*HP Envy 15 Owners Lounge! PART 1*

are you doing it over the internet or over phone?

 

I just made an analogy of the envy being a first class hooker in vegas, while making the allusion that the elitebook would be more like a steady reliable female companion.

 

Here's the deal of the chipsets. The HM55 does not support RAID only the HM57, PM55, QS57, and QM57 chipsets does support this function. In all probability the xM57 series chipsets are not shipping until the start of the next quarter.

And we know that the PM55 does not support switchable graphics so its a tradeoff. Obviously since this is a performance notebook HP chose the performance chipset and the supply on hand since they were shipping with this chipset already rather than delay shipments.

Of course most of us who ordered earlier January are already delayed LOL.

 

Fortunately, I am looking for a hooker in Vegas I will mostly use it for gaming and playing around, watching movies, showing off pictures of the kid, etc. I have a laptop provided by the company for work, I don't need it right now or to be terribly productive. I'm especially happy because I'm not aware of any hookers that take $300 coupons...

Most reasonable explanation yet. And the PM55 is cheaper than the HM57 in quantity.

 

I ordered the Envy 15 to potentially replace my need for a gaming desktop. I want to simplify my life and reduce it down to one, maybe two (laptop + netbook) setup. The G60VX was too big/bulky to take with me. Yes, it is disappointing that it doesn't have switchable graphics, but to be honest, the main competitor is the MBP 15", and it can go about 3.5 hours with wifi on in Win7 (I've been using a MBP 15" the last two weeks), and the MBP gets really hot. Like smoking hot... If the Envy 15 can go 2.5 hours with wifi on but then go 6 hours with the slice... the envy wins big time in my book. Not to mention, that the i5 processor seems to idle better than the p8800. So I still think that the battery life could very well reach 3.5 hours while taking notes in class (wifi off, BT off, brightness down + nothing running except Word). 3.5 hours would be enough to get me through the day and back home again with time to spare. If I needed extra time, I could take the slice with me and get in the area of 7-8 hours of idle time. The MBP could get maybe 4.25 hours of idle time maximum. Again, a win for the Envy 15 in my book.

At the same time, the Envy 15 outperforms the MBP significantly, though we'll see what happens after the MBP gets refreshed either at the end of this month or in June 2010.

I have to agree, I paid $1299 including tax, and got an Envy 15 for the price of Apple's 13" MBP. You would be shoveling out over $2150 at an Apple store for the mid-level MBP (including tax). That's more computing power + more battery life + $900 in your pocket to save/spend on whatever you want.

I do have to warn you guys who are planning on canceling your order. I ordered an Envy 15 when they first came out (25% bing cashback) and tried to cancel it. They "were not able to cancel it" once the unit was in production. The only way I could return it was to refuse accepting the laptop when it was delivered. I thought I was going to be able to refund immediately, but I was not able to get a refund until almost a full month after I ordered it. I only got the refund after the Envy 15 was shipped back the way across the world and then it took 4-5 business days to get the money back. In my opinion, you are better off not canceling and at least checking out the final product before returning it because it is only going to make a difference of a day or two in terms of the time it'll take to get your refund.

 

ok, a word of encouragement to you envy buyers. Cancelled my return even after printing the lablel. I'm going to give this notebook over the weekend to win my heart. There are some things I really do like about it. If it was a matte screen high res I would probably keep it for sure. Was trying to save a little dough when buying the beats edition.

 

Same here

I don't want a gaming laptop that looks like something a teenager should own so it limits the options for a powerfull laptop like this. the dell is still to clunky for me.

If apple surprises me with a refresh before i receive the envy i might consider it but I am sure the price will be no where near the envy.

 

this also gives me time to see what apple has to offer, and the asus notebook I'm so interested in is still not hitting the streets till february anyway.

 

it is very adult looking

 

unless anyone wants to buy my beats minus the phones for a fair price...

 

oui! they just sent me an email that they're processing an unusually high volume of emails, so im sure its a tactic to keep me as an envy customer. Heck if they offer me $80 like they did johnnobts I'll at least keep it and consider it for 21 days. Either way its a no loss situation for me, the 8540w doesn't come out for at least 2 weeks and i used bill me later so my CC isn't held up and whatever happens, whether $80 more or they do initiate the refund, I'll take it.

 

I was referring to the other laptops out there. I wanted a beats version cuz i think the black is sexy but i went with the standard version to save some money

 

Did you do the refund over the phone or just email? I'm figuring out how I can get the $80.

 

ditto. I really liked the beats version but I didn't want that $500 premium. Overall I paid about $2050 for this laptop including shipping. Not sure if I call that a heck of a deal, if I could do it over i'd probably get the 720qm then it'd be like 1700-1800 and for that money i'd be quite impressed.

One thing that concerns me is can I get the 8450w for $2100 or less with the 820QM (or 720QM) and 500gb HD? I'm thinking not.

 

You need to learn to edit your posts so you don't multipost. (It's the "Edit" button next to the "Quote" button on the bottom right hand corner of each your posts.)

 

I'm jealous and sympathetic at the same time. I think you would be satisfied since its a decent machine in a slim Macbook Pro like profile. OOPs did I say the Mac word.

Anywho, Apple should be announcing a refresh anytime now but they won't be offereing highend machines like this.

I'm guessing they will offer Macbooks with an *Advertised 8HRs of battery life with lowend discrte graphics or none at all. I'm even guessing that Apple will have specialized LV versions of Intel CPUs to get 25W TDP parts in their refresh.

The core i7 quadcore Mobiles are just too powerhungry for a slim package and its a kudos that HP was able to build a machine with these specs.

 

you also have to take in to account that if Apple comes out with a i5 or i7 MBP 15inch, they will probably charge 2200-2600 for the various models, for something a Envy can give you at much lower prices. Just food for thought...

 

over the phone, first they asked if i'd keep it for $50, then asked if I'd keep it for $80. I already have a $50 coupon, so plus the $80 could buy a blade battery for like $10...

 

lol thanks! learn something new everyday hehe

 

given the jacked up price for the beats (got mine for $1550) i think I can actually make a profit or break even selling it on ebay even without the headphones, especially if i add a blade battery.

 

I agree. The 8450w will be alot heaver but give you better battery life. You also won't get a 1080p display. I'm doubtful you would get anything close to the config of the envy under $2500 for the 8540w because HP and Nvidia likes to gouge you for their Workstation gfx products.

There is also the 8540p to consider, it has lesser graphics but you'll also pay less of a premium and still get USB 3.0 and possible SSD RAID

 

i also really want the matte screen, if i keep this thing i will definitely consider opening it up and swapping out screens...

 

the 8540w does have the 1080p option, its on the spec sheet as well I believe.

 

Well I did get my Delay coupon. I'm going to call in and make a fuss of course to get the extra $50 coupon. My question is what should I put this towards?

The Slice? A Bag for my Envy or buy from a different company? Wait for an external Blu-ray drive? (I ordered the external DVD-RW Drive)

 

Its not shown on their the Spec site http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06a/321957-321957-64295-3740645-3955549-4096175.html

"Display size
15.6-inch diagonal LED-backlit HD anti-glare
"

 

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/pscmisc/vac/us/product_pdfs/HP_Elitebook_8540w_Datasheet.pdf

 

and starting at 6.5 pounds? not for me, i am looking for a more portable laptop. I will go to the gym if i need a workout

 

So if I buy the i7 processor I get the USB 3.0? How many ports do I get?

Also, what the hell is an IGP? Does i7 have IGP? Thanks

 

integrated graphics processor...no you don't get the igp...2 usb 3 w/ i7 & 1 usb2/esata combo

 

Thanks for the fast reply altoid. I really hope you get your $80 coupon

I didn't know you got 2 USB 3.0s! will the performance be faster
usb 2.0 in usb 2.0 device
usb 3.0 in usb 2.0 device
?

Also, what is the SSD raid? Like, where ssd's go together in one cable and the transfer speed is even faster?

 

Screen swaps are usually not worth the effort, especially on a new model. It usually takes a couple months before the replacement screen makes it to the secondary market (aka ebay) at a reasonable price. The "direct from HP" replacement part usually costs and arm and a leg.

It's probably better to try to get an exchange through HP to swap your unit for one with the matte screen.

I'm not sure how it is with the Envy 15, but with my Dell 1505, the connectors are physically different between the 1920x1200 screen and the 1650x1050 screen, so a plug and play change is not easy.

 

Trust me, you'll be glad you did. Looking at a power cable and a nicely situated USB hub is alot nicer.

I jumped on laptops in late '08 (when I joined this forum + bought XPS15), and I haven't looked back since.

I'm also still on the netbook hunt...

 

Thanks, I just read that. It makes a little more sense. You'll have to wait to see what HP actually offers as options. You do get a bluray drive option and upgrade to dual harddrives. It'll be interesting if they do have the options.

But the weight is of primary concern since this would put this machine in the Gaming/Destop replacement category. I'm also certain the power brick for this machine will be tremendous not to mention only mediocre battery life.

 

I was too, and i finally found!

Got me an Asus 1201N, compliments my Envy very nicely.

Dual Core Atom (4 Threads) was a requirement for me, all the single core atom procs are so dang slow they are practically useless to me! Also wanted the 64bit support, 4GB ram and Nvidia Ion, High-Watt Output USB ports, 6cell... blah blah This was the only Netbook suitable for someone used to using fast Notebooks!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220660&cm_re=1201n-_-34-220-660-_-Product

Still waiting on my i7 refresh...

 

called HP and complained about being lied to and wanted to cancel my order... they offered me 120 dollars to keep the order + the 50 dollar credit. I accepted it. I figure if I end up not liking the machine i'll just return it after... still wish this had the IGP enabled but considering the machine will have dual ssd's, the i5 processor, slice battery and 1080 fullbrite screen, it's really too good of a deal to just pass up.... and i'll get it for around 1,650 + 50 dollar coupon... is it perfect? no, but i'll at least give this a try.

 

hi guys, first post here.

I am really thinking of buying an Envy 15 or maybe waiting for the rumoured Envy 17...

Just have one question:
Does the HP US online store accept orders from Australia? Or will I have to use a mail forwarding service like I had to do to get a Nokia N900?
Because HP is robbing us blind with their prices in Australia when compared to the US.

 

Hey guys, my first venture into this forum .

Had my HP Envy for 4 days now. I am exceedingly impressed with it...I love the design, the lightness, and I've found the heat management to be superb. I've written quite an extensive review of it on my site: http://mrjackspade.com/archives/hp-envy-15-review

Is there any way to get this review link posted on the front page?

 

wow very good review!!! rep +

 

Thank you, so much.

Repped as well.

 

I'll buy and ship it to you because prices in Australia is literally . But you have to get my UGGS

 

UGGS are made in China too!

I see Lenovo's W510 is back online with a 15 day wait for most configurations. Unfortunately with the nicer screen it is about $500 more than the Envy.

Unless I see something change dramatically in the marketplace within the next week or so, it will be the Envy for me.

 

Thanks guys . I'd like to PM it to Serg but can't work out how to make PMing work. Oh well, maybe he'll see it!

Does anyone know if there's one of those warranty tape things on the inside of the Envy 15 case? If not I'd dearly like to open mine up...

 

You have pming options I think after 2 days of registering if not 1 and you ned to make like 30 posts

 

You've had it for 4 days, but you have the Radeon 4830? Why not a 5830? Did you buy used?

 

awesome review indeed!
is your screen - 1920x1080 glossy ultra-bright?

Ordered: Envy 15, i5-520, 320GB 7200 RPM HD, 1920x1080 glossy
replacing Dell inspiron 6000 with wuxga 1900x1200, matte screen,fairly bright.

maybe i should get the matte screen?

 

nope its glossy but normal Brightview (1366x768) at least that says on his review

 

I'm in the UK. Sadly our most advanced model is the 1060ea which has the 4830. We're yet to see any inkling of i5s or 5830s, let alone USB 3.0!

I have the European low resolution 1366 x 768 screen. The colour and contrast performance on this is sadly very lacking...It would be pretty interesting to find out whether the panel in the USA 1080p model is better than what we have here.

Edit: What jatata said lol .

 

Thanks~got it

 

May I know what theme is that applied on your dekstop

 

sure, thats the official envy beats theme along with the envy beats stardock colors theme. pretty cool actually. i need to find a nice sound theme with some base to it. also, found replacement screens for the envy 15 (1080p glossy) for $179. If I decide to keep mine over the weekend will definitely be upgrading the screen resolution. brightness on the low res is nice, but really poor contrast i think.