*HP Envy 15 Owners Lounge! PART 1*

pretty sure this was a battery eater test...

normal use shouldn't drain this battery (especially 15 cell combo) nearly this much

 

A note for those who use an Antec cooler under the Envy: I'm not entirely sure, but there seemed to be circumstances where it actually made the machine warmer than no cooler at all. But I have a fix...

But I also want to mention that, even without a cooler, my Envy never gets more than a little warm when I'm doing normal tasks. It seems to have actually gotten better in this regard since I first got it... Perhaps the various cleanups and uninstallations I've performed have helped, but I haven't done anything extraordinary. Heat has only been an issue with games or similar heavy-load programs.

Anyway: the way the Envy sits on the Antec cooler might actually reduce airflow because the rubber feet extend past the edge of the cooler, so that the machine ends up sitting flat against its surface, which might block the air uptake vents.

But I just electrical-taped a couple of chopsticks along the vertical edges of the cooler so that the Envy gets a little elevation. Now the machine never gets worse than warm, even when playing Dragon Age.

 

I would hate that glass on my screen. I have no idea what it would add beyond more weight and more glare.

 

What software did you get rid of that came pre-loaded on the machine? I'm trying to decide what i want to keep and what i want to delete... but haven't had the time to really look into it.

Any tips on what bloatware to target?

Oh and is it worth it to have Norton or any other Anti virus on the machine? Any suggestions?

 

Took me two days to receive the quickship model. Just got off the phone with hp and received my rma number. returning the envy 15 and buying a vaio z or an mbp instead. can't deal with so many issues.

 

Well I got rid of Norton, but then installed AVG, which is slightly less intrusive on the system, as far as I can tell. Then I got rid of most of the HP media software, updating services, etc, and then I just went through the Add and Remove programs list and got rid of stuff I knew I didn't need... but I don't remember now, sorry. Then I installed TuneUp Utilities (weeded out unneeded startup programs, cleaned the registry, etc)... there's still more to be done...

 

I suggest Spybot Search and Destroy
CCleaner
to clean the registry

Avira AntiVir Personal FREE as AV, I like it more than AVG

SUPERAntiSpyware for that

And windows firewall

 

Hey ENVY 15 owners, just wanted to pass around and say this machine is awesome, i went to futureshop to see it on display(finally got it on display in Canada ) and they only had the 13 incher but it looked damn nice and felt good! For someone like me that wants to be able to have stylish/slim/performance(not for crysis just for WoW and Warhammer and diablo 3 when it comes out) + school work this would be perfect, too bad it costs 2.2k CDN lol -_-

SO IF ANY OF YOU wanna get rid of yours <-


hope your enjoying it

 

I still haven't heard from HP if they managed to cancel my order or not. So right now i'm out 2 k and have no idea what is happening hahahaha......

 

The least intrusive AV I've used so far is Microsoft's Security Essentials. It's free and once installed, you'll likely forget it's there.

 

Great news about the E2E screen from HP. I hope they add it very soon along with the 1.8" dual HDD options.

I just wonder if you order with only 1 HDD, if you can't upgrade to 2 because of the wrong bracket.

 

I suspect that it will be possible to install 2 1.8" drives in the current Envy 15 model by buying the correct bracket from either the HP parts store or a reseller.

At least that is how it has worked for other HP laptops that I have worked with.

 

Agreed - why carry around a slate of glass that just creates more reflections? It's just vanity, form before function.

 

+1. I'd definitely agree to that.

 

Changed my mind, instead of a return i'm going to get an exchange even without any discount. Willing to give hp another chance. Just hope this one wont come with dents,flimsy left screen bezel,clicking noise from hd and high idle temps (55+-)

 

Mine came with dents and scratches too. Hope it works out for you.

 

Do you think I can install windows xp on envy 15?

 

I would think so. None of the components are new enough to not have XP driver. Even newer components like USB 3.0 and 6 gbps SATA also have XPdrivers available. If HP doesn't have them on their support page, you should be able to get them from the manufacturers' sites.

 

I had exactly the same experience--a very chatty, repetitive rep who didn't address my questions. Never did speak with a manager despite repeated requests--was told the manager had no more information. They confirmed a delay which sounded somewhat widespread (I think he shared this before even having my order number). The two reps I spoke with, despite the second one supposedly being "HHO Resolution Team," were a major waste of time and knew less about my order status than I already did (the second one did not know about the new ship date I was given). My order status online still says it's estimated to ship 11/3. The net impression I have is that there is a complete inability to handle a basic customer service function or predict or convey when an expensive product will ship. I was given a $100 discount for my troubles and an email address to write to to request that my order be expedited. After 24 hours I received a brief reply that an expedite request was sent to the factory manager but there are currently shortages on the base. My several questions were left unanswered, including the main one about switching my order to quick ship, which both yesterday and today show as shipping same day on the web site--I wonder if they really are or if that little detail, like my 3 day old estimated ship date, is not being updated. I love the machine (tried it a number of times at Best Buy) and abhor HP's customer service. Very discouraging.

 

Did you ever use Norton on your Envy? I advise anyone with an Envy to activate their 60-day trial of Norton and just let it run, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Norton's 2009 and 2010 editions of their AntiVirus and Internet Security products (and also Norton 360 version 3.0 and soon-to-be released 4.0 in 1Q 2010) are not the Norton products of old, with lots of nags (especially firewall nags). System scans run when your screensaver is active. Yes, you will be asked about cleaning up tracking cookies when the scan is complete, but that's the only time it asks me to do anything. I've installed gobs of software that reaches out to the Internet, and not once have I been asked whether to allow or deny a program.

These newer versions of their antivirus product also "whitelist" files as trust of your files is built up over time, thus the real-time scanner learns to not even bother to scan them on subsequent openings. This makes your system perform faster since the scanner doesn't scan them. AVG and others scan files every time. Norton will of course re-scan a file once there is a change in its signature (such as when you modify and save a document file).

I had the freebie McAfee from my Internet provider, and it was horrific. Norton AV made my former PC run faster once I got it installed. I have installed the free AVG on my dad's PC, and I regret the day I did, his system became so much slower with it running. Of course, on the Envy that might not be so noticeable (but will still use more CPU cycles, thus impacting battery performance), and yes, you can't beat free. But Norton also updates virus definitions multiple times per day so you'll be well protected from zero-day threats. Most of these other AV programs self-update once, maybe twice per day.

Note that the standard versions also license you to three PCs. So if you think in cost per PC, the protection cost is even cheaper.
For a review of Norton, read:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2349865,00.asp
(Note it got PCMag's Editor's Choice) and:
http://reviews.cnet.com/internet-se...3667_7-33770774.html?tag=mncol;lst#cnetReview

So with a free, no-obligation 60=day trial, why not give it a try?

Disclosure: I don't work for Symantec (nor personally know anyone who does), nor do I have any business with them, I'm just a customer of their software.

 

Hey csquared, what I have learned about HP, is that if they have not gotten back to you regarding your canceled order (2 days tops), it maybe because it is about ready to ship. It has happened to me twice.

 

Try Kaspersky if you want a great total internet security program. I have used Norton and McAfee and now I'm using Kaspersky since I started the Beta Windows 7 beta version and it's been great. It's not a nosey pig like Norton, and provides more protection than the others. See notebookreview.com's review that they did on these programs a couple months ago...they liked Kaspersky in almost all areas they tested!

 

It's odd that people complain about the E2E so much. Considering that even without E2E the screen is still glossy which is what causes the reflections. And for the "glass" it's actually plastic, it also makes cleaning the screen a MUCH easier chore.

 

Yeah. Most of them are plastic and glare wise will look exactly the same as the screen already on the Envy 15. Don't you know it's already glossy just like the black bevel around the screen?

Probably won't add barely any weight. Nothing to worry about IMHO.

So in conclusion, there really isn't a reason to not have the E2E. It makes the computer look better. That's why the Envy 13 has it, and that's why the Mac Book has it.

Why do so many people wine about how you don't need E2E and that it has so many negatives? It really doesn't. It makes the computer look better and isn't a negative at all.

 

Can anyone else confirm that their Envy 15 CPU idle temperature is lowered by more than 10C and "turbo boost" works only if the laptop was unplugged for the duration of the boot process?

 

I am reading on here and other sites speculative posts about new HP Envy models, or a line refresh to come with:

1. ATI 5000 video
2. ETE screen
3. Improvements to the cooling system
4. A bracket or a chasis refresh that allows dual hard drives
5. An updated internal motherboard or design, with refinements

Voodoo was a hobbyist, nice type company, when HP bought them. I am beginning to think HP took lots of powerful components, some of them nice quality to very high quality, but this product has rough edges and perhaps heat issues.

I wonder if you bought an HP Envy in the Spring of 2010, what would be different?

Those new long battery life dual core notebook processors are yet to come from Intel, and for some software, not all, dual core is faster because the software does not run as well on a quad core yet.

The future holds lots of promise, and I think this HP Envy 15 is the beginning of many good things to come. I just wonder if sitting the first round of production out might be wise.

Voodoo has a bit of a hobbyist company, HP seems to still be working out kinks in this model, but I STILL want one once I know the heat is not a killer issue for me.

 

Well I guess the distinction many people draw is between a "glossy" screen and a "glassy" one. This has been discussed earlier on as well, and if HP decides to add it in I think it'll be once they have a HP radiance display like on the envy 13 to overcome the glare. I agree that in both glassy and glossy screens you'll see reflections, but arguably they are a noticeable amount more with the glassy type ones on the macbook/envy 13. Also for the envy I would hope they would'nt cheap out and add in a plastic one over a proper glass edge-to-edge considering the higher durability of the latter.

 

Meet the Team: HP Envy


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrljl2NkWk4

 

1. would be nice wonder if the current models could get a drop in upgrade?
2. Should be at least an option when you customised.
3. yeah thats always good
4. dual 1.8" hdds are avaiable, should be released soon.
5. well new models will have this.

since the Envy 133 was there any other updates? i think HP is on the right track but i dont think there will be a product refresh that soon. There is rumor of the Envy 14 though.

The thing is how long can you wait? those of us buying not need a powerful laptop within in the next month.

 

Hey guys, I'm new here.

Been following both threads (the long ago closed one and this one). Really excited about this laptop.

Notebookcheck review of the Envy 15 here:
http://www.notebookcheck.com/Test-HP-Envy-15-Notebook.22270.0.html

Still in German, so the DE-EN translation:
http://translate.google.ro/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.notebookcheck.com%2FTest-HP-Envy-15-Notebook.22270.0.html&sl=de&tl=en&hl=ro&ie=UTF-8

Hope the links work.
Cheers!

EDIT: 8380 3dmarks?? Notebookcheck says 1280x768 the resolution for the benchmark. Genryu, your 3dmark test was 1280x1024, right?

Also, framerates pretty confusing. Supreme Commander, which was supposed to be a CPU intensive game (and therefore an easy meal for a Core i7), dropped to 15 fps at times. I know some of you guys have solid framerates in games like Crysis etc at 1920x1080, yet the framerates from Notebookcheck are lower, and at lower resolutions. Don't know what to think.

EDIT2: What on earth..."15.6 Zoll 16:9, 1366x768 Pixel, HD LED BrightView TFT, spiegelnd: ja" copy-paste from the review. This is beyond me. I thought the problem about the resolution of the display was settled.

 

thats for the link, google does an ok job of translating it...

as for the above point, all EU countries only recieve the 1366x768 screen, rest of world get the 1080p screens dunno why.

i believe thats from the standard battery not the extra slice. i could live with that.

thats how you do a proper temp test!

 

Lost the sleeve and the plastic case that came with the sd card somehow ( I have the sd card)
. Will I still be able to exchange my defective envy? I'm sure they're both hiding somewhere but I can't seem to find them.

 

I see that lots of people getting additional discounts from HP because of delays in shipping, etc. Does this suppose to work with BING? Or this additional discount could ruin it?

 

Oh that's good to know, it's been 2 days today. Hope they ship it on Monday then!!!

 

Please do post the color profile you chose for the Envy 15! Thank you.

 

Norton 2010 is currently beating all other security programs in reviews. I believe it has won more awards than all other security programs combined, and Norton claim to have spent several years making this the lightest, fastest, least obtrusive security product available right now. I'm planning on adding this to my Envy, since I want everything I install to be the best of the best.

 

In the free area, I have to say that Avira AntiVir Personal FREE has been a good companion for me. Rarely gets on the way, and keeps me protected.

AFAIK KIS2010 is better than Norton 2010.

 

I've had my Envy 15 for two days now and have all of my favorite programs loaded. Here are my initial thoughts:

The build quality on my unit (model 1050nr purchased at Best Buy) is excellent - no squeaks, scratches, dings, etc. Lots of crapware, but not as much as another HP notebook that I recently returned (one man's crapware is another man's treasure?).

The touchpad was very annoying at first, but with the updated driver and by turning gestures off, its works fine for me.

A lot of people have complained about not being able to add a second hard drive, but that is not an issue for me. Others have complained about the lack of edge-to-edge glass over the screen. The lack of same doesn't bother me, but I understand that this issue is personal preference. I do think it would be nicer with a matching metal bezel instead of the black glossy one, but that's a minor quibble. I had an HP unit with the infinity display (E2E) and although it was ok, it did seem to add just a hint of cloudiness in some lighting conditions.

The only issue I have is with the add-on battery. It is able to slide back and forth, even to the point that it will disconnect (electrically, not physically). This issue needs to be corrected. I am thinking of adding a small piece or two of velcro between the bottom of the computer and the battery to see if that might keep it from sliding.

Overall, I am very happy.

Gary

 

I'll try again. How does it make it look better? How? Why? Wherefore?

Why would I want extra weight for a benefit that isn't there for me?

 

Congratulations on your purchase!! I wish you the best with your Envy 15. Indeed it is a nice laptop.

Keep us posted on yours, and if you want perhaps a small review on it?

 

I have updated the OP (original post) on page one.
Give it a check, I put some nice and useful information that is lost somewhere in this thread.

 

Does anyone have an idea of what keyboard protector works? This laptop has quite a non-standard keyboard type.

 

perhaps one that fits with the MBP's?

 

It's easier to clean, that's my main thing. I know others have had dust issues, but I haven't had any issues with that. The extra weight is minimal. When you are dealing with 8 pounds of notebook, an extra .10 of a pound is NOT going to make a difference. hehehe

 

Well, in this case it is a 5.3 notebook...and trying to keep it light is the main deal.

 

8 pounds eh, it's not even 8 pounds with the extended battery slice. it's a 5.2 pound laptop

 

I believe with the Slice it's more like 8 pounds. and the internal battery really only pulls down an hour and a half, two hours max of time. Most people will go with the slice, and at that point the weight isn't going to be a difference. hehe.

 

Ok, the point is a tenth of a pound is barely perceptible to a human being. People ing about E2E adding weight are mainly spec s. The argument would be a lot more valid if they just said "I don't like the looks of it." hehe. That being said I have both, One notebook with E2E and one without. The main difference is aesthetics and the ease of cleaning the screen. I spend a lot less time trying to keep the E2E screen clean. As far as the Gloss Vs. Matte debate. I can understand the reflection issue, but the Glossy screens give movies better POP than the matte screens on notebooks. And Gloss is basically here to stay.

 

If it is actual glass then it will likely weigh more than 0.1lb. That is approximately 45 grams. To put this into perspective, that is the same weight at 9 sheets of standard office A4 80gsm paper. Not very heavy, and certainly not very heavy for glass.

If it is plastic then it is entirely possible it weighs that little. Oh and before you say it, no, not all "glass" screens are plastic, not by a long way. Most of them do have a thin plastic film covering them to prevent the glass from shattering all over your computer / fingers in the event of a breakage.

However, I do believe that in reality, edge to edge glass makes so little difference to the end users experience. Certainly not enough to warrant a return or cancellation in it's own right. However, it is down to the individual buyer to determine if they believe this is the case, or if the edge to edge glass is so important that they cannot do without.

Let's just leave this one eh. Fact is, the model at the moment does not ship with it. They might do in the future, but they don't now, so arguing about it is about as useful as a chocolate fireguard. HP did employ false advertising, and if you feel this is wrong then take it up with HP or return your order.

 

Anybody planning to try couple of these with E15? Or just one? It seems to come with all the adapters.