Is There Going To Be An Envy Refresh As Well?

Hello All!

I’ve been looking at purchasing an HP laptop for quite some time now and now that the Sandy Bridge processors are back, I’m almost ready to pull the trigger. I’m looking at something higher end, I always thought I’d wind up with the DV7T, but now I’m seriously considering the Envy 17 3D. I’m looking at spending about $2500 total after tax, less is always better but I don’t want to sacrifice higher end components for a few bucks. Anyhow, is there any word on if there will be an Envy 17 3D refresh in the near future (around the same time as the DV7T in the next few weeks) or is what’s available now it for a while?

I really like the backlit keyboard, 1080p display and slot loaded BD drive of the Envy, but would like the second USB 3.0 port and the option of the BluRay burner like the DV7T. I also would like the option to have only a SSD drive. I don’t need a lot of storage, a 160 GB SSD would be perfect. Looking at either series with Windows 7 Ultimate, Intel Core i7-2820QM Processor and 8 GB of RAM.

So any word on an Envy refresh or should I just pull the trigger and make my final decision either way once the new DV7T is out?

Thanks a bunch!

 

Wasn't the E17 3D a recent refresh? SB was just released.


But if you're interested in the E17 3D, I'd review its respective threads and see how it fares in terms of temperatures and performance. The 30-day no hassle, no questions asked return policy really helps in terms of giving the NBR community plenty of time to test E17 units.

Stay tuned for any coupon deals as HP is known for periodically releasing $300 coupons and the occasional $400-500 off coupon on a good day.


I, for one, am waiting on a potential E14 update. Sandy Bridge really introduced new design possibilities. They upped the performance but lowered power consumption.

 

Thanks! I haven't been following the Envy line long, so I'm not sure when the 17 3D popped up, but I would consider it more of a different model then a refresh. The heat issues of the Envy 17 have me a little worried though. I’ve seen many $300 and $400 coupon codes for the DV7T over the past few months, but never really seen any for the Envy or Envy 3D aside from the $50 off code that works on just about every desktop and laptop.

 

Shem113, welcome to NBR. The Envy 17 3D Sandy Bridge is out now! It is supposed to have Coolsense tech to keep it cooler than the previous version. Only one 3.0 USB, and no BluRay burner. We discovered that the BluRay burner on DV7 is there because it is tray load, not slot load.

Call HP TONIGHT!!!! Hopefully the coupon code NB7293 for $300 off the Envy 17 (used by some of us to get the discount of the Envy 17 3D SB) is still active. Its good until today or 150 uses. Try it. Good luck.

KJ

 

I just called up twice, spoke to two different reps. That code is not valid on the Envy 17 3D they both said. They were willing to shave $100 off the price and bring it down to $2541.58 after tax for me. I said no thanks at this time.

 

That is pretty pricey. Did you spec the 640GB HD + 160GB SSD?

Anyway, you are not the only one who got the NO reply from HP reps. It does depend you who talk to which sucks....anyway, It worked for me when I called the 800BUYMYHP number, try it...Hope it works. I want to see as many people get a good deal.

KJ

 

160 gb is still quite small, at least for my use.
I installed about half of my steam games and a few retail games, I already sit a 270 gb used.
And thats with no videos , music or pictures yet.

An option to replace the optical drive with a HDD would be great indeed.
Hybrids are also not such a good alternative either yet. Installing only the OS on it means you only improve your booting time, and not the loading of games and other applications not installed on the SSD ...
Booting is not quite as critical to me as the loading time of games and applications I will load several times in one session.

 

Keep in mind Shem113, a bunch of us have purchased the Envy 17 3D SB but we are all still waiting for them to ship; so there is no reliable information yet on the effective cooling of the laptop or anything else that the older model may have had trouble with (like keyboard flex, etc). Basically you can wait a month until we start getting our laptops in and posting about our findings, or try to order one and see for yourself.

If you are persistent, you might be able to get the $300 coupon to work on a particular salesperson. This tends to be easier if you speak with a US rep instead of an offshore resource.

 

The Envy 3D starts at $1600, Upgrading to Windows 7 Ultimate is a $180 upgrade, add $350 to the price for the 2820QM processor, add $60 for the 8GB of RAM and were looking at $2200 bucks. Add in an extra battery, case, power adaptor and mouse and tax it all and we're talking about $2650.

 

$400 coupon posted NB5492 HP said its for Envy 17, but again, some of the people here are getting it off the Envy 17 3D.


KJ

 

Holy cow. For the 3D? They're clearly using it on the regular E17 to clear inventories.

 

Yeap! You know what is nuts? I just spec'd an Envy 17 trying to get as close to the Envy 17 3D.... with the Envy 17 you have to choose to pay extra for the 1080p and the Bluray player which is seriously nuts! The point is...when a I applied the $400 coupon it still came out more than if I had the $300 coupon on the Envy 17 3D SB edition!!! Everyone should spec and play with the coupon and see what I mean.

Seriously, why get an Envy 17 and not get the sexy screen and bluray... bluray movies rock! Costco has the Godfather on Bluray, you know I'm getting it!

Guys, logic states even if you don't think you'll ever use the 3D feature, just order the Envy 17 3D its not only cheaper you get a nice 120hz screen. Good luck. Smart shoppers rule! lol.

KJ

 

After being a HP fan for years and years and investing probably close to $10,000 into the company is the past 10 years, I think I’m about to say bye-bye. With the Envy 3D no longer having a 7200 RPM option, I’m taking a hard look at Sony’s new F-Series that came out today. It has a Blu Ray burner, ambient light sensor for the backlit keyboard, two USB 3.0 ports, it’s also 3D capable. Screen size is 16”, which is fine and I’d go with the 500 GB 7200 RPM drive. Price is more than the Envy 3D. A little under $2800 with tax. A little more then I wanted to spend, but I want the 1080p display, backlit keyboard, and I see no point into having the fastest mobile processor around and maxing out the RAM only to have a hard drive the same speed that was sold in desktops back in 1997. Sony will not begin building the new F series until April 1st. If by the middle of April (Sunday 4/17) HP does not have a 7200RPM hard drive back in the Envy, I will be buying a Sony.

 

Shem113, I know..and I would like to think that maybe HP just simply "ran out" of 7200rpm HDs if that is even possible. Let's hope they bring them back, because for a premium laptop, HP should not even think about any 5400rpm HD in their systmem, it just kills it.

Nevermind, obviously HP has the 7200 drives since they are offered with the 160GB SSD.... shameful HP! $$$$$$$$$$$

KJ

 

Aside that you have to account the much weaker gpu, but if the difference in power dont matter to you, go for the sony.

If you dont mind me asking what was the config, 2800 is extremely on the high side of things.

I would only change the processor to a i7 2720qm and the blu ray option. The RAM can be upgraded afterwards for a MUCH lower price, 200 is a rip off.

 

The entire HP notebook line (Envy+Pavilion) have been refreshed today with Sandy Bridge. Now give me my non-3D Envy 17 w/ Radeon HD6850 gosh dang it.

 

Um only the pavilion line is refreshed... No envy 14 sandy bridge...

 

Could you not just buy an after market 7200rpm drive and sell the 5400 and have a better computer for cheaper than the sony? What am I missing here?

 

The "standard" Envy 17's also refreshed with Sandy Brige + 6850M. Still no word on the Envy 14 through... sorry about the confusion.

 

I've been waiting for the HP DV6 SB refresh, but disappointed with the poor screen. I'm now going to look into the Envy 14 SB refresh instead.

By the way, I personally think that HP discontinued the radiance screen for the current Envy 14 to save the stocks for this upcoming SB refresh.

 

I really do not know why HP does not offer blu-ray burners for the Envys. Slot-load blu-ray burners exist. I should know. I have already installed one.

 

Oh, no way! Very cool. Are the slot load burners that much more expensive than tray burners?

KJ

 

Which make/model? Was this for Envy 14 or 17? If it was for the 17 would it work also for the 14? Any info you can share would be appreciated...

 

FadFusion.com: LENOVO 43N3230 Thinkpad Ultrabay 9.5MM SLIM BLU-RAY Burner II

Costs a buttload.
The Envy 14 can only accept slot-loading 9.5MM drives.

 

Whaaaaaaaaaatttttttttttt???? Over a grand for just a burner? No wonder HP did not include a slot load burner.... I think in a few years it will be popular. I'm hoping in 3 years when its time to upgrade this will be cheap.

KJ

 

Dammit. Gimme me E14 refresh too!

 

are the envys and macbooks the only laptops that have slot-loaded drives?

 

nope dell used to have, but right now those are the only that I know of

 

Don't Alienware notebooks still have slot-load drives?

 

That hardly explains why HP doesn't offer a burner option. They do the same thing with the 17-inch model, and 12.5MM burners can be bought for under $400. Of course, HP would pay less than that.

 

I originally had this on my list also, I removed it from my list purchase when someone brought up the fact that the disc can get stuck inside the drive.

Does anyone know or have a idea how often this actually happens?

 

C'mon HP, show us 14.5" users some love!