More HP Envy 13 coverage

HP Envy 13, 15 gun after MacBook Pro | Electronista

HP this morning revived its sleeping Envy label for two new systems targeted at the same slim but high-speed designs as the MacBook Pro. The Envy 13 and 15 are both housed in aluminum-and-black shells and drop the usual optical drive to shed weight and thickness: the 13-inch model is relatively light at just over 3.7 pounds and is 0.8 inches thick, while even the larger 15-inch system is slightly over 5.1 pounds and under an inch. Both also draw on Monster's Beats PC audio to produce better built-in audio than most notebooks, get color accurate displays, and have a MacBook-like trackpad nicknamed the "clickpad" that hides the main button underneath the surface.

The Envy 15 heads up the pair of notebooks and is unique in having extremely high performance parts in a thin chassis: it should support Intel's new mobile Core i7 quad-core processors, handle up to 16GB of DDR3 memory, and come with a 1GB Mobility Radeon HD 4830 for graphics. Certain processor combinations will also get as much as seven hours of battery life through an extended pack, and the drive bays allow for two SSD in a RAID 0 stripe for added speed. It should stat from $1,799.

HP's smaller model is aimed more at those who would consider a MacBook Air and is slightly thicker in return for more expansion as well as faster video. It runs a low-power 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo S that gives it up to 7 hours of runtime on the stock 9-cell battery but also has a dedicated Mobility Radeon HD 4330 for its graphics. Its slightly larger size also affords it a 250GB hard drive and between 3GB and 5GB of RAM. It should cost slightly less at $1,699.

Both systems are due to ship on October 18th, just a few days before Windows 7.

Envy 15





Envy 13

HP Envy 15 and Envy 13 laptops defy launch date, arrive early

HP is expected to launch two new "up market" laptops on Tuesday under the company's Envy brand range to take on Apple, Dell and others.

Pictures have leaked out on the Web of two new models; one sporting a 15-inch screen, the other a smaller 13-inch glossy display.

According to TopProduct.nl, who has the 15-inch model up for pre-order, the new model will come with an intel Core i7 processor, 320GB hard drive and 4GB of RAM.

There is also a memory card reader and an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4830 graphics card rather than something from Nvidia.

A 6-cell battery, 3 USB 2.0 (3rd shared with eSATA port), 1 HDMI, 1 eSATA + USB connector, 1 RJ45 Ethernet connector, Headphone/Mic combo jack complete the package in the 2.35kg heavy machine. Other features of note are a touch pad supporting multi-touch gestures.

Adding fuel to the rumour fire, Rahul Sood, founder of VoodooPC who sold to HP in 2006, twittered:

"Tuesday is D Day. But don't ask me any questions because I don't know the answer".

The new model, which if leaked pictures are correct, will follow Apple's MacBook Pro range styling and run Windows 7 when it launches in October.

HP ENVY 13 and 15 Notebook PC hands-on - SlashGear

HP has unveiled their holiday line-up, and the standouts are obviously the flagship HP Envy 13 and Envy 15 notebooks.  Toting 13.1-inch and 15-inch LCD displays respectively, the Envy 13 tips the scales at 3.74lbs and measures just 0.8-inches thick, while the larger Envy 15 is 5.18lbs and just 1-inch thick.  The Envy 13 uses Intel’s Core 2 Duo SL9400 processor, while the Envy 15 gets the new Core i7-720QM CPU.

Graphics are ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330 512MB for the Envy 13 and Radeon HD 4830 for the Envy 15, while they support up to 5GB and 16GB of DDR3 memory respectively.  Connectivity includes WiFi a/g/n, Bluetooth, gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports (three on the Envy 15, the third being a combo eSATA/USB), HDMI and audio in/out, together with a 2-in-1 memory card slot; the Envy 13 has a 250GB 5,400rpm hard-drive, while the Envy 15 kicks that up to a 320GB 7,200rpm drive.

The Envy 15 has an integrated DVD burner while the Envy 13 has an external optical drive.  As for battery power, the 13.1-inch machine comes with both a 4-cell Li-Ion internal power-pack and a 6-cell battery slice that the ultraportable can optionally sit on top of; together HP estimate they’re good for 18hrs of runtime.  The Envy 15, meanwhile, has a 4-cell standard battery.  HP loads both notebooks with HP QuickWeb, a fast-booting Linux shell that offers speedy Internet and media access without booting into Windows 7.

We had a chance to catch up with HP and spend some time with the two new Envy notebooks, and came away impressed.  The widescreen displays are clear and particularly bright, while build quality is very high.  Their obvious competitors are Apple’s 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro notebooks, and though it’s too early to say conclusively – without proper longer-term review units – whether they equal or exceed the well-respected Cupertino machines, the combination of solid metal construction, capable specifications and lengthy battery life do leave us hopeful.

The HP Envy 13 starts from $1,699, while the HP Envy 15 starts from $1,799.  Check out the hands-on photos below for more details.

The HP ENVY 13 and 15 combine Voodoo Magic with Apple Macbook Pro design

There is simply no denying that the new HP Envy 13 and 15 look like an HP-ified Apple unibody MacBook Pro. Even the trackpad is a single, large glass button that supports gestures thanks to 3rd party software. I’m not saying they don’t look great, but seriously, someone copied off of Steve Jobs’ test. Good thing that these notebooks seem to have the power and poise to stand as HP’s flagship line.

While the Apple MacBook Pros are milled out of a single block of alumium, the HP Envy line takes a similar, but different approach. These notebooks are constructed out of magnesium and then coated with aluminum, which provides a very MBP look and feel, but it’s technically not as solid.

The Envy 13 rocks a Radeon HD 4330 discrete GPU that powers the 13.1-inch WXGA display. An Intel Core 2 Duo powers the rest while the optional Slim Fit Extended-Life battery can provide up to 18-hours of life while the standard kicks the can around 7 hours. (wow) However, the small size does come with some compromises. The Envy 13 doesn’t have an optical drive or an Ethernet port. Both are of course available as an extra accessory.

The Envy 15 however doesn’t lack anything. In fact, it has pretty much everything a user would want in a high-end notebook: a Core i7 CPU, up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM, room for two SSDs, a 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4830 GPU, 15.6-inch LED backlit display, a VGA webcam with nightvision, and all of this in a package that’s 1-inch thin and only weighs 5.18-pounds.

Let’s hope you weren’t thinking that these high-end HP notebooks wouldn’t command a MacBook Pro type price. They do. The Envy 13 and 14 will be available on October 18 starting at $1,699 and $1,799, respectively.

Precision-Crafted, High-Performance Notebooks Are Bright, Thin, Deliver Superb Experience

HP today redefines the premium notebook PC experience with the introduction of the HP ENVY sub-brand, which offers customers precision-crafted, high-performance models featuring HP Metal Etching and concierge service and support.

The new HP ENVY 13 boasts the brightest display in its class, and the HP ENVY 15 is the company’s fastest consumer notebook PC ever.

“HP ENVY includes the latest in materials and technology inside and out and pushes the technological and performance boundaries of what can be done in sleek, powerful and lightweightnotebook PCs,” said Ted Clark, senior vice president and general manager, Notebook Global Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP. “Discerning consumers will get a premium experience and performance.”

With HP ENVY, the focus is on designing an entire premium experience to satisfy the most demanding customers — from the products to the packaging to the service and support.

Breakthrough HP Metal Etching on the lid and palmrest of the ENVY 15, and on the palmrest of the ENVY 13, subtly signals luxury. The combination of materials provides exceptional mobility and a compelling metal look and feel, while using energy-responsible manufacturing methods.

The HP ENVY line — building upon the Voodoo ENVY legacy — includes leading-edge components optimized to yield power and performance. To offer consumers the best audio experience available on a notebook PC, HP partnered with Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ to develop a unique, high-performance audio software solution. Available exclusively on the HP Envy, Beats Audio offers users playing music or audio through headphones or external speakers the optimal sound experience — the way the artist intended it.

The lightweight heavyweight: ENVY 13
The ENVY 13 balances style and substance. Carefully crafted details inside and out will satisfy the cravings of demanding mobile customers.

The HP Radiance display is twice as bright as other notebook displays in its class — 410 nit (a measurement of display brightness) — and provides an exceptional movie and photo experience, even in high ambient light conditions. With 82 percent color gamut (versus standard 45-60 percent), photos appear richer with amazing color depth. Additionally, with fast 8-millisecond response time, customers can view movies with TV-like performance.

The ENVY 13’s strong performance is delivered in a small frame — less than an inch thin and weighing 3.74 pounds.¹ The exterior’s aluminum and magnesium construction provides durability in a sleek design. An etched-metal palmrest further sets the PC apart from others, and a VGA webcam³ optimized for low light also is included.

HP placed the same focus on design into its optional Slim Fit Extended-Life Notebook Battery. Taking the form of a “slice,” it preserves the sleek look of the ENVY 13 while giving users up to 18 hours of battery life with the extended-life battery.² The standard battery is user-replaceable.

ATI Switchable Graphics technology dynamically switches between ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4330 discrete graphics and the Intel® integrated graphics processor for either high-powered graphics processing or low power consumption for long battery life without booting the notebook. The Intel Core™ 2 Duo processor provides the power of dual processor cores while delivering extended battery life when the notebook is unplugged.

Designed with the most demanding mobile user in mind, the ENVY 13 notebook’s premium AC adapter is small and light. It draws minimal power, has built-in surge protection and includes a rubberized strap that keeps the cables organized and the adapter from slipping off a slick surface. An optional HP USB Ethernet Adapter also is available.

The performance powerhouse: ENVY 15
This lean, mean, dream machine is HP’s fastest consumer notebook. The full metal case features a sleek, subtly crafted, laser-etched metal design on the lid that is repeated on the palmrest. The magnesium alloy casing provides lightweight durability in a 1-inch thin, 5.18-pound package.¹

Customers have maximum speed and mobility with the future Intel Core i7 processor⁴ and up to 16 gigabytes (GB) of DDR3 1,066-MHz system memory in four SODIMM memory slots. Versatile storage options include the ability to add two solid-state drives in a RAID-0 configuration to improve the overall speed of the ENVY 15 while providing excellent disk performance. Creative users will appreciate the ENVY 15 notebook’s performance and full versions of Corel® Paint Shop Pro® Photo X2 and Corel VideoStudio® Pro X2 for creating photo and video content.

Power users and gamers can take advantage of premium graphics performance via ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4830 graphics with 1 GB of dedicated video memory for visually intense applications, DirectX® 10.1 games and high-definition video playback.

A choice of two 15.6-inch HP Brightview high-resolution LED backlit displays, including the Full High Definition LED HP Ultra BrightView Widescreen Display with up to 300-nits brightness, provides a superb display experience for a notebook in this class. A Nightvision VGA webcam that is optimized for low-light or zero-light conditions is standard on the HP ENVY 15, incorporating an infrared LED that assists the webcam³ by providing the necessary illumination in dark environments.

The ENVY 15 has an optional Slim Fit Extended-Life Notebook Battery, giving users up to seven hours of battery life.²

Designing the ENVY experience
The HP ENVY line includes a 360-degree approach to product design — from the products to the packaging:

• Building upon HP’s success with instant-on technology, HP QuickWeb allows customers to access key applications without booting the PC. In less than 30 seconds, users can access the Internet, music, videos and photos, and email.³
• HP Clickpad integrates the buttons into the touchpad and allows for fluid movements, while also allowing users to disable the clickpad if desired.
• The keyboard’s direct-action keys (versus typical function keys) allow users to quickly access often-used commands such as print and volume adjustment.
• Minimal desktop clutter and trial software adds to notebooks’ simplicity.
• An optional external optical drive complements the ENVY design and gives users the flexibility to carry the extra weight only when necessary. Two USB ports also transform the drive into a dock for additional capability.
• The ENVY 13 and 15 are presented in streamlined paper carton boxes using minimal ink. Included in the packaging is a simplified setup poster and documentation contained within an SD card.

Concierge service and support
The ENVY experience extends to premium service and support via the award-winning HP Total Care program. This includes expert agents dedicated to addressing ENVY customers’ questions via phone, online chat and email as well as next-day shipping for hardware customer service.

Pricing and availability
The HP ENVY 13 and ENVY 15 are expected to be available in the United States on Oct. 18 with a starting price of $1,699 and $1,799, respectively.⁵

HP Envy 13 and 15: Hands-on with the green-eyed monster laptops - Crave at CNET UK

We round out our sneak preview of the HP desktop and laptops coming to the UK with the Envy 13 and Envy 15 laptops, 13- and 15-inch sleek machines set to challenge the slimline MacBook Air.

The two computers rock aluminium and magnesium alloy bodies with a subtle etched pattern on the keyboard tray and the 15's lid. They have MacBook-style clickable touchpads but still feature left and right mouse buttons, and a button to turn off the touchpad, built into the pad itself. 

The Envy 15 is a mere 25mm thick yet crams in an Intel Core i7 CPU, four RAM slots for up to 16GB of memory, dual SSD hard drives and ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics. The display resolution is 1,600x900 pixels. In the States that hefty hunk of laptop starts at $1,800 (£1,090).

The Envy 13 is predictably less powerful, offering the Intel Core 2 Duo SL9400, a 1,366x768-pixel display, ATI Radeon HD 4330 graphics, and supports an external DVD burner. Slightly thinner than the 15, it starts at $1,700 (£1,030).

The HP Envy 13 and 15 come in environmentally conscious paper-based packets, with the instruction manual on a bundled SD card. So you really can turn green, with Envy! We'll get our coat.