Observations between new and old Envy 14.

I'm not sure how many people have had the pleasure (or torment) of being able to compare two different Envy 14's side by side, so I figured I'd share my experiences.

Almost 4 weeks ago, I noticed a stuck pixel (or two, one was intermittent) on my Envy 14's Radiance Display. Needless to say I was not happy, and I tried some home remedies to fix it - nothing worked. So, reluctantly, I sent it in for repair. HP's repair staff took the liberty of ignoring the problem at hand and replaced the motherboard, wireless module, and keyboard instead (seriously, I have documentation from them saying that's what they did). The screen still had the same stuck pixel, and they even damaged the metal case around the keyboard where they obviously used metal tools to pry it up. I was peeved.

So, to make a long story short, they agreed to replace the notebook for me due to the physical damage. I just received my replacement Envy 14 a few days ago, and here are a few things I've noticed between my ordered-first-day Envy 14 and my October 5th build date Envy 14:

- The older Envy had a MUCH louder DVD drive. When I first started up the machine, the DVD drive made a clicking and whirring noise that sounded like it wanted to eat my face. The new one makes the same noises, but MUCH quieter.

- The old machine had fairly good build quality. There was a slightly excessive gap near the front center lip (bluetooth module), but nothing out of the ordinary. The lower right corner of the keyboard tray was a bit raised, as was the lower left (I think) corner of the track pad. The new unit doesn't have as much of a gap on the front center lip, the keyboard tray is almost perfectly flush on all corners, but the track pad has a gap on the entire right edge. It's still fairly minor, and nothing I'd consider complaining about. The new track pad also seems to click much more softly, which could be good or bad depending on user preference.

- The keyboard backlighting on the new Envy seems a bit more even (less dim keys), but the keyboard flex around the QWAS and OPL; keys is slightly more pronounced. Still, it requires a significant force to get it to flex - not something you should encounter in normal typing. The middle of the keyboard is still rock solid.

- The newer machine came with an i5-450m, since the i5-430m in my original's is no longer available. Though it's only less than 200MHz faster, I noticed that Starcraft II was a bit smoother at medium / high settings.

Most of this should be taken with a grain of salt - build quality and issues obviously vary from notebook to notebook, but as a whole I feel like the quality of the new unit is better, especially considering the DVD drive (all other changes are minor and mostly insignificant).

 

That's encouraging, although not surprising. With almost anything that is mass produced quality control will go up as time goes on. That's why they say never to buy the first year of a new car, even though they put them through rigorous testing they still use the public as a "testing ground" for potential issues. It's just cheaper to send stuff out and get the publics feedback on it than it is to try and run exhaustive tests to see where they need to improve.

 

The same damn thing happened to me. They reinstalled my operating system, didn't fix the problem, and physically damaged my case.

My new Envy 14 is perfect, except for the trackpad, which is all kinds of messed up. It's extremely frustrating.

 

I swapped out my E14 BE to take advantage of the version without the headphones (don't really need them, and definitely need the money more). They're only a couple of weeks apart, but here's what I noticed between the two:

1. The battery on the second one came with 5% wear. The battery on the first one actually still shows more than design capacity.

2. The DVD drive on the first one didn't work (and I didn't realize it for week, because I rarely use them), and it does on the second one.

3. The screen on the first one was perfectly balanced, i.e., I could open the machine with one hand. The second one isn't--I have to use one hand to pull open the lid and the other to hold the base of the machine down.

4. The first one had zero keyboard flex, the second one actually has quite a bit. It's not enough to bother me--it feels solid while typing, but the flex is pretty visible if I actually look while pressing. It's also worse on the right side of the keyboard.

5. The backlighting is more consistent with the second one than the first, on which the right side of the keyboard was noticeably dimmer than the left.

So, there's definitely some build quality differences between the two. Although the second one is more problematic, it's still very solidly built. Certainly, it's not enough to make me want to return the unit, and it's much more solid than some of the other machines I've handled lately.

Of course, it's not as solid as a MacBook Pro, but then I wouldn't pay that much more money for one to replace it.

 

So...does this new HP envy have radiance display?

I bought the first gen (when it came out) but now my laptop has been damaged and I want to send it in (becaues I have accidental warranty) to get a new one...(there are dents and other problems)...and now I'm worried about what the whole deal with this NEW envy is and the RADIANCE display...

I've been out of the envy loop for the past couple of months.

This laptop is for school and ANY help will be greatly appreciated!

 

HP offers nolonger Radience Display
Here in Austria they didn`t start selling first version of envy 14 and now only option is envy 14 BE

PS: some one pl. confirm new envy 14 are Heavier and thicker then Firstone
Thanks

 

As far as I know the BEs are all from the second generation, since they have model numbers of 11xx.

BEs are heavier and thicker, yes, but cool better consequently. Not sure about the 2nd gen ones.

 

What's the actual diff between the BE and regular (11xx) edition E14 anyways, besides price, color, kb backlight color? Buy.com has BE for ~1200, and Amazon has regular 11xx for $945, and I'm wondering which I should consider.

 

Both of them are same in spec. beside BE is bundeled with Beats Headphone! .you should compare the cpu installed as i could not configuer spesificaly model no. that you reffered !

YouTube - HP Envy 14 Beats Edition Unboxing

 

Actually, the BE editions are no longer bundled with the headphones, and indeed were around $150 more expensive when the headphones were included. And, since I believe both the BE and standard editions include a 2-year warranty, even that's no longer a differentiator.

Bottom line at this point is, I don't think there's actually any real difference between the two models. I think one is basically paying $100 extra for the unique look/feel of the BE.

 

Black on black w/ red KB is pretty nice though, I have to say.

 

As others have said, I'm fairly sure the Beats Edition is nothing more than a color scheme, logos, and some software. You get a black (painted?) chassis, chrome strip around the middle, red keyboard, and Beats logo instead of HP on the lid. Perhaps some extra bundled software.

 

I agree. I love how my BE unit looks--very unique. And the soft-touch paint on the palm rests is comfy.

 

So besides cosmetic differences, nothing else differs right?

 

As far as I can tell, the only differences are:

1. The BE is a bit thicker for some (so far) unknown reason.
2. The BE has a different look/feel.

Otherwise, yes, they're identical in terms of specs and performance.

 

And it comes with a cheaper 3-year accidental damage warranty option that is not available on the regular Envy 14.

 

Honestly, I don't prefer the look of the Beats edition. Too much black.

 

Just bit the bullet and brought one of these babies.

Found a 10% voucher on net and used 8% cashback via quidco so basically £820 including free copy of Office 2010

Sounds a bargain to me..

 

Can we plz get a beats edition photo gallery/review going. PLZ!!!! Lol

 

Well since neither has radiance anymore, then neither.

 

I don't like the hideous chrome strip or the huge Beats logo.

If I could have a black anodized aluminum Envy 14, I would jump on that.

 

I agree 100%.

To OP, did you get your laptop replaced before they took the Radiance option away or after? Mine is currently in repair with them and has been for the last month. Unfortunately they said they are going to build me a new one and upgrade a few things, but I am pretty sure it won't include the Radiance display that I had on my original Envy 14.

 

I don't get the deal with the radiance screen. Sure it's a great screen, but the brightview is an excellent screen too. The Envy is more than just a screen. As a response to dookie, I wouldn't pay 300 dollars for some black colouring and red keyboard. I only got mine because it was similarly priced.

Have you seen one in person before? The strip is actually quite subtle. And the beats logo is a good accent to an otherwise bland cover IMO. I must say pictures don't do justice to just how nice a BE looks, but we all have different tastes

 

My new one was ordered by a case manager before they took the option away (though while it was a $300 option rather than $100), and the option disappeared at some point during the build process. I just managed to squeeze by.

I probably would have demanded my money back if they couldn't give me a Radiance screen. 1366x768 is too small for anything above 13.3" IMO, though it would really depend what they decided to give me in return to sweeten the deal.

 

Honestly, don't know what you mean by the "hideous chrome strip." It's not at all garish, and in fact is quite subdued (it's a black chrome, not silver, and pretty much doesn't stand out at all). And the Beats logo isn't really all that outlandish either.

Personally, I like the look a great deal. And the feel--the soft-touch paint on the palm rests is very comfortable.

 

Missed your post before I responded myself, but I agree. If one looks at a few of the pictures floating around one might get the impression that the chrome is some kind of bright silver. It's not at all, however--quite the opposite.

 

I posted an unboxing video that's in the general Envy sticky, and I'll try to post some decent pics if I get a chance.

 

Perhaps it's difficult to tell when you can't see it in person.

For example, the regular Envy 14 looks much different in pictures than the actual unit does.

 

I'm guessing that's definitely the case. I remember seeing some pictures of the BE before I received mine, and I was very concerned that the chrome would be, as you put it, hideous. The pictures, however, looked absolutely nothing like the unit in person. I was very pleasantly surprised, and I like very simple, subdued looks in pretty much everything I own.

 

I had the regular envy and now the envy beats, The beats sound system is different and plays much louder. At least thats what I noticed. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Also I noticed this on the regular envy
"HP TrueVision HD Webcam and Dual Digital Integrated Microphones"
not offered on the beats.

Man I tell you if you dont keep up with it on the HP web site you would never know of the changes.

One of the reasons OI chose the beats was becuase of the 2yr warranty and now it the same on the regular envy.

 

I'm pretty sure that the audio system on both the standard Envy and the Beats Edition is the same, as are the webcam and microphones.

 

This is from the regular envy:
Personalization
"Choose the way you would like your HP PC to look (includes Microphone)."

They dont show that on the beats