Just bought an Envy 15, mistake?

Ok, over the past 2 months Ive been lusting over the M14x. Its just a really nice looking, powerful laptop in a smallish body and exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I didn't like about it was those stupid alien heads on the lid and the power button. To make things worse, the eyes on the alien head shaped power button are actually the hard drive activity lights. The damm thing would be blinking and winking at me all day. So I tried to find an alternative and ran across the Envy 15, beautiful laptop very similar specs and bigger, but lighter than the M14x.

Unable to decide between the two, I began to ask for advice. First the wife, "You're not 14 anymore get the hp" Next the co worker thats is our IT guy(I teach high school computer repair/I fix stuff in the school without getting paid it), he leaned toward the Envy only because it looked just like a macbook pro and thought the Alienware bling would get old after awhile. Finally the students, surprisingly they thought the Alienware was a hideous brick from the 90s and found the Envy 15 to be "sick", after seeing it had beats audio they're minds were stolen by it.

So all advice points toward the Envy. My instincts begin to kick in and realize the Envy offers more bang for the buck. I then began to read more reviews and saw some bad reviews regarding the screen. Not really a deal breaker for me, i guess I just have to see it in person.

Anyway... I just pulled the trigger on an Envy 15 from amazon. I dont quite know what happened, I was just browsing reviews and next thing I know Im starring at "Thank You for your purchase!" screen. It had better specs than hp direct for the same price.

My questions, Any problems with ordering directly from amazon rather than HP? Are there any serious issues besides the red/orange screen, touchpad not working properly and build quality issues?

Thanks

 

Don't know what to tell you about ordering from Amazon and the pre-built system.

I love my Envy 15, but I did a custom order system from HP. I have no build quality issues at all ...

I only have the red/orange issue. However, its not a deal break for me, or my wife. May I mind you, the red/orange issue only effects the IPS panel (1080p display).

 

It does have the 1080p display, but I dont think the issue will bother me either.

Heres what I bought: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006PCDJI2

Ive just always been weary about the pre-built systems, Ive always ordered custom. It should be here tomorrow(which was another selling point) and Ill update then.

Thanks

 

The one real difference between the configure to order system and pre-built ones is that the CTO machines have a 2 year warranty vs. a 1 year warranty for the pre-built ones.

 

A buddy of mine has the m14x and I have an envy 15. The gamer side of me would love the m14x, but In all other respects I like the envy more.

The 900p on the m14x is not as good (imo) as the 1080p radiance. Colors are more vibrant and the resolution is good, but obviously red is tinted orange, though it doesnt bother me.

The keyboard on the envy is better imo also.

Another thing, my friend ordered the m14x around septemeber and He is starting to get keyboard spots on the screen from the keys. But the things is they are actually scratches, not just something you can rub off.

Also the envy is close, not quite though (i think) in performance, so the alienware is much bigger and worse battery life for minimal performance gains...

So I think you made a good choice, and apart from quality control issues, the only real issues are also objective with the display and trackpad.

 

Yea, I saw that. It was my only real gripe I had when deciding between Amazon and HP direct.

I plan on, later down the road, purchasing the upgraded warranty. Any ideas what that would run me post purchase?

 

Ive never had hands on with the M14x, is the keyboard rubber coated? It looks like it in photos, but if its scratching the screen I think it would be hard plastic.

 

I don't think it is, its more of a textured hard plastic. I'm at school though so I cant meet and check.