HP released the Envy 14 Beat edition following up to its MacBook Pro challenges with some major improvements in design, sound, and value. The special features of this version mainly include unbeatable sound quality with Beats audio, aesthetics augmentation and the bundled Beats headphones, but you’ll be paying $1,050 instead of $2,249.
Envy 14 beat is a slick notebook that pumps out some of the best sound we’ve heard from a laptop and its exclusive sound processing system minimizes the background noise and highlights your favorite music.
Built: Envy 14 Beats Edition has a smooth, matte black aluminum and magnesium body. As it now accommodates an optical drive, this notebook’s dimensions 35.6cm (W) x 23.7cm (D) x 2.95cm (min H)/3.0 (max H) make it slightly thicker than previous Envys and it weighs 2.58kg, the same as the 15-inch MacBook Pro.
Internal Specs: Envy 14 beat has an Intel Core i7-840QM Processor of 1.86GHz speed with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GH. It comes with Genuine windows 7 home premium (64bit) operating system and Intel HM55 Express Chipset preinstalled.
Display and audio: The new envy has a 14.5” wide screen, High Definition HP BrightView Infinity LED Display and 1366 x 768 resolutions.
As this is the Beats Audio Edition of this notebook, you’d find the excellent audio quality. The two speakers on the front edge produced powerful enough sound to fill a medium-size room.
Memory Specs: Company offers 160GB Solid State Drive Flash Module, 250GB/320GB/500GB/640GB – 7200RPM Hard Drive along with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection and DDR3 System Memory with Dual Channel Memory Support – up to 8GB max supported.
Ports and Webcam: Responding to users’ suggestions, HP added an optical drive to the Envy 14 Beats Edition. The slot-loading dual-layer DVD-RW is on the left side of the system, along with two USB ports, a combo mic/headphone port (that works with the Solo Beats), and a headphone jack. On the right are an eSATA/USB, HDMI, mini Display Port, Ethernet, and a Kensington lock slot. On the front is a 2-in-1 memory card reader and a high definition webcam on the top.
Optional Accessories include 8-cell Lithium-ion Polymer Battery (59WHr, 2.0 Ahr) 11, HP ENVY Slim Fit Extended-Life Battery, HP HDMI to VGA Display Adapter, Beats by Dr. Dre Solo Headphones From Monster with ControlTalk.
Opinion: HP certainly got more right in the second-generation Envy 14 than it did with its previous releases. The $1,149 Beats Edition also shows improvement, not just in performance, but in value. At this comparable price you’re getting a machine with a sleek display, better graphics, supreme audio, and a better look. If you’re willing to put up with relatively short battery life, this special edition is recommended for the investment.