HP Envy 15-1100 Build Quality

Got a few question. I read through most of the owners own HP Envy 15 1100 model got a keyboard problem.

Is this happen most of the machines?

does this machines able to cope with intense photoshop cs4 photo editing?

Does this machines in UK version run USB 3.0 or 2.0?

About the external battery does it last long enough total of 15 cells battery?

Lastly, Is it worth the money or a macbookpro 15"

Thank you guys in advance

 

How can you even consider a MacBook Pro? is uses almost 3yr old technology and it was over priced 2yrs ago, now its just old hardware with a stupid price.

 

yea true but i plan to have an ManbookPro but since it's not coming i give it up, I'm getting Hp envy. But I dont know whether the Uk version has the USB 3.0 and also is the extra slick battery supplied?

If anyone know the answer please share. thank you

 

USB 3.0 it only on the i7 options, and you have to select the option for the extended battery.

 

ok. regadring bout the usb 3.0 even using a normal usb 2.0 pendrive will it be fast or it is only compatible to usb 3.0 pendrive?

How much normally the slick battery cost?

 

usb 3.0 speeds will only work with usb 3.0 devices. usb 2.0 will work on usb 3.0 but at usb 2.0 speeds.

the slice battery is about $125. I've seen it on ebay for around $100.

 

btw Bryan, where are you located? I might be selling my HP Envy 15. it's still sealed, been contemplating if i should open it or wait for a macbook pro 17 refresh. let me know if you're interested.

 

i7 version with the 5830 are all (AFAIK) USB 3.0 compliant.

As said, the external battery is has to be added when configuring your laptop.

Depending on usage, 15 cells will give more battery life. I can squeeze 3 of usage on my i7 and 6 cell battery.

Define "long enough" please? How many hours are you planning to take out of it?

NOTE: The slice adds around 2 pounds of weight to the overall laptop.

 

Im planing to squeeze roughly 6-8 hours battery life with the slice. well alternative if I couldnt wait for the macbook pro i will get the hp Envy but the problem is I see manu complaint on the Envy15 notebook? this make me worry.

 

my outer case cracked today when i accidentally dropped it from my chair ]:

 

6-8 of non-intensive usage is not out of the question. The Macbook won't run that long on battery on heavy usage, either. I don't see why people are so touchy about this battery stuff... the Envy is a very high-performance machine, and it lasts a LONG time on battery. I can play Civ4 at high everything for 3+ hours with the slice. That's some damn good battery life IMHO. If you want something with longer battery life, you're going to have to start looking at machines with lesser performance. That's your choice.

 

Had HP thought to provide switchable graphics, it would've been much better, though.

 

Maybe by an hour. The ATI card downclocks very aggressively when you're not doing anything GPU intensive, as does the CPU.

 

I'd expect something like 30% better life. 5 hours on the standard battery with non-intensive use wouldn't be uncommon with the integrated graphics, IMO.
Still, it's understandable that they didn't implement switchable graphics, because they originally were using only the quad-core i7s which don't have on-die IGP.

 

I can't get more than 3 hours just web surfing and music in background with extended battery, I may reach 4-5h with using IOS only

 

Out of a 95% charge I got about 2:45 web browsing and chatting with my i5 on the 6 cell battery. This was last night the first time using the machine. Wifi on, Bluetooth at default settings but not connected to anything.

 

8 hours is out of question. Sorry. It was advertised as a maximum possible of 7 only...but 6 can be done if you know how to...realisticly I think we are seen around 5...

That is not good. Check your processes and loads, and downclock the GPU if you dont need it. my i7 and 4830 can squeeze 3 hours of medium load (no wifi and backlight near zero though)

 

I have 80 processes running on startup ( gotta make use of 6gb ram) downclock gpu to 150/250.
Its strange that u get 3h without wifi and backlight

 

80 running processes? I have 60 only...

Why is it strange?

 

Since this thread is about build quality I'll respond by saying I'm waiting on a replacement for a non-funcitonal eSata port. It should be arriving in the next couple of days but took too long in my opinition.

Otherwise, the machine is decent except the corner surface and edge is not quite flush. The notebooks does a good job in cooling for such a slim form-factor and the performance. It does become hot on the bottom when its under load for a period of time.

The new MacbookPros is highly anticipated but its doubtful they will have the performance of the Envy in terms of CPU/GPU/RAID but most probably Apple will lead in Battery performance probably with a 8/9 cell with 6+ Hrs fixed formfactor.

 

And you can rest assured that the MPD refresh will have a lower end GPU and cost a HELL OF A LOT MORE. If apple wanna be more mainstream they need ot get in touch with reality and pricing. Take a look at the HP slate for roughly the same price as the base Ipad you can get a fully functioning Pc running windows 7 in a super small form factor and with a touch screen.

 

Please, no Apple vs (insert brand here) discussions...the Envy is a different laptop.

About BQ, superb. Only gripe is a little click sound when I press over the HDD and lift my hand, as if something wasn't placed perfectly inside. But it doesn't matter to me. As I write with the hands in the air...^_^

 

Anyway, I own one. After using for three days HP really give me much headache. I will never back to Hp. I regret i didnt go for mac because build quality is much better. Im not a mac lover but try lookat mac forum few issue but hp forum bunch of problem im so sad that i bought my HP envy

 

what are your problems with yours?

Post on the owners' lounge and let us help you solve your issues.

My quick suggestion is to clean it up. Preferably a clean install. Update the BIOS, the drivers and give it a test like that.

 

my problem is i got a purplish webcam but i think most everyone have it. secondly, this make my envy sucks. whenever i make a full charge (100%) and i restart it. it just keep trying rebooting not even seeing the HP logo. I can hear the sound booting up. I need to unplug my laptop and run the battery itself. But before even starting it try few times for booting then I can see the HP logo.

A new laptop but a nightmare for me Im very dissappointed.

i7-820, 4gb ram, 320 SSD, 5830

 

Still new, right? Ask for an exchange...you might have gotten a lemon or some faulty driver somewhere...if you can access the laptop and use it, do as I said, and update all drivers and BIOS. Give it a test like that.

One question, is this with the slice plugged or not?

 

Serg, this my problem that I recorded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S_LebVYXcc.

I dont put in the slice i run the primary battery. even If I took out my primary battery and use the slice i also get this problem. this happen only when i charge my laptop till 100% then this problem come.

I notice this when i received my laptop and gave a 8 hours full charge and this problem occur.

 

It seems as the laptop is trying to boot up as the fans are running, right? Did you uninstall anything? Or tweaked anything?

 

Yea, it ty to reboot but it cant, not even till the HP logo too.

Nope, when it first arrive. I just make an recovery disc, later i install photoshop and bit defender antivirus and that all. I also played warcraft 3 a low demanding game it suddenly shut down and the problem come. I dont even Overclock or tweak anything in or out the BIOS system. I'm just a light user using for photoshop and some low demanding games.

 

Definitively a factory issue.

Don;t think is the model, you just got bad luck with your Envy, that's all. The second gen as I see it...have you tried plugging the HDMI cable and trying to run it via HDMI? Perhaps a display problem?

 

No, I dont run any hdmi output. but i dont think would be display problem because i can turn on if i unplug my power cord and run through battery but also i take few times reboot then start up.

 

When running, do you get any error message?

Something like file not found? Or corrupt file? Anythign?

 

No nothing it just boot up and down, up and down. I cant even reach in the HP logo

I called HP uk it is covered with warranty but they told me to send back for refund or replace.

No really happy here. ARRGh

 

If you know somebody going to the States there you go, if not, I am sorry, but there is little to do right now. Problem is the laptop was a lemon.

Did you ask if HP UK could check for what's wrong without having to ship to the US?

 

they told me send it to uk. I do also called in the HP US. they told me to refer back to my retailer! so what if my retailer doesnt want to refund or replace? what can I do i doesnt want a brand new laptop going to clinic and wait a long time to be back.

 

If your reseller gave you the warranty they should replace it and they should deal with HP and you deal with the reseller only.'

Go to the store or contact the reseller and explain what happened and what you have done so far, HP responses and ask for a replacement or what could you do.