Was HP's spec switch on my Envy17 reasonable?

I posted this in the owners thread, but didn't get a reply. THought this would get more views.

I've had my Envy 17 (non-3d) for 2 weeks now. I am really liking it. However in transferring all my files I discovered that HP swapped out my 2x750GB 7200 RPM drives for an 80GB SDD and a 900GB 5200 RPM drive. Also, they gave me 2x4GB 1600Hz RAM instead of the 1333Hz RAM (don't mind this).

Is this spec switch within reason? They didn't charge a price difference. I didn't have a choice in the first place because HP Canada doesn't offer customization, but I really wanted the high-speed high-capacity drives and it was one of the reasons I chose HP over other choices. I can see that the recent flooding in Thailand is likely behind this, but I'm not sure if I'm better or worse off with this choice.

I'm just not sure 80GB SDD is going to be big enough. I love the speed of it, but even with all of my data on the other drive, I can see that it will reach capacity soon, which means more money on an upgrade.

If it were you, would you call HP to complain? Would any redress be appropriate? Or should I deal with it and start to learn the joys of SDD and plan for an upgrade

 

Both the Intel 80GB SSD and the 1TB 5400RPM HDD are more expensive than the 750GB HDD. Also a speed boost could be had from the SSD. 80GB for the OS core and your most frequently used programmes. If you find there is not enough space, then install less used programmes on the HDD. The RAM is ok.

 

It comes down to:

- whether you can make it work, as that's a huge difference in available space
- how much you care about SSD advantages
- if an additional external HDD is an attractive option

Personally, 80GB would be too tight for me, and just the fact that I didn't receive what I ordered would at least be deserving of a call to customer service.

 

Thanks for the replies.

I can see that they gave me pricier options, but the fact is I have less overall storage than I had planned for and substantially less space for my OS and programs. The SDD unit is a Toshiba with mid range reviews. Certainly not what I would have picked for myself. The HDD is less of an issue. While it's not as fast, it's bigger. I can also easily use an external HDD for data.

But what are my practical options?

--exchange for what I originally ordered (assuming it's available). This is a PIA and I would have to redo all of the set up I have already done. But I've gotten used to the speed of SDD and it would be hard to give that up!

--live with what I got and try to move non-essential programs to the HDD? Upgrade the SDD to something bigger eventually.

--See if HP would be willing to swap the SDD for something bigger at a deal for my inconvenience?

Am I missing any options? What would you do?

 

Another option: Swap out the ODD for another HDD.

 

AFAIK any spec change is unreasonable if the buyer is not made aware of it up front? I'd complain if not happy.

 

I just recently upgraded/downgraded depending on how how you look at it. But I took out my primary 1 TB Hard drive and put in a Intel 320 Series 300 GB SSD. I am very happy with this arrangement and you can pick up one of these on Ebay brand new if your patient for about $350.00. Your right the 80 GB SSD is way to small. If you got $350.00 that is what I would do since I just did one. It was not that hard either.

Palatkik is right they should not of changed your arrangement. Maybe complain and demand they install the 256 SSD. I dont think they offer the 300 GB SSD. After all they changed it without your permission so why not send it back and have them put in the 256 SSD in it.



Envy 17 3D - 17t-2000- i7-2820QM/ HD6850M/ 16gb ram / Upgraded to 300 GB SSD ( 1TB )+ 1TB 5400rpm HDD/ Radiance screen/ Win 7 Ultimate
Envy 14 Beats Ed -14t-2000 - i7-2820QM/ HD6630/ 16gb ram/ 128gb SSD + 750GB 7200rpm HDD/ Win 7 Ultimate/ Slice battery
Envy 17 3D - 17t-3000- i7-2860QM/ 1GB AMD Radeon HDMI / 16gb ram / 256 GB SSD + 750 GB 7200rpm HDD/ Win 7 Ultimate

 

80 GB SSD for OS is "barely" adequate. Remember...they also put your recovery partition on the boot drive...so you will immediately lose 20+ GB to recovery partition. I would demand the 160 GB SSD as a minimum...