HP ENVY dv7 Reviews

This update to HP's widespread 17-inch multimedia system portable computer would possibly pack enough price to be a real heir to the laptop throne.

Overview

The horsepower ENVY dv7t-7200 may be a new Windows eight portable computer unharness that sports a seventeen.3-inch screen and comes in an exceedingly big variety configurations to suit virtually any budget or performance desires. If the ENVY dv7t appearance surprisingly acquainted, you are right, it's merely a rebranding of the 2012 tent dv7t line however with the updated Windows eight OS. horsepower is currently putting the ENVY label on any portable computer it deems as being a performance machine or having premium style. the corporate has conjointly stopped manufacturing the fifteen-inch ENVY 15 and seventeen-inch ENVY 17 models, citing the very fact there was an excessive amount of overlap between those machines and also the equivalent dv6 and dv7.

Indeed modification is afoot at horsepower, they recently lost their title as #1 laptop manufacturer worldwide to Lenovo and then it's new innovative releases just like the} ENVY four TouchSmart and flagship models like the ENVY dv7t -- one among their best mercantilism thought laptops, that may confirm if they'll recapture past glory. scan on to seek out out if the ENVY dv7t may be a keeper or another excuse to contemplate horsepower a zombie of its former self cranking out uninspired laptops.

Build and style

The ENVY dv7t-7200 may be a seventeen.3-inch screen 7lb notebook that is squarely targeted at associate degree audience yearning for a desktop replacement vogue machine. With all the fashion concerning Ultrabooks, you would possibly be stunned to grasp the desktop replacement phase of fifteen to 17-inch laptops continues to be the highest mercantilism class. the explanation being that laptops just like the ENVY dv7t supply lots of nice options, wonderful performance choices and a worth that comes in well beneath a lighter and sleeker wanting however lesser high-powered Ultrabook. folks still need their notebook to seem good, regardless of what the scale and usage intention, horsepower thus has paid attention to creating the ENVY dv7t's appearance appealing to a good audience. The lid features a refined brushed metal skin with a time of day black color end that's contrasted with a silver trim round the edges. The horsepower emblem on high is light, this offers a reasonably cool look, tho' it in all probability does not generate identical techno-lust as associate degree Apple emblem will.

Opening up the the ENVY dv7t reveals a continuation of the time of day black end across the palm rests and round the keyboard. The black silver finished areas do a decent job of activity fingerprints, sadly identical can't be aforesaid of the shiny edge horsepower set to use round the screen and within the keyboard receptacle space. where you grab the screen to open it or change the angle can possible be left with a greasy fingerprint mark, a matte end would are additional sensible. as luck would have it the keyboard keys themselves square measure matte, not shiny just like the receptacle space, the keyboard uses associate degree island vogue key style with flat super. As another bonus for comptroller sorts there is a range pad on the correct aspect.

The aspect square measureas of the ENVY wherever the ports are found once more use a silver trim product of a plastic material with a pretend Al look. Moving to the face of the dv7, you will find a thick plastic skin is employed to strengthen this vulnerable space and defend its internals. there's a panel that may be simply launched with the removal of 1 screw and offers access to upgrade such things because the RAM, twin arduous drives or wireless card. The battery is removable and upgradeable, bucking the trend of sealed case styles.

Overall build quality is incredibly smart. The ENVY dv7t uses associate degree Al chassis internally to supply a solid frame that protects internals and provides resistance to flex from the surface. the sole space of flex we tend to may notice on the body was within the center of the keyboard, tho' given that further pressure was applied on the far side that of traditional writing. If you apply enough twisting force to the highest screen space you'll cause it to bend a couple of millimeters, however this can be of very little concern because the screen is sufficiently protected, no ripples seem on the screen if you push in from the lid.

The ENVY dv7t-7200 comes by default with a 6-cell 62WHr battery, this size battery sits flush with rock bottom of the notebook and might be simply removed and replaced if necessary. there's conjointly associate degree choice for a bigger 9-cell, battery that horsepower advertises as providing five hundredth longer battery life. The 9-cell stands out from rock bottom that raises the rear of the notebook up this will have the aspect advantage of making flowing beneath for higher cooling and slants the keyboard for higher engineering science. other than the upgradeable battery, you'll conjointly simply upgrade memory, the PCIe wireless card and one among the 2 disc drive bays. With such a lot of sealed notebooks on the market recently that will not even permit you to upgrade the battery, this level of upgrade ease is sweet to examine.

Ports and options

The 17-inch ENVY dv7t has all the key ports you wish and also the average client can need, tho' it will lack a number of the additional specialty and business familiarized kind ports. A majority of the ports square measure situated on the left aspect of the portable computer with simply a couple of on the correct. There are not any ports on the rear fringe of the notebook and also the front aspect solely features a SDHC card reader. the remainder of the ports square measure situated on the left and right sides of the notebook and here is what you get:


Left: VGA, HDMI, LAN (covered), two USB 3.0, electro-acoustic transducer in and earphone out

Right: Indicator lights, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, optical drive (Blu-ray or DVD), AC adapter and Kensington Lock slot
While there's associate degree abundance of ports offered, there square measure some business familiarized and specialty ports missing that some users would possibly care concerning. as an example, there is no DisplayPort video output, eSATA port, SmartCard reader or ExpressCard slot. The quicker USB three.0 transfer rates ought to serve for many users, however it'd are nice to supply DisplayPort associate degreed an ExpressCard slot given the scale and quantity of area offered with the dv7t.

Screen

The ENVY dv7t-7200 returns normal with a shiny end 1600 x 900 HD+ screen however also can come equipped with a Full HD 1920 x 1080 screen with matte end for an additional $150. whereas we tend to may complain the complete HD ought to be normal for a premium portable computer, the low worth of the dv7t you'll accomplish by going with the quality screen ($649 starting) and also the reality not all people calve eyes and 20/20 vision makes it a suitable place to begin. those who simply ought to have additional pixels per in. and price the anti-glare quality of a matte show can possible pay for the upper resolution Full HD screen.

The dv7t beneath review comes with the default 1600 x 900 show. Given the 1600 x 900 resolution, the ENVY dv7t has identical component density as a fifteen.6" screen portable computer with 1366 x 768 HD resolution. This screen uses American state panel technology found in an exceedingly majority of laptops, not the dearer wide angle viewing IPS technology you will have detected of that is used on the MacBook professional with membrane show or Lenovo's ThinkPad X230. this implies colours can shift as you tilt the portable computer screen back and forward, a straight-on read with the screen perpendicular to your eyes can supply the simplest expertise. there is not a lot of else to write down home concerning for the HD+ screen -- colours, distinction and black levels square measure all average. Screen brightness is ok for indoor usage, however do not expect to be ready to read the screen outdoors within the full sun. The shiny end screen will facilitate to form colours additional daring and sensible and is sweet for pic looking, however if you are operating in an exceedingly brilliantly lit area with a lightweight supply from behind and on top of you will get lots of reflection off of the screen.

It's somewhat dissatisfactory that horsepower did not supply associate degree choice for a touchscreen show once refreshing the dv7t to Windows eight . After all, the Windows eight UI is all concerning providing bit interaction and an outsized 17-inch show would supply many area for such screen interactions.

Speakers

HP uses Beats branded speakers on the ENVY dv7t-7200, there square measure four speakers on high then a subwoofer on rock bottom to supply deeper tones and further bass. The four speakers on high square measure situated at the highest of the keyboard then bottom of the show on the left and right aspect. The forward firing nature of the speakers on the screen may be a nice bit. The sound delivered is incredibly clear and stays such even at loud volumes. Full volume will be outlined as preposterously loud, avoid that level, unless you wish to fill an outsized area with sound. The Beats audio complete does not get a lot of respect next to the likes of Shenheiser or Audio Technica, except for a portable computer the ENVY dv7t stands out as being far better than average.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The ENVY dv7t features a Chiclet-style keyboard style (sometimes referred to as "island style") and might be organized with a backlight for an additional $20 if made-to-order via horsepower.com. The keyboard backlight may be a suggested upgrade, it makes seeing key written material easier even in an exceedingly area that's lit, and it adds somewhat of style flare. The keys themselves have a matte end whereas the keyboard back plate is shiny. The keys square measure flat and once ironed supply a decent quantity of travel and tactile feedback. The keyboard is firm and can not flex beneath typical writing pressure, however will be depressed if you apply associate degree on top of average quantity of downward pressure. The keyboard quality and feel isn't nearly as good because the typically praised Lenovo ThinkPad series with its ergonomically cupped keys and exactly designed tactile response and travel distances, except for a client notebook the ENVY dv7t is kind of smart.

There is variety pad on the correct aspect that ought to please accounting sorts. One note concerning having the amount pad squeezed in is that it suggests that the alphanumerical keys aren't targeted to the show, however rather they're shifted to the left relative to the show center, this would possibly trouble some people that like precise symmetry.

The ENVY dv7t touchpad has quite an massive expanse activity four.13-inch wide by two.13-inch deep. that is obscurity close to as massive because the Apple MacBook professional 15-inch that gives a five.2-inch wide by four.3-inch deep trackpad, however horsepower selected to supply dedicated mouse buttons rather than the integrated clickpad buttons Apple uses. With Windows eight the additional area you get on the touchpad the higher, there square measure lots of touchpad gestures you'll do and swiping from aspect to aspect is inspired for navigation, thus a clickpad and deeper touchpad surface might have created additional sense with the ENVY. price noting is that the reality the touchpad is slightly sunken, that is useful for locating it within the dark or to avoid wanting down. sadly if you choose for the keyboard backlight the touchpad doesn't receive identical backlight treatment.

As with a majority of Windows laptops, the ENVY uses Synaptics drivers for the touchpad that permit you to customise some settings like pointer speed, enabling or disabling gesture featres and palm detection sensitivity to avoid accidental pointer movement. For the foremost half the touchpad worked well, tho' typically the pointer would jump albeit I had palm detection sensitivity turned up. the larger issue for many users are working out the new Windows eight screen navigation options that simply appear additional intuitive to be used with a touchscreen instead of touchpad. bound Windows eight navigation like observing the Charms bar on the correct and alternative hidden shortcuts that need precise placement of the pointer in specific areas of the screen will be easier to try and do with a mouse that has additional correct pointer placement.

The mouse buttons below the touchpad square measure somewhat of a upset. whereas they work fine they need little travel distance and do not provide convincing feedback to grasp you've got absolutely ironed them.

Just below the keyboard on the correct aspect may be a fingerprint reader, this can be a customary feature and might be handy as another to exploitation written passwords for work into the machine or maybe websites once utilized in combination with integral software package.

Performance As with most horsepower laptops the ENVY dv7t is obtainable in an exceedingly big variety of configurations, you'll either customise it solely via horsepower.com or acquire a hard and fast configuration model from bricks and mortar retailers like Staples, Best obtain or maybe Costco. The model beneath review comes with associate degree Intel Core i5 third generation processor and might be made-to-order on-line because the horsepower ENVY dv7t-7200 choose Edition that starts at $799, cheaper AMD equipped ENVY dv7 models beginning at $649 will be found on-line. If you are solely fascinated by having the simplest performance offered, then the Intel Core i7 Quad Core equipped ENVY dv7t-7200 Quad Edition on horsepower.com is wherever to start out. whereas all dv7 models have identical style and construction, you may pay additional reckoning on the elements. If you would like a diversion machine, you'll even assemble a robust Nvidia GT 650M dedicated GPU with 2GB of RAM. Add associate degree SSD to the combination with associate degree Intel Core i7 and Nvidia 650M and you will have a true performance machine on your hands. Our horsepower ENVY dv7t may be a middle of the road configuration with the subsequent specs: Windows eight (64-bit) 17.3-inch shiny HD+ show (1600 x 900) Dual Core Intel Core i5-3210M (2.50GHz, 3.10GHz Turbo, 3MB Cache, 35W TDP) Intel HD Graphics 4000 8GB DDR3-1600 RAM (2 DIMM, up to 16GB supported) 750GB 5400RPM HDD (Hitachi Travelstar) 802.11 b/g/n wireless network adapter Internal Bluetooth v4.0 Integrated 720p digital camera and twin array digital electro-acoustic transducer Beats Audio with quad speakers and subwoofer 2-year restricted hardware guarantee 6-cell battery (62Wh) 65W power adapter Weight: 6.94lbs Dimensions: sixteen.4 x 1.4 x 10.8 inches (width x thickness x depth) MSRP as configured: $819.99 (starting at $799.99) The configuration for this review unit is middle of the road however offers lots enough power for a majority of customers simply wanting to try and do productivity work. The Intel Core i5 third generation processor is each a awfully capable and power friendly twin core processor to possess. it's what Intel dubs "Turbo Boost" therefore whereas the regular clock speed is two.50GHz, it will jump up to three.10GHz if true demands it. If you recognize you wish additional process power for the software package applications you run, the Intel Core i7 Quad Core processor choices square measure offered beginning at concerning $100 additional. If you are simply employing a application, looking videos, exploitation MS Word and performing some lightweight diversion then there is no got to buy additional process speed. The Intel HD 4000 graphics on board this model is capable of handling diversion and might even accomplish good frame rates in some newer games like Elder Scrolls Skyrim, on low graphics detail settings you'll get around 40FPS on the HD 4000. If you would like to run high detail graphics on the newest games then associate degree upgrade to a minimum of the Nvidia 630M or, better yet, the Nvidia 650M is suggested. The draw back of dedicated graphics will be the ENVY dv7t might run somewhat hotter and have less battery life. The enclosed disc drive on this model may be a massive capability 750GB HDD from Hitachi, however it sadly spins at a slow 5400RPM. you'll in fact upgrade to quicker arduous drives or associate degree SSD and there square measure many capability choices. better of all is that the reality there square measure 2 normal two.5" drive bays simply accessible on the dv7t-7200 therefore you'll have each associate degree HDD and SSD for the simplest of each worlds of speed and storage capability. it is simple to form upgrades and install your own storage once market, it simply needs the removal of a panel command in with one screw. within the previous tent dv7t-7000 model horsepower offered atiny low 32GB mSSD disc drive acceleration cache, except for no matter reason (most possible cost) they need done away therewith within the ENVY dv7t-7200. To get a thought of the general performance of the ENVY dv7t-7200 we tend to ran our normal benchmarks, note that we tend to conjointly enclosed a 3DMark eleven score for associate degree ENVY dv6t-7200 configuration we've to be had that has associate degree Nvidia 650M graphics card and Intel Core i7-3610QM processor therefore you'll compare scores and acquire a thought of the diversion potential of the next finish configuration dv7t. Note that the ENVY dv6t-7200 with associate degree Nvidia 650M GPU and Intel Core i7 trounced our ENVY dv7t-7200 model with integrated graphics, clearly if you would like superior 3D performance the Nvidia dedicated graphics may be a should. Since the dv6t and dv7t square measure virtually identical apart from their size, you'll expect the dv7t to attain equally with such a configuration. If you do not care concerning diversion and 3D performance, the simplest thanks to boost overall system speed is via installation of associate degree SSD. Heat and Noise To test out however the ENVY dv7t deals with heat we tend to measured temperatures once many hours of internet surfboarding, YouTube video looking and document writing the processor had a mean temperature of 48C (118.4F) whereas the disc drive was a cooler 35C (95F). Surface temperatures were comfy, the correct palm area remained the good at around 72F whereas the correct palm rest was hotter at concerning 81F. the rear left aspect close to the warmth vent got the warmest with temperatures within the low 90s. None of those temperatures square measure direful, see you later because the temperature on the surface is below the chassis temperature of 98F it'll stay fairly comfy to the bit. We should note that if you add dedicated graphics to the combination the story are completely different. Some users have according higher temperatures that reach the 100F vary on the keyboard once diversion for extended periods with a fanatical Nvidia GPU on board. However, horsepower features a inbuilt software package tool referred to as CoolSense that depends on internal sensors to assist it decide once to regulate the cooling fan speed supported usage and internal temperatures therefore on the total things ought to keep fairly cool regardless of what your configuration. Fan noise was ne'er a problem beneath typical usage like internet browsing or video looking, once running benchmarks you'll hear the fan operating tougher, however there was no whine or annoying whirs, rather just a few further close noise within the area. Again, if you've got dedicated Nvidia 650M graphics expect the fan to possess work somewhat tougher and for extended periods which might boost the noise issue. Battery Life While the ENVY dv7t is not a portable computer the majority are carrying around and movement with, it's still nice to grasp that if you are far from an influence outlet for associate degree extended amount of your time you will be ready to do some work and also the battery will not conk out once one or two of hours. we tend to used Futuremark's PowerMark battery take a look at program in "Balanced" mode that tested running the dv7t with a mix of machine-driven internet browsing, data processing, video playback, and diversion workloads with screen at 0.5 brightness to examine however long the 6-cell normal battery lasted. To our surprise it managed four hours and fourteen minutes of battery life, quite outstanding for a reasonably strict employment. in an exceedingly additional conservative battery take a look at with screen at 0.5 brightness and simply internet surfboarding and rental the dv7t idle for a time, battery life was around six hours half-hour. the majority are happy with these numbers, however if that is still not enough battery life for you then there is a larger 9-cell battery choice that horsepower claims offers up to five hundredth additional battery life than the 6-cell we tend to tested

Software The ENVY dv7t-6200 comes with Windows 8; there is no choice to "downgrade" to Windows seven. you'll need to seek out associate degree older tent dv7t model if you are not able to build the jump to a brand new OS however. we can't enter the options of Windows eight here, however if you are strange and would love to be told additional examine our Windows eight options and Windows eight tips articles. horsepower features a number of utilities price mentioning, the horsepower CoolSense application helps to discover the portable computer orientation and internal heat and change the fans consequently. The horsepower Support Assistant and horsepower Recovery manager also are smart support applications, the recovery manager makes it straightforward to install the Windows eight OS with what is referred to as a "minimal image" that leaves out bloatware and is near being a clean Windows eight install equivalent. Speaking of bloatware, out of the box there is a ton of it therefore it's suggested to either take away it manually or plow ahead and do the horsepower token image recovery promptly to quickly get obviate it. Some garbage applications you get square measure app tiles for eBay, iHeart Radio, Norton, horsepower Games (Wild Tangent Games rebranding), Snapfish photos, Netflix, Kindle, associate degreed an horsepower Connected Music store to call a couple of.


Conclusion

With the discontinuance of the ENVY seventeen line, the ENVY dv7t-7200 is currently at the highest of performance charts for HP's notebook lineup. The dv7t-7200 does not quite have the planning aesthetics or blow your mind performance capabilities we'd love it to possess for a premier providing, however if you ignore that reality and focus additional on the worth proposition and options you get for the dollar the ENVY dv7t becomes quite appealing. If you are taking advantage of sale valuation associate degreed horsepower coupons you'll typically get the ENVY dv7t-7200 organized with an Intel Core i7, Nvidia 650M, full HD screen and 8GB of RAM for beneath $1,000. The precise configuration we've was found on sale last week for $599. as long as reasonably valuation for a sturdily engineered portable computer with high shelf elements and also the reality horsepower offers a 2-year normal guarantee for this model, it's a gorgeous deal.

Pricing aside, things we actually like concerning the ENVY dv7t-7200 square measure its versatile configuration with powerful performance choices, easy upgrades once market, durable build quality, wonderful speakers and audio quality, twin storage bays, and engaging black brush metal end. Downsides to the ENVY dv7t embrace the annoying shiny screen edge, stiff mouse buttons, lack of a touchscreen choice to profit of Windows eight and quantity of bloatware put in out of the box. None of those complaints square measure showstoppers and are literally quite token, therefore do not be deterred, on the total the ENVY dv7t-7200 may be a well featured portable computer that stands out among 17-inch offerings as being a capable performing artist with ample nice options and nice worth to match.

Pros:

Easy to upgrade components or replace battery
Dual storage bays
Multiple processor and graphics configurations
Great speakers and Full HD screen choice
Standard 2-year guarantee
Cons:

Glossy end around screen and between keys shows fingerprints and mud
No touchscreen choice for Windows eight, no downgrade support for Windows seven
Integrated mouse buttons feel low-cost
Not as engaging because the premium ENVY seventeen it's replaced