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

If it's got an i5 processor there's only two memory slots.
Which processor will it have?

If it's an i7, then you're golden. Memory speed shouldn't matter much since lately HP's been putting 1066 memory into the Envy 15's rather than the 1333 stuff in the Gen 1's.

http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=3589

 

I think that is just crazy talk and waste of money. You paid for the 4GB and now you pay extra for 8GB. In a way you are over paying for 8GB

 

Anyone tried this?

http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-K3...Adapter/dp/tech-data/B001M4HXSA/ref=de_a_smtd

Slim POwer Brick for the HP Envy ?

 

Now that I have had a full day to use my laptop, I've come the conclusion that this keyboard might be what prevents me from keeping this computer. After an entire evening of programming (one of the primary tasks I'll be using this laptop for) I just cannot get used to this keyboard. I'm always hitting the caps-lock instead of the "A" key, and I'm constantly launching the calculator instead of pressing the ctrl key when I want to copy or past something (which I do all the time.) I suppose I might get used to those two things over time, but seeing as I'll be using a regular keyboard all day long at work I can also foresee possibly never quite growing accustom to the laptop as well. At least I found out how you're supposed to turn the Fn keys on as primary instead of having to use in conjuction with the "fn" key. Going to have to try that out tomorrow because that was driving me absolutely nuts tonight since I use function keys constantly while debugging.

 

You can swap fn key back in bios.

 

i tend to lose the wireless connection very often. is this something only i have or some of you to? none of the other computers in the house has this problem, happens like once in the hour and i have to disable and enable the wireless card to make it function again.

 

There are some new drivers available here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=426181

I installed version 13.1.1.1 and had no problems so far but have not been in an area with weak signals yet.

 

im using that driver right now. im going to reinstall the drivers, maybe something went wrong the first time.

 

well, our brains are very good at getting used to new keyboard layouts
I bought mine with the US layout which I never used and it took me about a week to stop mistyping punctuation, so I'd keep at it, imho once you get around it's few irritating niggles, the envy is a great laptop to own.

 

Returning a laptop because of a keyboard layout! Haha!

We do get really really fussy at times, don't we?

 

Especially if he paid top dollar for it, then yes he can be fussy

 

Hi, what are you guys using for graphic driver? the one that came or a newer one? Got a newer one but I have no ati control panel or such...and I really want to monitor the temp, do I need another software? tried ati tool but couldnt find.

 

try gpu-z.

 

Look in the games forum for the Catalyst 10.3a thread. That's the driver I'm using. It has CCC, everything.

 

Do you guys know what size SSD will fit in the envy and whether it needs a bracket? I have an Intel X25 80Gb 2.5. Its desktop version but i dont know if its possible to fit it in, or does the Envy only takes 1.8 inch?

Thanks.

 

I love the laptop quality and performance and I'm going to give it a week or two to see if I can get used to it, but when my primary need for it is programming and all the typing and shortcut keys I use without looking at the keyboard, it's gotta be a smooth process for me or it's wasted money. So yep, I'm gonna be fussy unless my frustration decreases and it starts feeling more natural for me.

 

x-25 will fit in a regular 2.5 hdd envy. If you want to use 1.8s you'll need the infamous bracket (which allows you to fit 2 of em). The bracket comes with 1 connecting cable.

 

The bracket only comes with 1 connecting cable? So you would need to purchase another cable to use two hdds....where do you get the second cable from?

 

as a hint, to make the learning less drustrating, you can always kill the quick launch buttons until you stop accidentally pressing them

 

Already in your machine. Carefull tho: intel x-18s have microSata connectors. The included cable for an originally 2.5 hdd equipped Envy is regular sata. Meaning you need a tiny adapter.

I got mines HERE (unfortunatley the site says they are currently down for vacation and they just locked all the product links in the meantime it appears).

 

1x 2.5in fit fine, but you can get a bracket to fit 2x 1.8in drives.

 

Where do they put the OEM license key sticker for Windows on this laptop? i can't seem to find it anywhere.

 

Look under your battery.

 

Thank you very much.

 

You probably loaded the CCC program with the driver but need to install it from the ATI install manager. Just go into the AMD or ATI folders and look for the ATI setup icon, there are 3 or 4 of these and any one you find should work, then run it and choose custom install and you'll get a list of what is installed and what else is available to install, just check the items that are not already installed and follow the prompts.

The CCC does not monitor temps though, you'll need another free app for that, CPUID HWmonitor: http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php , GPU-Z, Everest: http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?ps=UE&lang=en&page=9

 

Great That answers my question. I will pop in my Intel X25, I just need some guts to surgically do it
On another note, If I buy a memory module 1333 MHz(PC 10660) will that increase my speed over what Hp ships(PC 8500) or speed is limited by the chipset installed which in this case is PM55 and there is no point of upgrading to a faster one?

 

The latter, i5's will run max memory speeds of 1066Mhz. I used 1333's because they were cheaper at the time, but they definately run at 1066.

I see you have the 6300 listed in your sig, did you actually install it? and if so how is performance and what about the 3rd antenna lead?

 

I did install it myself. I haven't noticed any performance gain but also I don't have any wifi disconnects like some users with 6200 have. The ENVY unfortunately comes with 2 wires so I can only utilize 2 antennas. Unlike my girlfriend's XPS it has 3 antennas(wires) and that's when you see performance boost using 6300 over the 6200. Otherwise, for the Envy the 6200 is sufficient.

 

Random question, have you noticed decreased wireless performance from the Envy in general?

 

If the question is for me, then, like I said, No I haven't noticed any performance gain of loss. Very solid connection in most cases.

 

You need a 3x3 router to see the performance difference.

 

Netgear WNDR3700. does that count as 3x3 router? thats what i have.

 

I have to say, you must not be a very good programmer / effective programmer. Your brain is not getting used to the location of the keyboards. You have your palm / hand location a bit too the left. The issue you are having is no different if you were to buy a different desktop keyboard with some of the new keys to the side, or better yet, one of those ergonomic keyboard where it is a bit angle. Your brain should be able to quickly adjust to it as you start to type more and more on it. I have my laptop about a week now and only really type on it 3 times. Two times for blogging and this is reply is the third time. The first time, i do find myself hitting the cap locks a lot and shift key alot. But now, i can type a decend 20-30 words a minute on this easily.

 

that's really decend typing

 

It was a random open question to everyone. I noticed my Envy has poorer connectivity than a friends dv6 in the same location...

 

Unfortunately it is not.

 

Very

I never said I can spell...

 

Just post out of boredom....

This is sitting at Starbucks for the past 3 hours. Casual Surfing, mainly using Nikon Capture NX and Photoshop. Processed about 10-20 photos...





Any good toolbar monitoring software to see CPU speed / temps?

 

I guess now every time I give someone an interview exam I can just judge them on how well they like the keyboard instead of the code they produce.

Look, I spent a few hours last night programming and was simply not getting used the that left column of keys. The way my left hand sits on the side of the touchpad just naturally places my pinky closer to the caps-lock and app-launch buttons unless I turn my wrist to the right a little, a slightly unnatural position for me.

 

You can D/L HWmonitor pro (it's a free trial version) and you can choose to have any of the temps to display down in the taskbar, not the best looking gadget but functional. You can also just minimize Task Manager and you should get a mini CPU usage meter down by the flag / battery area. Both of these sometimes end up in the 'up arrow' hidden area but you can just drag them down to the taskbar.

I noticed on your screen shot that it appears your 'power' readings seem to be working in HWmon, mine either don't change or have very random readings. How often does that reading udpate for you?

 

Actually I'm in the same boat.

 

Could you just turn the computer to the left a little?? lol

It took me awhile to get used to also, but now I love the keyboard.

 

I got used to envy keyboard almost immedately. The ctr key position is very close to thinkpad. I get exact same WPM on envy and thinkpad.

 

what program do you use to get WPM?

Mavis Beacon just flashed before my eyes.

 

I googled type test then clicked first link.

 

If i leave it open, seems to update pretty often. A few seconds if I stare at it and notice the number changes. I am using the non-installed version. The executable with ini file sitting on my desktop.

That might be why I am used to this keyboard. I have 4 thinkpads....ahhaha T22, T43, T60, and T61. Came close to buy T410/T510 prior to getting the Envy. Got soo tired of the Thinkpad look. It look the same the past 30 years!

 

Well, I'm certainly going to give it my best shot. Even before the heat issue got resolved (thank you again) I was fully planning on not making any decision for at least a couple weeks, and this is far less of a deal for me than that was.

 

dont you guys hit the extra line at the left edge sometimes? I hit the email and calculator ones all the time...quite annoying when gaming...lol

 

Hey duders,

This has probably been asked many times, here, but I went over the alst 20 pages and couldn't find the answers:

* How long does the regular 6 cell battery last on the i5 models? Most of the reviews online are for the old i7 models. If you could specify general browsing battery life and "gaming" battery life, that would be awesome.
* If you could also give me approximate stats for the extra slab battery, I would love you forever.
* What is the difference between the Anti-glare Widescreen Display and the Ultra Brightview Widescreen Display? I'm guessing the first one is not matte.. The HP site is really ambitious about it.

 

-between 2.5 and 3 hours if you're careful
-dun have it
-anti-glare is matte, ultra brightview is glossy.