HP ENVY 14 Review

The ENVY is HP's answer to the Apple MacBook. Our 14-inch model features a beautiful metal chassis and a backlit keyboard. Is it the perfect Apple alternative? Read our review to find out.
Our HP ENVY 14 review unit is configured with the following specifications:

• 14.5-inch "edge to edge" glass 720p display (1366x768 resolution)
• Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Intel Core i5-2410M dual-core processor (2.3GHz, up to 2.9GHz Turbo Boost, 3MB cache, 35W TDP)
• Intel HM65 chipset
• AMD Radeon HD 6330M graphics card w/ 1GB DDR3 dedicated video memory
• Graphics automatically switchable to integrated Intel graphics
• 6GB DDR3-1333 RAM (1x4GB + 1x 2GB; supports up to 8GB - 2x 4GB)
• 750GB 7200RPM Western Digital hard drive (WD7500BPKT)
• Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 wireless network adapter
• Internal Bluetooth 3.0
• Integrated Skype-certified 720p HD webcam
• Built-in slot-load DVD burner (hp DVD RAM UJ897)
• 2-year limited warranty
• 8-cell Li-ion battery (14.8V, 3800mAh)
• Weight: 5.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 14.01 x 9.33 x 1.16~1.18 inches
• Starting price: $999
• Price as configured: $1,079.99

The ENVY 14 is well-equipped and includes the above standard save for the fast 750GB 7200RPM hard drive, which is an $80 option over the standard 500GB drive. These are robust if not enthusiast-level specifications. As configured, the ENVY 14 can handle nearly any task including gaming thanks to its dedicated AMD Radeon graphics card. The one disappointment is the low-resolution 14.5-inch screen; the previous-generation ENVY 14 was available with an excellent high-gamut 1600x900 screen, which provided far more space to work with.
Build and Design
HP ENVY notebooks are all about design. The ENVY 14 bears a close resemblance to the Apple MacBook, which isn't a bad thing though does not leave a whole lot of room for originality. Unlike traditional notebooks with an internal frame, the ENVY 14 relies on the metal that makes up its outer chassis like an exoskeleton for strength. The build quality is top notch overall and feels remarkably solid. All that metal has a downside, of course: a weight of nearly six pounds. A standard 14-inch notebook weighs about a pound less. Even the bottom of the chassis is made of a metal alloy.
The lid is affixed to the chassis via two strong hinges; the lid's metal backing provides superb protection against bumps. The lid can be opened with one hand, which is convenient. Fit and finish is excellent; there are no rough or misaligned edges. I like the laser-etched pattern in the palm rest and lid; it looks great and makes it more visually interesting than a MacBook.
The ENVY 14 is eager to impress and certainly does; it is one of the most solid non-business notebooks to pass through our lab in some time.
Ports and Features
The ENVY 14 has an above-average amount of input/output ports for a 14-inch consumer notebook, including eSATA, HDMI, and mini DisplayPort. It lacks USB 3.0 and an ExpressCard slot. All picture descriptions are are listed from left to right.

Front: Speakers, media card reader

Rear: Cooling exhaust vent

Left: Slot-load optical drive, 2x USB 2.0, microphone/headphone combo jack, headphone jack

Right: USB 2.0, HDMI, mini-DisplayPort, Kensington Lock slot, Ethernet, cooling exhust vent, AC power


Screen and Speakers
The 14.5-inch display is a strange size; HP is the only notebook maker using it. The display is sadly unimpressive and the biggest disappointment of the notebook. The brightness, contrast, and color accuracy are no different than what is found on notebooks half the price. Moreover the 720p (1366x768) screen resolution is poor and results in a lot of unnecessary scrolling online and in most programs since there are not enough pixels to display content. Lastly, the edge-to-edge glassy covering is super reflective and therefore impractical; it should have a matte surface for readability.

The Beats Audio speakers are located under the palm rest. Despite the badging they are not overwhelmingly better than most notebook speakers; bass is sorely lacking and their placement under the palm rest means muffled sound while typing. The speakers get loud enough for general but aren’t impressive in terms of loudness either. Perhaps HP over-marketed the audio capabilities of this notebook.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The ENVY 14 features a white backlit keyboard. This island/Chiclet-style model is unique to the ENVY 14 and not shared with other HP notebooks. The keys have a smooth anti-glare surface and are some of the quietest I've heard (or almost not heard, that is). There are some minor flex issues on the right side; however the flexing does not affect the typing experience. The keyboard has an engaging feel and provides enough feedback to make quick typing possible.
The ENVY 14 has a Synaptics 'clickpad' - that is, the touchpad has a clickable surface. I am still not sold on clickpads and the ENVY 14's version did not change my mind. Clicking the surface takes more effort than pressing a typical dedicated touchpad button; furthermore, resting a second finger on the touchpad can cause stuttering and unwanted movement. Aside from the functionality, the touchpad has an excellent matte surface that is easy to track on.


Performance and Benchmarks
Thanks to its new Intel second-generation Core i5 processor, a fast 750GB 7200RPM hard drive, and dedicated AMD graphics card, the ENVY 14 provides ample performance for everyday tasks including moderate gaming.
In order to provide the best possible balance of performance and battery life the display driver automatically switches between the AMD Radeon HD 6330M discrete graphics for visually intense tasks and the integrated Intel graphics for general use.
The ENVY 14 is available with a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor which is far faster than the dual-core processor in our test unit. The ENVY 14 is additionally available with a Solid State Drive (SSD) which drastically improves disk performance (boot up and program loading times, to name a few).
Although the ENVY 14 is not technically a gaming notebook, we took the liberty of benchmarking it against a 15-inch ASUS G53-series gaming notebook since both systems can be found online for similar prices. Just keep in mind that the relatively thin ENVY 14 is more travel friendly than a 15-inch gaming machine.
wPrime processor comparison results (lower scores mean better performance):

PCMark Vantage measures overall system performance (higher scores mean better performance):

PCMark 7 is a newer benchmark which measures overall system performance (higher scores mean better performance):

3DMark06 measures overall graphics performance for gaming (higher scores mean better performance):

3DMark Vantage measures overall graphics performance for gaming (higher scores mean better performance):

CrystalDiskMark storage drive performance test:



Heat and Noise
The ENVY 14 remains impressively cool under normal load. While gaming and performing other demanding tasks, the notebook's surface gets slightly warmer but not hot. The bottom of the chassis under the cooling exhaust vents gets warmer, so it's probably not a good idea to use it on your lap while gaming.


Noise is the ENVY 14's second downfall next to the lackluster screen. Even while just surfing the Internet the fans rarely turn off and make an annoying whine; it only gets louder while gaming.
Battery Life
During our standard battery rundown test (Windows 7 Balanced power profile, 70% screen brightness, wireless active and refreshing a web page every 60 seconds), the ENVY 14 achieved 4.5 hours of life on its large 8-cell battery which is less than expected. The previous-generation ENVY 14 lasted just over five hours.
The ENVY 14 is available with a "Slim Fit" extended life polymer battery which attaches seamlessly to the bottom of the notebook. Our test unit did not come with one however we expect it to add at least two hours to the run time. Naturally, it increases the weight and thickness of the notebook.
Battery life test results (higher scores mean better battery life):

Conclusion
The HP ENVY 14 impresses in a number of areas including build quality, design, and performance but underwhelms in two key areas. The first is the screen; given the premium price we expected a better quality screen but instead were greeted with a low-detail panel no different than ones found on budget notebooks. Second is the fan noise; it's unacceptable. Even at idle the fan rarely shuts off and has an audible whine. A more minor complaint is the 4.5-hour battery life, which is decent but less than what we expected from the large eight-cell battery. Two other nuances worth mentioning are the so-so speakers despite the Beats Audio badging and the finicky clickpad, which does not work as well as a traditional touchpad.
At the end of the day the ENVY 14 is certainly recommendable - its design and quality are unparalleled amongst immediate competitors; additionally its performance is above average, especially for gaming. Its backlit keyboard is excellent and it comes with a two-year warranty standard. We think the pros outweigh the cons but as always, weigh them for yourself.

Pros:

• Great looking design
• Solid build quality
• Excellent backlit keyboard

Cons:

• Lackluster screen
• Finicky touchpad
• Loud fans

Individual Ratings: *
Software & Support 
Upgrade Capabilities 
Usability 
Design 
Performance 
Features 
Price/Value Rating 

* Ratings averaged to produce final score

Buy HP ENVY 14-2070NR 14.5-inch Notebook PC - Silver

Source : Notebookreview.com

Posted in: Review