When it comes to premium laptops, the HP Envy series has always stood out for its sleek design, powerful performance, and value for money. The HP Envy 17, specifically, takes everything that’s great about the series and scales it up into a larger 17 inch format. Whether you’re a professional who needs a powerful machine for creative work or someone who just enjoys having a large display, the Envy 17 is worth considering. In this review, we’ll dive deep into the design, performance, display, features, and overall user experience to help you decide if this is the right laptop for you.
Pricing and Value for Money
The HP Envy 17 is available in various configurations, with prices ranging from around $1,200 for the base model to upwards of $2,000 for the fully loaded version with 4K display and higher end specs. When compared to similar devices in its class, the Envy 17 offers excellent value for money, especially considering its solid build quality, display, and performance capabilities.
The HP Envy 17 design
HP has always been known for its attractive and well built laptops, and the Envy 17 is no exception. This laptop is crafted from premium aluminum, which gives it a high end, polished look while also making it sturdy. The brushed metal finish adds a touch of elegance, and the slim profile is impressive for a 17 inch laptop, making it surprisingly portable for its size.
At 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg), the Envy 17 is heavier than smaller laptops, but it’s still relatively light for a 17-inch device. The dimensions make it easy to carry in a bag, though you’ll need a larger bag to accommodate the extra size.
The keyboard is spacious and well spaced, providing a comfortable typing experience. The backlit keys are responsive, with good key travel for typing long hours. The touchpad is large and smooth, making navigation a breeze.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High-resolution 17.3-inch display with excellent color accuracy
- Strong performance with a range of processor and GPU options
- Sleek and premium design
- Solid battery life for a 17-inch laptop
- Bang & Olufsen audio for rich sound
- Security features like fingerprint reader and webcam privacy shutter
Cons:
- Heavier than smaller laptops
- Not ideal for heavy gaming or extremely demanding tasks
- Speakers, while good, could be louder
The 17-inch display, which is the main selling point of this model, offers a good balance between portability and screen real estate. The laptop’s slim bezels also contribute to a more modern look, making the screen feel immersive without adding much bulk.
Performance of the HP Envy Laptop
The HP Envy 17 is designed to handle a variety of tasks, from productivity work to multimedia consumption, and even light gaming. It comes with a range of processor options, including Intel Core i7 and i9 chips (depending on the configuration), along with either integrated or dedicated graphics options like NVIDIA GTX or RTX. This gives you plenty of power for demanding tasks like video editing, photo editing, and 3D rendering.
For most users, the Envy 17 will provide smooth and responsive performance in day-to-day tasks like browsing, working with spreadsheets, or running multiple applications at once. It also performs admirably when it comes to media consumption, whether you’re streaming high-resolution videos or working on creative projects.
Additionally, the HP Envy 17 comes with ample RAM (up to 16GB or 32GB, depending on the configuration) and fast SSD storage, ensuring quick boot times and the ability to handle large files without a hitch. This makes it a great option for power users who need to multitask or work with large files.
Display & Audio Quality of the HP Envy
One of the standout features of the HP Envy 17 is its 17.3-inch display. The laptop offers a choice between Full HD (1920 x 1080) and 4K (3840 x 2160) resolutions, with the 4K option delivering exceptional sharpness, color accuracy, and brightness. Whether you’re working on graphic design, watching movies, or simply browsing, the clarity and vibrant colors of the display make for a fantastic viewing experience.
The display also features wide viewing angles, meaning you won’t lose picture quality when looking at the screen from an angle, which is useful for collaborating with colleagues or friends.
In terms of audio, the Envy 17 is equipped with Bang & Olufsen speakers, providing a rich and immersive sound experience. While the speakers are not quite as loud as some dedicated audio systems, they still deliver clear and crisp sound with decent bass, making it a good choice for casual media consumption or video conferencing.
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Software and Features
Out of the box, the HP Envy 17 runs Windows 11, bringing all of the latest features of Microsoft’s operating system. The laptop also comes with a variety of useful software, including HP’s own apps like HP Command Center for managing performance, and HP QuickDrop for easy file sharing across devices.
For security, the Envy 17 includes a built-in fingerprint reader for fast and secure logins, as well as a physical privacy shutter for the webcam to ensure your privacy when the camera is not in use.
The laptop is also designed with creators and professionals in mind. It’s an excellent machine for tasks such as video editing, music production, graphic design, and other creative workflows, thanks to its high resolution display, powerful hardware, and solid software.
A Closer Look at the HP Envy 17’s Camera
The HP Envy 17 features a 720p HD webcam, which is standard for most laptops in its category. The camera delivers decent video quality for everyday tasks like video conferencing, remote work, and casual video calls. In well-lit environments, the webcam performs reasonably well with clear images, though it struggles in low-light conditions, often resulting in grainy or blurry visuals.
A standout feature is the built-in privacy camera shutter, which allows you to physically block the webcam when it’s not in use, providing added security and peace of mind. This is a valuable tool for privacy conscious users who want to ensure their camera isn’t accidentally activated.
While the microphone quality is clear for basic use, it doesn’t compare to external microphones in terms of audio fidelity. Overall, the Envy 17’s webcam is sufficient for casual video calls, but it’s not designed for professional-level streaming or content creation.
User Experience and Performance in Daily Use
In real-world usage, the HP Envy 17 excels at multitasking and handling a variety of applications at once. Whether you’re working in Photoshop, editing a video in Premiere Pro, or running several browser tabs and productivity apps simultaneously, the Envy 17 maintains its composure with no noticeable slowdown.
While it’s not a dedicated gaming laptop, the NVIDIA graphics card makes it capable of handling casual gaming, especially on the 1080p display. You can enjoy popular titles like Fortnite, Minecraft, or League of Legends at decent frame rates without much trouble.
The cooling system does a decent job of keeping the laptop cool during extended use, though it can get warm when under heavy load. The fans are not overly loud, but they’re noticeable when the laptop is working hard.
Battery life on the Envy 17 is quite impressive for a 17-inch laptop. On average, you can expect around 6-8 hours of use with normal tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media playback. Of course, battery life will be shorter if you opt for the 4K display or engage in more demanding tasks.
Comparison to Other Laptops in the Category
| Feature | HP Envy 17 | Dell XPS 17 | MacBook Pro 16 | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme |
| Display | 17.3″ FHD/4K, IPS | 17″ FHD+/4K UHD+, OLED option | 16.2″ Liquid Retina XDR | 16″ FHD+/4K UHD, Dolby Vision |
| Processor | Intel Core i7/i9 | Intel Core i7/i9 | Apple M1 Pro/M1 Max | Intel Core i7/i9 |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe / NVIDIA GTX/RTX | NVIDIA RTX 3050/3060 | Integrated Apple GPU (M1 Max = RTX 3070 equivalent) | NVIDIA GTX/RTX |
| RAM | 16GB/32GB DDR4 | 16GB/32GB/64GB DDR5 | 16GB/32GB/64GB Unified RAM | 16GB/32GB/64GB DDR5 |
| Storage | 512GB – 2TB SSD | 512GB – 2TB SSD | 512GB – 8TB SSD | 512GB – 2TB SSD |
| Build & Design | Aluminum chassis, slim bezels | Ultra-thin aluminum, near-borderless display | Aluminum, ultra-thin, fanless design | Military-grade durability, business-oriented |
| Keyboard | Backlit, full-size | Backlit, large key travel | Magic Keyboard, Touch ID | Best-in-class ThinkPad keyboard |
| Ports | USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, SD Card | USB-C (Thunderbolt), SD Card | USB-C (Thunderbolt), HDMI | USB-C, HDMI, SD Card, more business ports |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours | 8-10 hours | 15-21 hours | 8-10 hours |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) | 4.87 lbs (2.2 kg) | 4.7 lbs (2.1 kg) | 4.0 lbs (1.8 kg) |
| Webcam | 720p HD, privacy shutter | 720p HD | 1080p FaceTime HD | 1080p HD |
| Operating System | Windows 11 | Windows 11 | macOS | Windows 11 |
| Price Range | $1,200 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $3,000 | $2,000 – $4,000 | $1,800 – $3,500 |
| Best For | General productivity, entertainment | Content creation, high-end performance | Creative professionals, Apple ecosystem users | Business professionals, durability-focused users |
Conclusion
The HP Envy 17 is a powerful, feature-packed laptop that combines a sleek design, solid performance, and a stunning 17-inch display. It’s ideal for creative professionals, business users, or anyone who wants a large, high-quality screen with the power to handle multitasking and multimedia. While it’s not the lightest laptop out there, its performance and build quality make it a great option for users who need a desktop replacement or an immersive media experience.