HP Envy 14: Availabilty, etc.

What's so big about the 520M?!?!?!

 

well...it's 90 more than 430.

 

Momentus XT's are supposed to be pretty sweet. I've seen some commenting that they run loud and that DOA's or early-life failures are relatively common, and they're something like $60 more than the Travelstar 7k500, so if I upgrade my HDD, it'll probably be to the Travelstar, though I'll probably go 160 GB SSD if the upgrade's $200 like on the 13 (along with 25% off).

The 620 does have switchable graphics, but it's not been confirmed as a choice on the Envy 14. The 720 doesn't have switchable, though - that might be what you meant. As for the choice between the 520 and the 540, the 540 will be marginally faster, but the 520 will be more economical, way more economical if the 540 upgrade is $100 over the 520 like I expect it to be, though the value will be closer if it's just a $50 increase. If money is truly not an issue, go for the 540, but the 520 is only a sliver slower, so the actual speed differences are largely negligible - less than what most people consider "noticeable" to the end-user.

 

Not really. If you look at Newegg, you'll find that there are a number of 10,000 RPM and even 15,000 RPM 2.5" drives, but they're enterprise-class storage, not notebook drives. The datasheet and the Tom's article indicate the same about that Hitachi drive. I believe they use more power than notebooks provide to their HDD's, but either way they're too thick to fit in a typical notebook, where the drives are typically 9.5 mm thick, rather than the 14-15 mm in those enterprise class drives (or velociraptors).

 

thumb up

 

For the Envy 15, it's $100 to go from 430M to 520M and $50 more to go from 520M to 540M.

 

Ah, I was thinking it was another $100, like on some other computers I've looked at. In that case, its performance boost over the 520 per dollar is similar to the 520 over the 430. The base and boosted clock speeds are .13 GHz over those of the 520, while the 520 beats the 430 by .14 and .4 respectively. I suppose that makes the 540 a worthy upgrade over the 520 if you're going to be pushing your CPU relatively often, but for most needs, they'll perform pretty much identically.

 

Less than 2 days left. I'm now debating getting the 520M instead of the 430M. Decisions decisions! I remember shelling out extra $ for the Core 2 Duo T7500 when there was a deal on the Dell Vostro 1500. Though it was quite a pretty penny, it was the best upgrade I could've ever made. Everything loaded snappily. Now I'm wondering whether to go for the 520M and decide later whether to get an SSD.

 

I'm very interested in this guy. However, after reading some bad reviews about the Envy 17, I'm worried that HP still hasn't corrected the heat issues they said they've supposedly fixed... It would be a mega bummer if that were the case

Nonetheless I'm optimistic that maybe they did! In which case I'll definitely pick one up.

*crosses fingers*

 

Im taking this route. Intel will have large capacity SSD's coming out soon. For me, an SSD must be able to hold 250GB music + vids + OS.

 

Hey guys!

I'm following this thread since page 1 and I'm planning on buying the Envy 14 since it seems to be the perfect package.
But since this is gonna be my first notebook, I have a question:

Will it be possible to use the Envy 14's display along with an external display? Like in a multi-monitor kind of setup?

 

Sure. It'll have an HDMI port and mini displayport.

 

Okay, there seems to be much confusion on processors that have embedded options. I'll explain briefly. An embedded system in generally one that has "embedded" parts, or parts that cannot be removed. An example of an embedded system is a cell phone. You don't upgrade the RAM or CPU on your cell phone.

As far as it goes with embedded processors, it means just that. The processors are generally soldered to the motherboard. Sometimes this results in the actually processor chip being smaller (but not the die, where all the transistors and computing takes place), and therefore taking up less space.

Embedded processors are generally meant for small systems that the parts will not be changed in. An example is that many, if not all Atom-based processors are embedded.

Does that help anyone?

 

It'll probably be a while before we see even the 160gb G2 or its equivalently sized successor drop to humanely priced levels. I'll be happy with a cheap 80gb G2 or whatever its upgraded version is. SSD prices are still so damn expensive!

 

Yes thanks.

So do embedded systems have slightly less power consumption and would a system with a soldered CPU have an enhanced chance at becoming damaged if you drop your laptop?

 

As far as I know, since the silicon on an embedded version of a chip is the exact same as a non-embedded version, it should have the same power draw.

I also do not believe an embedded processor would change the chance of damaging the laptop from a drop. The other components are far more likely be damaged from a drop rather than the CPU.

I don't believe HP will be offering the embedded versions of CPUs. If they did, we'd have one model of Envy 14, as this is the purpose of non-embedded CPUs.

Hope that helps.

 

That makes sense, thanks!

 

I reviewed this notebookcheck article on the differences between the 430m, 520m, and 540m. Personally, I thought the tests showed a significant difference between the 430m and 520m - but not much of a difference between the 520m and 540m.

Look at the Cinebench R10 64 bit graphic. See the larger jump between the 430m and 520m? Then look at the jump shown for them in the PC Mark Vantage's commercial suite test. The kicker though is that the 520m has improved performance while sucking down less power than the 430m. (See the Power Consumption chart.)

That makes it easy - the 520m is definitely worth an upgrade over the 430m (personally, I'd definitely upgrade at $50, and might upgrade to as much as $100).

However, the jump between the 520m and 540m is much lower than between the 430m and 520m. To me, the tests indicate that the 540m probably isn't worth $50 bucks over the 520m. If it's a $25 dollar upgrade, I may go for it.

 

After seeing those results, I'd be willing to dish out $100 for the 520M.

So I guess I'll be upgrading the screen, processor, and probably a battery slice.

 

^gager - You're right, I agree. I've felt that the 430-520m jump would be worth it on whatever laptop that offered it but the 520m-540m was not. Even though here 520m-540m may be $50 which doesn't sound like much but that $50 could go toward something else. The 520m is just about as fast as the speediest C2D's and that's certainly good enough for me and $100 more is fine for the nicer processer.

 

Yes, and not only that, but according to this video: YouTube - HP Envy 14
it will support up to 2 external monitors!

 

It depends on what you need. For my uses, at least, the 430M would be enough and I probably wouldn't bother spending the extra money for the 520M unless the upgrade was really cheap, say $25-50. Anything over that and I wouldn't upgrade but I don't really need much processing power.

 

For me it's the fact that you get better performance at what seems to be less power draw. The i5-520M can turbo to almost 3GHz, which is very impressive.

 

well sure, I meant if you were planning/wanting to upgrade the CPU. I'd stick with the 520m. I mean if 430m was your plan all along and had no desire to upgrade the CPU, then stick with the 430m, a good processor nonetheless.

 

well the gpu in the 14 can handle up to 6 displays. technically the Envy 14 can drive 5 displays as it has two display port and 3 USB ports which can have USB to HDMI/VGA/DVI etc. I asked about this on the HP blog website and Barry Ferris lead marketing/software manager of the Envy line said there is no reason why my theory would work as it technically should.

 

Seems like my power supply of my HP Compaq 6910p just got fried.
I just had enough time on my battery for some backups I hadnt done the last days..

Good thing my Envy 14 will probably be delivered tuesday or wednesday next week.
It just will make me more dependant on it, in case there are any problems with it.. Even more when I am about to leave the country soon..

Does anyone have an Idea what it means when the computer flashes the power indicator led once green and once yellow and then does nothing anymore?

 

You can never be too rich, too good looking or have too much power.

Bronsky

 

Guys need some advice here .
All right i have been following this thread and waiting for the envy 14 for quite a long time . The Envy 14 was released in Singapore 1 day ago .
I called SG HP and i was disappointed with the price . I was surprised that
it sold for 2500 SGD . Which I converted to
2,500.00 SGD = 1,796.59 USD

Dam compared to the US , at a base config of $999 , the envy in US is considered cheap .
Is it safe to order from Amazon , at a US price and Im worried about the international warranty . Or shld I drop the Envy and choose other laptops like the acer 4820/5820 and N82JQ ?

 

What's the configuration? If it comes with 1600x900 screen, i5-520m or faster CPU, SSD, and 6GB RAM, it might not be much more. If that's for the "base" model similar to US i5-430m, 4GB RAM (?), 250GB HDD, 1366x768 screen then yeah, that's unfortunate. How's the Sony Vaio Z pricing over there?

 

It would be awesome if it could support 3 like the envy 17 but that's just wishful thinking and really not necessary for me. However, cool none the less.

 

it can it can techically support up to 5; 2 display ports and 3 USB using USB to HDMI/VGA/DVI etc adapters. The manager of the Envy line Barry Ferris has said himself this some work!

 

Intel® Core™ i5-520M processor (2.40GHz, 3MB L3 Cache)
ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5650 switchable graphics with 1024MB DDR3 dedicated
14.5” diagonal HD+ HP Radiance Infinity LED Display (1600x900)
2048MB DDR3 System Memory (1 DIMM). Upgradable to 8GB max
500GB Hard Drive
External 10/100/1000 BASE-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector), 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN + Bluetooth®
3 USB 2.0 (3rd shared with
eSATA port)12, HDMI, RJ-45, Headphone-out/Microphone in combo jack

This is the BASE specs of the Envy in Singapore which sucks !! Its so dam expensive . If only we have the US base specs and price .

The Sony vaio Z is also very expensive in SG . The cheapest from the Sony web is 2.8 k SGD . Most ex goes up to 4.5 k SGD . Thats a huge hole in our wallets

 

That's a decent configuration, except for the price I would have expected an SSD and at least 4GB RAM.

 

2298 minutes until release!

 

LOL. Seriously!

 

I wonder how many people will be sitting in front of their computers at 11:59PM on saturday hitting the refresh button on the HP page and then when they don't see the ENVY, get dissapointed and post something about it. haha

Not that anyone would or should really do this but I'm just saying. There is always at least one clown.

 

147897 seconds.

Just kidding..I'm not that obsessed. I will order on Sunday, but it'll probably be in the afternoon. I didn't even stay up for college acceptance notifications, so I'm not staying up for this.

 

okay, just checking.

I'm counting on people ordering this pretty quickly and I'll be awaiting their feedback. I am waiting a minimum of a few weeks before I pull the trigger.

 

I'm sure plenty of people will do it.

If it's up Sunday afternoon, and there is a 25% Bing cashback, I think I'll have to bite on it. Everyone said HP is great with their 21-day return policy on the Envy series, so if something is seriously wrong with it, I shouldn't have to worry.

I don't think I'm very picky about my notebooks, so I have a feeling as long as it does end up getting decent battery life, and there's no glaring hardware issues, I will be more than happy with it.

 

That's pretty good but a bit overpriced. ...and not enough ram (only 2 gigs? damn)

 

It is a bit overpriced, but at least the hard upgrades are already done (screen, processor). It wouldn't be difficult to buy another stick of RAM. It says it's only a single 2GB DIMM in that configuration.

 

Not to mention RAM can be had elsewhere for cheaper than what HP offers.

 

I'm going to end up being one of those people refreshing the page, but atleast I have a good reason. My mom is competing in an ironman the same day the envy comes out, and unless I sit here waiting for them to update the page I probably will be one of those people that gets to the custimization page to see no more radiance screens or the 520.


And worst of all, I get to do all this ordering from my sleek little droid.... not the most efficient way of handling laptop orders, but suprisingly it will work.

 

Has there been any other word for the release of the envy or are people just going by that 2 month old video?

 

What time zone is HP located in? Pacific I'm not waiting until 3am here in EDT to configure my machine.

Also I doubt they will "run out" of radiance screens or 520m CPU's. It might cause a delay in shipping your order, but if they sell out on day one then someone isn't doing their job right.

 

We

Well, a delay is just as bad, I start summer classes in july, and can't afford to wait 3 extra weeks for hp to get their extra screens to the manufacturing plant.

 

Hey guys, I hear you talk about "Bing" Cash back a lot,

Bing (I've never used)

What exactly do you do for those 10% or 25% cash backs?
Do they work?

 

well then perhaps you'll just have to buy something else? This laptop isn't the be all, end all.

 

Bing Shopping

 

I highly doubt we'll see anything on Sunday