Thoughts on next Envy refresh?

Do you think it seems likely Envy line will be refreshed within the next couple of months? I am a bit torned if I should get the E14 but reading up about the next Gen cards coming around makes me wonder if they will refresh this line soon. The 5650 seems like a great card but a little underwhelming from what I have gathered so far.

I was also reading on these forums that the next gen cards from ATI will be focusing on efficiency and such. Do you guys think maybe they can put in a higher tier graphics card in the next refresh?

 

Very probable they will put the next gen. cards in their new line. If you don't need a comp now, then I'd wait. But waiting with electronic technology can be futile, because when the new refresh comes out, there will be new cards and you can fall into an unending spiral.

The ENVY line is close to being perfect. At least this is what I think, based on my experience with ENVY 17 and ENVY 15 gen. The 17" needs switchable graphics and slightly better cooling [or a new cooler GPU). Achievable? Sure. This is why the next gen. may be, but does not have to be very, very close to perfect.
HP solved heating issues the gen. 1 ENVY 15 had. They listened to customers based on the ENVY 17 and implemented things like backlit keyboard in ENVY 17 and 14. They may do the same with 17 and 14. I hope they do the same with the new 17" & 14" members of the ENVY line.

 

This is true. If you need a computer now, go ahead and buy one. If you can wait, you might as well, I guess.

I don't know. HP needs to do a few things before I'll call it "close to perfect." Namely:

• Quality control on Envy units: We all know it's overall pretty terrible, whether or not anyone will admit it. They could at least give the units a damn visual inspection before boxing them.
• Switchable graphics on all Envy units: Self explanatory. It's not possible with current Intel quad-cores, but any unit with an i5 option (or next gen i7 quad-cores) should be equipped with switchable graphics.
• Cooling (maybe): Some state cooling is bad, I can't say from experience, as the Envy 14 seems to cool well even under heavy load.
• Improve battery life: HP can take some more measures to help boost battery life, in my opinion. The LED backlit panel helps a lot at higher brightnesses, but they need to either push their engineers to make room for a larger and higher capacity battery, or offer high-end CULV processor options.
• Standardize the Envy sizes: They need to pick their sizes and stick with them. There's so many whispers of the 13 or 15 getting discontinued in favor of the 14. This isn't huge, but I would suggest it.

That's the majority of issues I can think of, really.

Edit: I also feel there are a lot more minor points that should be addressed, such as lack of bloatware upon install, use of the Envy 13 style keyboard (no plastic tray), perhaps an even larger touchpad with properly configured drivers... I could go on and on about this stuff though.

 

My unit was surprisingly well-built. The only defect I detect is a little flex on the left by the keyboard. It is absent from the right.

I don't want the trackpad to be any larger than it is. Apple's is uncomfortable, and HP is pushing it. Bring back dedicated buttons. As far as I am concerned, they can bring back the standard pad altogether.

They should keep the 13 and 15 sizes. Fifteen is probably the most common size, so it should be retained. I don't understand why laptop manufacturers are making so many sizes now anyway.

 

The "first run" of Envy 14s were plagued by multiple problems. The "second run" (I've owned both) seems to be plagued by the loose trackpad, among other things.

It's a personal preference for size, I guess. After using this trackpad configured with user-written programs, I'm perfectly fine with having no buttons. If I'm doing anything that requires any intense cursor movement or clicking, I'll be using my Logitech G5. For web browsing and such, this trackpad (configured properly) is great. I don't miss dedicated trackpad buttons-- I just one, two, or three finger tap.

Having used my Envy 14 as well as a few 15.6" laptops, I can safely say that I don't miss the 15.6" size. The 14.5" size is great. Even so, I'd think 13.3" would be better for portability.

While I am thinking of it, whoever did the I/O balancing on the Envy 14 needs a lesson in common sense. Why would the eSATA port be on the right side? I can understand HDMI and MiniDP, because if you're using them, it's obviously for an external monitor, so you're likely not using a mouse right beside your Envy 14. However, I can't use my external eSATA drive and a mouse properly at the same time.

Edit: Not to mention the ethernet port, power port (not as big of a deal) and vent being on the right. Why the hell did the DVD drive not go there?

 

The only complaints that I have with my ENVY is short battery life and heating issues.
The first could have been mostly solved with the use of switchable graphics. Even the most basic type, the manual switch would do the job. I don't mind my screen flickering for 3 seconds, if I'm getting +2 hours of battery.
The 9-cell battery is 93 Wh, AFAIK which is a very high capacity battery, but what diminishes its potential is the i7 + 5850. What they could improve is the technology which it's made in. Lithium-polymer technology would allow the to make it flat and not stick out from the back.
A CULV would not do the job, considering ENVY is a high-end line, with emphasis placed on performance, which means it must have a normally performing CPU.
Sandybridge will have most (if not all) CPU's with integrated GPU's. Perhaps the next gen. ENVY will have switchable graphics.

As for the heat, the only feasible solution is the use of two fans. E14 has 2 fans, why didn't HP include it in a bigger and more power hungry 17"... I don't know. The exhaust in the back would do the job (like in MBP).

 

I've heard this argument, and it makes little sense to me.

What's wrong with having a CULV option (that's option, mind you) if it costs $100 more and adds extra battery life hours, without increasing size/weight/etc? Not only that, but the difference between a 1.86GHz dual core i5 and a 2.4GHz dual core i5 for most applications is negligible at best. It would have an impact on most games, but if you want to do heavy gaming, just get the standard non-CULV chip.

There's no reason HP shouldn't offer CULV options like they did with the Envy 13.

 

I'd agree that they could offer it as an option, but the demand for CULV in a 17" laptops is close to zero. There are very few who want a slow CPU in a large laptop. If you don't do gaming then there are better options with CPU's faster than CULV and much better battery life (ProBook, Elitebook) laptops for instance.

I could see CULV in the ENVY 14... maybe, but for the 17" ENVY it just doesn't make sense to have a high end GPU and a slow CPU.
It's probably not worth to add extra costs for such a low demand. HP didn't implement it and they must have a good reason for that. It's like with a Porsche. You don't have a 1.2 liter engine as a choice, because it doesn't fit to what the car was advertised as, if you see what I mean.

On the side note, it would be ideal to have 2 CPU's in a laptop (i.e i7 + CULV) this way the user could switch between full battery saving or full performance, that would be very nice, but cost wise... I don't know.

 

It's surprising that no one mentioned anything about the display. How about a 1600x900 IPS display with good contrast, wide viewing angles, sufficient brightness and an anti-glare or matte coating to prevent annoying reflections! If the new ipad (a basic and underpowered device) has an ips display, why can't a notebook have one too? Or at least include it as an option!

Also, they should improve the battery life of the standard battery (at least 5-6 hours on integrated graphics), position the ports in a more intuitive manner (and include a VGA port and more USB ports), and ensure good heat management.

Out of all of these possible improvements, the display is certainly the MOST important!!!

 

I guess I was unclear; I only meant that comment for the Envy 14. With the size of the Envy 17 they should have a larger battery built in, with switchable graphics, in my opinion.

 

With the trouble getting displays for a 14.5" screen, I wouldn't be surprised to see HP kill the ENVY 14 and resurrect the 15 with a built in optical drive. With LCD manufacturers churning out more 15.6" 1920x1080 screens, I think HP will find it more cost effective to update the 15 than get custom screens for the 14.

 

I'm not in need of a new laptop yet, I am waiting to see what HP does next.

Of course, it would be sweet to KNOW when the next refresh is going to occur, so I can plan for it.

I'd like to see a 15.4" or 15.6" envy with all the options that the 17" has currently and intel wireless display, more USB 3.0 ports, and Sandy Bridge Chipset.

Dell just released their new XPS line, which is very tempting, especially since Dell offers their guarantee'd buy-back pricing

 

the new Dell XPS line is nice...but no 1080p screens on the 15's or 17's...

HP needs to bring out a new ENVY 15 with a 1080p screen or get back that 1600x900 screen for the ENVY 14...i need a laptop

 

Yeah, I agree they should kill the 14 (which without screens is just a hideously expensive DM4) and give the HP 15 the 14&17's design and features.

 

There's a reason the Envy 17 has more features than the Envy 15, Envy 14, and Envy 13-- it's much larger. The same could be said of any Envy larger than another Envy.

I think the Envy 14 is a great size. If they dropped the Envy 14, they would absolutely have to bring back the Envy 13 with some changes. For many of us, the 15.6" size is just too big. Honestly, I'd be okay with dropping the Envy 14 if HP could offer more of the features the Envy 13 used to have.

Am I mistaken in saying the launch version of the Envy 13 was equipped with a 1600x900 display as well?

 

I think my ENVY 14 is the best laptop I've ever owned and that's saying a lot considering my snobbish love of all things with the ThinkPad label attached. Shout out to my T60; you know i still love you.

Having said that, if their gonna do a refresh next year let's get the following included:

Loose the DVD drive (external option via usb 3) and get a higher capacity battery in there while shaving off a few centimeters.

Let's up the screen resolution even more and loose the bright-view option. It's time to market the ENVY as a creators dream laptop (Music, Movies and Pics need Movie dimensions and a screen that can deliver those dimensions) Yeah a 14 inch laptop with that kind of resolution isn't the norm, but isn't that the point. Macs supposedly own the creative market so you have to deliver a product that pimp slaps the ish out of the MacPro 15. 1920 x 1080 is extreme for a 14 inch laptop, but the filmmakers would have the biggest grin if they saw that show up on the spec sheet. Web developers would jump for joy also.

Let's go with corner to corner glass instead of plastic with the Anti-glare coating and an IPS panel underneath. The Radiance is impressive, but you can't have a part shortage in the middle of one of your most successful selling products in the past 10 years.

The Slice battery needs to come standard. Just up the price $100, put it in the box and hit the magic 10 hour mark with 5 hours standard battery life and 10 hrs with the slice.

Great port selection, but let's go USB 3.0 standard and move the ESATA port to the opposite side of the laptop.

Let's add a fingerprint reader or better yet, butter smooth facial recognition for secure access. Typing passwords is so 1990. If your name is ENVY, give other PC's something to be envious of. It's time to separate from the pack.

Let's add a LED light to go along with that HD integrated camera so you can skype\video chat in the dark

A more powerful graphics card is a given, so lets get an automated switch to go along with the manual switch and how about some limited native overclocking tools out of the box so users don't feel the need to get creative and start compromising temps and processors

This is supposedly a featured Windows product, so instead of all the useless 3rd party crapware, let's get the native Security Essentials and Windows LIVE tools in there out of the box. If your gonna have crapware out of the box, let's get the fully system integrated crapware that helps deliver the best out of the box standard Windows experience possible. HP should get the Palm designers to develop a WEB OS style theme for Windows 7. Hey, who doesn't like a theme that makes the ENVY look more like a piece of art. Hell make it a contest on Deviant art if you don't want to devote the resources.

Also, it's time to have a full HP ecosystem where HP products natively sync with HP Home Servers out of the box

Oh yeah, as a useless but cool promotion, put a multicolored LED behind the HP logo for the next iteration. Time to go psychedelic man. How cool would it be if a BEATS laptop had an HP logo that Pulsed to the music your playing.

These are all fairly manageable upgrades that shouldn't compromise the price points we currently have

 

Nah, I want blu-ray.

The other ideas sound pretty good, though.

 

lose the dvd drive

 

This I could get behind. I think I'd be okay with HP losing the DVD drive, if they included the external as a free added component.

A 14" LCD panel that runs 1920x1080 would be very expensive on HP's part, I imagine. There's no way this wouldn't drive up the cost significantly.

Edge-to-edge real glass (or something close) I'd be okay with. Again, you've forgotten something; IPS panels are much more expensive than any TFT part, even high end. I don't think HP could have predicted the part shortage, anyways.

The slice is kind of bulky, and I wouldn't care to pay $100 more for it and never use it. It absolutely must remain and option and not come included.

I agree, and I believe that USB 3.0 would be easily possible if the DVD drive were removed, as USB 3.0 requires an additional controller that takes up more space; it's not integrated into the chipset like USB 2.0 is.

I don't particularly care for a fingerprint reader or facial recognition, as both of these can generally be fooled pretty easily. I find it more of a novelty.

Maybe it's just me, but both of my Envy 14s do in fact have an LED light when the webcam is active.

HP would have to switch to an NVIDIA GPU in order for anything like Optimus switching to work, since AMD/ATI does not have an automatic switching solution as of yet.

I agree fully, bloatware on a "premium" laptop should be non-existent. However, HP will never drop this crap, as far as I can tell.

Can't comment on this as I don't own an HP Home Server.

Some of these, such as a higher resolution panel, and IPS at that, would be immensely expensive. It would definitely compromise the Envy 14's $999 price point.

 

If HP plans the placement of the internal components better on the ENVY 15 and 17, I'd be tempted to go that route. I have nothing against the cooling solutions in these notebooks, if anything, I think they're pretty damn good. It's just silly to expect a notebook crafted out of metal to not transfer heat all over the place. HP should at least insulate the palmrest, if not move all components that generate heat away from it.

My 2 cents.

 

Weird, Because I've ordered my Dell XPS 15 with a 1080p screen.


1 320-1673 15.6FHD TLF LCD L501X

FHD is for Full Hi Definition.

 

For many years, 1600 x 1200 was common across a range of laptop screen sizes. Today manufacturers have cell phone screen with resolutions of 960 x 640 that only run a $100 mass produced. HP could easily roll out a 1920x1080 screen except for the fact that they'd be really undercutting the market for the 15' and 17" units. That's the only reason you'll never see a 14inch laptop with that kind of resolution again. They need some reason for the up-sale and when buying a laptop, the screen is one of the few tangible differentiators.

You don't care for a fingerprint reader or facial recognition, but I haven't had to type a password in 5 years because every other laptop I've had included those features as the standard issue. Typing passwords means you have a gaping security hole and it just slows down the process. Honestly, having those hardware features doesn't force you to use them. Not having them means you don't have the option. When given a choice, choose both. In a $1000 laptop, I'd prefer to gain features I'd use every day.

Some say the slice is bulky, well I don't see how it's any more bulky than carrying around an extra battery in a backpack. And what extra battery doesn't cost $100? The slice today cost $200. Including in out of the box means HP makes more money, but 10 hours of battery life is worth an extra hundred on a $1000 laptop.

These are just my thoughts though. I spent 2 grand on my ENVY so price wasn't the issue for me. However, I would have liked to have gotten more in the base price than all the nickel and dime upgrades.

 

You forget you asked for an IPS screen. A desktop 1920x1080p screen can easily run up hundreds and hundreds of dollars, so I can't imagine what it would cost at a 14" density.

Meh, facial recognition is just software, if you want it, you could get it. A fingerprint reader could jeopardize the style element of the Envy 14 (not that I particularly care, but HP certainly does). Again, I still think they're kind of gimmicky. Personal opinion.

You wanted it included in the standard package, which would drive up the cost, which myself and others don't care for, seeing as the price point starts at $999 now.

 

Wow, you guys are stingy.

No offense.

This is a "premium" laptop starting at 1k. If you're penny-pinching over a screen and slice battery, I think you should be looking at the Pavillion models.

I want a Radiance equivalent screen or I don't want the E14 at all.

At 1K and above you're paying for quality and uncompromised components. This trubright crap ain't that.

Not to be rude, but if more consumer attitudes don't change toward screen quality, it's a component that will never become common on consumer laptops. Even at this price point. It's a shame because I'm sick to death of terrible screens on good laptops.

RGB LED on m17x
B+RG LED on XPS 15
Radiance on E14 (possibly gone)

Those are about the only good consumer screens I can think of outside the MBP.

Of course I could get a dreamcolor 2 on a workstation laptop, except I can't game on that >_<.

 

For those that say drop the optical drive, the envy 14 and 17 have them because that's what consumers want. Although I'm willing to be that the consumers who wanted an optical drive on a premium laptop wanted that optical drive to be bluray, not dvd only.

 

im willing to pay the extra buck to get 1920x1080 on the E14 as well as the slice. Also i would prefer an external drive and get usb 3.0

 

not everything that the consumer wants is either possible or makes sense.

I would for one want that the optical drive be dropped and the 6830 would be inserted in the 14, given the more space the cooling could be improved leading to a higher end gpu. but would it happen and would it make sense?

 

I used to be for the optical drive in the E14, but I'm starting to come around to this view. My new opinion: if you can't fit a blu-ray in the machine, don't even bother having one, and use the space to toss in better graphics or an SSD/HDD combo. Standard DVD is the new floppy.

 

Typing a password is the exact opposite of a gaping security hole. You leave your fingerprints on everything you touch. You don't leave your password everywhere you go. Most commonly available fingerprint sensors are easily hacked, much more easily than someone trying to break through a good password.

 

I really like what most people are saying here, here's my take on this. I've been looking at the Envy 14 base model for some time now, but I couldn't pull the trigger since it costs €1550 (currently ~$2200!). For that amount of money, it really needs to be alot better than what it currently is.

Premium laptops like the ones in the Envy-line should have a high resolution screen standard. A 1600x900 resolution should be standard on any model between 13'' and <15''. Anything 15" and up should have the 1920x1080 resolution standard. Otherwise it's just not with the premium over mainstream laptops (Pavilion).
An Anti-Glare coating would be great, even though it would slightly decrease contrast ratio and color accuracy. It's well worth the compromise, if you ask me.

The first generation of Envy laptops didn't have an integrated optical drive. HP changed that after they received customer feedback from the first generation of Envy products.
My opinion that they should remove them again, since it increases weight, battery life and takes up precious space that could be used for other purposes (eg. upgraded GPU, USB 3.0 controller, cooling).
Include an external Blu Ray drive boasting USB 3.0 and I'll be happy. An if HP doesn't remove the optical, please don't bother putting in a DVD-RW drive.

Now that we're on the subject; replace all USB 2.0 connections with USB 3.0 connections. They are backwards compatible, so why not?

It's a given that the GPU will be upgraded to the new ATi Mobility 6-series. It's rumoured that this generation will include a graphics switching technology similar to nVidia's Optimus, let's hope so..
With the added space provided by the deleted optical drive, HP should be able to significantly upgrade the GPU in every model. That should make the Envy-line even more suitable for gaming.

In terms of models, it's purely a guessing game... but I'll give it a shot:

- Envy 13 with Intel Core i5 2520M, 4GB, HD6650, 1600x900
- Envy 15 with Intel Core i7 2720QM, 6GB, HD6950 (Barts), 1920x1080

 

Impossible. That's a chipset limitation, since Intel doesn't support USB 3.0 and won't support it until 2012.

 

I'm well aware that the Intel Huron River chipsets will not have native support for USB 3.0.
However, it's not impossible. It would only require a third party USB 3.0 host controller, made by NEC for example.

 

The current issue with the Envy 14 is that there's not really any room to put an additional USB 3.0 controller without sacrificing elsewhere, as far as I can tell.

USB 3.0 would be nice, I'd be okay with only having two USB ports, as long as at least one was 3.0; That way if I were at my desk I could get a USB 3.0 hub when they become common, and have full speed USB 2.0 ports.

 

I was ready to buy the Envy 17 but am aghast to find that it doesn't have a firewire port.

I am left unable to buy it as I have a professional external firewire soundcard (Motu Traveler) which I wanted to use with it.

Why no firewire, HP?!

Gutted.

 

So any more news on the Envy refresh? I really really hope that it will be Jan, right after Sandy Bridge launches. I'm growing impatient...

 

Hey HP, can we get the next refresh with this too:

The Windows PC ClickPad finally improved? Synaptics ClickPad IS Series 3 preview -- Engadget

Thanks.

 

@schismal

OMG YES. HP plz read that. I mean seriously unless there's some unknown obstacle, it's not that hard to improve on the Envy's. PLZ HP, so many people would buy your products xD if you make those improvements!

 

I actually seen some articles about HP planning to use these in their new laptops, however I'm unable to find the sources.

I don't actually a see a reason why not would HP include those, I mean they've always used Synaptics and ClickPads, so there is high chance they will implement those.

 

Oh, hp should add hybrid hdd's as an option for their envy's. That would be a really great addition along with the other requests.

 

I definitely think some of you guys requests are a little out there. Remember, this is a reasonably priced laptop at $1000, and you get the lastest hardware, unlike those MBP 13 priced at 1200 that uses obsolete core 2 duos. Let's not demand too much. Most importantly is the display and HP needs to get the radiance or something similar back. As far as resolution goes 1366x768 is fine for 13inch. And 1600x900 is fine even up to the 15inch. 14inch with 768p standard and radiance upgrade(or similar 900p). 17inch should be definitely 1080p standard.
Secondly, those common problems we all know of in the envy lines need to be addressed. Tighter quality control is a must. People can't only hope they got a laptop with no problem. Honestly the envy line are great laptops in general. I guess you can call them a diamond in the rough. They just need more refining to become something really worthy.

 

I disagree, the prices you are talking about are the American prices. Not the European ones, never mind the prices in other parts of the world. Price should be left out of the equation, since HP markets it's Envy line as their top of the line. The latest hardware should be standard on Windows laptops, Apple laptops tend to favour improving software instead of hardware at most refreshes.
IMO, every Envy laptop should have a high-resolution display. Otherwise, it should be branded Pavilion.

I agree with you on the tighter quality control, this is a real problem for such a machine.

I believe it was a good move to decrease pricing on the Envy line, but for me the Envy brand has lost some of it's glory. Hope they can win me over at CES, otherwise I'm going back to Sony Vaio's.

Here's some interesting news: CES: First Intel next-gen laptops will be quad core. Looks like we'll have to wait for a new Envy 13 to show itself in mid February, we're likely to see a new Envy 14 or a new Envy 15 at CES.

 

I doubt an Envy refresh is going to make it into CES 2011. HP are spending their efforts on the rumored WebOS tablet (and some sort of branding partnership with Rossignol).

 

The latest news:

HP already shipping Sandy Bridge-equipped dv6 overseas | Electronista

More hope for people like me praying for a refresh!!!

 

I am looking forward to Sandy Bridge but it would be nice if the refresh included something else. (USB 3.0 port or add another USB 3.0 port), newer design, updated ATI 6000 series graphics card, what about this SATA 6GB (If they are not using this already , Bluetooth 3.0 , express 2.0 or something besides SB that differentiates it from the current and previous models whether it be the dv6,dv7 or Envy 17. though I guess it's too soon for Envy 17, Maybe that will be later in the year.

 

I think the E14 is really close to being damn perfect theres things that they need to add and improve upon.

- Equal backlighting on all the keys

- NO KEYBOARD FLEX AT ALL

- Quality control, this is a must you have to have a perfect machine and you should.

- Change the GPU to the 6000 series (if they refresh) and don't skimp on the clock the cooling system is amazing.

- Don't make the screen flex and make the top panel stronger I can push mine down and that scares me.

- Radiance display or other, this is a top of the line product I don't want 720.

- Option for a hybrid drive, most people like SSD's for the boot time.

- Include the slice battery I know I would use it

- Replace optical drive with larger battery

- Use a usb 3.0 external drive

- Include usb 3.0 ports (there is room for it, and NEC)

- The new synaptic touch pad

- No bloatware when you get your machine, it should be a perfect clean install out of the box

I think these would only bumb the price up 100 - 200$ remember some of these are optionals.

 

HP's with SB are also showing up here in the US. Someone on this forum just picked up a new dv7-4290us with SB i7-2630QM at a Micro Center store. It's also available on the Micro Center website. Micro Center - Hewlett-Packard Pavilion dv7-4290us Laptop Computer - Brushed Aluminum XZ037UA#ABA

 

Hmm I wonder if we can pretty much be almost sure that the envy line will be refreshed soon after CES?... But I also wonder how pricing will change. The envy 14 that I ordered (estimated build date Jan 4) has an i5 580 for $999. Is it possible to get an i5 2620 for an envy 14 (assuming it'll be refreshed) for no more than $1100? The i5 580 is possibly on par with the 2540, and faster than 2520. So I would want an upgrade in speed, not downgrade for around the same price range.

 

Wow ~5 hours of battery on that beast. If it was 15 inch I'd buy it in a heart beat.

 

I would say it's a 100% certainty we'll get a refresh at CES. Retailers are depleting their current inventories of HP Envy models in preparation for the refresh. BestBuy.com is now listing the current line of HP Envy as "Outlet Center" items. I went by my local Fry's Electronics today. They didn't have any HP Envy models in stock. Frys.com is also listing HP Envy models as unavailable online with "while supplies last" showing underneath the Check Local Store Availability links.

 

Thanks! That's great news!