HP launched a handful of products at CES 2021, from laptops to monitors and peripherals. Among them, the updated version of the Envy 14 sparked our attention, as a 14-inch ultrabook with a 16:10 display and dedicated GTX graphics.
Traditionally, Envies are an HP subbrand reserved for well-priced laptops and desktops that reach outside of their class, touching on the premium lines in terms of design and features.
This updated version of the Envy 14 builds on the latest hardware specs from Intel and Nvidia, paired with a top-class construction, a 16:10 display calibrated out of the box, and long-lasting battery life.
According to HP, this model aims at mobile content creators on the go, who crave for a competent, mid-priced portable laptop.
| 2021 HP Envy 14 | |
| Screen | 14 inch, 16:10 aspect ratio, IPS, 1920 x 1200 pixels, touch |
| Hardware | Intel Tiger Lake Core i5-1135G7 |
| Video | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650Ti 35W Max-Q |
| Memory | 16 GB DDR4 3200 (soldered) |
| Storage | 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 with Bluetooth 5 |
| Ports | 1x UBS-C with Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB 3.1 Type-A, HDMI 2.0, micro SD card reader, headphone/mic jack |
| Battery | 63.3 Wh, 135W power adapter |
| Size | 12.33 x 8.82 x 0.71 inches (313 x 224 x 18 mm) |
| Weight | 3.53 lbs (1.6 kg) |
| Extras | backlit keyboard, Bang & Olufsen dual speakers |
This 16:10 screen seems to be a major selling point as far as HP goes, a 16:10 panel with 1920 x 1200 px resolution, 400-nit of max brightness, and 100% sRGB colors. Furthermore, this comes pre-calibrated out of the box, with <2 DeltaE tolerances, and should supposedly catter to graphics professionals.
Now, this is definitely a nice daily-use display, especially in a laptop that starts just south of $1000, but it’s not really creative-grade with merely 100% sRGB colors, especially these days when 100% DCI-P3 screens are more common than the used to be. It’s fine for video editing, social-media use, and some casual photo editing, but professionals doing graphics for a living would most likely require better colors.
Specs-wise, the 2021 Envy 14 is built on an Intel Tiger Lake platform, paired with a GTX 1650Ti graphics chip, in the efficient 35W Max-Q version. That’s the same available in a couple of other laptops such as the smaller Razer Blade Stealth 13 or the MSI Prestige 14.
Cooling this kind of hardware inside a compact chassis is no easy task, so make sure to properly look into this aspect if you’re interested in running demanding loads or games on this notebook, which I’d reckon you would. Proper reviews will cover this in-depth. The available images suggest a dual-fan thermal module taking fresh air from the bottom and blowing it out through grills on the rear-edge, thus into the screen with regular use. We’re also looking at the two fans grouped together and the CPU and GPU aligned on the heatpipes, and not the more common approach that has the fans flanking the components, one on each side.
CPU and GPU aside, the laptop comes with up to 16 GB of DDR4 memory and M.2 SSD storage, as well as a 63 Wh battery, larger than what similarly-specced laptops are offering these days.
Connectivity-wise, the new Envy 14 is packed with a USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port, two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, one HDMI 2.0 port, a combo audio jack, and a microSD card reader, most of them placed on the left edge. It charges via a classic barrel-plug, as is paired with a 135 W power brick, but USB-C charging should be supported as well.
Build and design-wise, this Envy is inline with the previous models: silver metallic exterior, clean aesthetics, and alright craftsmanship quality. It’s also reasonably compact, but relatively heavy for a 14-incher at 3.5+ lbs, somewhat expected given the metallic construction and the specs.
The inputs are standard as well, with a silver chiclet keyboard and a large glass clickpad. As for the speakers, as far as I can tell those are placed above the keyboard and fire through that punctured grill.
At this point, it seems the Envy 14 will be available in a single hardware version, with an i5 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage, starting at $999 and available around the end of January. That’s very good value, considering you’re getting the dGPU and 16 GB of RAM and the fine 16:10 screen. Sure, you’ll have to upgrade the SSD, but that’s simple.
I’d reckon some of you might argue this is not even worth considering since it’s Intel-based and not AMD, but come on. The Tiger Lake i5 is a solid everyday performer and a good match for the GTX 1650Ti dGPU for light gaming. Sure, it’s not meant to run Blender or Premiere or other heavy multithreaded loads, and if that’s what you’re interested in, then this laptop is not for you. Nonetheless, I’m pretty sure you’ll struggle to find a similar package at under $1000.
I’d like to hear what do you think about this 2021 HP envy 14, so make sure to get in touch down below.
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