Sandy Bridge Envy 17s to support 16GB RAM

HI -- I just wanted to pass along some information regarding HP's support for 16GB RAM in the Envy 17 Sandy Bridge (both 2xxx and 21xx). With a tip from NBR member aays06 , and upon reading the The Thailand HP site, I discovered that 16 GB RAM is indeed supported (in 1333MHz), at least on the AP flavors of the model 21xx.

I then became suspicous that the present 8GB limitation for Sandy bridge Envy 17s was driven only by real estate (there are only two memory slots) and because 8 GB memory sticks are not available. Moreover, should the 8GB sticks become available, this might allow all SB Envy's (not just the 21xx) to benefit from 16GB RAM.

I have great news, straight from Kingston: They are working right now on an 8GB stick that will be supported in the model 20xx Envy 17s. Availability expected in Q3 (Jul-Aug-Sep) of this year. Moreover, Kingston confirmed that HP will support the configuration.

So -- anchors away, boys: I believe 16GB RAM is soon to come for all Sandy Bridge Envy 17s (including the 20xx) . I'd expect HP to ship new products configurable with 2x8GB by this fall, and after market memory sticks should be available by then as well, for upgrades.

 

8 GB sticks have been available from Samsung for some time, even if the price is rather insane. HP and Dell workstations have had them for some time. I myself have 4 im my Elitebook 8740W .... the ram alone is worth another laptop at this time though

 

sure; but we have never had any indication that anyone's 8GB stick will work in the Envy 17, or that HP will support such a configuration. At least I haven't seen it -- you're saying HP supports the samsung sticks?. The important message here is that 8GB sticks for notebooks are emerging which means that prices will come down, and that HP will support 16GB in the Envy 17.

 

im guessing there is such little information on it as not many people want to try that amount of RAM in a consumer laptop at this time, 8 seems to be PLENTY for the average consumer. I can confirm my Samgung 8's do work in other SB based laptops from HP and Lenovo at this time, but I have never tried an Envy.

 

nice. you're probably right that the need isn't there at the moment, and for that reason prices are formidable at this moment because Samsung is (apparently) the only game in town. That aside, We haven't seen any indication from HP that they will support 16GB until recently. give it some time and I'm guessing HP will provide a 16GB option in the Envy 17!

 

Here is some speculation made into a PR release:
Samsung's 30nm DDR3 DRAM boosts speeds, cuts power consumption -- Engadget

So it's that same tech that enables the 8gb sticks, just no time frame on those.. yet

 

Yeah, and actually probably 6GB or envy 4GB for most people I know.

 

Well, a very famous and wealthy guy is reported to have said "640K is all anyone will ever need"...

At the present time, 8GB is plenty for the average consumer, yes, but the 3D Envy 17 customers are hardly average, in my opinion. Just to manage a large collection of photos in Adobe Lightroom, for example, pushes the 6GB limit.

I'd suggest that most people who are looking to spend north of $2K for HP's flagship consumer/business crossover and 3D 17" mobile desktop -- are savy enough to differentiate it from a general purpose consumer laptop. I can see 6GB for the quick-ship 2D Envy 17 model, sure, but the majority of 3D Envy 17 customers with a lick of sense are going to do more than general purpose multiple-windows MSOFFICE, etc. This is a laptop who's hardware s often compared to the Alienware, and especially for those who push the limits and who utilize configure-to-order, 16GB will be welcome

The good news is that HP appears to be committed to supporting the 8GB sticks in the Envy 17

 

Yes, this is true the average consumer has plenty of 4GB model notebooks to choose from between online and retail stores

 

HP is offering 12 and 16GB options now on the Sandy Bridge Envy 17. as expected, the price is high, but at least we know HP is serious about the 8GB sticks

 

I'm now somewhat regretful that I did not request an SB processor when HP captured my notebook.

 

Its possible HP will support 16GB in the first gen Envy 17s, although I don't have any direct validation for that, presently.