The HP Envy 17 model we reviewed has an Intel Core i7 processor with a core speed of 2.3GHz. Speed boosts can ramp it up to 3.3GHz. This makes for quick load times for programs, especially graphic-heavy games and photo editing software. Plus you can set the computer to continually give you these boosts of speed. This is a third-generation processor, so it has lower power requirements and better cooling than previous generations.
One of the best things about this laptop is its video card. The Radeon HD 7850M comes standard, which is good enough for running games like Diablo 3 on medium-high settings. But best part is this: the graphics card is switchable. This means the graphics card isnt integrated into the processor but runs as its own GPU. This option is hard to find since most laptops come with integrated graphics cards. The Envy lets you pop out the current card and make any necessary upgrades you want.
All HP Envy models come with Beats Audio built in. This bass-heavy technology makes it easy to hear all tones of audio, even on laptop speakers. Beats Audio gives you full control over every portion of the audio levels with easy-to-use settings. The six speakers and the dual-bass speaker setup in this laptop sound good, but Beats Audio is at its best with high-quality headphones plugged into the auxiliary jack.
The HP Envy 17 provides an ample amount of memory for all of your needs. The laptop we reviewed offers 8GB of RAM. It also provides a large amount of hard drive space. The 750GB of hard drive space included on the laptop provide plenty of storage for all kinds of files. However, there are several options for adding additional RAM and hard drive space to your laptop if youd like; the choice is up to you.
This laptop computer has a decent battery life with an eight-hour charge with minimal use. You can expect to get up to seven hours of power on a single battery charge with continual use, giving you the power you need for work, entertainment and additional computing needs throughout the day.
Design:
One of the first things you will notice about the HP Envy 17 is its attractive design. This laptop features an aluminum chassis, which gives it an appealing look and provides it with the durability and protection it needs to last a long time.
We are impressed with the keyboard on this laptop computer. The Envy 17 features a full-size radiant backlit keyboard. Controls on the keyboard allow you to make the keys as bright or as dim as you would like. It even features proximity sensors that will sense your presence, so when you have stepped away from your computer, the lights will dim to save the battery life.
The Envy 17 features a large 17.3-inch display screen with a 1920 x 1080 HD screen resolution. The large display screen is excellent for enjoying multimedia entertainment, and the sharp, crisp display makes working with images and videos a breeze.
However, the design of the HP Envy 17 did not meet our full expectations, simply because this laptop computer is very large and heavy. It weighs a little over seven pounds, and its large size makes it difficult to carry compared to smaller laptops. If you are looking for a laptop to take on the road, the size of the Envy 17 may be prohibitive.
Feature Set:
The Envy 17 laptop provides a wide assortment of features and tools, ranging from entertainment and multimedia tools to security features and more. This computing device features an HP TrueVision HD webcam and a built-in microphone, which makes video chats possible. This laptop also comes with both Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Elements.
This laptop comes with all the basic networking tools such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. A standard DVD optical drive is available on the device, with the option to upgrade to a Blu-ray player. There is also a wide assortment of connectivity options on the Envy 17, such as four USB ports, three of which are USB 3.0 ports. An HDMI port is also available, which allows you to connect the laptop to an HD monitor or an HDTV for an enhanced viewing experience.
This HP laptop features HP ProtectSmart, which is designed to keep your data safe from any bumps your laptop may experience. ProtectSmart senses when the laptop is in motion or is on an unstable surface such as you lap. It then turns on certain safety precautions to protect your hard drive.
Support & Warranty:
One of the advantages to using an HP computer is the companys excellent customer support. By accessing the HP customer service webpage, you can view manuals, warranty information and variety of online help topics. There is also a FAQs section on the HP website that provides additional assistance. You can also communicate directly with a technical support representative through live chat, email and telephone support.
Summary:
The HP Envy 17 is an outstanding and powerful laptop computer. This computing device offers a large feature set and powerful performance tools that can handle all of the extras this computer provides. The hefty size is a bit of a drawback with this computer, but its only because of the superior performance packed into the design. The display screen on this laptop is stunning, and there is plenty of RAM, hard drive space and battery life to handle all of your computing needs. With so much included on this computing device, it is no wonder that it is one of the best laptop computers available.
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