed! The issue I have with HP's lack of care with the 17 is the fact that my 5 year old plastic HP laptop has 50 different seams... and not 1 faulty gap or crease or legs that wobble, or creaking touchpad, or hissing mic problem, or buzzing HDD problem, or beeping HDD problem.

I have no doubt if HP chose to put their best designers/fabricators on the Envy team that the Envy 17 would not have many of the problems its facing. This also gives me doubts about the 14. We all know the story of the 15..lol!

Gizmodo had a great last paragraph in its Envy 15 reveiw:

HP, Acer, Toshiba, etc, you think I like giving Apple all my money? There's a staggering amount of design talent in the world. Find it. Fund it. And give it a chance to wipe the smug grin off Cupertino. Offer us all something that we should really be envying.

So how can my 5 year old plastic HP laptop not have any of the quality issues the HP Envy 15 had and the brand new HP Envy 17 is having? How is the Envy line of laptops vastly superior Magnesium Chassis and Aluminum Skin aiding the fit, finish, and durability?

Thats the real question!

 

droid - You seem to have nothing but negative opinions on the Envy line, and yet, you're planning on buying one. You make plenty of valid points (and some that aren't quite as valid), but if you are so negative on Envys and so big on MBP's, why are you buying the Envy?

Unless, that is, you're trying to scare people away from ordering them so you can get an earlier ship date on yours. If that's the case, DOWN WITH ENVY, BUY A MAC!

 

So negative gcrussell1! lol. Ive said nothing negative about the Envy line, Ive only stated the truth, and been dissapointed about the lack of growth between product cycles of the Envy.

Who wants to scare people about a laptop purchase? Boo. Scared?

Your question is easily answered by the Envy's advertisements... which is obviously why we are all conversing here. I believe most here (Ive read every comment) are very interested in the Envy 14, and that does include how its shaping up concerning the other Envy products.

Subject matter pertaining to an inferior or problematic characteristic of the Envy line has nothing to do with disliking or liking a brand. Having appreciation of a brand like Envy, and seeing its growth from generation 1 to present generation heightens peoples curiosity as to what HP learned, and how they will implement change for the better. Its really as simple as that, and the last few pages, and a good portion of the blog is about that. We expect our future purchases to be quality, and hope the company making them values those ideals as well.

 

Exactly. Take a stroll over to the Toughbook forum and those guys destroy the build quality of the MBP. Just because it's not same build technology, doesn't mean it inferior. It's most likely the least expensive way to build it while maintaining HP's quality standards.

 

Oh no, we're just providing rebuttals to the argument that the Envy is an equal to the Macbook Pro. If the 13/15/17 line is any lesson, it's probably far from the case.

The main reasons I'm jumping on this instead of getting a MBP 13/15:


1. Cost. Duh?

2. Windows. I need it so I can avoid any software bugs associated with my
exam software and boot camp/VMware. This is me playing it safe.

3. Screen real estate.

4. Minor OS differences I can't live without. I've grown so used to little things like pressing Window key+1 to open up my browser. I've learned how to replicate OSX's Spaces feature, so there's nothing I'm missing by ditching Macbook Pro unless you count inertial scrolling which wasn't enough to change my decision. There's also TRIM support to consider.