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Hey guys so recently the new HP Envy came out and it is comparing it to the macbook pro 13 inch model, the one I have. I have an early 2011 macbook pro 13 inch i5 processor with 8gb of ram. I have looked at this new HP Envy which is around the same price and I am REALLY starting to regret getting my macbook pro when I could have gotten this beast of a laptop that can be customized a ton and has double the specs. I know that Mac has the better OS but still this PC laptop is making me jealous. Anyone have any thoughts on this new computer? Should I switch? Anyone want to convince me not to think about getting a pc laptop?

I haven't had a chance to look at the new HP Envy in person - only looked them over on the HP shopping site. Which specific model are you looking at?

The 14" model uses the same Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics as does the MBA and MBP 13" models. However, I was impressed when I looked at their 15" model with the discrete graphics. Also noticed the 15" model is $300 less expensive than the 14" model.

chscag said:

I haven't had a chance to look at the new HP Envy in person - only looked them over on the HP shopping site. Which specific model are you looking at?

The 14" model uses the same Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics as does the MBA and MBP 13" models. However, I was impressed when I looked at their 15" model with the discrete graphics. Also noticed the 15" model is $300 less expensive than the 14" model.

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Yep I looked at the 15 inch model. Its amazing!! You can even upgrade it to 16 gb of ram if you want which I would probably eventually do! I'm not even going to get into the good specs it has right now.

I'm actually in the market for a new Windows machine for the office. The older Toshiba we're using is so old it's developing gray hair - still working after two hard drive swaps. I'm not sure we want spend that much though this close to tax time. Also, I'd like to see some user feedback on that machine and some benchmarks.

chscag said:

I'm actually in the market for a new Windows machine for the office. The older Toshiba we're using is so old it's developing gray hair - still working after two hard drive swaps. I'm not sure we want spend that much though this close to tax time. Also, I'd like to see some user feedback on that machine and some benchmarks.

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I really really want to tell you to get a Mac because I love my Mac and I love its OS but if you must get a PC laptop definitely get the HP Envy!! If not, and you need to spend a little less then you next absolute best option would be the HP Pavilion.

I'm all for buying a Mac for the office but the problem is I have to fight off my secretary and treasurer - who also happens to be my wife. ;P Plus I would have to run Boot Camp on it for the several proprietary programs that are only available in Windows.

We've had a HP Pavilion before some years ago. I'm not crazy about buying another since the previous one was a dog. We gave it away.

chscag said:

I'm all for buying a Mac for the office but the problem is I have to fight off my secretary and treasurer - who also happens to be my wife. ;P Plus I would have to run Boot Camp on it for the several proprietary programs that are only available in Windows.

We've had a HP Pavilion before some years ago. I'm not crazy about buying another since the previous one was a dog. We gave it away.

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Hm. Well that bad part about running the bootcamp on your Mac is that it is going to use a lot of ram and speed from you computer so it won't leave you with as much as you start out with. So it's gonna be a little slow.

I bet the upcoming Air-Pros will rock.

Or is it Pro-Air?

Prayer?

Ha!

Stanley said:

I bet the upcoming Air-Pros will rock.

Or is it Pro-Air?

Ha!

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Haha yeah! Now they can actually be called notebooks now!

Don't use Boot Camp

That requires booting in Windows. Use Parallels then you boot once and can switch back and forth to Windows and OS X software as you need to.

wolfpuppies3 said:

That requires booting in Windows. Use Parallels then you boot once and can switch back and forth to Windows and OS X software as you need to.

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Virtual Machine is probably the best in my opinion

Anyone else think, that with the lid open, it looks like a Macbook Pro? Coincidence? I think not. ;P

I was looking at them before I went with the MBP, was a brief consideration though. If you are looking for a powerful PC laptop look at a Sager, I had many Malibal Satori's in my cart while pondering the MBP.

Chuckoir said:

Anyone else think, that with the lid open, it looks like a Macbook Pro? Coincidence? I think not. ;P

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yep! It does. Ugh. I hate talking about it! It makes me want it instead of my expensive fragile macbook pro!!! I love my Mac though!

Well it is your bucks. You want the Envy go buy it and offload the MBP.

I have a similar mac as you (2.4Ghz i5 Pro) and you can also upgrade it to 16gb of RAM & it should be the same with yours. Apple does not tell you this because although possible there tests with it were inconsistant or something (i was told this buy apple) and just advertise the max at 8gb. I have seen people around with the 16gb setup running perfectly, if you however need the extra power that the Envy may have (I don't know much about it) then go for it an dual boot some itteration of Linux when you don't when Windows. IMO I would just keep the mac and then when it's time to upgrade consider the PC alternatives considering the computer is only a year old.

macuser1232 said:

Hm. Well that bad part about running the bootcamp on your Mac is that it is going to use a lot of ram and speed from you computer so it won't leave you with as much as you start out with. So it's gonna be a little slow.

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Sorry but that's nonsense. Running windows via bootcamp gives you full access to the hardware. I think you're getting confused with running Windows in a virtual machine