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

I have a targus city xl and love it every bit!

 

I moved over to alienware, guys..

it was a happy 6 days with the envy 15!

Hope to come back to this soon!

 

Links to the parts listing do not work for some reason that's why I posted the image instead. Just go the the HP parts store HERE and type in the part numbers. If that doesn't work search for the 'HP parts surfer' on HP.com

 

faviorite case for my envy limited edition: incase backpack for the macbook pro. It has a microfiber/felt liner on the inside that protects the notebook. Unlike the standard Envy 15, I have to be a little more vigilant concerning scratches.

 

no, it does not. there is a gap between the bottom of the envy and the slice battery for air flow - though not much, it seems sufficient when unplugged.

 

doesn't seem to get any hotter for me having the slice attached. thought it would, but not the case. the bottom fan vents don't need much clearance to get the job done.

 

excited to see the i7-840qm being posted for sale finally, maybe i can finally snag one off ebay. or a 580m

 

Just received my Envy 15 i7 gen2.

I understand that this has probably been discussed throughout this 500 page thread but I would appreciate if someone could give me a quick list of things to do and check for during the 21 day period to make sure everything is fine with the laptop.

Thanks

 

At least HP is quick with their service, shipped it to them last Wednesday, scheduled to arrive tomorrow, much earlier than their estimate of 6/25. Fingers crossed again that the problem (whatever it was) is fixed.

 

Launch some games or any cpu-intensive app...use your wifi.

Basically, stress the computer. For this, I would say benchmark it. Mind if I ask, i5 or i7 model? I have lost track of some benchmarks, but Unigine, PCMark, 3DMark should do fine to stress it out, and SuperPi. Those should push your computer to its limits on some cases...if it survives I think it has done well.

Test the speakers, your wifi. Listen to some songs and see if there is distortion on the sound or any "clicks" (has happened to me on a Dell laptop due to bad drivers). For the wifi just move around using your wifi connection, if it drops something is not right.

Basically, just use it. If you don't mind, what is your main purpose for your Envy? Use it that way and voila. IMHO there is no real way to fully test a laptop when just bought, but I can assure you, if your Envy has any serious problem, you'll notice it right away without much testing...just check if the display has anything noticeable out-of-the-box or if something does not actually work, else it should be fine.

Hope you enjoy your new Envy and welcome to the Envy owners lounge!

 

Thnx for the quick input. It is an i7 model and I'm mainly using it for simulation benchmarks (with Matlab) and CAD work (maybe a few games here and there). I'll run some benchmarks and see what happens.

 

I was playing with the envy at fry's today these new clickpads seems kind of hard to use. The way I like to use touchpads is to have my index finger on the touchpad and my thumb on the button, so I do something similar with the clickpads where I have my index finger on the upper part and my thumb resting on the lower part.

On the mbp, when I have my finger and thumb on the clickpad, it knows to ignore any movement from my thumb since it knows my thumb is only there to click, and that im using my index finger to actually move the cursor.

However on the envy, both my index finger and thumb move the cursor, which becomes pretty frustrating since any slight movements from my thumb moves the cursor... anyone else share my opinion?

 

If it's on display at Fry's it's most likely a gen 1 model and has not had any driver updates. The current touchpad drivers will let you tweak things to your liking and the thumb resting on it no longer causes the cursor to jump, that being said I do not rest my thumb on it, I use the 'tap to click' feature and almost never need to push the actual buttons except for right click menus. Also even on brand new models the settings out of the box are terrible, you have dozens of options that need to be adjusted to how you use it. After that it is the closest to MBP I have used, by far the best on a PC.

 

Is this available in Japan in another name? Ive been trying to find it here: HP but all the laptop models are pavilion only.

 

No prob...honestly, just do what you would do on the most stressing scenario...push it...if it survives that, you'll be fine, trust me

And congrats with your laptop!

 

Ok. I just noticed that some screw or something may be loose inside the laptop -- i can hear something moving around when i tilt the laptop. So I guess I have to open it up, but does anyone have a guide for how I can do this?

Also, upon the initial bootup my screen turned black (keyboard and everything was responsive) so i had to manually reboot. I'll try running some benchmarks to see if i can replicate the issue, but do you guys recommend I update BIOS (its on F26 now) and GPU drivers while I'm at it?

 

@Kabobi

Here is a link to the service manual http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01911053.pdf

Just make sure to skip over the portion about removing the actual keyboard and it's 60+ screws, that is not required but reads like you need to do it. Also a couple of tips; I remove the rubber feet by peeling the corner up with a butter knife and peel off slowly, the adhesive will stick to the rubber and is reusable if your careful and keep the sticky side clean while removed. Also be careful removing and inserting the touchpad ribbon cable, it's the toughest part of the process for me and my big fingers, I found a small pair of angled needle nose pliers that work perfect for this. It sounds difficult the first time you read through the process but it's not to bad if you have opened other notebooks up.

Edit; almost forgot-- careful of the back edge of the keyboard / palmrest panel when you lift it up to remove the cables, if it rubs the screen bezel (above the hinge area) it will scratch it, I put a cloth or something there to protect the bezel.

 

Thnx for the help. I also just realized that the "M" key came broken so I guess I'll be getting a replacement from HP... I did manage to run 3Dmark though and got 10062 for CPU and like 3880 for GPU.
Is there a specific phone number I have to call to get a replacement Envy? Also, do they cross-ship or will i have to wait for 3 weeks....

 

I'm getting my envy with dual ssds soon. Is there any special process to cleaning installing windows 7 on an ssd? I've read that the formatting process is bad for the drive.

Also, Is there any fix yet for the slow 4k r/w in the envy 15? I thought i read a while back that someone flipped a bios option and got it working.

Thanks.

 

JJB, how do you recommend setting up the touchpad?

 

this is probably a basic computer question.. but i need anyone help.

my friend want to purchase an HP ENVY 15 and decided to go for the "4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)" is it possible to upgrade the memory to "16GB DDR3 System Memory (4 Dimm)" in the near future?

will there be only "2 Dimm memory slot" if 4GB memory is picked? so basically, the max memory is 8GB

EDIT: i chat with an agent through HP CHAT, and was able to get an answer to my question. the answer is "YES" it is upgradeable to 16GB, as there's 4 memory slot.

 

Unboxed the repair today, looks like they replaced the motherboard and the heat-sink fan, seems to run fine right now, looking good =)

 

what was wrong with your motherboard and heat-sink fan? and is your system and i5 or i7?

 

It was an i5 refurb that arrived DOA last week, I think I listed the symptoms in the thread a few posts ago.

 

I just processed the return for my Envy and ordered another through HP with BCB (back at 25% now).

 

another basic computer question.

will this memory upgrade works on the HP ENVY 15 i7?

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Laptop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBSQ

 

1333 or pc express 8300 is fine. What makes you interested in the Envy 15?

 

i do a lot of video editing / decoding and encoding , etc. so i needed a machine that can handle the workload. apparently, the dell 1645 was my first laptop but it throttles here and there, which gets annoying and takes longer to finish the job. So i needed another similar spec and the envy came up. the envy on the other hand does the work better. it does get hot but no throttle anywhere.

 

are there any stats anyone's posted for i7-820 temps on an envy 15?? really want this i7-820 with 500gb hdd beats envy someone's selling on ebay but unsure how heat will be, I realise the heat on the palm rest can reduced significantly with an SSD but just for general internet browsing, watching movies and such if temps are comfortable i will be all over it.

 

I have an 820qm, the cpu idels in the low 50s (52-53) and then maxes out at 68-69 degrees (never gone over that to my knowledge). When it gets in the mid-60s, the two fans on the left kick in high gear and keep it cooler. far left side gets pretty warm, but the palm rest and keyboard remain comfortable enough to use. the i5-540 will net you cooler temps of course, and better battery life. Unless you need quad (as I did), go with the 32nm chip.

 

hey johnnobts, i actually pm-ed you a while ago, it's a model someone is selling on ebay... so i can't configure it. I would prefer an i5 but for the price he's selling it i am really wanting that envy beats edition, is the heat uncomfortable or mild warmish? would a fresh install cool the system siginificantly?
is the 820 significantly warmer than the 720?

out of interest, why did you go for a quad if you don't mind me asking?

 

For what reasons would someone need i7 over i5?

I want to get it because I always want to have the latest and greatest (It's a disease of mine).

But I don't use my computer for anything other than movies, work and occasionally games.

Am i going to regret not having i7 2 years from now?

Edit: Also does the i5 version have USB 3.0.
And what is the difference in battery life?

 

i went with i7-820qm b/c I do a lot of editing and encoding (church stuff). no, the i7 is not uncomfortably hot, but it does get warm. battery life is not great with the i7-820qm (sorry). Mine originally came with an i5-520m, went from over 3 hours to 2 hours after switching. you can increase battery life by dimming the screen obviously and also underclocking the gpu to 50/100. will net you another 30 minutes or so. I also bought the 9-cell bottom battery, so I get over 4.5 hours that way, so no big deal. And yes, I'd get the Envy limited edition too. It just exudes class.

By the way about the i5 cpu, when the i5-580 becomes available I will probably buy it.

about fresh installs: will not get you any better cooling. I used diamond 7 thermal compound, probably only saved me 1 or 2 degrees. the fans are very efficient, they just are programed not to run at full tilt until temps go way up. a fresh install for the envy 15 will definitely improve performance (vast improvement actually). ssd upgrade helps as well obviously.

 

waiting on toshiba to release a 500gb 1.8" drive now. might buy the 320gb one though.

 

Will there be another 25% BCB cashback deal before July 30th?

Should I feel rushed to get one now b4 the deal goes away?

 

meh, I wish the drivers allowed to configure "disabled" areas for cursor movement so I could simply use the button zones for clicking without the issues of cursor jumping..I rarely end up there when moving the cursor anyway.

 

I think JJB posted somewhere else that the latest set of touchpad drivers can be adjusted to solve the jumping cursor problem for those that use a thumb and finger.

seer

 

There is currently 25% BCB for HP Home store (includes laptops). You have to search for "HP laptop" in bing cashback shopping and click the link at the top that says 25%.

 

Haven't been here for awhile lol.

I really love having this laptop for its tv out functions.

I remember that ATI was updating their driver installation so that they work with laptop graphic card as well. Should I be updating the graphics card drivers using the drivers now from ATI site instead of HP?

 

I know... I was asking that if I miss this one (due to my indecisiveness) will there likely be another?

 

Nobody knows, but it has been coming and going,

so it is likely that there will be 1 or 2 more 25% BCB until the end of July!

 

Envy 15 Limited Edition Beats now priced starting at $1699. beats studio headphones no longer included.

 

Quick question everyone:

My HP Envy 15 (first generation) won't charge anymore when it's plugged in. I'm trying to determine whether my power brick/adaptor is broken, or whether it's a problem inside my laptop.

If I plug a Dell charger (rated 19.5V/3.34A and has the same connector tip) into my Envy 15 (the original Envy power brick is rated at 18.5V/6.5A), should that work/charge the battery?

This will help me decide whether I just need to replace the power brick *or* whether I need to send the laptop in for servicing.

Thanks for your prompt reply,
N123

 

N123 please don't double post on the Envy threads, as most of us post both here and the other thread, there is really no need for you to post on both (that way we keep info in a single place).

As to your problem, I highly suggest another HP adapter as a test. I am having the same problem, but mine is (I think) due to an accident were my Envy fell.

If you could test it, I would be very appreciated, since I have to wait until at least Wednesday to test it myself...if this happens to be a recurrent problem I will (somehow) send my laptop for exchange.

 

Ok, so how do I get click and drag to work (example, moving a window)? Tap and drag works fine but click and drag doesn't do anything!!

 

Now I am worried...my charger stopped charging my laptop...I need my Envy to run until sunday at least!! Tuesday I will deal with it (flying the entire day on Monday), but my battery won't last Friday AND Saturday of continuous use!!!

Besides N123, has anyone else noted this? Preferably from the first gen as our laptops are going to hit the 8-9 months and if this is a recurrent problem...jeez...I hope it is not!!

 

I have been looking to buy the enny for a while now,

but the issue you are stating here worries me a bit, because A) i had the same issue happen to my older older hp laptop

B) my firend works at futureshop here in canada and told me not to buy hp because a lot of people complaing that their pc's stop charing after serveral months!

and i have read that online before too

ugh!

 

A few times when traveling I have noticed the charge light is not on (near the connector) or have just had the low battery warning come on while using the computer and it's plugged in. I have been able to get it charging again by simply unplugging both the computer and AC lines and then plugging it in the wall and then the computer again (the order the manual states). I have noticed that the input connection (computer side) has grown quite a bit 'looser' than it was when new. Taking a closer look at this connector it appears that the spring contacts that mate with outside of the adapters barrel connector may be getting compressed to the outside and not springing back as they should to make a good contact. I recall seeing the power connector assembly available on the parts list for the envy so maybe this would solve your problems....

Can't log onto to HP.com to check pricing because I am currently on a super sloooow cell phone modem, when I get back I may just order the connecter as a spare, I need the computer to work when I travel

PS: An easy way to test if the charger is working is to plug in the AC side and test the DC voltage at the barrel connector, between the outer barrel and the inside wall (not center pin) and you should get 19.75 VDC.

 

speaking of the power connector on the envy. one can buy them at ebay for a quick fix.

 

What power connector are you talking about? The cable side or the actual computer side socket connector? A link would be nice also when you make a post like that...