macbook pro vs envy 14.

Hi,
I recently purchased a macbook pro 15" 2.0 quad, but i'm thinking about selling it and buying something with more graphic power. dv6 or envy 14. However, I heard so many horror stories about hp i'm hesitant on buying their computer.

I live very close to apple store so it's really convenient for me to get it serviced if something goes wrong.

btw I don't need 1080p/bluray(already have 50" plasma+ps3) so I don't want to sacrifice build quality of envy line over that.

 

If you got the mbp 15 with 6750m discreet graphics that is more powerful than what is currently in the envy 14, if you just got the base model than either will be more powerful.

At the current time though I cannot see any credible case for the envy 14 over the dv6t. None. Much weaker graphics, vastly inferior screen options, weaker speakers. You basically gain a more attractive casing in the envy line, a backlit keyboard and that is pretty much it. Time was it was that plus a great screen and competitive graphics, hp decided they were not interested in putting out a competitive premium laptop to the mbp, that or they were simply incapable of getting the parts they needed. Either way, the envy 14 is just not as nice without the screen and stronger graphics.

I do think the beats edition looks MUCH better than the mbp, but again, they let their components fall behind. The graphics are forgivable, The screen options on a notebook at that price point is not. You can get a mainstream dv6 with a screen that is leaps and bounds better than what is on the envy 14, it's a joke. But then many people are less concerned about screen quality. "It turns on, I'm happy" often seems the standard. If that is you than the envy is a nice machine. If not, it's virtually impossible to make a case for the envy 14 in my eyes now.


a tricked out dv6t with a solid state drive will get you much better performance than a similarly priced mbp, go there, and get the screen upgrade. It is reportedly superior (though apparently no one who bought one can be bothered to do a comparison with lower screens).

 

If you are concerned with build quality ; HP is hit/miss. I was fortunate with my Envy while others were not so much...

 

Thx for suggestion guys.

Build quality is big factor for me. Which is why im leaning towards envy rather than pavillion. Is there other manufacturers to consider besides hp who has solid build quality?

 

sony vaio Z, clevo builds (sager) ?

 

i definitely agree with you on just about all your points, which is what's making my decision so hard. i currently have a dv6tqe, but i'm sending it back because i have a gpu problem, and it's just too big for my needs. i'm actually now looking at a cheap envy--preferably with radiance, but those are running ~$900, and i can't justify getting a first-gen envy when my dv6t was only $170 more.

that said, i'm looking at a cheap envy for the build quality and portability. a first-gen envy 14 is still superior to a mbp of similar cost, and as op said, he already has a tv and ps3, so the envy will definitely fit his needs in terms of power.

that's my plan at least.

 

^yeah I'm thinking about buying envy or pavillion from costco(90day return policy), and shop for an used mbp w/ 2.2 quad hopefully for around 1600 which is all i can afford right now.

 

Eh definitely not Clevo (Sager) builds. Their build quality has always been a step below competition.

OP
I would recommend NOT buying an HP Envy, their business practices, poor quality support, poor resolutions, fragmented departments make it very difficult to deal with HP. After nearly 3 months of battling with them I sold my HP Envy 17, you can read about it in HP Hell in my sig. Look to other manufacturers, Sony is one of course. Dell also has great build quality in their business line, but they are expensive to get decent GPU's in.

 

I never saw a Clevo laptop yet.

Though I read a lot of people were really happy with theirs ... so I guess there are two schools of thought on this.

As for HP it's hit and miss, my Envy 14 came flawless ... but my buddy when through hell with his.

I would say the $1000 difference is worth taking a gamble.

It also comes down to what you will do with your computer. MacOS is not nearly as polyvalent as Windows when it comes to gaming and the availability of free software.

 

Their build quality is so so. However compared to most companies like Asus, Alienware, Toshiba, etc they are so so to sub par in build quality. Still they are NOT bad at all. If we were talking overall I'd consider their build quality average~

 

The two Asus I played with felt cheap in comparison to the Envy and even the dv6. It was not Asus's high end ones, so I am probably biased..

I cannot tell about the other two brands.

 

Comparison wise these laptops are what fall in range to each other as far as purposes (high end high performance)
Asus G5* and G7* series (gamer series)
Sager i7 2630QM or better builds (Pretty much all of Sager laptops fall into the high end spectrum)
Sony has nothing atm due to low end GPU's.
HP Elitebooks 8760w (so so build quality, good materials though)
HP Elitebook 8560w
Dell M6500 (best Build quality and good materials)
Dell Alienware M15x/m17x (good build quality and materials)

There's a few others.

 

the 8676w so so build quality? you are just trolling

the asus g series had and has many issues

the sagers are a step up from the usual fare of consumer laptops, and usually most gaming laptops

 

Not trolling kid, I work with them. No two 8740w's were alike. They all had minor build quality flaws. Keyboard flexing, misaignment, .5mm machining issues, even assembly issues (cables not routed corrected).

Asus G series has had many reliability issues, if that's what you mean.

Eh? If you say so.

 

If you say so, I work at an enterprise that we have many different OEMs together, including thinkpads, w, x, t; hp w,p; and lattitudes (no precisions)

the build quality is quite the same across those.

For g series issues, you just need google to find out

 

Uhm okay man.

No one said G series were without fault, we are talking about build quality issues not component reliability.

 

OP if money budget isn't an issue (as can be seen from your MBP purchase), you should go for the M14x. My friend has one and so I had the chance to play around with it. Way better performance and very solid build quality.

 

The new sony Vaio Z is out.

It's one sexy beast

7 hours battery life and better performance than the envy 14 by far it seems.
AND the addition of a nice breakthrough - an external GPU for power when you need it.

 

Is available in Europe; not US.
Agree, does look very nice and a neat idea with the external dock. Price ... wow.

From engadget:
We've yet to hear about US availability and prices for this sexy device and its beastly companion, but in Taiwan you can pick up a 1080p model plus the dock for a hefty NT$94,800 (US$3,270) in July, while the UK is already offering it sans the dock starting from £1,434 ($2,294), and a Sony UK spokesperson said that including the dock would bump the starting price up to £2000.

 

esthetically-wise, the Z is certainly better than the m14x

and it doesnt have MacOS... a no brainer if you have the money.

 

I would not get an Envy 14 without the screen at all especially with the dv6 at a lower price point and surprisingly good build quality. I have had a Brightview Beats edition that I sold and I currently have a Radiance Envy. Brightview simply is not worth it for a 1k+ laptop.

If you're looking around the 2k price range, I'd wait and get the new Sony Z. If you're looking around the 1k range, the dv6 is a pretty good choice (from hands on use from a friend)

 

from a strictly mbp-e14 debate, i wouldn't rule out getting a first-gen envy. i do agree that a brightview display is crap for a $1k laptop, but you can get a first-gen envy for around $600 used that has comparable specs to a macbook. the only advantage i would see then for the macbook is better battery life, so get a slice or just an extra battery, and you'll still be saving some money.

 

I agree that a 1st gen E14 for $600 is a steal, and a great notebook. Better would$800-$900 and get one with a Radiance.

The new Sony Z is way, way out of the ballpark for any of these. However, if you can find a deal on a refurb or used Sony Z1, it is everyting the E14/Radiance was but with an even better screen, 2,25 lbs less weight, about 1 hr better battery life, and a simply gorgeous piece of work. They are probably much more reliable than a used E14, but much harder and more costly to fix. Best to get a Square Trade policy with one and, should it develop a major hardware problem, let them refund your purchase price and, well, go back out and buy another one. The Z's are less durable due to the very thin lid/screen, but if you treat it with care, chances of needing any hdwe repair in first 3 years is very low.

I have owned every model discussed on this thread and, for around $1,000, and given a size/weight contstraint, a Z1 used or refurbed is the hands-down favorite.

 

That is what I did with my current laptop. I bought my Envy 17-1011nr used for $625 about 2 months ago. Looks brand new too! I was considering the Sandy Bridge model for $1400 but when you save that much money you are willing to sacrifice and still get good satisfaction!

 

I got a new envy 14 Beats a few weeks ago with an i7-740qm and I really like it. I'm not a heave gamer, mostly age of empires type stuff, but I do photoshop (on a external monitor) and edit videos both with CS5. The hottest the laptop has gotten is around 70c. The track pad is descent. For the most part I don't mind it. After selling the xbox, a processor, and another envy (all at a profit of what I paid.) it cost me about $480 out of pocket. I'd rather have my Envy with a few less premium upgrades then to pay Apple 2 grand just to buy into a world of proprietary software and hardware.

 

Can I ask where you bought this? I'm trying to find a good source for a cheap NEW Envy 14. I don't think I can get a radiance screen, but that's a whole different issue. Plus, the BV is a step-up from my current screen, so I guess that's that. I'm kicking myself for not going for the 30% off deal HP had that week before they launched the SB Envy, but that was before I had decided a first-gen would be my best bet.

 

If you are looking for build quality, I would advise the envy lineup !