*HP Envy 15 Owners Lounge! PART 2*

You don't have to trade out the CPU fans. The only complication was the heatsink had a black plastic film on it covering the copper block. Have no idea why they had the film on there, but it had space so the i5 chip can touch the copper, not the i7 cpu (bigger). So you have to remove the plastic film, and all the sticky gunk underneath. I just used qtips and alcohol and scrubbed it clean. after that, applied diamond 7 compound to the chip.

 

Cool, I wrote Kensington about that adapter but their response to me was that they didn't currently have a tip that would work with the Envy 15. Will look forward to hearing whether it does or doesn't lock your CPU.

 

Oh guess i assumed one of the multiple tips would work... ah well we shall see when both my envy and the adapter get here... stay tuned. Hope it does fit as they are really nice and slim. Plus, kensington usually makes reliable gear.

 

that is strange since the envy 15 uses the same tip as the last 2 generations of business laptops going back over three years now. that is why I have so many 180w, 120w and 90w power supplies.

 

It may work, the response I got from Kensington said they were not really familiar with the Envy 15 so they took the safe way out saying I could try it and see but no promises. It must have a tip that basically "fits" since you said you were able to use the 70w version. Its just that HP, as well as some other computer makers, apparently somehow monitor some part of the tip which allows the CPU to run full tilt, or so I've been lead to understand from other posts here.

 

I guess I'm still a little confused. Does this mean that the cheaper DV6 outperforms the Envy 15 on battery power?

 

Thanks. But just to clarify, all I want to do is change the fan(s) out from one machine to the other due to the 'buzzing' noise on the machine I'm keeping.

So to be specific, can the fans be replaced without having to deal with removing the heatsink from the CPU?

EDIT: Never mind, Just looked at service manual, didn't realize that the heat sink / pipes / fans are all one complete assembly......

 

yes. since they use the older battery tech.

 

What is the best Video driver for teh Gen 1 Envy 15. And also is there a way to enable something liek Nvidia's Digital Vibrance?

Cheers

 

I believe the newest driver for the 4830 is the same as the 5830, 8.681 and you can download it here: http://strags.com/ (scroll down until you see the 8.861 zip file)
For color adjustment you can open the Catalyst Control Center (CCC) by right clicking desktop > click graphics > Desktop properties > color tab

Note: i believe if you 'reactivate ATI color...' you override the the windows defualt color profiles.

I posted a color calibration profile for the Glossy 1080 screen here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5878248&postcount=1919

 

Thanks a bunch much appreciated. Also I just load this color profile as my Default correct?

 

To clarify, I am currently using the 70w version on an older toshiba sat pro u400 model while im still waiting on my Envy to get here... so don't just run out and buy it yet, should know more during the coming week as my gear [finally] gets here.

 

I believe that you transposed the digits and you meant to type 8.681 WHQL, which is apparently still the latest mobility WHQL certified driver supporting the Envy 15 unless you turn off the certified driver requirement in the OS.

I am downloading the 8.700 drivers, because I turned off my certified driver requirement so I could use the latest drivers whether certified or not ( I hand modded the inf for 8.689 - Catalyst 10.1 - because mobility modder broke on the new Catalyst ). The Catalyst 10.1 - 8.689 drivers work fine on mine, but the strags 8.700 seem that they may have some optimizations for the 4830 and higher mobility GPUs...

 

@Tayeule
Well this adapter has been discussed before but I don't recall anyone actually getting one and testing it yet. Will look forward to hearing your results as I am really hoping it may work so I can get a cheap & light adapter my partner can lug to school.

@RageAgain
If your going to mod 10.1's then you may want to look at the hotfix's that came out, there are 2 of em available. One had some basic tweaks and then there was a newer one that supposedly attempts to address the grey screen issues some have been getting with their 58xx cards. I'd assume it also includes the fixes from the previous hotfix as well.

Hotfix_8.69.3RC2_Jan27 , sorry didn't have the link handy

And

Hotfix_8.69.3.1rc1_feb_2 , this is the one that supposedly helps grey screen issues

and the other is

Hotfix_8.69.3RC2_Jan27

 

Someone posted this link to the Kensington 120W adapter in the Gen 2 thread with a low price (don't think he's received / tried it yet either):
http://www.frys.com/product/5530860

I would love a lighter adapter, I weighed the stock one at 1.7lbs, that's quite a bit heavier than this Kensington, especially if the Kensigton doesn't lock the CPU.

 

I have a Targus APA63US (90W) that I bought at Best Buy on a trip when I forgot my original Sony Adapter at home.

I just tried out some tips on my Envy and tip 203 seems to work. At least the battery icon in windows changed to charging.

Compatibility chart can be found at:
http://www.targus.com/us/Downloads/APA63US_APM62US_chart.pdf

 

do the drivers increase performance at all (strags)?

 

hi guys, I noticed a thread somewhere where people were raging about the loss of vertical space on a 16:9 screen compared to 4:3 on an equivalent screen diagonal. Now without starting a general debate, all I want to know is...getting an envy 15 with the 1080p screen, will I be able to see more vertical content than on my current 1200x800 4:3 acer? does the screen feel "short" when performing vertically-oriented tasks such as blog and forum browsing compared to your laptops from a couple years ago?

 

It obviously displays more content than 1200x800. People was comparing it to 1920x1200.

 

Its not a problem with finding a tip that will power and charge as it is that there it something in the design of HP tips that laptops like the Envy apparrently look for and if it doesn't see it it won't allow the CPU to run turbo mode.(If I got it wrong someone please correct me.)

 

Out of curiosity, has any of the owners that opened their machines changed the thermal compound on the CPU or GPU...if it can be done. I'd be interested in seeing what it would do to core and overall laptop temps.

 

A few people have done this, PasterJohn (johnabtps) for one... but I have not heard of any signifigant change in thermals.

are you considering overclocking? I think the bigger problem is getting access to the bios. Although you can overclock the video card. If you bought this for gaming and want to keep something that looks well styled than that may be an options but if you are a die hard gamer you can get the new asus. looks like it is the fastest gaming laptop available today. or at least until alienware can upgrade the m17x

 

I have the i5-540 version of the Envy. I am not sure if this is the right way to test this, but:
1. Downloaded i7Turbo/Real Temp GT.
2. Started a game.
3. Plugged in. Original 120W adapter. 133.00 x 21.0
4. UnPlugged. 133.00 x 9.0
5. Plugged in. Targus 90W adapter. 133.00 x 21.0

Isn't that multiplier supposed to be 23?

 

I believe the X21 is correct if your using both cores at maximum. The X23 is full turbo boost of 3.06Mhz which is only available to the 1st core. With high demand to both cores the max clocks are split until the max TDP is reached.

Good news that the Targus adapter seems to be working. One other way to test would be to run 3Dmark06 (or any benchmark) and see if you get about the same results with both adapters.

Could you please provide the Targus P/N and which 'tip' your using? Also please see if the connector tip has a small center pin that matches the one on the HP adapter?

 

i5-540M, 4GB, 500GB HDD

Targus APA63US / TIP 203. Yes, there is a center pin in there.

Got pretty much the same result in 3DMark06 both with original and Targus (8000).

 

Thanks for testing that! Good to know that there is a 90W alternative to the HP adapter that provides full performance

+ rep

 

Looks like at least a winner for i5's then. Size wise how does it compare with the one that comes with the Envy? Now just need to find a 120w version so it can be used with an i7. Tried to search for Targus 120w but didn't have much luck yet. I did find this one:

Targus APM62U

but its pricey, Targus lists it for $149.99 compared to $89 for HP's 120W, and it says 90W continuous up to 120W peak

 

i did a thermal compound replacement, from the stock paste to the diamond 7 carat paste, which is supposedly one of the best. Can't tell if the i7 is any better with the high price compound, since my i5 was definitely cooler. The GPU doesn't seem much cooler either, only 2 degree difference. However, and I may be imagining this, I feel like it cools down faster having switched thermal pastes. But like some have said, the copper heatsink is stellar, you really don't need to worry about the gpu overheating at all. I actually think its running cooler in the envy than it is in larger notebooks, like the ASUS g73JH.

 

Thanks but I ended up finding the 10.1's with the 8.700 WHQL drivers here:

http://www.station-drivers.com/page/ati catalyst.htm

They installed fine on my Envy 15, and my Windows 7 AMD64 desktop...

 

Does the 8.681 drivers and beyond fix the black screen that has been experienced by myself and others?

 

Quick one folks..... there seems to be a bit of negativity about the Envy on this forum and others although plenty seem very happy. What is the overall satisfaction on your Gen 2 Envy please includng

* Build quality
* Speed (i7)
* Screen
* Heat & noise
* Overall performance


I have a 15-1110ea (UK) on order but maybe I am being paranoid so appreciate the views of those with hands on time please

P

 

Well for coming from an 15" UMBP, I am actually very happy with my purchase.

Gaming wise it's stellar compared to my mac. The screen also some just as crisp. The mouse took some getting used to, but that still isn't has good as the mac. (But under win7 the track pad sucked on my mac too)

There are only 2 things I miss about my mac. and that's the back lit keyboard, and the battery life. But I never bought this thing for battery life. And when running any of my engineering software, this things chews it up. Even when running real time hydraulics modeling software I can run multiple instances and have no issues. I have the first gen and really couldn't be happier.

And compared to my mac this thing runs much Cooler while in Win7.

 

Also coming from a 15" UMBP, the latest June 2009 version, the Envy has been nothing short of awesome in terms of performance.

The quality of the construction may lack the fine detailing of a Mac, but it seems like it's definately improving. My first Envy had very very minor small protrusions on the top lid making it feel just a tad bumpy, but this new replacement I got is perfect. Again, very small details, it didn't bother me in the least. The reason why I returned the first one was for a buzzing issue which the replacement does not.

I miss the trackpad as well from the MBP, but only in OSX. In W7, the trackpad was overly sensitive and lacked the features it had in OSX, not a big deal. IMO, the Envy's trackpad does a superb job, feels really solid and responsive.

The battery life was always terrible on the MBP in W7.

The screen on the Envy is beautiful. Crisp and very bright, the high resolution really makes viewing enjoyable. The speed is amazing, runs all the games I play on max settings without any hint of complaint (L4D2, CS:Source, FFXI, Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance, Modern Warfare, Team Fortress 2).

Totally agree with newfiejudd about the heat, the Envy definately runs cooler than the MBP in Windows. Might I also add, a helluva lot quieter!!! The fans RARELY ramp up even under the most intensive games (SC: Forged Alliance, 8 player 1000 unit cap limit per player). So awesome not having to use headphones ALL THE TIME to hear the sound from games or to hear myself think.

 

Amazing laptop, its quiet, not hot, i can put it on my lap without any uncomfort, fantastic screen, very fast. I would buy another if I lost this one lol.

 

i think i was able to lock the multiplier on my i7-820 at 22x. should i not do this (battery melts on my pants? although I could file a lawsuit like kramer did with the hot coffee...)?

 

I have attached a picture (I hope ) of the Targus 90W and the HP 120W side by side.

I too really like my HP Envy.

I have the anti glare screen and though I might miss the glossy screen at times most of the time I am very glad that I don't have to deal with the reflections.

The only thing I don't like is the keyboard. Would have been nice if it had been back lit and I really really really hate the extra line of keys to the left side of it. I think I have opened the calculator a 100 times already.

As far as build quality goes I come from a Sony Vaio FW and that is one plastic and squeaky laptop. Lift it by the corner and it almost feels like it is going to break. =]

I can run most games on mine. Been doing Empire: Total War, Mass Effect 2 and Warhammer 40000: Dawn of War II. Runs a bit hot, but nothing that prevents you from having it in your lap (unless you like to game naked ).

I got mine for $1350 and for that price I don't see how a laptop could be any better.

 

I hate the row of buttons on the left as well. Keep hitting the e-mail button, wish I could disable it or turn it into media buttons or something. They've caused many deaths in counter-strike already. =(

I got mine for around $1700, with the SSD. Awesome value.

 

I hat the buttons on the left too. Useless and annoying. Email and calulator buttons are especially annoying.

 

Weren't you supposed to take a vow of celibacy anyway?

 

Do I have an ATI setting wrong? When I run 3dMark06 on my desktop (Dell 3107 display with Nvidia 8800gt) it runs all the tests in full screen. When I run them on the Envy I have black bars on the sides (i.e. 4:3).

 

I think it depends on how you intend to use the laptop. If it is going to be plugged in all the time, yet you don't want a desktop computer, than it is great. If you intend to use it for mobility and the battery is going to be used, there are issues. Battery life isn't that great (the 9-cell slice helps but also adds weight) and the processor is throttled down heavily, compared to other machines. It gets warm, but nothing I would consider a bother. Build quality is pretty good on mine, although I did read of people complaining about squeaking, and stuff like that. Mine seems alright. Therefore, if you are going to be near a plug all the time, it is great and you'll get great performance. If you are using it for business and stuff like that, you might look for something that performs better on battery power.

 

I don't have a problem with the extra row of keys on the left. As long as my index fingers can find the "F" and "J" keys (they have ridges on them), I'm fine.

If anything, I've had a harder time adjusting to the positioning of the arrow keys and not having a full-sized right "shift" key like my old laptop had.

 

Thanks for the feedback folks...appreciated

 

Few questions guys regarding the 15 with the i5 CPUs...

1. Is there switchable graphics? I was shocked to learn the DM3 with the SP9300 has that ability so I'm kind of hoping this one does too even though I'm pretty sure it doesn't, but I'd like some confirmation.

2. How's the heat? Can anyone post some temps?

3. What's battery life with the standard system doing some light browsing and such? 2-3 hours?

Thanks!

 

1. Its not enabled with the Envy's i5's. Perhaps at some point they might make a bios update to enable it but no word on any such plans as of yet.

2. Temps, at least from my experience and other ppls posts isn't that bad. It can get a bit warm but it never got what I would consider uncomfortable.

3. If you mean using just the main battery without the slim attached then 2-3 hrs seems consistent based on most reports. The Slim gives you some extra. Using the slim I loaded up a file in adobe reader, opened IE to a web page, turned off the sleep function and ran the SereneScene Marine Aquarium screen saver while the system was connected via wifi but BT was off. I then just left the system running and occasionally checked battery drain. I think I got about 5 and a half hrs before the batteries got fairly low with my i7. Sadly I had to send mine back over other issues and am waiting on the replacement to arrive so didn't get to rerun the test to be sure. Once my replacement gets here I'll run a few more pwr up/drains and report back.

 

Is there a way to disable those buttons?

 

Just to carify for you (again) there is no possible option for switchable graphics on the i5 models because they are using the PM55 chipset. It is not capable of using the integrated graphics on the i5's. BIOS changes can never enable this feature.

 

Same as Bratboy.

1) No switchable graphics right now.
2) Temperatures are really good. Warm at most, never uncomfortable.
3) 2 hours, 20 minutes, i5, wifi on, bluetooth off, light browsing.

 

sorry about the off topic question folks, but can any one recommend a reliable site to purchase and download PC games. I don't want to buy DVDs, just a place that would let me buy and download immediately. I get a lot of hits from Google, but most look like pirate sites to me.

 

I had a DM3T with the SP9300 and there is no switchable graphics available on it, I believe you misread the specs, the SU series processors use the intel GMA4500HD for graphics, while the SP9300 uses a dedicated Nvidia G105M GPU.

With the i5 series Envy heat is not an issue. Battery life is right around 3 hrs with wifi on, B/T off, light browsing and office work etc. You can find some good battery life info on the Envy gen 2 benchmark thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=453084