*HP ENVY 14 & ENVY 14 Beats (2XXX series) Owners Lounge*

[Daht88]

I'd say with the DV4 hitting the market with only integrated graphics, the 6630 is a lock for the graphics powering the new envy14. Honestly aside from the DM4 the whole HP refresh is looking rather disappointing now. I definitely wouldn't pay over $1000 for a refreshed envy without a high res screen and a better gpu.

Looks like I'm down to waiting to see what the Sony SA comes out as or wait another 6 months or so for what ivy brings.

Where did you hear that the Dv4 is only going to use integrated graphics?

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/in/en...tml?aoid=35252

[abaddon4180]

Right now it is on HP's site with only an integrated graphics option

[mariusvt]

Right now it is on HP's site with only an integrated graphics option

This is why, I was looking at it on HP's website since the DV4 was launched today. The only option is integrated graphics.

[one33_bpm]

::rant::

While i dont like it, i guess that i understand why HP went with the 6630 instead of the 67xx. Basically it has everything to do with the chassis.

HP, not wanting to have people complain about the heat, and also deal with the increased number of associated warranty repairs, chose to nerf the 5650 in the original Envy15. It worked out for them (and not us), because even though it was nerfed when compared to the Arrandale [HP dv6t-se, Acer 3820/4820t, Lenovo Y460/Y560, etc], it still qualified for the title because it was within AMD/ATI's spec. The other notebooks did not implement a nerfed 5650 either due to greater chassis volume (dv6t, y560), acceptance of increased surface heat (y460), or a moderate combination of both (3820/4820t).

Ya see, the MBP has the 6750, and there have been a number of complaints about it getting too hot for some users when operating off of the dGPU. Since the MBP has an aluminum shell+chassis, it is effectively able to operate as a secondary heat sink, somewhat dissipating heat where the fans cant go. The Envy has a Magnesium shell, with a plastic/metal chassis, which means that it is not able to conduct heat as efficiently as compared to the MBP. The smaller chassis of the Envy14, also works against it in this same manner.

What HP should have done, was not to end production of the Envy15. It is my belief that it was terminated because of the perception that it was not battery efficient, and ran too hot, (not to mention the touchpad issues). This is primarily due to the fact that they decided to make the initial release a quad-core system, designed around the PM55 chipset that did not support switchable graphics. So, even when HP made available the dual-core Arrandale Envy15 models, despite the marginally reduced power consumption and surface heat, the new systems couldn't take advantage of the Arrandale IGP, leading many (like me) to ask, "what was the point?"

If HP kept the Envy15 alive with a chipset that supported switchable graphics when a CPU with an IGP was made available, mid-high level graphics (5750+, 6750+) and the higher resolution display (not particularly Radiance), then we would have had a real alternative to the MBP. It would also have justified the existence of the Envy14 as is.

What is really sad is that most of the tech review websites (Engadget, Gizmodo, Slashgear, etc.) lauded its arrival by looking at the specs, and not really taking the time to understand why it underperformed when compared to other equivalently configured notebooks. So now HP has been validated by the people who are supposed to hold it to a higher standard, and the average consumer who doesn't know the difference.

Ultimately, we will never see an Envy notebook that can be considered a true MBP contender.

::/rant::

[Daht88]

I couldn't agree with you more! HP's discontinuation of the Envy 15 was a terrible idea, not only for the consumer, but in terms of competing with the 15" MacBook Pro. The only thing I disagree with is your certainty that HP will only utilize a Radeon HD 6630 instead of, at least, offering a second GPU option. Although there is plenty of reason to believe that HP would prefer a low voltage/low heat outputting card, there would be significant sacrifices in terms of performance and competition that many companies wouldn't want to risk. To add to that, the only reason why we believe that HP will only use a 6630 is because of ONE cnet article from Asia (which listed the specs for the BASE model). From what I know, there are no other websites supporting these claims.

Let's just hope that the article is wrong or simply not revealing all of what HP is to release in the Envy 14. If not, then I'm sure I won't be the only disappointed potential-customer.

[kingp1ng]

^ Yes, I cannot agree anymore.

HP should have just kept with the Envy 15 and made some revisions.

It's not a MBP contender. Only in price... but not in specs.

[Naples]

^ Yes, I cannot agree anymore.

HP should have just kept with the Envy 15 and made some revisions.

It's not a MBP contender. Only in price... but not in specs.

If HP refreshes the envy with a 6750+ GPU and better display, they'd be no reason to buy the MBP over the envy spec wise...especially considering the $1000+ price of the MBP

[Daht88]

If HP refreshes the envy with a 6750+ GPU and better display, they'd be no reason to buy the MBP over the envy spec wise...especially considering the $1000+ price of the MBP

$2000+ price tag after tax... just adding to your point

[keyneed]

Hi everybody,

I found This Video

HP Envy 14" Sandy Bridge notebook

I think display is 1600x900

[Daht88]

Hi everybody,

I found This Video

HP Envy 14" Sandy Bridge notebook

I think display is 1600x900

I, along with many others have already seen this video. The uploader mistakenly called this 2010 model of the HP Envy 14 a Sandy Bridge model, which is why it has a radiance display.

BTW, look at the comments :P