HP announced its 2015 lineup of Envy notebooks, which now have a curved design and lighter construction. The company also revealed a new Pavilion with a detachable keyboard.
Among the notable features of the new lineup is the presence of a USB Type-C connector on the Pavilion x2 and an AMD Carrizo option on the 15.6-inch version of the Envy. We're just (finally) starting to see more USB Type-C connectors on new devices, but unfortunately, the port on the x2 only offers USB 2.0 data speeds. (Why, oh why, would HP not implement USB 3.1 here?)
Regarding the Carrizo-based Envy option, there are many configurations, but the starting price is listed (see more at the bottom of this article) at $629. That's nudging awfully close to the edge of that promised $400-$700 Carrizo notebook range. In any case, the HP Envy 15 is one of the very first Carrizo-based notebooks that's been given full specs, pricing, and availability.
HP Pavilion x2
The HP Pavilion x2 will be available in three different colors: Blizzard White, Sunset Red and Turbo Silver. It will feature a 10-inch IPS display and a latch-free magnetic connector for the detachable keyboard, which HP said is nearly full-size.
The Pavilion x2 makes use of a quad-core Intel Atom processor and includes 64 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded with an SD card. The device is charged through a USB Type-C port that doubles as the power port, and it offers USB 2.0 data transfer. A standard USB 2.0 port can also be found, along with a Micro HDMI port for external displays. On the front of the x2 are two speakers and an HP TruVision webcam. Battery size was not specified, but HP did claim that it managed 10.75 hrs of continuous HD video playback during internal testing.
The device will be quite light and thin. With the keyboard attached, it weighs 2.48 lbs and is 16.75 mm thick. Without the keyboard, the weight is reduced to 1.29 lbs with a thickness of 9.65 mm.
Envy Notebooks
Along with the Pavilion x2, HP launched a new lineup of Envy notebooks for 2015. The series included three different sizes with varying options.
14-inch
The 14-inch notebooks are available with Intel i5 and i7 processors and up to 16 GB of memory, and they feature HD and Full HD display options. Storage choices include mechanical, hybrid and SSD drives, with capacities reaching 2 TB. There are three USB 3.0 ports located on one side.
This version of the Envy notebook weighs 4.25 lbs and includes a 55.5 watt-hour prismatic battery. HP claimed that battery life is as long as 10.25 hrs with this model.
15-inch (with a Carrizo option!)
The 15.6-inch Envy offers a plethora of options. In addition to the same Intel processor choices, this size offers AMD FX and A10 "Carrizo" APUs in addition to the option of adding discrete graphics. Nvidia GeForce GTX 940M and 950M GPUs are available, as are some R6 and R7 options from AMD.
For these models the choices get a little bit confusing. Intel-based systems can have hard drives as large as 2 TB, and up to 16 GB of memory. AMD-based systems are limited to 1 TB of hard drive space, and only 8 GB of RAM. Both processors allow for mechanical, hybrid or SSD options.
The display options vary for this model as well. HD, Full HD and Quad HD+ panels are available for Intel-based systems, and each size has the option of touch sensitivity. AMD-based notebooks are limited to HD display, but they also offer touch as an option.
AMD-based models will have three USB 3.0 ports along with one USB 2.0 port. Intel-based machines will have four USB 3.0 ports and have an option for an optical drive.
All models of the 15.6-inch Envy will include 55.5 watt-hour prismatic batteries that HP has claimed offer up to 9.5 hours of continuous use. Each one weighs 5.03 Lbs.
17-inch
HP is positioning the 17.3-inch version of the Envy as a notebook for video editing and mobile gaming. This size will only be available with Intel i5 and i7 processors and will feature discrete graphics options of GTX 940M and 950M GPUs. The IPS display is limited to Full HD, but again HP offers the choices of touch or no touch.
The larger laptop has the option for an additional drive, bringing the maximum total capacity to 4 TB. It has the same options for mechanical, hybrid and SSD drives available, and it also includes four USB 3.0 ports, a full-sized HDMI port, and an RJ45 network jack. It also has an option to add a DVD or Blu-ray drive.
Despite the size, the 17-inch model doesn't weigh much more than the other Envy systems. It tops the scales at 6.22 lbs, even with the larger 62 watt-hour battery, which HP claimed should be good for 10 hours of use.
The whole lineup of Envy notebooks shares a number of features. All versions include an LED-backlit keyboard, though the larger 15- and 17-inch models include a numpad. Each model includes Bang & Olufsen speakers and a subwoofer. Intel-based machines have four speakers, while AMD systems have two, and they all share the same noise-cancelling dual-array microphone. They also each feature an offset hinge that doubles as a bit of a stand. HP said this allows for better airflow under the device, and for a more comfortable typing and viewing position.
HP Pavilion x2 convertibles will be available July 21 starting at $299. Envy notebooks are expected in July on HP's website, while some 17-inch models will be at Best Buy July 5, and 15-inch versions by August 30. The models will vary in price, with the 14-inch model starting at $699, 15-inch AMD models as low as $629, and $799 for 15-inch Intel systems. The 17-inch models will start at $999.
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