Review HP Envy 17t-j003 Notebook

[Redaktion]

Processor-blowhard with flaws The Envy 17 scores in CPU matters owing to Intel's i7 4700QM quad-core, and it also displays pictures on matte Full HD screen. But just how well does the laptop fare in our in-depth test report?

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-HP-Envy-17t-j003-Notebook.100557.0.html

[agn727]

I've had this notebook for a couple weeks after upgrading from a 5 year old HP HDX 18T. My version, however, has 16GB memory and a 1080p 17-inch touchscreen ($1100 including tax). I'm much more satisfied than the reviewer, although I'm not a gamer. I'd like to point out that it DOES have an mSATA slot. At least according to the service manual. I ordered a 240GB mSATA based on that and reading of others who have made the same upgrade. Unfortunately, the mSATA slot is located UNDER the area near the BIOS battery. Thus, installation is going to require major dismantling. I plan on running the 240GB mSATA with two 1TB hard drives. My only disappointment so far is that it didn't come with the cable for the second drive bay.

[agn727]

I should've mentioned my configuration also has the NVIDIA 740 and a BluRay drive.

[Kim B]

I am considering the purchase of an HP ENVY, but with multiple upgrades. I am not a techie, but somewhat knowledgeable, and you lost me at some point, I have a few specific questions and cannot seem to find answers for them. I do design work on my laptop. The model I am interested in is the HP ENVY Touch Smart 17t-j000 Quad Edition Notebook. The upgrades that I am considering are NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M, Antiglare monitor (though I have concerns about this, not read any reviews), the standard 4th gen Intel Core i7 4700 MQ. Besides those concerns, I do not understand a few things: I read that for the most accurate color with laptop monitors  you should get a IPS not a TN. If I read the review correctly, this laptop comes with a TN and is not upgradeable. Is that true? You mention designers should "imperatively calibrate the colors". How do you do this? And will you get accurate colors for working with commercial printers (businesses not machines)? Next, I don't understand the hard drive options. I read that for people who multi-task (and I REALLY DO), you should have an SSD. I selected the 16 GB of RAM since it only has two slots (makes more sense to do it now then throw about 8GB and buy 16GB later), but the optional SSD adapter conflicts with any RAM above 8GB. So that is the first issue. The second issue is that I do not know what a hybrid is or if it or a dual drive is better for my needs without driving the cost up too high. I also have a basic question. My current laptop is a 32 bit, this is a 64 bit. Can I use the software from my 32 bit on a 64 bit laptop? Mostly concerned with Office 2010. I read that the wifi is not good and I already have wifi issues with my current laptop. Is it better or easier to use bluetooth? Do I need a new router for that? I spent the last 12 hours researching this and I just am more confused than when I started. Your response would be most appreciated. KIM

[agn727]

I could be wrong on this, but from what I've read online... HP only offers very small SSDs (24GB?) and that size would be of no use in systems with more than 8GB RAM. Those small SSDs are supposedly mSATA SSD cards - which reside under the easy to access portion in the computer and will therefore require major dis-assembly. That's why I ordered separately a 240GB mSATA for use, hopefully, as my boot drive and SSD cache. The hybrid hard drive would be redundant with the small HP SSD. Basically, when configuring, get one or the other. It'd be a waste to get both. I got neither since I want to run an mSATA SSD as my boot drive plus two 1TB regular hard drives for storage. I do, however, wish I'd ordered 2 regular hard drives from HP to begin with, since it'll now cost me around $45 just to get the hard drive caddy and cable for the second bay anyway. If you were going to skip my mSATA route and run one 2.5" SSD (not nSATA card) and one 2.5" regular hard drive, it would still make sense to order two 2.5" regular drives so you'd get the caddy and cable for a 2.5" SSD that you provide as well as the spare drive to keep as a back up.

[Hin]

Don't buy HP envy, overpriced, and customer service sucks. Dust between the glass and panel of my screen within 6 months, and HP says it won't replace it cause its too expensive. WTF is the warranty for then. The aluminium oxidises within 6 months too, making the "pretty" "expensive" laptop full of white and black spots. Warranty also does not cover that. Save your money, go buy something else.

[Lizardwithhat]

BIAS, SUCH BIAS IN THIS ARTICLE!!!
Who the hell wrote this?
unlike most reviews on notebookcheck this one is completely biased against the laptop. Not to mention a bit inaccurate as well, for example the touchpad has a way lower temperature during load then when idle, WTF?

[Daniel Dacher]

 3DMark 2001SE 3437 points

Don't know, haven't taken this test yet.

3DMark 03 24329 points

Mine: 27261

3DMark 05 14401 points

Mine: 16896

3DMark 06
1280x1024 9776 points

Mine: p9530

3DMark Vantage 6591 points

Mine: 5126

3DMark 11 2041 points

Mine: p1530

3DMark Ice Storm 53053 points

Mine: 69552

3DMark Cloud Gate 6968 points

Mine: 7454

3DMark Fire Strike 1025 points

Mine: 980

So why should I leave my q840 and ati, hp? This is nothing ground shaking, considering my first gen does better in most tests and also in gaming.  ;D

[D.Dacher]

This is very interesting. Sadly, HP seems to have taken a step back in regards to gaming with this plastic model. With the old alu-clad Envy it is more than possible to run most games @ high if not @ ultra; would it be possible for NoteBookCheck to obtain the newer model HP Envy with the GT750M for review? For gaming comparison?
Sincerely -D.Dacher

[technoshaman]

 This review mentions the wobbly keyboard, but fails to mention how serious is the problem. The keyboard on my ENVY 17 is so spongy, that tf you want to know what keys you are pressing, you need to use it with an external keyboard.

With my new HP ENVY 17, the HP Customer Response Team can only explain that the Authourized Service is unable to explain why they have no parts available to repair this problem, and unable to explain why they have no idea when they will get such parts. So after 2 weeks, they are sending me my new HP ENVY back with a completely unusable wobbly keyboard they cannot fix.