New Envy14 Spectre has problems - replacement process?

I got my Envy Spectre today...it has a dead pixel in the top-left of the screen, and there's a strange ripple in the display around the same place, so I guess I'm going to have to ask for a replacement.

However, I really need the laptop within a week, as I'll be leaving for college. Can someone please let me know the best way to try to make HP expedite the replacement process?

Can I use this computer in the meantime, while waiting for a replacement? What should I tell the customer service people for the best results? I do not want to ship back this computer before receiving another one. This is very frustrating - how could quality control be so poor on a $1400 laptop?

Thanks.

EDIT: Is it normal that when you first boot up after plugging in the computer, a notice pops up that says that the total storage capacity of the battery is unusually low?

 

HP return/exchange policy:

| HP® Official Store

 

I know, but I was wondering whether anyone has had any success in speeding up the exchange process, and if so, how they did it.