HP Envy 17 - coming to the US in May 2010

what makes you think it'll have switchable graphics? none of the literature found to date suggests it has that feature.

 

Well JJB pointed out that the chipset/motherboard (whatever lol) in the E17 is the one that supports switchable graphics, so it is very possible it could have it.

 

switchable graphics would be very nice. i too wish they would put up the config soon. maybe they are still working on what will be in there.

 

Yo it would be nice if they deleted the optical drive to make it slimmer (than a mbp?) and improve the cooling, because it seems like they added an opt drive but they also deleted 2 slots of ram. Anyway, i don't use the opt drive everyday, like only for installing software that i dont (legually) download, and to play (not often) to games, the ones that still need the cd every time. I think it was a move by hp on the smallests envys to be more future-proof, because the things are more and more digitalized, like i use more USB keys to transfer data than dvds, and again, movies are often downloaded( legually or not) or on "digital copies"

 

well then. let us pray.

 

according to the rep I spoke with, they will have the slice batteries available next month. right now you can only order the Envy 17 quickship models without the slice.

 

Awesome! Can any1 confirm if it has edge-to-edge glass? I hope it has switchable graphics too.

I mostly want the E14 but if it doesn't come out soon I'll take the 17.

 

Will the delay of announcement due to the insufficient stock of Mobile CPU??
I think so...

 

Not sure there is a delay as much as it was the Au site jumping the gun. Most rumors had the release in May.

 

Quick info update for those late to the thread and to sort out some discrepancies.

ENVY 17 INFO RECAP:

Specifications:

Processor: i5 up to i7 Quad Core (most likely 820 QM max)

Hard Drive: 2 HDD bays, with SSD configurations available.

Memory: 2 Ram slots max, up to 8 GB DDR3 on i5 models. We can reasonably assume that a max of 16 GB with 4 slots will be available on quad core models as it is with the Envy 15 series.

Graphics: ATI Radeon 5850 1GB GDDR5. Switchable graphics is an almost guaranteed no-no since no specification sheets so far haven't mentioned it at all.

Screen: 17.3" 1600 by 900 default resolution, upgradeable to 1920 by 1080. Same screen type used on the Envy 15 series (Brightview)

Keyboard: Backlit keyboard with keypad, and those HP media function buttons have been REMOVED from the left side, so gamers can rejoice.

Ports: 3 USB (1 E-sata) and 1 USB 3.0 slot. 1 HDMI port. Contrary to popular belief, there likely ISNT an optical drive, however a BD-ROM/DVD RW drive external is available when you order. I'm not completely sure on this, since OP said tech rep state there was one.

Weight and Dimensions: According to moviemarketing, 3.44 kg/ 7.58 lbs.

Battery: Apparently a larger (but still 6-cell?) battery and battery life is estimated to be 3-4 hours. Slice battery will be available.

Will add and repost when more information when it becomes available

 

The pics show edge-to-edge glass and I thought someone posted specs that said infinity brightview (with is their E2E). But even the E15 shows pics with E2E, so who knows.

 

The 3rd party retail listings for the Envy 17 in Au have also been pulled. Looks like HP Au simply jumped the gun.

Here is the photo from the short-lived posting in Au. The screen "reflections" make it appear as if there is e2e glass but those may be photoshopped.

The pulled retail listing included a DVD and did not say "external"; the same shop's listing for the Envy 15 says "none" under optical drive. If there is a built-in DVD, it clearly doesn't load from the front...perhaps from the right under the numeric keypad?



Here is the text of the listing:

# CPU - Intel® Core™ i5-540M Processor (2.53GHz, 3MB L2 Cache)
# Display Panel - 17.3 diagonal HD+ HP BrightView Infinity LED Display (1600 x 900)
# Standard Memory - 6144MB 1333MHz DDR3 (2 Dimm)
# Hard drive - 640GB 5400RPM
# Optical Drive - SuperMulti 8X DVD±R⁄RW with Double Layer Support
# Networking⁄Wireless - Integrated 10⁄100⁄1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector); 802.11abgn + Bluetooth
# Graphics - ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5850 Graphics with 1GB GDDR5 VRAM
# Operating System - Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
# Web Cam⁄MIC - Yes

 

So, is there or is there not an opt drive?

 

The SuperMulti 8X DVD±R⁄RW (DL) is included on both of the two models available to order now from HP Australia, the Envy 17-1001tx and the Envy 17-1002tx.

 

I think it's an external one that is included since they are quickship models. Just like they're included with the Envy 15 quickship models. According to this there isn't an integrated optical drive.

http://hpfansite.com/category/hp-envy/

 

That certainly may be the case. However, two different sales reps from HP Australia assured me that the only 17" models you can order from their office, the 1001-tx and the 1002-tx both have internal optical drive. I wonder why it is that you can buy the Envy 17 from HP Australia but all the other other HP offices are not permitting orders until the release date.

 

when IS the release date, btw? are the australian reps releasing that information? i mean that 3rd party seller had it at 4th may but how reliable is that date..??

 

The HP Australia office has been taking phone orders for the Envy 17 quickship models since last week and they indicated delivery (to Australia addresses only I presume) would be within 10-14 days.

 

I hope they do offer this with 1080P 16:9 display and backlit keyboard. Along with USB 3.0 (would prefer 2 USB 3.0 ports) but I doubt they have 2.

 

They are only selling them with one USB 3.0 port right now. The other two USB ports are 2.0, one of which is a combo eSATA drive.

 

why not make all the ports USB 3.0? backwards compatible ain't it?

 

Looks like the SD card slot was moved too, it's not on the front.

 

There is a couple of reasons. One is bandwidth and chipset support. I believe the NEC chipset only supports a max of 2 USB3 ports and the bandwidth requirements for USB3 is quite taxing on the PCH. The other is that no OS currently supports USB3 natively. For example Win 7 cannot be installed from a USB3 port natively without loading 3rd party drivers from NEC. This is especially important for those notebooks which have no optical drives to boot OSs.

Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 might have drivers included once its released but don't hold your breath.

 

There is a backlit keyboard, 1080p, and USB 3

 

I just want a backlit keyboard on the 15" model.

 

I hear ya, I realize they're not a necessity, but they are kind of like SSD's, once you got it, it's hard to go back.

 

really looking forward to reviews of (1) the quality of the display and (2) the battery life. I feel like a broken record.

I guess I'm also thinking about (3) the build quality, as people have been none too happy about some of the past Envy computers.

 

Yeh I just made a thread about this, I want to get the Envy 15 but I want a backlit keyboard, any ideas if HP will do this, seems like a dumb move if they don't. Thats one of the main things I like about the Macbook Pro. I already have a 17" HP and rather not get another 17", the 15 is so much lighter. The Envy 17 apparently weights about 7.5lbs or so, my 4 year old 17" DV8000 weighs 8, all those years and aluminum construction and it barely weighs any less?

 

HP have made much dumber moves in the past, so don't expect too much.

 

So if the Envy 14 came with switchable graphics, would you take that as a sign to wait for an Envy 15 refresh w/ switchable graphics?

 

of course.

 

If HP goes by any logic, either those two things will occur simultaneously or the Envy 15 will be refreshed first followed by the release of Envy 14.

Or maybe neither will have switchable graphics...

 

See, This is what concerns me I have been reading horror stories about Envy computers on threads also. I don't want to spend "X" amount of dollars for a Envy 17 and it turn out to be a piece of crap. I have to read more before I make a decision as I would hope HP put some good effort in the build.

 

There are definitely more happy buyers of Envy 15's than sad buyers, and build quality is solid according to owners. Most problems have been easily fixed, and there is the 21 day return period if you really just don't like it. So unless for some reason you can't return, there isn't that much of a risk.

All I am waiting for is switchable graphics..........and perhaps a VGA port, but if I have to buy an adapter, meh, I guess it won't be too bad.

 

I understand your desire for switchable graphics, and it sounds like it's best to wait for future refresh in your case.

For someone like me who has already purchased the model with the HD 5830, when I'm using battery I switch to low performance mode. Is there anything else I should do to extend the battery? Would there be any other battery extending benefit to having switchable graphics that you can't get from switching to low performance and low screen brightness? What I understand from reading reports investigating the way the MBPs use switchable graphics is that there are some questionable choices in which applications prompt the system to switch to the more powerful graphics card and which applications cause the system to use the integrated card.
MacBook Pros with NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M silicon making questionable graphics switching decisions -- Engadget

 

That's what I meant about wishing for switchable graphics (on the 15, not 17, but my sentence was vague so that's my fault). Oh and I think the only thing you can do is undervolt the GPU and CPU. But for info on that your going to have to contact NBR member JJB, he's pretty much mastered the hell out of the Envy 15. Ask PM him or something, he'll probably have proper instructions on how to do that.

 

I suspect HP may be making some changes to the Envy lineup today, as the Envy section is temporarily down from shopping.hp.com and it is not possible to order one at the moment. Or it could be a website issue some how connected with their purchase of Palm.

 

its working fine for me..

 

An hour and a half after someone else noticed some downtime.......

 

Here is some speculation for ya....

Here are a list of laptops w/ switchable ATI graphics:
MSI GE600, GE700
Lenovo Y460, Y560
Acer TimelineX 3280T, 4280T, 5280T

Question: What do all of these laptops use as their discrete GPU?
Answer: The ATI 5650 or 5730 (same chip w/ different core MHz)

Next question:
What does the refreshed Envy 15 have an option for? The 5730.

(as per the HP Envy 15t-1200 CTO Notebook PC software support page)
Select software and drivers HP Envy 15t-1200 CTO Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)


So, maybe ATI has been working with HP to put switchable graphics into this puppy, like they have with MSI, Lenovo, and Acer. And, maaaaaaaybe, the 5830 will also become switchable. Either way, im keeping my fingers crossed!

 

Actually it is more like HP needs to ditch the PM55 Chipset and retool it to HM55. PM55 doesn't do switching while the HM55 does and I bet that is what the other OEM's are using for their switching needs.

 

My 21 day trial runs out on May 5th... and the ENVY17 is supposed to come out May 4th?

 

I guess, I'm not sure where that date came from though, I haven't seen any evidence of it.

 

HP would need to move to a HM57 or QM57 PCH to support all the features they currently now offer for the Envy 15. This is because the HM55 does not support Matrix RAID either that or not offer RAID SSDs in the future.

 

it was on the hp site at one time.

 

Well, I just talked to HP live chat to try to find out when this envy 17 will be released(I am wanting to wait on buying the 17'' macbook pro w/ weak 330m till I see this envy 17) And first let me say that, in true hp fashion, it was a painful experience. It was annoying and sucked. I'm sorry if it sounds like I've been drinking the hatorade but there is no encounter I have had with HP anything that has gone smoothly, or been as advertised. Live chat "seems' like a great idea, but you know HP, they will screw it up.

When you click on live chat, there's a box that pops up, and it says ".. and ask a detailed question, then click the "submit" button. So it says "detailed" question. So I type in my question, and hit submit and a box pops up that says "the question field is longer than 128 characters. Please shorten your question." So I shorten my question. It gives me the same message that it's too long, and for my personal inconvenience, it doesn't tell me how many characters I am at when I am typing so I have no idea if I have gone over the limit, and by how much. It must have taken me 5 minutes just to submit the stupid question. Apparently, 128 characters is barely 2 full sentences. It's like HP is laughing at me. They say "ask a detailed question" and then when I do, they're all like "gotcha- just kidding, your question can't be longer than about 2 sentences".
So anyway, Agent Rachel P. said that "I am sorry but we have no date estimate yet of when it will be available for ordering."

 

Just talked in person with a HP Rep at Best Buy and he said that the Envy 17 is on its way but he hasn't seen a demo unit in person and that he won't be able to in the next 2-3 months. He also told me the Envy 15-1200 won't come out until the 17 comes out first and that won't be around 2-3 months either. He says he gets to see the product first before it is publically announced and if he hasn't demo it, it is not ready for any release.

Things about the 17 that he knows:

Will have a backlit keyboard
HD 5850 w/ GDDR5
i5 and i7 Options
At least 1650x1200 Resolution with FHD 16:9 Option
Does have a optical drive

Things about the 15-1200 Refresh:

HD 5730 new base option with 5830 an option
Backlit keyboard
Switchable Graphics (PM57?)

 

supposedly the envy 15-1200 will have an extra fan vent too for the cpu. as for backlit keyboard for the envy 15, whoever buys the 1200 will have to open it up and take some photos for us. would love to see if the keyboard is compatible with older models.

 

best buy hasn't been super good with rumors.
i don't buy the 2-3 months for release. i think it's may. maybe best buy has to wait that long

 

The guy isn't affilated with Best Buy. He gets paid by HP. HP sent him to help out with Best Buy Employees on HP Products. ALso I forgot to mention, Best Buy he says isn't going to get them anytime soon. He says the initial release is going to be via HP Direct and that is a few months after he gets demoed and trained by the HP Engineers on the new models. He told me he hasn't been ordered from his superiors to test their current prototype. HP is pretty hush-hush on the actual details of their upcoming refreshes and such. He also says the HP Slate isn't fully cancelled at the moment as HP expected their Palm acquisition and is going to use Palm's engineers to secretly reformulate the Slate in the next fiscal quarter.