NOW AVAILABLE - ENVY 14 Spectre

My 1000-series Envy 14 came with a sleeve like that. I think that's something they do with the Envy line in general. It's thin, though - good for protecting and wiping the surface of the laptop, but it won't do the same kind of work that a padded or hard sleeve or case would.

 

I'd love a lighter laptop for class but I agree this looks a bit tacky. A bit too wannabe MBP, though parts of it look really nice.

 

Whats wrong with that?

 

anyone knows what is the SSD for this machine? been put off by the new Samsung S9 SSD

 

does anybody knows where can I get the HP software for Envy spectre as I have just reimage with Windows 7 ultimate. I think there's some app around nfc and media sharing. Also, I think some app to control the Beats jog dial...

 

Just got my spectre today, and I got a sleeve thing with it. Also comes with a small cloth (very soft) for wiping the glass down, I presume. Very nice build quality, and screen has no serious defects as of right now.

I too am curious about the SSD, and if I could simply order one off of HP's website for the 128GB SSD and fill my open drive with that. I believe the part number was 675508-001. So if anyone can confirm that is, in fact the SSD for the spectre I would greatly appreciate it.

 

for folks who already had spectre, can you check what's your Windows Experience Index?

Graphic (for Aero) is only 4.7, while SSD has only 5.9 .. my previous Envy 14 (with Crucial SSD) has 6.7 and 7.2 respectively.

 

I also received my spectre yesterday. It is very well packaged. It does come with a nice sleeve...something I would have actually paid for. It's not flimsy. Screen resolution is 1600 X 900 (even though my order has the lower res). I am very happy with it thus far, its one of the nicest notebooks I have ever seen. I also upgraded the processor. Its very snappy although I have not used it much and have not done anything rigorous.

 

Any news yet on what SSD these things come with? Or any recommendations from anyone on what kind to put into the laptop's extra bay?

I was looking on HP's parts site, and they list (what seems to be) the Spectre's SSD for about ~$100. Seems like a really good deal, but I am curious as to whether that is the correct part. Can anyone verify this? HP parts service wasn't very helpful on this subject, unfortunately. I believe the part number is 675508-001.

 

There was some discussion going on about the SSD here and I posted the model:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...re-3xxx-series-owners-lounge.html#post8351996

SAMSUNG MZMPA128HMFU-000 (128GB)

 

When do you think this new specter will have the ivybridge w/ the hd 4000?

 

No sooner than this spring/summer I would imagine. I heard there have been some delays on the scheduled Ivy bridge laptops already. With the spectre just coming out, I doubt they will be incorporating them so soon. I'd give it at least until late summer/early fall IMO.

 

Good call on that, I agree with the timeline. Case in point: Sandy Bridge Envy 14s didn't become available for purchase until June last year, many months after Sandy Bridge came out. Could be anywhere from May (Intel said May at the earliest last week) to October in my opinion. I could also see HP wanting to spend at least a little bit of time with the first chipset/processors it used. Same goes for the 15 and 17.

 

I was just wondering since it's their latest release or the newest in their line, would they still edit the new product? although for me, even if it has only the integrated gpu, but with the ivybridge + the new HD 4000, it would still be a nice machine(no optical drive though and small capacity ssd). Considering that the hd 4000 is 50% faster than the 3000(not sure how much faster). We'll be seeing an integrated gpu but to a game level entry type with the new IB.

 

I doubt they will retool so quickly, until they have made some decent profits off of the current spectre I think we will be stuck with sandy bridge.

I think HP will pace themselves on the Spectre partly because they will be busy with their more common 15 and 17 inch models. The spectre is too niche for them to be changing it so fast/giving it so much attention when their flagship models are also in need of some TLC.

 

Good assessment. I really like the specter, the only downside is that there's no dgpu. Might wait till IB hit the Specter.

 

Thanks, yeah I really hope the Ivy arch. comes out sooner than later (in spite of me getting a whole lot of buyer's regret haha). But all signs point to an earliest launch date of "post summer"... On the plus side, I imagine that means by the time the Spectre gets the Ivy treatment, all the possible bugs will have been worked out?

The lack of a dedicated GPU was a real turn off for me initially, the price for this was outrageous considering it had no flex room to really function as a gaming rig or such... But it is surprisingly versatile, never overheats/gets hot (I have the i7) and ran skyrim well (for whatever that's worth) under decent graphics.

 

The integrated Intel 3000 graphics can run Skyrim? At what resolution and detail level? And what kind of FPS are you getting? Can you post a screenshot of the game running?

 

Yes I had in on my spectre for a test run recently, anyway, I ran it on the 800x600 res. but I didn't try bumping it up at all. I had textures at medium and took no framerate hit either, however it is worth noting that my battery life went down the figurative toilet (down to like 3-4.5 hours according to the battery indicator). And the part just below the screen (the bottom of the laptop by the hinges) got fairly warm during this.

I'll reinstall and post some caps if you really want, but I do believe there are some youtube videos circulating with skyrim on HD3000 out there?

 

That's good to know it can kind of run current games. No need to reinstall just for my sake. I'll check Youtube. Thanks!

 

Here is a nice in-depth video review of the Spectre from MobileTechReview.

MobileTechReview Forum and News: HP Envy 14 Spectre Video Review

 

The amount of warp on that unit is ridiculous....but good video tho!

 

What exactly is warp? Is that like dents/bends in the material? Just curious as I have never heard that term with notebooks, thanks!

 

Lisa from MTR here: watch our video review and you'll see it. The right side of the lid (front edge) does not meet the base of the unit when the lid is closed. There's a considerable gap, while the left side closes properly. The hinge may be a little off too, because the lid sometimes flaps when carrying the notebook at certain angles.

 

I was a bit surprised when I saw this:

HP Envy 14 Spectre teardown | Crave - CNET

I love your reviews, by the way; especially the videos.

 

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto! You are the best Lisa! Serious groupie here Truly, you do the most thorough reviews and videos out there and I truly look forward to checking out MTR to see if there's a new one!

A Fan (of which there are many here on NBR)

 

Thanks to both of you *blushing*

 

Oh I see, thank you for the clarification.