HP Envy 15T Review: Where Power Meets Elegance

HP Envy 15T: At First Glance

Hewlett-Packard, a renowned name in the tech industry, has consistently delivered cutting-edge devices that seamlessly blend style and performance. Among its stellar lineup, the HP Envy series stands out as a true embodiment of elegance and power.

The Envy series has its roots in HP’s commitment to providing users with a premium computing experience. Originally introduced as a high-end line, the Envy series aimed to cater to users seeking top-notch performance, sophisticated design, and innovative features.

Over the years, it has evolved to meet the changing demands of tech enthusiasts and professionals alike. The HP Envy 15T, a flagship model in this series, inherits the legacy of its predecessors while incorporating the latest technological advancements.

The sleek design, high-resolution display, and state-of-the-art hardware make the Envy 15T a compelling option for a wide range of users. However, one question lingers in the minds of most potential buyers – can the device truly offer the perfect blend of elegance and performance?

Join us as we dive into the heart of this technological marvel, and discover if the HP Envy 15T is the ultimate companion.

HP Envy 15T: Design, Display, Ports, and Connectivity

At first glance, the HP Envy 15T captivates with its sleek and sophisticated design. The all-aluminum chassis exudes a premium feel, offering a perfect blend of sturdiness and elegance.

The silver brushed metal finish not only enhances aesthetics but also contributes to the laptop’s overall durability. It portrays a device that is as visually striking as it is robust.

However, the Envy 15T doesn’t just look sturdy; it lives up to its appearance. The chassis not only protects the internals from external pressures but also provides structural integrity.

It feels solid in hand, instilling confidence in its ability to withstand the rigors of daily use. The durability of the Envy 15T is more than a feature – it’s a reassurance that your investment is safeguarded against the wear and tear of everyday life.

Gladly, the durability of this laptop extends to its hinges. Specifically, the hinge mechanism is robust, offering just the right amount of resistance to prevent any wobbling while adjusting the lid.

Speaking of the lid, HP’s iconic logo can be found discreetly adorning the lid of the Envy 15T. The logo is positioned in the center with a subtle chrome finish.

This minimalist approach to branding is commendable, contributing to the laptop’s elegant aesthetics. Opening the laptop’s lid unveils a massive 15.6-inch display with an optional touchscreen feature.

Impressively, the HP Envy 15T offers users a choice between two impressive display resolutions – Full HD (1920 x 1080) and 4K UHD (3840 x 2160). However, for the purpose of this review, we will focus on the FHD display option.

The FHD display on the HP Envy 15T is nothing short of spectacular. With the ability to cover 93% of the sRGB color gamut, the screen showcases crisp details and vibrant colors that bring content to life.

This makes it an excellent choice for creative professionals who rely on accurate color representation. The display’s ability to reproduce a wide spectrum of colors ensures that images and videos are displayed with the utmost fidelity.

One standout feature of the Envy 15T’s FHD display is its impressive brightness levels. The display offers a maximum brightness of up to 335 nits.

Thus, whether you’re working outdoors or in a brightly lit room, the display ensures that content remains clear and vivid. Apart from its impressive brightness, the display also has wide viewing angles, thanks to its IPS panel.

This ensures that the screen maintains its clarity and color accuracy regardless of the angle. Therefore, you get a consistent and sharp image even when viewing the display from the sides.

This feature is particularly valuable for collaborative work or when sharing content with others.

The HP Envy 15T doesn’t just stop at a stunning display – its bezels play a crucial role in framing the visual excellence that lies within. The ultra-thin bezels surrounding the display are a testament to HP’s commitment to maximizing the screen real estate.

These slim bezels contribute to an immersive viewing experience, drawing your attention to the vibrant display and minimizing distractions. Positioned at the center of the bottom bezel is an HP logo with a chrome finish.

Meanwhile, an HD webcam is nestled strategically in the center of the top bezel. Performance-wise, the webcam doesn’t take the best pictures but is ideal for casual video calls.

That being said, the Envy 15T’s keyboard is a tactile delight. It offers a typing experience that strikes a harmonious balance between comfort and responsiveness.

Furthermore, the island-style keys provide ample spacing, reducing the likelihood of typos. Meanwhile, the soft keystrokes and adequate key travel make extended typing sessions a breeze.

To make things better, the keyboard is backlit, ensuring productivity even in dimly lit environments. Located just below the keyboard, the touchpad on the Envy 15T is a spacious and precise input device.

It responds seamlessly to gestures, providing a fluid and intuitive navigation experience. Moreover, the integrated click buttons offer satisfying tactile feedback, making it convenient to execute various commands with precision.

For users who prioritize security without compromising convenience, the optional fingerprint sensor on the Envy 15T adds an extra layer of protection. Discreetly positioned beside the navigation keys, the fingerprint sensor ensures quick and secure logins.

However, placing the fingerprint sensor among the regular keyboard keys increases the likelihood of accidental touches. Users may mistakenly activate the sensor while typing, interrupting their workflow or triggering unintended actions.

Nonetheless, since the fingerprint sensor is optional, you can buy a version of the HP Envy 15T without a fingerprint sensor. Besides, the Envy series insignia strategically placed on the palm rest serves as a subtle reminder of the device’s lineage.

Moving on, the Envy 15T’s sound system is a symphony for the ears, delivering immersive audio that complements its visual prowess. The Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers, positioned near the keyboard’s sides, provide a rich and dynamic audio experience.

So, whether you’re watching a movie or in a virtual meeting, the Envy 15T’s sound system elevates the overall multimedia experience. In addition to its impressive sound system, the laptop also comes with a decent port selection.

On the left side of the laptop, you will find the charging port, a USB Type-A port, an HDMI 2.0a connector, two USB Type-C ports, and a MicroSD card reader. Meanwhile, there is an audio jack and another USB Type-A port on the laptop’s right side.

Sadly, due to the laptop’s slim form factor, there is not enough space to accommodate an optical drive. Speaking of form factor, the HP Envy 15T measures 357.8 x 236.7 x 18.5 mm (W x D x H).

While the laptop has a slim form factor, it is quite heavy, weighing about 2181.7 g. Due to this, moving around with the laptop may not be a comfortable experience.

In fact, the HP Envy 15T is heavier than the ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 (1995 g) and Dell XPS 9510 (2041 g).

In conclusion, the HP Envy 15T’s design is a harmonious blend of aesthetics and durability. Also, the laptop offers an impressive display and an adequate keyboard.

However, it is quite heavy. As a result, I will rate the HP Envy 15T an eight out of ten in this design review section.

HP Envy 15T: Processor (CPU) Performance

Powering the HP Envy 15T is the formidable 8-core Intel Core i7-11800H processor with 24 MB cache. Moreover, the CPU is based on Intel’s Tiger Lake H-series architecture, designed for high-performance laptops.

This architecture incorporates advanced technologies and optimizations to deliver efficient and powerful computing capabilities. Furthermore, the processor has a base frequency of 2.80 GHz and can achieve an impressive maximum frequency of up to 4.60 GHz.

With its 8 cores and high clock speeds, this processor handles demanding tasks with ease. Whether you’re tackling creative projects, running powerful applications, or simply enjoying media-rich content, the processor’s capabilities shine through.

Besides, the 8-core configuration of the Intel Core i7-11800H allows the Envy 15T to effortlessly navigate through multiple applications simultaneously.

One of the standout features of the i7-11800H is its Turbo Boost Technology, which dynamically optimizes clock speeds based on the workload. This ensures that when the system demands more power, the processor can ramp up its performance to meet the challenge.

This feature is particularly advantageous for users engaged in tasks like video editing, where a burst of processing power is crucial. To get more information on the laptop’s processor performance, I put it through a Cinebench R23 test.

In case you’re wondering, Cinebench R23 is a benchmarking tool developed to assess the performance of a computer’s CPU. Furthermore, it utilizes the same rendering engine as Maxon’s Cinema 4D software to simulate a real-world scenario where a 3D scene is rendered.

Hence, the benchmark measures how quickly the CPU can complete this rendering task, providing a performance score. Additionally, the higher the score, the better.

Based on the benchmark test result, the HP Envy 15T scored 10645 points, which is very impressive. However, the laptop was outperformed by the ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H CPU.

To be precise, this ASUS laptop recorded a score of 12286 points on the Cinebench R23 test. Nevertheless, the HP Envy 15T deserves a rating of eight out of ten for its good processor performance.

HP Envy 15T: Memory (RAM) Performance

The HP Envy 15T stands out with its robust memory configuration, featuring DDR4 RAM that provides both speed and efficiency. DDR4 technology ensures that the laptop can handle demanding tasks with ease, delivering a responsive user experience.

Out of the box, the Envy 15T comes equipped with a substantial 16 GB of RAM, the same as my review model. This generous standard memory capacity is well-suited for a wide range of applications.

From everyday productivity tasks to more resource-intensive activities, this standard memory is enough. In fact, while running about 20 Chrome tabs, this laptop with 16 GB RAM didn’t flinch a bit.

To give more detail, the laptop seamlessly transitions between the tabs without sacrificing responsiveness. For users who demand even more power, the Envy 15T has two memory slots and can be upgraded up to an impressive 32 GB.

Besides, I conducted a PCMark 8 test on my review model to further evaluate its performance with 16 GB RAM. PCMark 8 is a benchmarking tool for measuring the performance of a Windows-based PC in a variety of real-world scenarios.

Released in 2013, PCMark 8 is designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a computer’s capabilities by simulating everyday tasks. At the end of the test, the Envy 15T delivered a score of 4036 points.

With this score, the laptop beat the likes of ASUS VivoBook F510UA and Dell Latitude 3490. These laptops scored 3126 and 3662 points on the PCMark 8 benchmark test, respectively.

Putting all that into consideration, I will rate the HP Envy 15T a nine out of ten in this memory review section.

HP Envy 15T: Storage Options and Performance

The HP Envy 15T impresses with its cutting-edge storage configuration, featuring a PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive (SSD). This advanced storage option in the Envy 15T stands out for its exceptional storage performance.

The NVMe interface, compared to traditional SATA connections, significantly accelerates data transfer speeds. This translates into faster application loading times, quicker file transfers, and a more responsive overall computing experience.

Besides, with a generous maximum storage capacity of 2 terabytes, the Envy 15T caters to users with diverse storage needs. Hence, regardless of your storage need, the Envy 15T’s storage options ensure that you have room to grow without compromising on speed.

Moreover, thanks to the storage’s impressive speed, copying sizable multimedia files on the HP Envy 15T is a swift process. For instance, I was able to transfer 4.7GB of multimedia files in just 40 seconds at a transfer rate of 288 MB/s.

This is above the transfer rate offered by the SSDs in the Dell Inspiron 15 and Lenovo Yoga 720. These laptops offered a transfer rate of 264.7 MB/s and 267.9 MB/s, respectively.

The HP Envy 15T’s impressive storage performance doesn’t end at its transfer speed – it also extends to its read and write speed. Specifically, I carried out a CrystalDiskMark test on the laptop to calculate its read and write speed.

At the end of the test, the laptop recorded a sequential read speed of 1563 MB/s and a sequential write speed of 1450 MB/s. These are impressive numbers and faster than the read and write speeds of one of its closest competitors – the ASUS VivoBook F510UA.

The VivoBook F510UA’s SSD has a sequential read and write speed of 1192 MB/s and 1011 MB/s, respectively. If you’re curious, read and write speed refers to how quickly data can be retrieved and stored on a storage device.

In conclusion, the HP Envy 15T’s storage capabilities with a PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD elevate the laptop’s overall performance. The combination of ample storage capacity and high-speed data transfer makes the Envy 15T well-equipped for the demands of modern computing.

Hence, users can expect a noticeable boost in speed, responsiveness, and efficiency, making their computing experience seamless. Therefore, it would be a bad thing to rate the HP Envy 15T anything less than a nine out of ten in this section.

HP Envy 15T: Graphics Card Performance

The HP Envy 15T sets itself apart with its dedicated graphics solution, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti. This graphics card has a base GPU frequency of 735 MHz and a boost GPU frequency of 1035 MHz.

Moreover, as a dedicated graphics card, it offers a dedicated VRAM of 4 GB. With this amount of dedicated VRAM, expect the HP Envy 15T to be able to run graphics-intensive tasks and applications with ease.

Therefore, applications like Adobe Premiere Pro or Blender, which benefit from GPU acceleration, will work smoothly on the laptop. Hence, video editing, 3D rendering, and graphic design tasks become more efficient and responsive.

This is because the GPU doesn’t have to depend on the laptop’s main memory for performing graphics-related tasks, unlike integrated GPUs. In fact, the graphics card efficiently handles the demands of modern games, allowing users to enjoy visually stunning graphics and responsive gameplay.

For example, while I was playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018) in max graphics settings, I was able to get an impressive 72 fps. Also, I was averaging 66 fps while playing Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands in high graphics settings.

Thus, players can indulge in high-quality visuals and complex details without compromising on frame rates. To get more perspective on how good the HP Envy 15T’s GPU is, I put it through a 3DMark Time Spy benchmark test.

3DMark Time Spy is a benchmark test developed by UL to assess the graphical performance of a computer, focusing on DirectX 12. It is designed to leverage the DirectX 12 API (Application Programming Interface), which is a graphics API developed by Microsoft.

Gladly, the HP Envy 15T doesn’t disappoint on the test, recording a massive 5688 points. With this score, the laptop outperformed the ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 and Dell XPS 9510, which all use the same GPU.

On the 3DMark test, these laptops scored 5024 and 4361 points, respectively. So, to conclude this GPU review section, I will rate the HP Envy 15T a nine out of ten.

HP Envy 15T: Battery Life and Performance

The HP Envy 15T boasts a robust 6-cell, 83 Wh Li-ion polymer battery, promising a balance between portability and endurance. The large battery capacity is designed to support the laptop’s performance demands, making it an ideal companion for users on the go.

When it comes to battery life, the Envy 15T delivers a commendable performance. On a web surfing battery test, the laptop demonstrated resilience, lasting approximately 9 hours.

This endurance allows users to navigate through web pages and handle various productivity tasks without the worry of needing a recharge. Similarly, the Envy 15T showcased a battery life of roughly 7 hours on a video playback test.

This duration provides users with the freedom to enjoy extended movie sessions, without frequently seeking a power source. To put the Envy 15T’s battery life into perspective, let’s compare it with the ASUS ZenBook Pro 15.

This ASUS laptop outshines the HP Envy 15, lasting an outstanding 16 hours on the web surfing test. On the video playback test, the ZenBook Pro 15 maintained a remarkable duration of 15 hours.

Therefore, while the HP Envy 15T’s battery life is commendable, the comparison says otherwise. Due to this, I will rate the laptop an eight out of ten.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

If you’re in the market for a laptop that seamlessly blends power, style, and functionality, the Envy 15T makes a compelling case. This laptop is not just another tech gadget – it’s a versatile companion for the everyday user.

The sleek design catches your eye, but it’s not just about looks. The robust Intel Core i7 processor inside, paired with NVIDIA GeForce graphics, means it’s not afraid of a little heavy-duty tasks.

The Envy 15T literally steps up to any given task. Honestly, this laptop doesn’t have any major flaws, apart from its slightly heavy weight.

But here’s the million-dollar question – should you buy it? Absolutely, if you’re after a laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance and looks good doing it.

It’s a solid investment for the user who wants a reliable workhorse without compromising on style. However, if you’re a sucker for a super lightweight option for constant travel, you might want to weigh your options.

In a nutshell, the HP Envy 15T is the kind of laptop that confidently says, “I’ve got this.”

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