Oct 31 2010 - The wait is finally over. While many hardware manufacturers chose to partner with NVIDIA for 3D technology, HP has waited for AMD's solution. The HP Envy 17 3D utilizes an ATI Radeon HD 5850 graphics card and HP Active Shutter Glasses in a stylish aluminum chassis that is appealing inside and out. The HP Envy 17 3D offers smooth gameplay and a pleasant multimedia experience thanks to the 17.3-inch HD display. While 3D content is still relatively new, early adopters won't be disappointed with the AMD-based HP Envy 17 3D gaming laptop.
Pros
- Full HD Display
- Lightweight Glasses
- Good Graphics Card
- Superior Audio
- Extra Software is Included
Cons
- Battery Life
- Limited Available 3D Content
Description
- Intel Core i7-720QM Quad-Core Processor
- 6GB DDR3 Memory
- 17.3-inch Full LED Display 1920x1080
- ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
- 500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
- Blu-ray Drive
- Backlit Keyboard
- HP 3D Active Shutter Glasses
- 6 Cell Battery
- HP TrueVision HD Webcam
- Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
- 16.38" x 10.83" x 1.25" @ 7.37 Pounds
Review - HP Envy 17 3D Gaming Laptop PC
The HP Envy 17 3D is one of the first gaming laptops to hit the market with AMD's new 3D technology. Similar to NVIDIA 3D Vision, AMD HD3D Technology utilizes active shutter glasses to display 3D content. Currently, the top games supported by AMD HD3D include Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Dragon Age, Mass Effect 2, and Wolfenstein. For a more detailed list of games, click here.
The standard HP Envy 17 3D is equipped with an Intel Core i7-720QM processor that runs at 1.6GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz. Although many gaming laptops now include the Intel Core i7-740QM, the $1,599 price tag on the Envy 17 3D makes up for the minimal difference in speed.
Along with the quad-core processor, the HP Envy 17 3D comes with 6GB of DDR3 memory. Adequate as 6GB is (even in a gaming scenario), it is a bit disappointing since rival gaming laptops, such as the ASUS G73JW, include 8GB of RAM. The option to upgrade to 8GB is available, however.
Graphics, though, look stellar in 3D with the included HP Active Shutter Glasses and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 1GB GDDR5 graphics card. The 17.3-inch display is definitely an asset with full HD 1920x1080p resolution. You can even watch movies in 3D thanks to the Blu-ray drive. Audio is also above average thanks to the Beats Audio system.
Although the HP Envy 17 3D is targeted as a gaming laptop, it also functions well in other scenarios. HP has included Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for easy photo editing, which is a nice addition. Storage space is adequate with a 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, but the speed is nice.
If you're looking for a system that is equipped with the latest technology while offering portability, the HP Envy 17 3D is a great buy. The glasses aren't too heavy, which is a plus during a long movie or gaming session. And while the HP Envy 17 3D as a whole weighs in at 7.37 pounds, it isn't extremely heavy for a desktop replacement. The battery life is a bit low at up to 2.25 hours, so be sure to bring the AC adapter with you on gaming trips.