HP Envy 15 user reviews (winter 2012)

Pros Sharp Screen, speakers are awesome, volume dial, extremely good performance, allows up to 16 gigs memory, longer battery life, touch pad has significantly improved over the envy 14 and keyboard flex no longer exists.

Cons The directional arrows on the keyboard, they altered the up and down buttons smaller, so it will take some getting used to. Althought there is a huge improvement on the touch pad, it is not quite as good/responsive as the Mac Book Pro.

Summary I have purchased the Mac Book Pro 15 back in the Vista days when I was frustrated with the os and the PC laptop designs that were available back then. The Mac Book did not fit the bill for me becuase it could not keep up with my demanding computing habits (that blasted color spin wheel was always a problem for me and I spent $2200 for my MBP 15). I sold the Mac and waited for the release of the HP Envy 14, that had to be the closest thing to the beauty of the Mac Book.
Now for 2012, they released the Envy 15, newly designed and corrected some hradware/software peices.
Well, I for one, am extremely happyier with this updated model.
1) They returned the higher resolution screen
2) They improved the touchpad enormously, requiring less tweaking.
3) The keyboard is much, much much better as there is absolutely no flex what so ever.
4) They added a ton of speakers as well as a woofer to the machine.
5) A volume knob as well as a button that brings up the beats audio sound
6) They removed the engraved metal design from the look and made it all brushed aluminum.
7) The back lighting of the keyboard, something as subtle as the actual function key that starts controls the keyborad light stays on so you can select it in the dark.

As I am a developer I am on the computer for very long spans of time. So, I usually have a game playing in the back goround while testing developed applications on a virtual desktop compiling code and/or run complicated sql query scripts. This machine does an excellent job of keeping up, and does not heat up.
I purchased my machine at J and R and paid $1229.00, its the i7 version with 8 gigs of Ram and the 1080 screen. I swapped the 700gb hard drive out with my Samsung 470 series SSD drive the first day. My highest windows experience index score is 7.9 (memory operayions per second) and my lowest is 5.9 (desktop performace for Windows Aero, which I do find odd becasue my Envy 14 scored higher, nothing less than a 6.7, although I think that has more to do with the drivers). I haven't tested the battery yet, but the battery is NOT consumer replaceable, which hints that it lasts longer than the average.
To be completely honest with you, the machine does resemble the Mac Book when open, although there are subtle differences, the resemblence is more so in the material used for the laptop more so than the actual design of the machine. I have had this machine for only a couple of days, but since I needed to jump right into a deliverable, I was/am able to fully gage its ability right out of the gate. Also, the exhaust fan and heat dispersment is really good. The hottest part of the machine is the very top right below the screen. On the envy 14, it eas on the right top side. Also, for the work I am doing right now the machine is relatively cool. I am doing a few things right now.
1--Playing Dragon Age (2) 2--Developing an Access Database Application in a virtual computer simulating a network client/host network application. 3-- Of course I am typing this review while searching internet for various code examples while typing this review. 4-- Creating a power point presentation as I go along in order to review with my staff as well as present to the senior execitives at the job. Really noce machine.....
Man this keyboard is SOoooooooo much better.
Well I hope this helps you when deciding.
cHEERS ;-)

Pros good performance nice chassis

Cons almost there hp, need a little bit of miner tweaks

Pros Doesn't cook your thighs like a Macbook Pro. Subtle features like the audio controls, proximity sensor. This laptop was really well thought out. It's better than the Macbook Pro, the touchpad is easier to click.

Cons Who cares if it looks like a Macbook Pro...
The keyboard feels a little cheap, but then again, so does the Mac's and everyone else's k/b.

Summary HP really outdid themselves with this laptop. It's fast, cool on the lap, pretty to look at and great features.
I own a Macbook Pro as well and I like this better. It's the little touches that won me over with this. Plus I hate the Macbook's heavy touchpad. It'll give me Popeye fingers.
Everything with this laptop was well thought out. Even the presentation when you unbox this beauty. It made me feel special.

Pros Great screen - very crisp, good weight and dimensions for a 15", fast, excellent audio for a laptop.

Cons Battery life isn't great, even on low brightness. The trackpad buttons are hard to push and the gestures don't offer any shortcut for right-clicking to avoid the buttons (like double finger tap on a Mac).

Summary I have used Macs for work and liked them, but all of my personal computers have been Windows-based and I wasn't willing to make the switch, especially given the cost of a MacBook. I went in search of a 15" laptop with specs as similar to or better than a 15" MacBook as possible. The Envy 15 won the contest. The dimensions are very similar, fantastic screen (I only notice the "red" issue if I look closely), decent weight for the size, same processor and RAM as a new MacBook for $1000 less. The battery is the only component that really can't compete with the Mac, but it's as good as any other Windows laptop with the same specs. The trackpad isn't great but it's tolerable, and I usually use a wireless mouse anyway. I have no regrets after 6 months!