*HP Envy 15 Owners Lounge! PART 1*

yup.. also does the laptop was plugged?... sorry if is a dumb question.. but its good to know...
and screeeenssss... I need my eyes to see that!!! pleaseee

 

Does anyone know where I can get a silicon cover for the envy15? =D

 

my 500gb HD was a single 7200rpm 2.5" drive.

 

At this point I'd try ACE hardware, get a tube and mold your own cover...

Just kidding, when I had my i7 a few weeks ago I could not find anything custom 'fit' for the envy. Don't think there is enough volume out there yet to justify tooling up for a custom cover...

 

Oops, my mistake... It claims a conflict with the i5 Ati mobility 5830...

 

there is no room in the envy for two 2.5" drives. I actually have an envy.

 

Actually... the score for the 4830 is incorrect on NotebookCheck, and they list it as not being on the default settings. Most users have experienced a default score in the low to mid 7000s with their pre-refresh envys, as did I.

The 8620 score is a great improvement! Just as I had hoped for with the 5830.

If it can overclock anywhere near as well as my 4830 did, I will easily have it above 10k on the first try! I got 9450 on my suicide run with the envy i returned.

Im very excited to get my new envy, as is everyone else here! But alas, another 9 days it seems for me according to the order status.

 

do i need to call them up and complain to get the delay email and $50?

 

thanks you all people who posted

 

lol, yes, that's right

 

sorry, nothing in the bios settings about swtiching graphics either.

 

lame, i really don't want to do much till i make some restore discs, but it won't let me burn dual layer discs with the recovery program, and that's all i have to work with. stupid.

 

so did you call in and get them to honor a coupon code?

 

Got the delay, called and they wont give me the 50 bucks on the laptop because I already have a coupon applied. They said that they are expediting shipping, though.

 

I called, got in touch with this wonderful caucasian that happened to be in my Asian country for 2 years, talked to his manager but could not honor the coupon code.

he did however offer like $120 off (basic student deal)

I'm waiting for the MBP refresh now.

I'm not going to wait a month to get my first HP ever

 

Then would you be kind enough to give me that coupon to buy an HP and support HP and not Apple? I really don't want to buy the MBP or any Apple products besides ipod/iphones...

 

From HP

We are experiencing an unusually heavy volume of emails. We apologize that our responses may be delayed but we will respond to your email as soon as we can.

If inquiring about an order's status or tracking a shipment please check www.hpdirect.com (click on order status) or www.FedEx.com (click on track by reference #).

If your situation is urgent, please contact our call center at 1-888-999-4747.

Configure-To-Order PC Escalations
HP Home & Home Office Store
www.hpdirect.com

 

Well If the i5 version of the envy 15 refresh is as bad as johnnobts said, then i7 version would far out weights the i5 version.

i7 envy 15 series:
quad core cpu at 45 TDP
4 DDR3 ram slots = Cheaper upgrade option, max limited at 16gb
USB 3.0 confirmed

i5 envy 15 series:
dual core cpu at 35 TDP
can not enable Intel HD IGU = no battery saving compare to i7 series
2 DDR3 ram slots = ALOT more expensive for RAM upgrade, and max limited to 8GB
USB 2.0

If the IGU on i5 is truely disabled, then the batter life time wouldn't be as far off from the i7 series. ~2.5 hours at max...

 

So did anyone actually receive their $50 coupon, or just a delay email saying that they will be getting a $50 coupon?

I'm wondering what exactly to buy with a HP Home $50 coupon (that's not more expensive than buying that same thing somewhere else).

I also really hope that it ships on 1/30.

I've seen some posts regarding people who received their i5 Envy, has anyone received a (revised) i7 Envy yet?

 

It will still be better as the i5 isn't nearly as power hungry as the i7.

The TDP rating for the i5 includes the GPU. So if it is disabled, then your looking at ~25W TDP for the i5, mem controller, nb, etc.

 

I have received 2 50 dollars coupons for both of my orders on 01/09/2010 (i5 and i7). it is basically a 50 dollars off any purchase on hp site with no minimum + free shipping.

So far i spend 1 coupon on a 49.99 item, and my receipt came out to be 0.00 with free shipping.

 

everybody who is receiving them are the ones who ordered the beats edition. They will send the coupon in 24 hours after the delay email. About what to use the coupon for, you can get a decent gaming mouse (the voodooDNA thing). Or a docking station. It is upto you.

 

I wonder why the beats are shipping before the regular?

They use nearly the same parts except the chassis....

 

Well pooo! One day before its supposed to ship they supposedly managed to cancel my Beats order. Now I'll be stuck with the regular version. Oh well, other than the case color and the "beats" button I guess its not really that different, I really didn't care all that much about the special software. Its just the build date is later for my regular version.

Then again even tho they say its canceled it doesn't necessarily mean it won't ship, I'll just have to wait and see.

 

The no switchable graphics part sucks

 

NOTICE: HOW TO GET AN EXTRA $50 FROM HP FOR DELAYS

I got my delay notice earlier today and called 'resolutions', convinced them to apply the $50 dollar coupon as a rebate when envy ships. Was fine with this result.

Just recieved my $50 coupon code via email and decided to see if it works even though they credited my account....IT WORKS, just ordered a portable 250GB USB drive for $29.99 (only thing I could find that was useful).

Hope it works for you also

 

no that's not entirely true. Even if it is disabled, the total power consumed in the CPU is still 35. Intel as stated earlier in the CES 2010, that the i5 series is designed so that, it has a max TDP of 35w available at anytime. This means if the IGU is not engaged, the total TDP is still going to be 35w, not 25w as you would assume. If the IGU is engaged in graphical processing then the i5 cpu would allocate ~10w TDP on the IGU thus leaves ~25 TDP for the CPU.

If HP really disabled i5 core's IGU unit in the bio/motherboard, then the total power drain would be about the same as i7 series. minus the ~10 TDP difference in the CPU chips of course.

 

Okay, as I understood things and as someone was told by TS with an I5 Envy that supposedly tested it while they were on the phone you're supposed to be able to right click on your desktop to switch graphics when its plugged into power and that it would automatically switch to the I5's Igu if on battery.

 

had it unplugged for 13 minutes already down to 90 percent.... don't think switchable graphics have kicked on or anything.

 

2 hour battery life at this rate, i will dim my screen more

best thing so far about i5: its nice and cool. haven't gamed yet though...

 

Actually according to this; http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mobile-core-i5-arrandale,2522-3.html TDP could be up to 29W for just the CPU alone. Not a big difference in know.

I wonder if the idle current is any lower for the chipset if the IGP is not in play??

 

just as I predicted. i5 and i7 power drain is pretty much on the same level.

It is really disappointing that HP choose to disable the IGU on the i5 CPU. sigh... Intel had such a nice design too. Now I have to return my i5 envy and look else where for a better battery life laptop.

Sony Z i5 series, and Dell AW m11x looks very promising atm.

 

The battery life is kinda sad :[

I was hoping for at least 2.5-3 hrs

As some other people were asking as well, do you think you could post an image of the device manager for the Envy? I would appreciate it a lot. Thanks!

 

lol, you have now deflated all of my enthusiasm. At least I don't have to pull my hair out in anticipation of my Envy shipping.

I don't need dynamic GPU switching, which I can sort of understand the Envy not having, but it should at least be switchable in the bios. There is really no excuse considering it has been done on older and cheaper laptops.

Hopefully something better comes along in the 21 days I have to return my Envy.

 

I am trying to find something else to buy instead of the Envy 15, but can't come up with anything close.

Only if Sony released more updates. That and the M11x

 

One way to confirm idle current on the CPU is download (free) CPUID HWmonitor.

On the gen 1 envy with i7-720qm the lowest idle never fell below 15.34W.

Would be very interesting to see what the i5-520 shows at idle (assuming CPUIDHW senses the new processor)

 

Would you mind posting screens from CPU-Z preferably from all the tabs? Also, can you check what chipset the mobo is running on? Download CPU-Z and click on the Motherboard tab.

A screen from GPU-Z would also be appreciated.

 

Okay the final test is to see what the multiplier is on battery. Please, at least let this be something we can be happy about

 

I dont want to be a hater... or dont think it wrong..
But for me.. if I dont see some screens... to prove it.. then I dont believe it...
How about to see some screens??? a lot of plp are waiting for that... like device manage... 3Dmark06 3DmarkVantage... Windows Experience Index.. and there its a lot of stuff that you can show off...
But just words.. for me isnt enough.... so I still dont believe it... all of that before.. sorry

 

The guy took pics and posted them a few pages back...

 

I think...your..writing..style..drives...me...nuts...! He posted the info before. Why would he have a reason to lie? Anyhow, he is doing this out of the kindness of his own heart, dont discourage him.

 

Please give the guy a break. Be patient. Comments like yours would make me stop responding and not post any results until I was done evaluating my system.

 

Everyone on this forum is a volunteer afterall. No one is obligated to provide you with anything, please show some patience and gratitude for contributions rendered.

 

I've asked but never really was certain as far as what exactly are the differences between the Beat LE and the Regular 15? Could someone point me to a good link that outlines the differences?

Also has anyone gotten the Anti-glare version of the screen yet? I'd really like to hear how it looks

 

Hey, I really need to get a laptop... I commute to school and have a good 4 hours total of free time in between 3 classes 2 days outa the week. (lil bit less time on the other 2 days) so Im realllllly gonna need one lol.

I really cant see myself getting anything other than the envy, I love it. I read through a good part of this thread, and have read other reviews. It seems to get mixed reviews everywhere (especially ITT).. Im still not sure if I want to pull the trigger and buy it.

I know theres been some talk about it, but there aren't any legit sources or info as far as I know... when do you think hp will refresh the envy? any news on the 14/17 rumors?

Also do you think the price will drop at all when apple releases their new mbp's?

I feel like I should wait a little bit longer and see how things go, instead of regretting buying it later on. but idk how much longer I can wait.

any advice/ comments?

thanks

btw Im looking at this setup, i7-720QM - 6GB DDR3 - 500GB SATA - 1920x1080 - External Tray - slice

 

The only difference is the case, the B key, the extra audio production software they install, and a pair of the dre headphones. Thats it.

 

i'm not whining too much about the envy 15. the light weight is nice, its pretty powerful for gaming, has dx 11 card. i'll retest the battery tomorrow with 1/3 brightness settings, that should add another half hour. I expect 2.5 hours with wifi/bluetooth on is well within reach.

that said, i have 20 days to swap it out for a macbook pro or asus g73jh

 

Thanks for your updates! +rep

 

I would pass on the 6GB personally since a single stick of 2gb is only $45 or less at etail and they are charging $150 which is an incredible gouge. The other stuff is fine. Ext drive is more or less a preference but again u may be able to find it cheaper on etail.

 

I would really like to know more about the IGP. Did you check which Chipset is in there. If it is the PM55 (which support i7 & i5) there will not ever be any kind of switchable graphics. If it is anything else, it is a driver issue only. Although still not acceptable. This is supposed to be a high end notebook, not some cheap budget crap.

Cool would be a overclocking Test of the HD 5830. This card has a TDP rating of only 24 W which is less than an HD 4650 thus it should have some serious headroom. Also since the memory probably limits this card overclocking the DDR3 RAM 10% might give some cheap performance gains.

For those comlaining about the benchmark results. 5.9 RAM score ist low but nobody should the i5 expect to score anywhere close to an i7 Quad Core. The latter has an onboard memory controller which is new really fast with very low latency. The Dual Cores off die memory controller is of die, not very well optimized and really sucks in short. QPI offers more bandwidth than the old FSB but that doesn't really help much. An i5 performs worse in Memory Benchmarks than Core 2 Duo and the i7 beats both easily.

Also the HD 5830 is not such a great card. The memory bandwidth is quite low. GDDR5 is unfortunately very powerhungry (memory and or controller) thus it is probably not used. The HD 5830 is probably the most power efficient card out there but with GDDR5 it would probably be significantly faster.