*HP Envy 15 (11XX / 12XX series) Owners Lounge!*

Nah. I'm actually curious about the SD card too. I'm assuming the restore partition contains the driver.

Regardless, my advice is ditch using DVDs or DVD drives. Seriously, in the event you want a clean install, you can just boot and install from a USB copy of Windows.

 

My Envy just got to Alaska. That's no place to be this time of year.

 

LOL. You said it!

 

Mine is there as well - but don't worry about the weather. I'm sure they have one of the Envys turned on in the shipping container to keep them all nice and cozy.

 

Yeah, it's cold here, but you know what really sucks? My computer is here, in AK, right now but I have to wait for it to go across country then to Seattle then back to Juneau

 

Depends on where. Juneau and even Anchorage can even get to be fairly nice at times this time of year. It's once you start getting into the interior that it gets to be miserable... I have a couple sisters-in-law that live near Fairbanks at North Pole I'm in Denver, I wouldn't say that Anchorage is a whole lot different, what with the lower elevation and all. Just a lot more humid.

Go raid the FedEx depot "Give me my computer and nobody gets hurt!"

 

On second thought, it's almost 10 degrees colder here in Minneapolis! I'll need at least a dozen i7 Envys to keep me warm.

 

Good thing the computer is coming AFTER a final, otherwise I would fail it for sure! =P

 

The MacBook isn't getting a refresh. They just got a brand new chassis and guts few months ago. They are also not going to add a very powerful gpu. The MacBook has always been marked towards young hipsters and students who only use it to synch their ipods or surf the internet.

And sounds like you don't care if you've got osx or not... so why are you even considering a Mac? You're just getting ripped off. XD

 

The OSX IS one consideration, but in the sense that having to purchase and install Windows 7 is going to add to the cost. I'm considering the MBP more so for the form factor, design, and weight. Problem is, after I did some rough calculation using the assumption that the prices won't change much, I'd have to shell out over $600 for the MBP vs the HP Envy. That excludes the fact that Win7 is probably another $100-150 and includes the typical $300 coupon that comes uop every now and then.

So yes, it's a ripoff for me.

 

Oh goodie, mines made it to alaska too!! Maybe it will show up sooner than the 29th (happy snoopy dance)

 

Mildly interesting that on The Next Bench HP website I got HP to admit that the i5 is really only expandable to 6GB (not 16GB as the sales website would have you believe)...

http://www.thenextbench.com/t5/HP-E...n-the-Envy-15-expandable-to-8GB-or/td-p/52659

They're finally answering technical questions over there... Any others we should ask?

 

Humm, well I know if you select an I5 processor then when you go to customize the memory and try to select anything above 4 gigs (6, 8 or 16 gig) it gives you the following warning:

"Selection caused conflict
1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5830 Graphics - For i5 Processors requires 2 DIMM or less memory. Update Memory or Graphics card ."

To be honest I like to think I'm pretty good with computers so cant understand why with the I7 5830 there is no problem but with the I5, which is a has a smaller size, you can't.

 

my tracking number is still not registered.. maybe mine is stuck at the factory and they're just yanking my chain making me try to feel good about receiving a shipment notification

 

I'm sure it can handle 8gb in 2x4gb its dumb to limit it to to 4Gb these days

 

The site acts like that because the i5 motherboard only has 2 memory slots and those other options require 3 or 4 slots. They *could* offer 8GB for the i5 (two 4GB memory cards), but they don't (it would be very expensive). Since they only offer two 2GB cards and only one is accessible without voiding the warranty, you can only upgrade one of them to a 4GB card (thus making a total of 6GB).

 

I just received my E-mail with tracking number.
Fed-Ex claims it is in Shang-Hai
I figure a week.
I heard you are limited to 8gb unless you have win7 Ult.
I plan to buy a large briefcase with large lead-acid battery, adapter amd I already have a drawing tablet and I purchased a (choiix) laptop fan with a 2.5 hard drive bay and 3 usb ports. I know they aren't 3.0 but nothing else I have is. This way I can keep all the data I have collected the last 35 years.
I took a fortan class in 1973 and built my first computer in 1980.

Envy 15, i7-720, 4gb, 500gig, 1080p.

 

Home Prem. is capped at 16GB of RAM. Home Basic, 8GB. Pro and Enterprise/Ultimate are capped at 192GB.

 

Opening the case does not void the warranty. The 6GB was a typo it should be 8GB max (2 x 4GB) as answered by the HP Envy product manager on the next bench a couple of weeks ago:

"USB 3.0 ony on the Quad core i7 config

Intel SSDs in RAID 0 (see thread on SSDs in the forum)

i5 configuration supportsup 2 dimms/8gb max, 1 user accessible DDR3 - 1066

No switchable graphics, but ATI driver is set to drop performance/power when system is unplugged - user settable in control panel

HDMI-> DDVI I think this should work, but I haven't tried - I don't have a monitor available at this resolution.

Hope this helps.....note Envy team is working with HP online store to clean up somethings on the website"

 

No switchable graphics with the i5? What's the point of having integrated graphics in the first place?

 

So does the new i7 envy have a different MB chipset? I am wondering if I can load it with a backup from my current envy. Since the GPU is different and USB 3.0, etc...I am thinking I need to do a clean install, but it'd be nice if I can load a backup from my current envy? What do you guys think? Also not sure Win7 will have the drivers for everything (usb 3.0, etc.)

 

That has been discussed, debated and questioned on hundreds of posts in this thread. I have no good answer....

 

I've been keeping an eye on the 'drivers' page at HP and so far all you can do for the i5 version is order a recovery disc for $15 and it does not list what's on it (ie drivers etc.)

I want to do a clean install also but am going to wait until at least the GPU and new i5 BIOS and chipset drivers are available to download from HP. Regarding Win7, I don't believe they will have updated drivers specific to the envy until HP updates data to MS.

 

Sooo...until people receive their Envy 15's (i5 versions) this week and next, we won't know whether the laptop has switchable graphics?

If it IS the case that it does, HP really dropped the ball on the public relations and advertising campaign. Switchable graphics is a major selling point for people on the fence like me!!!

 

The staff at thenextbench already stated that no version of the Envy 15 supported switchable graphics. It's not really worth discussing anymore unless you want high blood pressure. I've accepted said fact and will be evaluating the notebook with the understanding that it will never gain switchable graphics support (which is realistic since new features are almost never added to existing products; heck, it'd be a big deal if bugs actually got fixed first).

 

Well, that's a disappointment!


I don't know whether it's a good thing or bad thing I'm planning a lightweight high performance notebook purchase around May/June period.

Anyone want to enlighten me on the possibility of some notebook out there in the MBP/Envy class that'll come with switchable graphics and USB 3.0 on an i5? A the rate this goes at, if it turns out Apple has been able to put switchable graphics in its new notebooks, I may have to shell out the extra cash for a MBP and take advantage of the student discount!!! I've heard that Macbooks unlike the Sony Z's can switch graphics, but require logout. Even if it's just a warmover in the form of new CPUs, new graphics, and USB 3.0, I may have to go MBP....

 

I'm looking forward to the Apple press conference tomorrow myself. It's probably going to be the deciding factor in whether or not I keep the Envy.

 

Oh nice. You already have the Envy, do you? When's the press conference btw? Wednesday? Any word on time?

 

++

The envy is alittle overkill for me. If I can get the same processing power for the same price but in a smaller, lighter package with more than double hte battery life, I might go for it.

 

I don't have my Envy yet. It should be here by February 2nd. And the press conference starts tomorrow, 1/27, at 10 AM PT (1 PM EST).

 

​

Yep, learned that after googling a bit! Looks like I'll be tuning in. Any chance we can stream it or watch it on TV live?

 

Apple stop doing live streams awhile ago. They put up a video of their events soon afterwards.

Ars Technica, Engadget and many other blogs do excellent live blogging of the event.

Hoping that the MBP gets a significant refresh (i5, decent graphics card) and price cut.

 

I'm a bit pessimistic, yet still hoping inside for at least a minor price cut. I think the i5 and the dedicated GPU are given. they had switchable graphics with the 9400M+9600M GT. Dunno whether they'll have it with this generation of MBPs.

 

Do'h




.

 

For me, the only way that I'd consider getting a MBP is if they put an equally powerful GPU as the one in the Envy 15, but I don't think that's going to happen. They're probably going to stick an ATI 5650 or 57xx series. Even if they refresh it, the Envy 15 is still going to outperform them. The reason that they can stick a higher performance GPU into the Envy 15 is because they removed the optical drive and made it a tad thicker .1" to allow for better airflow. I also gave the MBP a go this last month, and it is certainly a nicely designed machine, but even with an upgrade, you're probably only looking at 7000 3dmark06 score, which isn't enough performance in my book, especially if I'm going to be paying $700 more dollars for it.

The only way the MBP might be worth it is if it had switchable graphics in the windows environment so that you could have extended life in both OS's. The current gen of MBP's also get very hot in Win7 due to the 9600 GT running all the time. It got uncomfortably hot while gaming due to such high temps. This of course will likely be fixed if a good refreshed card is put into the system that runs cooler.

Another major problem I ran into with the Macbook Pro 15" was that there is no dedicated home/end/page up/page down, which wouldn't be so bad if the button that the arrow keys function as home/end/etc. wouldn't change if you were in Mac OSX and Win7 (It's the CMD button in OSX, and the CTRL button in Win7, which makes switching OS's more difficult). An annoying design flaw (in my opinion) is that Apple moved the CTRL button over to the right one spot and put the FN button in the bottom left hand corner. This makes playing MW2 much more difficult because you can't hit the CTRL button, which I used on regular basis.

Even if they stick a better card in there and have switchable graphics, you're still going to be looking at more battery life with the Envy 15 while doing high performance things on battery because both the MBP and the Envy 15 will likely use about the same amount of power in high performance mode. But you'll have significantly more WHR's to play with if you have the slice on the Envy 15. Not to mention the fact that the Envy 15 has a much higher res screen as well.

I gotta say though, the MBP does have the backlit keyboard on the Envy 15. I ordered a USB LED Keyboard light. http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-ULT31440-USB-Notebook-Light/dp/B0002E47AI/ref=pd_cp_e_2 I'll let you guys know how it works. I got it cheap, less than $5 including shipping.

 

Has anyone heard if you can split or control more than two monitors?

 

I bought that same one a while ago. It works pretty well.

 

How do you plan to do 'high performance things' on the envy when the CPU and GPU are locked on power saving mode when unplugged? Gpu may be adjustable in CCC but the CPU is locked on a 9x or 11x multiplier with no turbo boost.

 

been reading over the forums. getting a little annoyed by people who keep wanting to speculate the i5 envy 15 has switchable graphics. It doesn't. it has a PM55 chipset. trust me, I've had mine since last Wednesday. And my mobo is the standard mobo for the i5 configured Envy, without the additional memory slots under the battery. Now if HP mysteriously decides to switch the Chipset out for the latest shipments, more power to them. but that is highly unlikely. So take my word for it, don't buy the Envy if you care about switchable graphics. Battery life at 3 hours w/ the i5 at low brightness and minimal websurfing/word processing. I have the slice but haven't done a battery test on it yet. Slice makes it feel too much like my old M15X, bloated and thick.

would like to hear about any other people's success with overclocking the Envy 15 5830 card? I got a significant boost with 3dmark, raising my clocks to 515/825. Anyone go higher?

other question:
how much faster would 2x1.8" ssd drives in Raid0 be than a standard 2.5"ssd?

 

yes, you can downlock the gpu, but haven't fiddled with that either.

 

I've got the dual SSD's coming with i5-540m friday (I hope). Plan on loading HDtune and running some benchmarks. What kind of info do you want regarding speed of the SSD's -- be happy to run any tests you would like for comparison/reference, just let me know...

Regarding the above quote; Doesn't the GPU downclock automatically when unplugged? Also have you found any way to improve the CPU multiplier when on battery?

I agree about how 'chunky' the envy feels with the slice attached, this time I went with an extra 6 cell, this will double the life and only add .8lbs to my bag.

Thanks again for all the info you've been posting

 

No switchable, eh?

Looks like I'll be tuning in to tomorrow's Apple Conference. Live blog FTW

 

Rumors say that there will be no new MBP tomorrow.

 

Ok...we all know that rumors are just that: rumors.

But let's create a hypothetical scenario under which the rumor is truth. The possible implications I can see taking place as a result of no new MBP being released tomorrow:

1. MBPs continuing to be outdated for 2010

or the more likely scenario

2. Apple quietly upgrading/refreshing its MBP line without the trumpets and cymbals.


I won't be surprised in the least. Asked the Apple representative at BestBuy when they would have the i5 refresh for the MBP. The guy said he doesn't know, but said that judging from the way they refreshed their MBP line last September, it COULD be this September.

In the least, more information to clarify the initial sales date would be nice!


I won't ask where you got your sources. I'll just have to keep it in mind and tune in tomorrow to live blogs.

 

Maybe I am dense, or maybe there are many people on this forum that are more focused on style over substance, dunno...

Let's review the current competition:

- Dell XPS 16 i7 (RGB LED option, older less powerful graphics, nice feature set)
- Lenovo W510 i7 (95% RGB screen option, built to withstand some abuse, traditional look, graphics are probably weaker (Nvidia), heavier)
- Sony F Series i7 (LCD rather than LED backlight, heaver, cheaper build, blu-ray included, low pricing)
- Asus i7 (haven't done enough research on these, but the choice tends to be heavier/bulkier game oriented or close in size but then doesn't compete with Envy's specs)

IMHO these are the options available today with current processors (i7) and above average build. If there are other options that should be cross shopped by a windows user please let me know.

For some reason this option keeps getting placed on this thread:

Mac Book Pro
2.8 Intel Core Duo (my understanding is this is slower than almost all i5 & i7 processors
4GB RAM
320GB 7200HD
15inch screen (only option is 1440x900)
Backlit keyboard

With no proprietary options it adds up to $2,249 with specs that can't even compete with the $1,249 I spent.

My Envy config:

i7 720 processor
4GB RAM
320GB 7200HD
15.6" 1920 x 1080 glossy screen

Maybe I am dense, maybe I am missing something, please educate me!

- Is the Mac worthy to cross shop the Envy at a $1,000 premium? At any premium? If it was less than the Envy?
- Are most of you really on the fence with choosing the Mac OS versus Windows 7?

For me, I would at least need to buy a new Office App and a new Mac edition of Adobe Design Premium CS4. I figure my add on costs to switch OS versions would be significant. Are many of the latest games for you gamers available in the Mac OS? Is that the version you currently own?

If I decided to run Windows 7 on a Mac, wouldn't I need to essentially pay for (2) OS versions? And if I understand correctly....the current Mac is defeatured on Windows 7 (no switchable graphics & short battery life, and who knows what else).

Do the new Mac's have both right and left click buttons on their mouse? I right click probably once every few seconds and on the few Mac's I have touched you need to use two fingers and push a button to accomplish a relatively basic task on a PC?

Of course, I heard that Dell was holding a press conference later this year. Rumors are there may be a new machine that is lighter, faster, better looking, with better battery life, better customer service, and include Apple, Windows 7, and Linux standard all for less than $500. So I am waiting...

 

No, the MBP isn't worth buying at its current price and specs. But if HP has recently refreshed the models with Core i5, 5830 and a $500 price drop, it's reasonable to assume Apple might do the same. I wouldn't mind paying a couple hundred extra for a computer from a more competent company.

 

i had hoped at least for a macbook air upgrade, to 4GB of RAM, a new ULV processor, maybe a 210 NVIDIA GPU, and longer battery life. The MBA hasn't been updated in a while.

 

it'll be interesting to see what happens to apple, personally I think their "apple tax" will have to go to zilch considering they don't use the powerpc processor any more and so many companies are coming out with mac killers nowadays. They just can't get a market share if everything they offer is offered by someone else and significantly cheaper.

 

you forgot the hype factor and the fan-boy factor, although they have no technical merit, we've all seen that its worked for them pretty well..

 

The whole $500 price drop is a trick. They lowered the spec thus lower the price.