ENVY 15 with IPS screen

[Thors.Hammer]

I was considering the MBPs as well but couldn't justify the price and the hassle of installing Windows on it....and covering up the Apple logo with duct tape

A MacBook Pro similarly configured to my Envy 15 order was over $1000 more. I am comparing my 30% off order to a Apple EPP order.

Installing Windows is really rather hassle free once you've done it a few times and understand the limitations. My MacBook Air works nearly as well with Windows 7 as it does with OS X Lion. It certainly is better that all of the other Ultrabooks on the market (currently).

That may change over the next few days. We'll see.

[Lvivkse]

I paid like $1300 for my 15
A similar MBP would have a 1440x900 display, slightly slower clocked RAM, weaker speakers and backlighting (FWIW), and cost $2800

[CompUG]

Lvivkse, how bearable is the orange/red problem?

[Rubenstein]

I paid like $1300 for my 15
A similar MBP would have a 1440x900 display, slightly slower clocked RAM, weaker speakers and backlighting (FWIW), and cost $2800

I think the price you estimate for the MBP is a bit too high... Never the less, the MBP would be quite more expensive, especially with coupon.

I got mine finally as well, and I think I'll send it back. My complaints are:

a) screen: the orange issue is really bad. It makes the colors pop, but everything looks cartoon colored. Orange explosions, nuclear grass etc. I tried some calibration on my own and the one of a forum member here, but without any success. I am also pretty sure that it is not a calibration issue but a hardware problem.

b) keyboard flex. The flex around wasd is pretty bad.

c) battery life. 5h at best (under standard web browsing use) and around 3h under a bit heavier use (youtube etc) are nothing more than average

d) the touchpad is not useless, but far from good. I installed all the drivers etc, but its just too inaccurate, especially on the edges. And it is too small, which limits scrolling.

e) only English keyboard layout availible. This is quite annoying, as I am used to and would like a German layout.

f) QC issues. I also have the raised touchpad

g) noise. As fast as the external GPU kicks in, the notebook is clearly noticeable


I could cope with all those issues, but the display pretty much is a dealbreaker.
I really don't want to spend 2000-2500$ on a MBP, but I am pretty close at doing so by now. After searching an trying notebooks for years, I am tired of coping with smaller or bigger issues all the time.
Apple is the only manufacturer who delivered notebooks without any issues for me, and that as long as I can remember.

We'll see what the future brings, but for now this notebook just does not make me happy. And 1300$ for that is just too much money...

[Lvivkse]

I think the price you estimate for the MBP is a bit too high...

I went to apple.com and picked out a MBP with similar options. That's the price, unfortunately.

[independent1]

I would have bought a Macbook Pro except for these issues.

1. I don't care for OS X and Windows doesn't run that great on the Macbook Pro.

2. The Macbook Pro is much more expensive than a similarly equipped Envy.

3. The display is not full HD 1080x1920 on the Macbook, while it is on the Envy, minus these red/orange issues.

Other than these, the Mac is better in pretty much better in every way. HP's QC issues are atrocious and their clickpad is not nearly as good as Apple's. Even with these negatives I still got the Envy and still would recommend it to others as it's the best pc alternative to a Macbook Pro.

[Mitlov]

I'd really encourage the people here who are having issues to consider the XPS 15 and the Vaio F. You don't need to choose between a $1300 Envy 15 and a $2300 MBP 15...there are other options out there too, and those are the two best IMO (the Vaio F's main issue being a thick case design, the XPS 15's being erratic fan noise, but both are otherwise pretty well liked).

[timjuliani]

And in my opinion, the XPS15 being enormously fugly. But I might just take that over the orange screen.

[independent1]

I'd really encourage the people here who are having issues to consider the XPS 15 and the Vaio F. You don't need to choose between a $1300 Envy 15 and a $2300 MBP 15...there are other options out there too, and those are the two best IMO (the Vaio F's main issue being a thick case design, the XPS 15's being erratic fan noise, but both are otherwise pretty well liked).

The problem with those is their video cards don't really hold a candle to what the Envy's packing. I've never compared them, but I can't see how their build quality would compare to the Envys as they are made from plastic and not aluminum.

[Lvivkse]

And in my opinion, the XPS15 being enormously fugly. But I might just take that over the orange screen.

the lack of a chicklet keyboard is a deal breaker for me, ugly design notwithstanding

i refuse to buy sony ever again, i want this thing to last more than a year