HP Envy 17 - coming to the US in May 2010

According to a tech I spoke to today, who has played with a demo unit, the HP Envy 17 will include 1xUSB 3.0 port, an in-built optical drive (slot loading rather than tray), a full keyboard with numerical keypad and 17" screen with edge-to-edge glass. Rumoured for US release in May 2010. Price and weight will obviously come in above the Envy 15, just how much above yet to be confirmed. Stay tuned!

 

If true, that's pretty damn awesome, edge-to-edge glass is sexy. Better still be thin though.

Internals : 5870 please? or 5850 at least.

 

I rather see what they could with an Envy 14 or Envy 13. Think Core I3, 1600x900 screen and maybe a 5650 or GT 335

 

Edge to Edge? ughhhhhhhhhhh

(I'm just a big fan of antiglare these days)

But I'm glad to hear it's coming soon (rumor). It was on my shortlist of potential buys with the new MBP and one of the HP Elitebooks.

 

I may have to give the 14in/13 refresh a look when they drop.

 

Nothing about a backlit keyboard? I would return the 15-inch I just ordered if it did...but if not, I'll be content.

 

Oh sweet, finally news of an Envy refresh! Specs are looking nice so far. If it's light enough I might purchase this instead of a 15 inch laptop.

 

I think your asking for too much power. The Envy's purpose isn't a gaming machine. Personally I'd be happy even if they kept the 5830 from the Envy 15. Putting a card like that in such a slim package is a feat in itself. All is ask is for switchable graphics HP, please, just do it. You know you want to

Would be even better is if they refreshed the 15 inch as well as released the Envy 14 and 17. Don't care much for the 13 lolz

 

Ugh don't use antiglare (matte), just add a transflective (or antireflective) coating on glossy screens!

edit: if you're curious and/or don't know about what I'm talking about, a simplified description can be found here:

http://www.screentekinc.com/pixelbright-lcds.shtml#differences

Transflective isn't explained there but it's more for outdoor usage.

 

This is what I heard about the Envy 17 from a tech support rep last week:

quick-ship models will have the following features:
i7-720QM or i7-820QM
internal BD ROM with DVDRW
USB 3.0
Graphics card ATI Mobility Radeon HD5850
mini display port
HDMI port
Optibay with Intel X18G2 160GBSSD + 1.8" 500GB HDDoption
Optibay with Intel X18G2 160GB SSD + 1.8" 640GB HDD option
possibly no Optibay dual SSD option
larger battery

 

any word on its weight?

 

Hopefully HP are smart and make it a GDDR5 HD 5850; it would be an epic fail otherwise.
They're still neglecting switchable graphics, though, it seems.

 

I am not seeing any inclination for switchable graphics, how depressing. Then again those were just the quickship models, so who knows? Regardless, those are superior specifications.

 

the 15 inch heated up enough with the 5830

 

Is there any benefit to switchable graphics other than battery life?

 

Yeah, but the specs already quoted had an HD 5850. My point is that it would be a huge mistake to put DDR3 on the card instead of GDDR5.

As for switchable graphics - less power consumption, which means more battery life, and less heat. It would likely make enough difference to make the Envy usable on one's lap, in fact.

 

Not really, Envy 15 owners overclocked it to the limit and stayed cool. It's the i7 processor that causes the heat. i5 Envy's are (if there are no defects) solid machines.

 

I use the Zalman NC-1000 laptop cooler and it eliminates the heat problem for me. In fact, if I use the cooler without the slice battery attached, the underside of the Envy becomes cold to the touch, even when using graphics intensive applications or 3D games

 

Well battery life is the best asset. But it does prevent heat since an integrated GPU uses less energy, prolonging the longevity of the laptop. Also, it's a safeguard if the dedicated card breaks or something.

 

.

I don't want to cross it off my list, but I think we all know what a 5850 is gonna do to the stock battery. here's hoping for an integrated + discrete option.

 

I think me and ajreynol are both waiting for the same laptop. High resolution quality screen, good battery life, modest form factor, and an adequate graphics card around the performance of a 5650. Basically Mac Book Pro, without OS X, and the 330m.

 

using the envy 15 with the slice battery i get around 4-5 hours battery life, even with screen on brightest setting. not great, but it's a lot better than my previous laptop. also the slice battery is very well designed, it's makes the whole thing heavy as a mug, but it's very slim and it fits the bottom of the machine like a glove, doesn't noticeably increase the footprint or the thickness.

I have a long int'l flight coming up in a couple weeks, however, and I think I will need to bring a second slice battery.

without the slice, I would only get around 1.5-2 hours, roughly the same as my old compaq cq-50.

i think this is marketing BS, but with the Envy 13 according to the promotional videos you are supposed to get 14 hours battery life using the slice. Maybe the Envy 14 will have the balance between speed, graphics and battery life you are looking for.

 

Well, since the Envy 13 at least has switchable graphics, HP might be smart enough to do the same with the 14".

 

yea, I'm familiar with the "slice" batteries, as I have 2 of them for my Elitebook Tablet (sig). they do add fantastic battery life. but as you said, their "thinness" can deceive you into thinking they're also light...but they're not. lol. I'd rather not deal with a battery attachment. I've found that after about 8 months, my slices are wearing down.

@Levi - we are indeed looking for the same laptop. we might be hungry for awhile at this rate.

 

HAHA. I hear ya brother. That was the laptop I was waiting for. However, I could no longer wait. I got the Macbook Pro when they got released. I wasn't happy when I heard about the 330m as the graphics card choice. I had really hoped for an ATI card. However, so far I have not had any problems running some graphically intensive things.

I got a MBP 17 with a 256 SSD and that makes it fly. I was hoping for some somewhat better specs in the MBP but it's still an amazing machine. And the form factor is not "modest' it's friggen sexy.

Bootcamp gives me Windows 7 and I can switch to Mac and back in a few seconds with the SSD. Set me back 2900 with the SSD but hey -- money can't buy love but this is close.

If the Envy 17 had some out a bit if this rumor is true. Hopefully it will have a backlit keyboard. I just could not wait anymore. I needed a computer. Sometimes you can't wait any longer.

 

Envy 17 has supports on HP already??

http://h20180.www2.hp.com/apps/Nav?..._client=S-A-R163-2&h_page=hpcom&lang=en&cc=us

 

lol, what's going on? Were those there before? Or did they just add that today?

 

wow--- I wonder if they will put a RGB LED screen or a Dreamcolor on it. How much better is that than say a MBP 17 inch screen?

If they do a really nice screen and a Dreamcolor --I might have to return my MBP

 

@marshman, idk. But at least we can expect a great screen, as it is with the rest of the Envy series.

And now that I think about it, that slice battery is going to be MASSIVE. And then think of the power supply! If you thought the one for the Envy 15 was big....

 

There is no reason for that. Same chips choices. I5/i7 and ATI...in fact, if they are smart they'll figure out how to do a smaller power supply and lots of cooling so it doesnt get hot.

One nice thing the MBP has is a really sleek nice sexy power supply.

 

With a 17" laptop, which is generally not the most portable thing in the world, I'm not too worried about power supply size as I'm not going to be bringing it around constantly. To me, a 17" laptop gives me the flexibility to bring it around when I need to/want to as opposed to straight up getting a desktop. Then again the Envy should be relatively thin + light so we'll see, hopefully under 1.1".

And I'm happy with the 5850 choice, better be GDDR5, if not epic fail. I hope the prices for these aren't through the roof compared to competitors w/ similiar/better specs but a lamer form factor.

 

Anybody have a feel if these will come online in the UK also ?? Was ordering the 15-1110ea and they pulled it so there is only the 13" Envy's available in the UK on the HP site ? Really frustrating but I would go for a 17" if weight was reasonable and spec good ?

 

is there a chance that theres a different keyboard/ports design than on the envy 15?

..or does hp want all envy users to be left-handed or not to use an usb mouse (and a mouse pad) on the right side of the notebook? and no W-S-A-D-tab-shift-ctrl gaming since putting these additional function/quick access keys on the left side that annoy heavily while gaming using the above mentioned keys?

i hope envy 15 3rd gen gets all this fixed and the i7-620m, as well as a bit more usb ports added, or just some new specs like mobility radeon 68## (GDDR5!!!) and preferably a dreamcolor 16:10 (thumbs up apple for not getting pulled down by that dumb 16:9 "hype" with the MBP) display.

 

agree on 16:9. and yep thank goodness apple did not abandon 16:10

 

stop trying to tempt me to buy that MBP. stop it right now!

lol, wut. guess it's not a secret anymore.

it's significantly better than the MBP screen. it offers something like 64x more color reproduction. it's a whole different level.

 

I'm looking for a bit more port selection in the next Envy refresh. USB 3 on all models and a VGA port.

 

would be nice. I, however, can live without USB3 built in so long as there's an Expresscard slot.

 

My guess the Envy 17 would have screen choice of matte/glossy with FullHD and standard ATI 5850 H/W. Battery life would be low and possibility of a new slice for extra life.

 

Not desirable, but a likely bet. It's still uncertain whether HP would use GDDR5 with the HD 5850, though.

 

Look when I hear about the 17 possibly coming soon I had a tinge of buyers remorse. You know for a fact that the Envy 17 is gonna have a much better GPU. At least the ATI 5830--probably 5850.

That said, for the games I play- it so far has not made much difference. So to that extent I really don't mind.

The only thing generally the 2010 MBPs are missing is new stuff. 2 year ago- the MBP was in a class by iteself. IMO an envy 17 could be a good competitor.

However, the because of apple patents there are certain things that HP just can't do.

Sexy Unibody
Sexy power adapter (even the magnetic doo dad that attaches itself to your comp is awesome)
Sexy Mouse mad with awesome multi touch gestures.

It's gonna be built slightly cooler and with longer battery life than anything HP does with the 17.

The 17 will have power. But you'll pay 1k more.
Apple doesn't really do 450 off coupon sales so it's unlikely you are gonna get a comparable price. My guess:

HP Envy I7-620 w/ ATI 5850 will retail for 1800 range. Add 500 for a SSD (Macbooks only have one drive bay unless you modify it so... way better).

My MBP with 256K SSD. Got a nice discount --total 2900.
HP Envy-- likely 2200 total with same config and inferior GPU.

And btw this is not be convincing you--it's me doing talk therapy to not feel bad if Envy turns out to be awesome.

 

I'm still waiting for a i5 version of the Envy 13

 

Inferior GPU?

 

MBP has the inferior one. 330m vs ATI.

 

Only a few more months...

 

Yeah, I know, but your post obviously needed correction.

 

I totally understand.

It appears the trade-off will be whether you prefer a better GPU (Envy 17) for gaming purposes or better standard battery life (MBP). and how much the later is worth to you.

I look forward to seeing the final specs on the HP, along with reviews of its build quality. If you've read an Envy 15 review, you know that reviewers make it very clear that the Envy 15 left a lot to be desired. Whether the Envy 17 corrects those mistakes remains to be seen.

Envy 15 review examples of rough reviews:

http://gizmodo.com/5413076/hp-envy-15+inch-review

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2355836,00.asp

Makes me worry a bit.

 

Both reviews of the 1st gen Envy.

 

Here is my pre-release comparioson based on what I think HP will do:


Screen. Apple has Superior resolution at 1920 x 1200. HP -- possibly dreamcolor. HP is likely to do 16:9 resolution..unless they take the resolution way up, it's likely to be the inferior 16:9. Advantage. MBP 17 inch.

Processor. Probably the same altho HP will have a quad core option on it. Advantage.. Slight HP altho for me, I like the 620 better.

GPU. HP. I've got the new MBP, and tbh I have not run into big problems running games but I play strategy games not a lot of FPS. Advantage HP by a wide margin.

Memory. HP uses faster memory. I don't really understand why Apple uses 1033.

No DVD Drive. HP makes Envy's without an internal DVD drive. If they do this with the 17 it means more storage options.

Form Factor. Apple rules here, however the lack of DVD drive may mean a smaller and lighter form factor if HP boldly leaves it out in the 17 inch. Or ideally, they let people choose what they want in there.

Keyboard. Apple has a very nice backlight.

Battery life. Apple

Track Pad. Apple.

Sexyness. All the Apple patents ranging from their svelte power adapter to the trackpad are a better.

SSD. HP has good deals on the Intel SSDs which have the best random read/writes. High quality drives cheap.

Graphics Switching. If you use Bootcamp to run Os7--there is no graphics switching while running windows. This sucks a lot of the battery life and does generate heat. It is anybody's guess as to whether Apple will fix this. Raises another question as to whether HP will try and do graphics switching with it's ATI chips.

The net for me--I think the lack of resolution at 16:9 makes a big difference. HP's insistence on doing this is not a good design choice as you lose a lot of screen space. Lots of threads on this.

 

Personally I prefer 16:9 resolution, to me the ENVY15 I tried was perfect. I just wish the track-pad was better. I'm hoping for a 13/14 ENVY or I may be going with the 15 anyway.

 

I have a 3 year old MBP 17 and just sent back an Envy 15 i7 w/ dual Intel SSD after the 21 day trial. I write software and do training, so I never did any gaming on the Envy. I was initially worried about heat w/ the i7 and ATI 5830, but found that using Visual Studio 2010 the Envy generated slightly less heat than the Mac. The Envy was blindingly fast; it blew away our Enterprise servers on some database benchmarks I performed. The Envy screen was brighter and easier to read than the Mac screen even tho it was 1080p at 15".

So why did I send it back? FIrst, HP managed to mess up the order, causing me to lose the 20% Bing promotion--this was almost $600. Second, they sent G1 drives; apparently there were some issues w/ G2s and they temporarily reverted to G1s. Finally, I absolutely detested the track pad. I have since read on the Envy forum that it is possible to reprogram the pad settings, making it much more usable.

I am currently waiting for the Envy 17, to compare it to the Elitebook 8740w. If HP offers the dual Intel SSD config on the Envy 17, I will order it and try to live with the trackpad.