HP Envy 15 vs HP dv6t Quad Edition

Any views on the differences (and value) between HP Envy 15 and HP dv6t Quad Edition?

As far as I can see, with the maximum upgrade options selected below, for an additional ~US$1,300 all the Envy 15 gives you over the dv6t Quad is:

• 16GB DDR3 RAM instead of 8GB (valued as $500 difference on the Envy 15 customisation page)
• 1GB ATI Radeon HD 4830 instead of 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 230M
• external vs internal optical drive (query whether this is an advantage, weight vs convenience)
• 1920x1080 instead of 1366x768 display
• extra 9 cell battery (valued as $125 difference on the Envy 15 customisation page)
• it's a bit thinner, lighter and 'prettier'

What do you think? Is all this really worth $1,300?? (Or if you accept the values given by HP of the extra RAM and battery, is $675 a fair price differential for the HD4830, higher display resolution and overall build?)

As a follow-up question, what do you think of these specs generally - or is it worth waiting for further customisation options for the Envy 15 (eg, the dual SSDs in RAID 0 promised by all the HP marketing) and for eventual price drop (when will either of these occur)??

The following specs / upgrade options were used for the above comparison, all from HP Direct, major differences are starred...

(1) HP Envy 15, US$3,499.99 (no rebates) gets you:

Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-820QM Processor (1.73GHz, 8MB L2 Cache, 1333MHz FSB)
*16GB DDR3 System Memory (4 Dimm)
500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
*1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 4830
*15.6" diagonal Full High Definition LED HP Ultra Brightview Widescreen Display (1920x1080)
Webcam Only
Intel Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
Envy Instant On Solution, Corel VideoStudio Pro X2, Corel Paintshop Pro X2, Stardock My Colors
HP Color Matching Keyboard
*One 6 Cell Lithium Ion Polymer Battery + One 9 Cell HP Envy Slim Fit Extended-Life Notebook Battery
*External Slot Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer with 2 USB Ports
No Productivity Software
HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...odexp/hhoslp/psg/notebooks/ENVY/ENVY15_series


(2) HP dv6t Quad Edition, US$2,198.99 (with $200 instant rebate) gets you:

Espresso Black
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-820QM Processor (1.73GHz, 8MB L2 Cache, 1333MHz FSB)
*8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
*1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 230M
*15.6" diagonal High Definition LED HP Brightview Widescreen Display (1366x768)
*Lightscribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
Intel Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
No TV Tuner w/remote control
HP Color Matching Keyboard
High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
No Modem
Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s.../psg/notebooks/High_performance/dv6tqe_series

 

What would you actually be using this laptop for? Because if you don't really need the more powerful GPU, the extra 8gigs of RAM, the slice battery or the Full-HD screen then it seems like you'd be better off going with the dv6t. Keep in mind that to get 16gigs of RAM you'd need to use 4gig sticks which are very pricey as it is and the envy has 2 more in there than the dv6t so that accounts for a good part of the price difference.

The internal vs. external optical drive is more of a personal preference feature. It's one I was willing to give up to have the 2nd hard drive. Arguably the build quality differences and personal feelings on aesthetics also factor in to our purchase. I went with the envy in large part because I really liked its looks, I wanted nothing less than a full-HD screen, and preferred the more powerful GPU and 2nd hard drive option.

 

Thanks for post Genryu. Will use it for digital photo/video work (hence interest in lots of RAM and powerful GPU).

Expect to use partly on the road, with external OD, and partly as desktop replacement with external monitor (so could live without full HD on the built-in panel) and wireless mouse/keyboard. Slice battery attractive for use on the road/in the air...

One concern re dv6t is that it has max of 2 DIMMS, therefore is already maxed out with the 2x4GB, even though agree DDR3 is very pricey now.

Also agree that the extra HDD option is attractive - am thinking of adding in an additional SSD if I go with the Envy 15.

Does anyone know whether (or when) HP will start offering additional customisation options for the Envy 15 (eg, SSDs out of the box, more powerful GPUs etc)?

 

It seems like for your line of work it might be worthwhile to seriously consider the envy 15 for the extra 8 gigs of ram you can put into it and the option for a SSD boot drive with a 500gb drive for storage. If you want to add in additional SSD drives I strongly suggest you purchase it on your own because it will be much cheaper that way more often than not (and you get the option to pick whichever manufacturer for the drives that you want). I oubt you'll see a more powerful GPU just yet since this laptop was literally just released.

Do you use some program that specifically stresses the GPU?

 

the envy 15 is your best option.. the 4830 card is more powerful than the Gt230M and 8GB ram is more than enough 16Gb is an overkill.. so save your cash and get an envy 15 with 4830 GPU and 8GB ram..

 

Can I get the DV6T in a under 6lbs and 1" thick version? If I can, I am all there...

Lol!

Love the Envy, hate the price
Love the DV6T, hate the weight and size

ARGH!

 

That would probably cannibalize envy sales if they had that.