HP Envy 14: Availabilty, etc.

It's just macosx is specifically optimized to the hardware when it comes to turn off a maximum of unused features when on battery saving mode (as example, interface ports, max cpu speed you can do it on windows too but you gotta set it up yourself to your liking in advanced).

When you go and try running a windows on a mac, first it isnt as much optimized to the hardware (because windows is supposed to run on all hardware...)
And secondly the macbook integrated graphic intel chip is within the die of the discrete graphic (for core 2 duos, not sure about the new i5 macs where intel graph should be the one used) this is not the same configuration as windows is used to run on (discrete graph + motherboard chip). And so it is unable to use discrete graphics cause apple has chosen that when windows runs on a mac it will automatically use the discrete chip as default. Hence why you lose about 60% of the autonomy on a mac running windows.

I'd like to add that even if windows is less optimized to its hardware, a lot of producers of laptops like asus now add to windows software or energy profiles that are 100% optimized to the hardware, that's part of how a asus ULVT for example gets 10 hours of autonomy aside from the cpu being a culv (halved TDP).

As for linux, there are a lot of current code projects that aim to make graphic switching available, but laptops with optimus are the hardest to obtain such things on because the hardware setup is totally different from classic on/off switching like on the ULVT and envy lines.

 

This forum is sounding like a bunch of frat boys between semesters. Too much time on their hands with nothing else better to do. So much speculation, Apple bashing, Envy 14 bashing when there's no physical property to evaluate.

Personally, I see no real alternative to the Envy 14. I'm putting all my eggs in one basket with this one. I will return it a dozen times if I have to get a decent one. Maybe they will get the hint after they've spent more money on shipping than the laptop is worth. But (knock on wood) I guess I've been lucky with my laptops in the past as none of them showed any significant issues that other people noted.

 

I just want to tell you all my problems in trying to get some information on the Envy 14 from HP Spain. Last week I emailed them asking when it was going to be available, what was going to be the configuration and an estimated price. They ansewerd back telling me that they didn't know whether Envy 14 was going to be available in Spain. Latter, browsing through the Spanish HP online shop for Teachers and Students I saw that HP Envy 14 was already offered and would be available in 8 days. I emailed back asking whether it was only available for Teachers and students or whether it was also available for the general customer. As a result, they didn't even answered my email, but they removed Envy 14 from Teachers and students shop. Finally, I got tired of this secrecy and have ordered a vaio z from Sony.

 

Can you blame me? Out of work for 4 months and I'm set to look for an apartment in July and move in soon after. School starts in August. Kinda bored, ya know?

 

It really depends on what you want. As long as it doesn't have any major design flaws (like internal overheating) you can be sure you'll eventually get a flawless unit.

Also, HP's 21 day return policy makes it just easy. You can thank for your luck there, as there's no such thing as no-questions-asked return policy in here, save for a few stores and even then you have to push them.

 

Im lurking here because theres not enough scans to do at these hours (just a few hours before morning trafic accident brain traumas start pilling up all at the same time !).

Edit for underneath : yeap

 

Radiologist?

 

Well if you don't need a decent GPU then you have lots of other options. But if you want a sub 15" thin and light with decent GPU performance, good battery life, and high screen resolution, you're kind of stuck.

If you order direct from HP it should be no questions asked. At least if its anything like Dell. When I ordered a nice 24" monitor from Dell, I returned it 3 times until the last unit didn't have any issues. Dell had no issues with it, they just processed the returns every time like it was the first time. Beautiful monitor once you get a decent one.

 

I would add price in there as well. No other laptop is providing the same combination of features at the Envy 14's pricepoint.

For me, the difference between this laptop in a loaded config and a Mid-spec refurbished Macbook Pro 15" is about a week's worth of work (I'm a kid in high school out for the summer). It's definitely a significant thing for me to consider. The only problem is, I don't know when HP will be shipping these laptops. I could order an MBP and it would be here within a week, tops. For the Envy 14 though, I don't know whether I am going to be waiting until late July.

 

I absolutely agree here. I have been shopping around and everything is just one step behind the envy. For instance, I will find a laptop that has almost everything I want but the GPU is lacking or, I will find one with the gpu I want but not so great on the resolution. Not to mention that switchable graphics isn't an option on most comparable notebooks.

I am willing to play all my cards on the envy 14 at this point with the hopes that it isn't an epic failure. However, like you've said there is the return period and I always buy extended warranties on my notebooks anyway.

 

Has anyone seen anything other than that almost 2 month old video regarding the envy 14? A lot can change in 2 months, especially in this industry. I find it odd that there hasn't been more marketing by hp tbh.

 

Yep. What sold me on the Envy 14 really is the screen resolution. 1366x768 is really not usable IMHO for any real desktop work. Well that and the combination of CPU, GPU, thin and light, and price. I love my M11x, but as a sole laptop it just doesn't cut it for me with the lower screen res.

I agree. One would think they'd want to get review units out this close to launch to generate hype. Granted based on this thread there's lots of hype, but seems nobody really knows about it until you mention it to them.

 

I can't order anything directly from HP in here, only from stores. I can return a unit no-question-asked, but only if it's left unopened. There are a couple stores that let you return the stuff even if you opened them, as long as they're in perfect condition, even though not every of them give you the money back, most will just give you some sort of coupon.

If the unit is defective, then yes there should be no problem returning it for another, as long as they're in stock. Past the initial 15 days however, they'll be sent back to the manufacturer (sort of RMA process) which can take between 7-30 days, which is a pain.

As for the laptops, I prefer to buy and open \ test them at the store, that way I can check for the common anomalies if needs be. If I have to order them online I always wait for reviews and user comments to check for common anomalies and design flaws.

Yes, I'm picky and value my money, but as you see there are no magical return policies like in there, so I'd say that helps a bit.

 

Does anybody know about HP's 21-day return policy with regard to warranty? Does the return just end the original warranty and refund it, or does the warranty stay with the new notebook?

If I get a bad envy, I don't really wanna bother with sorting that out.

 

Return ends warranty. New notebook has new warranty.

 

I found my backup in case the Envy doesn't pan out: Dell's 6lb Studio XPS 16 has a 19x10 screen option, i5 and 5730. For 1200 without coupons, BCB or student discount:

 

I want to see reviews of this device already.

 

Where'd you go to school? Just curious.

Will be an M2 in August.

 

Glad we could entertain you while you wait.

Bronsky

 

After my prior experiences with dell laptops, I don't think that I could bring myself to purchase another one. I hope that quality has improved for their customers' sake.

 

Deleted personal information as it's so ing out of topic lol, we better stop right now and speak about the envy, if theres anything to speak of lol...

 

cool.


man. I'm pissed off at that ref in the world cup. screwing the US out of a winning goal (don't see offsides. don't see a foul that we committed, see a foul committed against us but I mean you don't call fouls either way at this point in the game on a freekick like that unless it's blatantly blatant.).

 

Definitely felt like a political call.

 

not to get offtopic or anything , but instant replay is needed and this match proved why.

 

My condolances.

 

Still waiting for my keyboard localization to turn up in the spares system, im so tempted at ordering a german 14 and swapping the keyboard to a swedish one.

Does HP have a world wide warranty or at least a European warranty or would I have to ship it back to HP in Germany if god forbid something went wrong with it?

 

I had a dream last night that someone gave me an Envy 14 for free. Then I woke up and was all sad because I still haven't decided on and bought a new laptop!

 

Now that the Acers are offically on the Acer USA website, are you tempted to wait longer?

 

what is the Acer 3820TG and is it available? doesn't seem like it.

 

Yea that acer is damn sexy if you like black, also no heat issues or just acer mid range worksmanship and mid quality screen but hey for the price it's at, that's normal ^^ Just take acer warranty +3 years

 

To a FEW of you I say:

I've seen troubling amounts of obsession in some of these posts; the kind that will generate multiple customer service calls/returns no matter how the product turns out...

A few of the people posting in this thread might consider taking some kind of chill pill. Preferably one that will keep working for nine and a half more days. It's just a notebook computer, there are plenty of other things going on in your lives/the world. Patience!

 

Not your favorite year (or profession?), I take it.

 

I wouldn't be too sure. There really might be nothing else in their lives.

 

Highest config listed with only an I5-450 and Intel HD graphics only... yeah, I've decided. Pulling the trigger and buying the HP Envy 14 when it releases.

 

I just dun want the thing to melt. Could care less 'bout the rest of it.

 

this is a notebook enthusiast site for a reason. if u dont like it, u might prefer this http://forum.notebookreview.com/off-topic/

 

OMG no. I am the black sheep of the family, went into environmental law after a core science BS and a few years as a scientific tech writer. I am surrounded by people in the med. profession and it is the only education that seems to extract a greater toll than what I went through in law school.

Bronsky

 

If envy 14 comes out on June 27th, will it be availabe on Amazon?
Because I live in Canada and Canadian Envy's are f**kin over-priced.
When Us envy with the same spec is like 1000, its like 1700 in Canada even Canadian dollar is almost the same as Us dollar. I want to buy from US sites and pay with US dollars but how can i deliver it to Canada?
Also when it crossed border do i have to pay extra tax...?

 

Ahh, I see. I know I've heard the phrase "smart enough to get into med school, dumb enough to go" more than once... I like it well enough so far, but I wouldn't wanna do it for any longer than I have to.

 

I think once you start studying for the boards 10-12 hrs a day for a solid month, just as I have, the fondness wears off a bit.

 

U 2 is smart. I cin spell 2. Cin I git a 15 inch envy 14?

 

Oh, I don't doubt that at all. I think many of the people in my class (including myself) had similar moments just studying for the bigger exams / practicals in the first year, much less step 1.

Hahah, of course!

 

Actually, for the Envy 15 anyway, the build sold in Canada would be 30$ more if you configured it on the US store.

 

If the Envy 14 has overall positive reviews and there are good discounts upon it's release (BCB), I may jump on it and use that three-week trial period to make my decision.

The end is upon us!

 

Hey Bronsky, and anyone else that can help answer this.

I need a laptop for college soon and the most importnat factor by far is battery life (6-8 would be great). I would also like to have switchable discrete graphics, but nothing too fancy.

I am currently looking into the Envy 14, UL30JT, and the new TimelineX.

So the question is, which one has the longest battery life, and are there any other notebooks I should consider?

Many Thanks,
Ghost117

 

yup.

I'm suddenly considering the Asus G53 if the envy14 has issues. (there are rumors that the g53 will have optimus. hell if I know whether or not its true but well I like Asus)

 

anyone getting discourage in buying an envy due to the envy17 owner thread?

the shotty workmanship on some of these owners envy17 is mind blowing

hopfully the envy14 turns out to be ok

 

*glances back five to six pages* yup.

still gonna order one and see how it is (and return it if it is bad and just wait a few months for new things to come out)

 

When I come back to the site and thread after being busy with my "off-topic" life for a day or so, and there's tons of new posts about the Envy 14, it would be nice if there was any new info, not people going round and round about things they already know or have complained about three times already. And even beyond that, there are a few posters who imply that their mental state will be affected if they don't get their laptop promptly.... and IT BETTER BE PERFECT OR ELSE IT'S GOING BACK! I mean really... enthusiasm is a great thing, but the few, the obsessed, need to chillax.