It's not a "flagship," but it's just as lux-looking and powerful, and it starts at $799.
Read the whole story
Read the whole story
HP Envy 13 mini-review: Spectre fans, meet your budget option
- Thread starter JournalBot
- Start date
Hang on, where is the other USB C port?
I'm glad to hear that HP has finally committed to Precision drivers for their mainstream laptops. I hope my previous generation Envy 13 (8265u) gets them eventually.
I'm glad to hear that HP has finally committed to Precision drivers for their mainstream laptops. I hope my previous generation Envy 13 (8265u) gets them eventually.
Upvote
18
(18
/
0)
Probably worth noting in the review:
i) The gold option is a $10 upgrade for some reason. Looks great.
ii) Holy Heck, this might be a mistake on the HP website, but the discrete graphics upgrade to GX250 is... $20! Twenty bucks! I've only ever seen graphics upgrades for $100 or thereabouts. Well done HP!
Usually I steer well clear of HP consumer oriented laptops, but this looks like a very decent compromise.
i) The gold option is a $10 upgrade for some reason. Looks great.
ii) Holy Heck, this might be a mistake on the HP website, but the discrete graphics upgrade to GX250 is... $20! Twenty bucks! I've only ever seen graphics upgrades for $100 or thereabouts. Well done HP!
Usually I steer well clear of HP consumer oriented laptops, but this looks like a very decent compromise.
Upvote
15
(15
/
0)
Very nice. Unfortunately HP doesn't offer build-to-order in Australia and instead has a dozen different models, none with 4K, most out of stock, and all overpriced. And you have to click through to each one to find the specs.
Upvote
7
(7
/
0)
Statistical
Ars Legatus Legionis
There is only one usb-c port.
HP says the usb-c is data only which if true should be under ugly. Will be interesting to see if it suports PD even if not officially. XPS 13 is like that. Dell ships a Dell power supply but you can power the laptop fine over the usb-c port with a usb pd charger.
It is annoying companies continue to stick with the proprietary power port. Remove the power connector and you would have room for two usb-c ports. They should both support charging. Bonus points if you put one on each side for charging cord flexibility.
https://store.hp.com/app/pdp/hp-envy-la ... -6vc06av-1
HP says the usb-c is data only which if true should be under ugly. Will be interesting to see if it suports PD even if not officially. XPS 13 is like that. Dell ships a Dell power supply but you can power the laptop fine over the usb-c port with a usb pd charger.
It is annoying companies continue to stick with the proprietary power port. Remove the power connector and you would have room for two usb-c ports. They should both support charging. Bonus points if you put one on each side for charging cord flexibility.
Upvote
29
(29
/
0)
Same here in Germany. The HP online store website is the most hideous shopping site I have ever seen. I have no clue why I should read the specs of 30 different but almost identical configurations of one single laptop to find (or worse even not find) the model of my choice...
Upvote
14
(14
/
0)
I own the last gen envy with the mx150. Biggest complaints were the touchpad, mushy keyboard, middling battery life, and the intel integrated graphics inability to drive the 4k display at a decent framerate even just navigating around windows. Never saw the start menu open smoothly when I had the display scaling >100%.
Upvote
1
(1
/
0)
Upvote
1
(1
/
0)
j17robotdancer
Ars Praefectus
If you know of someone in another country you could have it shipped to them and them reship it to you. No idea what the rates are for shipping but wanted to mention it anyways.
Upvote
-1
(1
/
-2)
I own one of the last-gen HP Envy 13's. I love it...aside from the fact that the display is constantly glitching (think 4 a.m. TV 'snow'). I'll be sending it in for repairs soon.
And the 4K screen is gorgeous.
And the 4K screen is gorgeous.
Upvote
0
(0
/
0)
Does the FHD (nontouch) screen come in matte/nonreflective or just full "I like looking at my own face" mode?
I'm very confused where the info on the 2 USB-C ports came from, since only one is visible. Seemed rather detailed for a simple typo - pulling from the wrong model perhaps?
I'm very confused where the info on the 2 USB-C ports came from, since only one is visible. Seemed rather detailed for a simple typo - pulling from the wrong model perhaps?
Upvote
1
(1
/
0)
I had a chance to use one of these a couple days ago, helping one of my friend's kid out, who had picked it up in advance of going to college. I didn't know what it was beyond a newer HP (from the logo) but I was very impressed. I had thought it was a Specter initially, it was so nice looking and nice to use. Even with the 4K and discreet graphics, it was not very pricey from Costco.
Upvote
1
(1
/
0)
I would need to see a tear-down review of an HP laptop before I would consider buying one. HP has released too many models with design defects that caused catastrophic failure, or just super cheap design not conducive with reliability.
Upvote
-3
(3
/
-6)
The power supply port looks to be the same as used on their current and previous gen laptops, which is great for parts commonality in desktop support. Yes, it's not as forward thinking as USB-C charging but I don't have a real problem with this.
It'll be interesting to see if the power adapter is compatible with similar model Dell laptops. With the HP laptops from 4 years ago or so with the larger power connector, the power adapters were compatible with Dell laptops of the same generation since the voltage was the same and the amperage was similar.
It'll be interesting to see if the power adapter is compatible with similar model Dell laptops. With the HP laptops from 4 years ago or so with the larger power connector, the power adapters were compatible with Dell laptops of the same generation since the voltage was the same and the amperage was similar.
Upvote
2
(2
/
0)
AT $799 i'd call it a reasonable mid-priced machine. Relative to some other machines with similar specs it is more of a bargain. But, genuine low budget laptops with reasonable power come in at about $450, or below. For example, this week Amazon had an HP laptop with a 2000-series Ryzen 5 2-GHz quad core processor, 8-GB RAM, and a 256-GB SSD for $399. That was a real bargain. So, it's time for me to wait for a sale on Black Friday, since I will soon need to replace my aging ThinkPad.
Upvote
2
(5
/
-3)
Charges via barrel charging port... And it is a nope..
When will DDR4 with 32 gig options become more mainstream?
Oh well... I'll wait another year for a work lappy upgrade...
When will DDR4 with 32 gig options become more mainstream?
Oh well... I'll wait another year for a work lappy upgrade...
Upvote
-14
(1
/
-15)
I'm confused, so it doesn't have any video out whatsoever?
Even the USB C is data only, so no direct USB c to hdmi or display port.
So it would need a dongle with its own video capability? (like those USB A to HDMI/DSUB dongle)
Or USB c data only also means video out?
Even the USB C is data only, so no direct USB c to hdmi or display port.
So it would need a dongle with its own video capability? (like those USB A to HDMI/DSUB dongle)
Or USB c data only also means video out?
Upvote
11
(11
/
0)
I've been wondering, what heppen when you plug the proprietary charger to its proprietary slot... AND also connect the USB C charger to usb C port
Upvote
0
(0
/
0)
Data only means you simply can't charge the machine via USB-C. You can still output video, though it might require some extra drivers because HP's support for video over USB-C has been kinda wonky in my experience.
Upvote
7
(7
/
0)
Except for no usb c charging, this is actually everything I’d like on a laptop.
Someone has been paying attention to the users.
Someone has been paying attention to the users.
Upvote
4
(4
/
0)
Upvote
0
(6
/
-6)
This and no option for Ryzen, well that's more important for me than no USBC charging.
Why the hell aren't laptop makers scrambling for that? Have 1-2 USB c ports, thats it. Then sell overpriced dongles.
Upvote
-1
(1
/
-2)
Do you also complain when your Corolla doesn't come with 300 HP?
Upvote
18
(19
/
-1)
The 32 GB of RAM complaint isn't specific to this model, but a commentary on the industry at large... Why are manufacturers stuck on LPDDR3 with its 16GB limitations (not to mention higher power consumption and lower performance)? I understand that most people are fine with 8GB of RAM and 16 GB is overkill, but if they had transitioned to DDR4, some of us extreme users would at least have the option to put in 32GB (or even 64) in their laptops...
And I don't drive Corolla's (or any Toyotas, really)... I find their quality overhyped and overstated... Kias are just fine for me, thanks!
Upvote
-6
(3
/
-9)
It has more to do with the form factor. If you're willing to sacrifice aesthetics and compactness, the Dell G3 comes with 32gb DDR4 RAM as well as TB3 connectivity for less than $1200, but then you're going to have to use a big bulky gaming-styled laptop.
Upvote
5
(5
/
0)
Exactly. I am using a gaming laptop right now from a few years ago to achieve the performance I want(ed at the time). I was hoping 4 years later, I'd have the option to get a non-gaming laptop, without a crazy GPU, weird aesthetics, weight, but gaining a thin light frame with a 13 inch form factor... and at least 32GB of RAM as an option... Like I said, I'll wait another year or so before trying again... This laptop (Dell 7995) is maxed out at this point...
(XPS 15 is close, but I don't really want the NVIDIA GPU, and the USB-C charging is kind of an afterthought)...
Upvote
1
(2
/
-1)
I had one of the original Folio 13's and loved it, one of my favorite laptops ever. Used it all the way through the last 3 years of college. Bought it for less than 700$ open box at Microcenter and it got better battery life than the Macbook Pro 2009 it replaced.
I am the target market for this thing.
I refuse to buy a laptop in 2019 that doesn't allow for USB-C charging. It's already obsolete; and the only reason they didn't include it was so that they could keep the Spectre more "premium." Idiotic.
I am the target market for this thing.
I refuse to buy a laptop in 2019 that doesn't allow for USB-C charging. It's already obsolete; and the only reason they didn't include it was so that they could keep the Spectre more "premium." Idiotic.
Upvote
1
(1
/
0)
I am really disappointed by that barrel charger on the thing. I see that apparently it can charge by USB-C. Instead of that barrel charger I would have liked another USB C port in the space.
Its a great looking device.
Its a great looking device.
Upvote
0
(1
/
-1)
The lower trim of these consumer laptops all have various issues, and can't necessarily be seen in the specs. Many have smaller batteries, cheap screens or similar. There's a reason that MacBooks were so popular for so long, they were a good value at their price point, and anything less was a compromise. Sadly no longer true.
Upvote
0
(0
/
0)
I wish the Spectre X360 would move away from the "gem cut" design and look a bit more like this. In person the X360 looks a little obnoxious, and the Elitebook is a little over my price range.
Upvote
0
(0
/
0)
I have a late 2018 Envy 13. I don't remember if it was ever advertised as being chargeable using the USB C port, but mine has been charging perfectly through the port using Aukey's 60W USB PD power brick.
Upvote
4
(4
/
0)
Good to know. Thanks for that! (I like Aukey chargers, for the most part)
Upvote
0
(0
/
0)
Only if you move offices or like traveling light. At most it’s an inconvenience of having to keep the charger with you.
This was a thing in most laptops, including high end Lenovo’s up until not too long ago.
Upvote
1
(1
/
0)
Which version of the machine do you have? I have the ad173cl revision and it does not charge using my 60W RavPower adapter.
I was actually pretty disappointed to have to carry yet another wall wart around for this computer.
Upvote
1
(1
/
0)
This is strange. I know some Envy 13 models advertise support for USB-C charging.
Although I guess HP doesnt really care about its consumer lines. I bought a Pavilion 13 laptop based on the user manual and spec page which advertised usb-c charging (chose it over the Dell because it had dedicated pageup down buttons). As it turns out, they copied pastaed the spec sheet from a similar looking Envy laptop and the USB-C port only supports data transfer.
Although I guess HP doesnt really care about its consumer lines. I bought a Pavilion 13 laptop based on the user manual and spec page which advertised usb-c charging (chose it over the Dell because it had dedicated pageup down buttons). As it turns out, they copied pastaed the spec sheet from a similar looking Envy laptop and the USB-C port only supports data transfer.
Upvote
1
(1
/
0)
That's a tough sell when the RAM cannot be upgraded. Should only top-spec laptops give 4-5 years of solid performance?
Upvote
0
(1
/
-1)
I had a look at the x360 versions of the Envy 13" and 15" models and all I can say is buyer beware.
I went into it thinking the 13" was just a shrinkified version of the 15" but found only the larger laptop had RAM slots to go with its much beefier cooling system. The 13" was inferior in all aspects but size and weight.
I went into it thinking the 13" was just a shrinkified version of the 15" but found only the larger laptop had RAM slots to go with its much beefier cooling system. The 13" was inferior in all aspects but size and weight.
Upvote
0
(0
/
0)
I agree with you. This morning, for example, I was able to pick up a Dell Inspiron 13" 7375 2 in 1 with a Ryzen 5 2500, 8GB 2400 DDR4, 256 SSD (SATA, but still...), FHD, Windows Hello facial recognition, decent selection of ports, yada, yada, for $380.00. And these are easily upgradable also.
I should mention that I grabbed that as an open box in perfect shape, but there are other great laptops available for around that price new. There's the Lenovo 330S-15ARR 15.6" with the Ryzen 5, 8GB, FHD and 128GB SSD available on Amazon for $409 brand new, for example. That's also an easy laptop to upgrade and comes with space for a 2.5 drive also.
For those who want to spend less, good choices exist for half of what this Envy 13 costs.
Upvote
0
(0
/
0)