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HP Envy 13 Video

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HP Envy 13
Created: 09/29/2009
Video description: HP's Envy 13 feels like an upscale status symbol, but its high price makes it a tough sell over the similar-looking MacBook Pro.

HP Envy 13 Video Transcript

>> Dan: I'm Dan Ackerman and we are here with HP's ENVY 13. That's HP's entry to this kind of ultra premium 13 inch laptop category and as you can see from first glance it's a very nicely put together upscale looking 13 inch system. It's a solid slab of aluminum and magnesium and it's got some interesting visual details and it's got a decent set of components highlighted by a dual core Intel ultra low voltage processor and some basic discrete ATI graphics. It's also clearly a shot across the bow with a 13 inch MacBook Pro even if that challenge is sort of left unstated by HP. The visual similarities are there. It's got the same sort of edge to edge glass over the display. It's got the same sort of oversized touch-pad with multi-touch controls and the same kind of flat key widely spaced keyboard. But even though it kind of looks and feels a lot like that 13 inch Pro it's actually priced more in the category of super, super thin models like the Dell Adamo or even the MacBook Air. It starts at about 1,700 bucks and once you add a few options like an extra battery and the Blu-ray drive then you're well over $2,000. It's got a couple touches we really like a lot like this cool kind of semi random inlaid pattern of dots on the wrist rest. And the display you can get a high resolution display, a 1,600 by 900 one which is great for HD video. It's also built like a tank which is great but it feels a little bit heavier than it looks and if you add the optional optical drive because it doesn't have an optical drive and the secondary slice barrier that fits on the bottom for all the computing well then you've got kind of a lot of stuff to carry around with you. So this is definitely a bit of a step up from the 13 inch MacBook Pro in terms of some of the configuration options and features but is it a $500 at a minimum step up, well it's hard to say. However, if price is no object then you'll definitely find this to be, you know, an upscale status symbol that'll get you a lot of stares at the coffee shop or in the airport lounge. I'm Dan Ackerman and that's the HP ENVY 13. ^M00:01:55 [ Music ]

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HP Envy 13 Review

Editors' rating

The good: Slick, modern design; big touch pad; bright display; premium support services.

The bad: Very expensive; heavier than it looks; no backlit keyboard; limited ports and connections.

The bottom line: HP's upscale Envy 13 looks and feels like an expensive status symbol, with performance and features that impress us--but its high price makes it a tough sell over the similar-looking MacBook Pro.

Read full review

HP Envy 13 Specs

Manufacturer: HP
Part number: NS845AV

Product Specifications
  • Product Specifications

Read full specs

HP Envy 13 Prices

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