Earlier this summer HP expanded their popular Envy notebook line with the introduction of the Envy 14 and Envy 17 models. The two new releases build on the success of last year's Envy offerings and bring several new hardware options to the table as well as a lower introductory price point. Today we will look at the smaller 14-inch version.
The Envy 14 starts at $999.99 with an Intel Core i3 processor and scales up to the Core i7. The configuration of our review system costs $1,390 with an upgraded Intel Core i5 450M processor operating at 2.4 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.66 GHz, 4GB DDR3 system memory (two modules), a Seagate Momentus 500GB 7200 RPM hard drive, 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 switchable graphics, a 14.5" HP Radiance display running at 1600 x 900 resolution, SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support, Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth and an 8-cell Lithium Ion battery.
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit comes pre-installed. Other notable perks include a full-size island-style backlit keyboard and Beats Audio.
The Envy 14 arrives in an elegant black box with silver lettering and the Beats Audio logo prominently displayed on the front. The computer is tucked in a plush sleeve, alongside a power cable and adapter, a 2GB Envy SD card, quick setup guide and warranty information. As is standard these days, HP includes a recovery partition instead of physical discs.
First impressions can mean a lot and when I opened the lid of the Envy for the first time, I was certainly impressed. The keyboard design, aluminum construction and glossy full size display are all reminiscent of an Apple product. It's hard not to make that comparison when looking at the Envy. That used to be the case with the original 13-inch model, and that remains true with the Envy 14, but that can only be a good thing.