DV7T or the Envy 15? Help me choose

[emtownsend]

HP ENVY 15 customizable Notebook PC

NX369AV


* Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-540M Dual Core processor (2.53GHz, 3MB L2 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.06GHz
* 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5830 Graphics - For i5 and i7-620M Processors
* 15.6" diagonal Full High Definition LED HP Anti-glare Widescreen Display (1920x1080)
* External Tray Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support with 2 USB Ports
* Webcam Only
* Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
* HP QuickWeb, Corel VideoStudio Pro X2, Corel Paintshop Pro X2, Stardock My Colors
* HP Color Matching Keyboard
* 6 Cell Lithium Ion Polymer Battery
* No Productivity Software
* HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Estimated build date: March 23, 2010

$1416 delivered free

or the DV7T with the following:


HP Pavilion dv7t Quad Edition customizable Notebook PC

WM838AV

* Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-820QM Quad Core Processor (1.73GHz, 8MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to3.06GHz
* FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 3GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* 640GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (320GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 320M - For i7-720QM and i7-820QM Processors
* 17.3" diagonal HD+ High-Definition HP LED BrightView Infinity Widescreen Display (1600 x 900)
* LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
* [For BrightView Infinity Display] Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
* Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
* No TV Tuner w/remote control
* HP Color Matching Keyboard
* 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* No Modem
* Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Estimated build date: March 24, 2010
$1421 shipped free.

To me, the Envy build will be nicer and the resolution will be nicer, not to mention the 5830 Radeon.
The DV7T Quad has the i7 and two drives & seems like such a good value. With the current coupon codes, the DV7T is $500 off and the Envy is $300 off.
I am coming from a MacBook Pro, so the Envy really catches my eye.
Any thoughts? Can I still add a second drive (Maybe an SSD) to the Envy if I only order 1 drive initially??

[bjvoldan]

It all depends on your preference. I personally would choose the Dv7t. Why are you "coming" from a MacBook Pro? Bad experience? As far as the second drive - you can have two 1.8 in. drives or one 2.5 drive.

[Star Forge]

It all depends on your preference. I personally would choose the Dv7t. Why are you "coming" from a MacBook Pro? Bad experience? As far as the second drive - you can have two 1.8 in. drives or one 2.5 drive.

The i7 Quad is overrated as it is only good if you run applications that uses all 4 cores. In many gaming scenarios, the i7 Quad isn't as fast as the i5. The only games that benefits the i7 is GTA IV, BFBC2 and DA really. Also note that the i7 has bad battery life and runs really hot.

Also, the Envy 15 can have two 1.8" SSD Drives or one 2.5" HDD or a hybrid of one 1.8" SSD Drive and one 1.8" HDD.

In the end it is really up to you. Personally if you are more gaming-oriented, get the Envy. If you are more of a non-gaming or graphical multitasker that needs lots of screen space, get the dv7t.

[emtownsend]

Hum... That is the crux of it... what am I using it for... Well, I came from a MacBook Pro 17" 2.33 Core2Duo that I really loved. But, I felt it was time to sell it while I could still get a decent amount for it. I cannot afford another MacBook Pro right now and I work in a primarily Windows shop (I'm a city IT employee), so I thought I could sell the MBP and get something more powerful for less money and I am not anti-Microsoft at all. I like Windows 7.
So... My first reaction was to snatch up the Envy with the i5 because it is built solidly like a MBP. Plus I like the 5830 video. I am just trying to get the best bang for the buck, really.
So where the HP website shows the 500GB option is two 250HDD's is not accurate? My other concern is that the DV7T will be too big. I will take this lappy to work and home everyday and I travel to our branches with it as well.

[Fragster]

OP

I'm pretty much in the same boat and almost pulled the trigger on the DV7T but after discovering the Asus N71 (xoticpc), I'm heavily swinging towards that as the GPU is more powerful , a much better warranty and the famed Asus build.

I'm coming from a HDX18 and I can tell u all the HP's I've handled have flexing keyboard/chasey.

[emtownsend]

Well.... The $300 was expiring and I really did like the Envy, so I ordered!
I looked heavily into the Asus machines but again, I wanted a solid build that was thin and as light as possible like my Macbook Pro.
Supposedly it will be built by the 23rd. (I'm hoping sooner!). Here is what I got:
HP ENVY 15 customizable Notebook PC

* • Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* • Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-540M Dual Core processor (2.53GHz, 3MB L2 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.06GHz
* • 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* • 500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* • 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5830 Graphics - For i5 and i7-620M Processors
* • 15.6" diagonal Full High Definition LED HP Anti-glare Widescreen Display (1920x1080)
* • External Tray Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support with 2 USB Ports
* • Webcam Only
* • Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
* • HP QuickWeb, Corel VideoStudio Pro X2, Corel Paintshop Pro X2, Stardock My Colors
* • HP Color Matching Keyboard
* • 6 Cell Lithium Ion Polymer Battery
* • No Productivity Software
* • HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

[Meever]

i5 Envy is a solid choice you won't be disappointed. It's a poor man's Macbook Pro.... except you know, hardware muscle that'll floor the highest speced Macbook Pros by at least two folds.

I just ended up getting the barebone model (with the screen upgrade) plug in 8 gbs of ram, a 640gb hd and a i7-620 and you've got a very slim and powerful notebook that won't be outdated for at least three weeks -_-;

[sean473]

get the envy since it has better GPU but if ur willing to pay $1499 , u can get Asus G73 which would own both of these laptops easily... i7 quad , Mobile ATI5870 , full HD screen , dual hard drives if u pay more...

[tasty crabcakes]

I'm right there with ya, pulled the trigger last night. I was actually looking at MBPros but didn't want a downgraded GPU (currently using 8800 gts on a GW 6860 FX). I like the look of the Envy and the portability of the Envy, while I would have prefered a Sager 8690 with the HD 5870, that sucker isn't exactly discreet or light(ish) and this is a laptop for work first, light gaming when I am travelling. I am stoked on the Envy, did the same build as you but got the SSDS...will probably pull one out and use it in my gaming rig and put a 1.8 Sata in there for data. Between the $300 coupon and Bing Cashback I saved $500 on the build, not bad, now I just have to sell all my other laptops.

Well.... The $300 was expiring and I really did like the Envy, so I ordered!
I looked heavily into the Asus machines but again, I wanted a solid build that was thin and as light as possible like my Macbook Pro.
Supposedly it will be built by the 23rd. (I'm hoping sooner!). Here is what I got:
HP ENVY 15 customizable Notebook PC

* • Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* • Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-540M Dual Core processor (2.53GHz, 3MB L2 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.06GHz
* • 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* • 500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* • 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5830 Graphics - For i5 and i7-620M Processors
* • 15.6" diagonal Full High Definition LED HP Anti-glare Widescreen Display (1920x1080)
* • External Tray Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support with 2 USB Ports
* • Webcam Only
* • Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
* • HP QuickWeb, Corel VideoStudio Pro X2, Corel Paintshop Pro X2, Stardock My Colors
* • HP Color Matching Keyboard
* • 6 Cell Lithium Ion Polymer Battery
* • No Productivity Software
* • HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

[tantamount]

TCC: Did your Bing cashback get confirmed? I ask because I was about to order the Envy, but the Bing fine print says using a coupon code at the HP store voids the Bing cashback deal.