NOW AVAILABLE - ENVY 14 Spectre

not getting one of these but I am curious to see one in person

 

damn. ship date went from Feb 17 to Feb 27 to now March 1st.

 

....why do people keep saying this?

the OS memory usage is almost never a factor in anything. its your APPLICATIONS that take up most of your memory usage. You don't honestly believe your OS takes up(or will ever take up) 4GB of data do you?

 

Hi JB,

Okay, I have heard back from our notebook development group. What I can share is you are correct, the notebook cannot be upgraded after purchase. The screen is indeed the 1600 x 900 and the web content team has been duly chastised for the error. As for the 8GB model of the Spectre, what I can share is it is undergoing additional testing and was not ready for public release, with no ETA.

With regards to your reservation, please know that this was only a method for us to quickly reach out to those who want new products being released before any “sold out” scenario could occur; and in no way commits you to purchasing one. I did send an email to the management group for our division as well as the notebook development team, sharing your frustration and disappointment with the failure to release the 8GB model at the time of the scheduled product launch.

Sorry I could not provide better news for you, and I hope you have an enjoyable and relaxing weekend.

Chris

 

I stand corrected. Would it still follow that due to applications it's just not prudent to buy a computer with RAM that can't be expanded beyond 4GB?

 

depends on the person, an average office-worker will be fine at 4GB. personally, I like my 8GB system vastly more than my 4GB. But I have above average poweruser use-cases.

lets put it this way, if someone asked me to recommend them a computer, I would spec it with 8GB*. If they were price-sensitive or they REALLY wanted a specific chassis, then 4GB would still be fine(and most likely fine for the rest of eternity**)

*i would actually prefer to spec it with 6GB, but thats not a practical option

**unless there is a DRASTIC change in software philosophy, programs(especially OSes) will REDUCE their hardware requirements over time.

 

Thanks for the clarification. Of course, with typical machines in which you can install your own RAM, 8GB is a no-brainer for less than $50. Only now becomes an issue as ultrabooks have non-expandable RAM.

As for preferring 6GB, I had the impression that precludes dual channel operation and can slow down memory ops. Another myth busted?

 

NO, that is NOT my attempt at busting a 'myth' :/.

I would not spec a system with 6GB of RAM because it is 'non-standard'*/not a recommended configuration. From every source I've seen, it DOES preclude dual-channel benefits.

I don't have any benchmarks to back it up, but I have an inkling that most office-users won't see any performance loss whatsoever from using mixed memory. It's been a LONG time since memory was a performance bottleneck.


*it is only standard on x58 systems(the only one with triple-channel memory as far as i know).

 

My mistake - or my old eyes' . I thought you had written "6GB" and by "myth-busting I was only referring to my learning something I had incorrect knowledge about.

 

Guys, I am looking to buy this ultrabook and I am thinking if I should go with the CPU(i5 to i7) or SSD(128 to 256) upgrade? is the i5 to i7 upgrade noticeable? I am looking to use the computer for a couple of years, I know it is easier to upgrade the SSD with a higher capacity in the future, but for the CPU, it is harder. I would be using this as my main computer and as my travel laptop, no gaming involved. Thanks!

 

If you don't do anything which requires processing power, take the SSD.

 

Price dropped > $200 in tandem with Envy 15 price drop a tonight. Check out the HP website to see it.

 

Disregard. Chatted with a sales agent - website error.

 

Says $1,149.99 right now. I'd buy one if I didn't have a bad experience with the Envy 15 3000

 

Yeah, price is wrong .

 

I just tried to purchase one at the discount rate, and received an order error. Sigh.

 

Give it a couple of weeks; $200 off is a lock, more later if they're doing poorly. Did the same thing with the Envy 14 in 2010, apparently Envy 15 already. HP's list prices always anticipate a 15% - 30% discount for the life of the product, after the initial launch, when the early adopters will pay up to be the "first ones on the block" Sadly, they usually have to start discounting sooner than they should have to, because of early QC problems, driver problems, etc, which can cause high returns and reputation issues. There is no reason why a product with such a high profiles as the Envy 15 should need discounting this early in the product cycle, but has taken hits, primarily for the "orange screen" but also for a raft of quality issues - real or perceived.

 

I just tried it right now and my order was successful. Here is the screen I got right after submitting my order. Let's see if my order gets cancelled.

Thank you!

We have received your order number HXXXXXXXXX.
Online Order 02/19/2012, XX:XX:XX PST

Thank you for your order! It has been received and is being processed.

We'll e-mail you a status update within one business day.

If you don't receive this e-mail by 10 p.m. Eastern time on the next business day, please call us at 1-866-807-7196 between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. Eastern Time on weekdays, or between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern Time on weekends, and refer to order number H121628808

 

Does anyone know if there are any stores that will carry this model? I'd really like to see it and use the trackpad before spending that kind of $ on a laptop..

 

HP has a very generous return policy.

Why not order it and try it out and see if you like it or not?

 

I guess the pricing on the website was an error and HP won't honor it. Got this email today:

Hello XXXXX,

Thank you for your recent order with HP Home & Home Office Store. We regret that we are unable to accept it at this time.

 

can you be more specific? what's the return period? is there a restocking fee?

 

It is either 14 or 21 days from receipt of the computer. I forget which.

No restocking or shipping fees.

 

21 days, I've recently used it twice...

 

thx for the info. but after thinking about it.. i think i would just feel better if i could see the laptop in person before buying.

 

Personally I feel the Spectre is over priced, any $600-700 laptop has those specs, but isn't as pretty. I won't pay an extra $6-700 for "pretty" and I'm a flip'n Mac user.

 

I totally agree. What's even more of a joke is HP wanting to charge $1650 for this machine, but "generously" offering us a $250 instant rebate and bringing it down to $1400, which is still overpriced for what this machine offers.

 

I totally agree with these ^ ^ posts, but if design is your thing, there's no law against paying a bit more for it - but not this much more. The market has a way of shaking this out, though, and HP will likely be offering 30% off on the Spectre after it's been out a while and not selling at the price which I would be shocked if it does. Then it would only be around $1,000 - just somewhat overpriced rather than ridiculously overpriced! (PS: I want one; it just looks so cool )

 

I was planning to buy an HP Envy 15 today, so I went to the store to get one. Surprised to see they had an Envy 14 Spectre on display. I have played with the Envy 15 on display before, and it didn't felt as premium as I was hoping it would be. I had an Envy 13 and Envy 14 before, but the new Envy 15 felt like a DV6 with backlit keyboard. The non-premium feel was more emphasized when I tried the Envy 14 Spectre beside the Envy 15 on display when I went to the store.

Specs are i5-2467, 128gb SSD, 4gb ram, intel hd 3000. This machine looks really slick. Screen resolution is at 1600x900. I really looks nice how the screen almost occupies the whole frame (minimal space between screen frame and actual screen). Other than the feel, it also emphasized Envy 15's orange reds, because the Envy 14 have red-reds. This notebook really looks classy and premium.

I have one issue though, it is frustrating to lift up the lid, not because of the hinge (hinge tightness is perfect), but because the flap on the tip of the lid is too small, and the lid is square-ish, my finger slides off when I try to lift it open.

So anyway, the store I went into only have the display unit for Envy 14 Spectre, and says that stock will only arrive next week. So I went (a bit half-hearted) with the Envy 15. I was hoping to bring home a laptop when I went to the store, but unfortunately (or fortunately?), after opening up the Envy 15 and checking on the store, there is a big speck on the screen which the store guy can't rub off, so we assumed it is under the glass. Also, the battery lid/cover is open and won't locked in unless you push extra hard (with the risk of breaking some part of it). Usually they will swap it immediately with another stock, but it was the last of Envy 15 that they had, and the next stock will arrive along with the Envy 14 Spectre.

The price of the Envy 15 and Envy 14 Spectre are the same (with of course, the Envy 15 having superior internal specs, while Envy 14 having superior feel and build quality). I have the option to either continue with the Envy 15 or change to an Envy 14. I think I'll have a problem deciding. lol

Oh, the bottom of the Envy 14 is felt velvetty. Just thought I'd mention it. Why didn't they make the Envy 15 just as nice. T_T

 

Did the Envy 14 Spectre feel thick or heavy at all? Also, supposedly there will be a 15 Spectre if you want to hold out.

 

It be nice if you could tell us what store you visited....curious to see one of these in person for myself...

 

I didn't pay attention much to the weight, maybe because I am a big guy and don't care much.

And, if you're in Singapore, then visit Harvey Norman Millennia walk to see it in person.

 

Haha. Talk about asking the wrong questions to the wrong person! (No offense to you zirdaj; I'm guessing they were thinking you were in the US As to weight, I think the question was not whether too heavy to carry, but heavy compared to a 3 lb "ultrabook." I do think this illustrates how obsessive the market has become over 1 lb; as if 4 lb is too heavy but 3 lb is not. Just sayin.

 

Okay here we go again - on the HP Shopping website, price has dropped again to $1,149.99. Does anyone think it is legitimate?

Also the last day for the president's day sale coupons was yesterday, what is the likelihood the next batch of coupons are coming anyday now, and will be better than this 1,149.99?

New HP Coupons for President’s Day Sale 2012

 

Nevermind, new coupons also exclude the spectre. I might just jump on this 1,149.99.

New HP Coupons for February & March 2012, 30% Off most Laptops

 

I knew he wasn't in the US by looking at his location under his name =) And you're right. I did want to know how heavy it was compared to a < 3lb "ultrabook" due to HP marketing the Spectre as a "premium ultrabook."

 

I think this one is probably legitimate because they actually have the original price at $1400 now, with an instant discount bringing it down to $1150.

Previously, the original price was $1650, and they made it look like they were discounting it down to $1400, even though $1400 was the price they announced it would sell at, weeks/months before release.

 

Haha this price jumping is getting ridiculous - the price jumped back up to $1,399.99. I actually placed an order yesterday when it was discounted, we will see if they honor it.

 

Sorry if you took offense. The comment about the poster's locations was to the member who asked what store he went to. And I understand your interest in how heavy it feels, but I think you need to have a 3 lb and 3.9 lb notebook to go back and forth with to really judge that. As far as HP calling it a "premium ultrabook," I think that's their way of saying: "we're it costs 40% too much and it weighs 30% too much to qualify as an 'ultrabook' by Intel's ultrabook definition (and Intel did coin it, after all!), so we'll define a new category!!

 

Don't worry about it. I didn't take offense, which is why I typed the smiley face hehe. I'm actually going back and forth between the Spectre and the UX31 Zenbook. I like the sleekness and weight of the Zenbook (2.9 lbs) but all the reviews about the trackpad problems, the difficulty typing due to the low height of the keys, the multiple posts on here about the Zenbooks that won't turn on, the 1 year warranty, and Asus' questionable customer service have me looking at the Spectre.

I am with you on the Spectre costing 40% too much and weighing more than it should, considering its graphical performance and benchmarking scores are lower than the other ultrabooks. I also am not too sold on how the gorilla glass is supposed to make it more durable. It's not like we are going to be roughly throwing our machines around as if they were Panasonic Toughbooks. And I'm sure if we dropped the Spectre from a few feet up in the air onto concrete, that glass wouldn't be looking so pretty.

At least the price is now $1400 instead of them listing it at $1650 and giving us an "instant rebate" of $250 as if they giving us some great deal. I wonder what marketing genius thought that up. I do like that the previews mention that keyboard is good to type with, due to the height of the keys. And i noticed looking at the teardown, that the battery seems to be easily user accessible, unlike the Zenbook.

I wish I could hold them side by side and compare them but while the Spectre 21 day return policy, I don't think the Zenbook does. Maybe I can go see if Best Buy or Fry's has a Zenbook to play with.

 

I bought the spectre back when it was listed with the lower resolution screen. It arrives this Friday. Has anyone received one yet that ordered it with the lower res and confirmed that it has the 1600 by 900? I also called HP and they said it should have the 1600 by 900 even though my order says differently. Thanks.

 

Misho-XV, I got my "order received and being processed" confirmation email, which is different than the "we are cancelling your email with no explanation" email that I got last time (when it was also selling at $1150). My estimated ship date is 3/12.

Thanks for the heads up about the temporary price drop! Now if only I didn't have to pay sales tax, that would have been even better

 

Has anyone actually received one of these? It feels like its been forever since it was announced and now that its on HPs website I thought for sure by now we'd be getting some initial impressions but maybe my sense of time is wonky....

 

No problem, I got a confirmation on mine too for a 3/9 ship date. Hopefully we won't get any surprises. I'll still keep an eye put for this weekends batch of coupons, just in case.

 

I purchased mine on Feb 8th, when I saw the price drop I called HP and was refunded 230 dollars due to the 21 day price gaurantee. Mine should be here on Friday, there was a one week shipping delay. It should have shipped Feb 17th.

 

Hi there,

I saw that the laptop has support for two SSD modules.
Moreover on the HP website, if you choose 256GB, you will have 2*128 SSD modules.

Do you know if there is any information about adding a SSD drive could break the guarantee...
The idea would be to have a 128gb drive, + a 256gb drive I could buy. (moreover the 256 option is of 300$ which is nearly the price for a new drive).

 

Can you tell us if it comes with some kind of sleeve or case after you receive it? The website doesn't mention one, and for that price, they should probably give us a nice sleeve and some overpriced Beats earphones =)

 

I dont think it comes with either...but I will certainly let you know. I am more concerned about the screen resolution. I was one of the people who bought it when it listed the resolution as 1366 X 768. Hopefully it was made with 1600 X 900!!

 

I wouldn't worry about the screen, the units reviewed by techradar and Laptopmag both describe the 1600x900 display.

http://http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/hp-envy-14-spectre-1061650/review

So originally when announced, they said it would include a notebook sleeve that doubles as a shammy but they also originally said it would have up to 8 gb RAM and that didn't turn out to be true.

 

My last Fed Ex tracking has mine in Shenzhen China!! I would be surprised if it actually makes it to Denver by Friday. I'll take the shammy if it has one!