Introduced as a alternative for the Voodoo Envy in 2009, the Envy series at first kicked off with 13 and 15-inch models. The top class pocket book line became improved in mid-2010 with 14 and 17-inch flavors, the former of which we obtained for assessment. It's been simply over a 12 months on the grounds that we posted that overview and we've got in view that been graced with the second one-gen Envy 14. Although it appears quite similar on the outside, the 2011 generation has revamped internals.

Now, here's where I make a pause to provide an explanation for the complicated timing we went via in trying out and reviewing the Envy 14. This 2d-gen model changed into launched in August and we obtained our test gadget approximately a month later. That turned into across the equal time HP abruptly halted their webOS business and hinted at a probable PC unit spin off. Weeks went by means of, HP obtained all sorts of true and awful press (in the main the latter), their fairly new CEO went out the door, and in late October we eventually obtained a very last answer: HP is keeping its PC business and we should see more products inside the close to destiny.

Back to enterprise as typical, HP revamped the Envy 15 and 17 fashions in past due November, even as the Envy 14 remained in the main the equal, receiving more than one pace bumps and charge cuts.

Our assessment system used to price $1,079.ninety nine however now you can get it for $899. The Envy 14 comes with a 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-2430M with Turbo Boost, 6GB DDR3 SDRAM, a Western Digital 750GB tough drive, Radeon HD 6630M switchable photographs, a 14.five" HD BrightView Infinity LED show, 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer aid, Intel HM65 Express Chipset, Intel 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN with Bluetooth and an 8-mobile 3800mAh Lithium Ion battery. Windows 7 Home Premium is the running system of desire.

If you're acquainted with the Envy line, there aren't any surprises from last yr's models. The pc arrived in similar packaging and includes a power adapter, removable battery, electricity twine and a short setup manual. The power adapter consists of a USB port for charging cell gadgets which is a nice contact.

From the outdoor the 2010 and 2011 Envy 14 fashions are nearly indistinguishable. The Envy has a strong resemblance to Apple's MacBook Pro which for the maximum element might be considered a terrific element. The contemporary model functions the identical gunmetal lid with an attractive etched sample. A reflective HP brand is placed at the again nook of the lid at the right aspect and emits a subtle white glow when the machine is on.

On the the front of the pocket book are speaker grills with the Beats audio brand prominently displayed beside the left grill. A SD / MMC card slot flanks the speaker on the proper. On the proper side of the gadget is a energy and tough pressure activity light, USB three.0 port, HDMI port, mini DisplayPort, Kensington lock slot, Ethernet jack and an array of exhaust vents.

The returned of the device is easy except another collection of exhaust vents. On the left facet is the slot-loading optical force, USB 2.zero ports and headphone / microphone jacks.

There are 4 anti-slip pads on the lowest of the notebook even though one of the ft became damaged on our pattern. HP cycles evaluate samples through a couple of media shops and we don't have any idea how many others have examined this Envy before we obtained it. Even so, a broken foot calls into query the durability of the pocket book a chunk and upon similarly inspection, the access panel that had the damaged pad feels quite flimsy.

Feet apart, the lowest of the Envy 14 is highly undeniable. There's the aforementioned access panel that hides the detachable battery and difficult pressure.

Opening the lid, we see the lovely infinity display with the Beats audio emblem on the top left and the Envy 14 badge at the right. The show has a resolution of 1366x768 which isn't always pretty the 1600x900 pixels located on final 12 months's Radiance show. Unfortunately, HP no longer offers the Radiance show choice as they have been unable to obtain sufficient from suppliers for 2011. There's a "Skype-licensed" 720p webcam above the show with microphones on either facet of the lens.

Also returning is the tremendous backlit chiclet keyboard that has a nice stable sense whilst typing. There are no devoted media keys however the characteristic buttons throughout the top row double as secondary buttons while not having to first press the Fn key. For example, pressing F5 turns the backlight on in place of clean the web page you are currently viewing.

The touchpad and click on buttons are all over again integrated into a single unit. I've had combined reports with this in the past; some correct, commonly bad. Last yr's Envy 14 became one of the worst, however we had been instructed by means of HP those issues had been corrected thanks to a new ImagePad that is extra correct and might deal with greater fingers at once. We'll test these out in higher element next.