HP Envy 17 3D Review

MSRP- $2,200

Best Features- 3D with active shutter glasses included; full HD capability

Worst Features- Poor frame rates with 3D programs and games; hard to use 3D software

Conclusion- HP may have jumped the gun a bit coming in to the world of 3D technology. The design is great and thin, but the software that controls the 3D aspect can be confusing. For those who are serious techies this may be a great laptop. For those who don’t want to deal with confusing software or don’t have patience, it may be better to find another brand or wait for the technology to become more of a standard before purchasing this as the HP Envy 17 3D review will show.

This HP Envy 17 3D review is specifically for the second generation Envy. This revamped notebook offers some pretty neat features packed in a spiffy package. The problem- it’s not terribly user friendly. Having a 3D laptop is becoming important for a lot of people. For those who are looking for the cheapest HP laptop waiting a few years for the 3D technology will help make these more affordable. This is also not a great idea for those who need a very friendly laptop because the 3D software is clunky and just confusing. This HP Envy 17 3D review should help you determine if this is a good option for you or not.

Click here to get the HP ENVY 17 3D Notebook for only $2,199

HP Envy 17 3D Review Specs

When you start to compare HP laptops, you’ll see that even without the 3D capability this is a good choice. The HP Envy 3D features a 1.6GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 6GB memory, 640 GB hard drive, Windows 7 Home Premium and weighs 8 pounds with the AC adapter.

HD Envy 17 3D Review Pros

Having the 3D function is certainly a positive aspect of the new HP Envy 17 3D review.

The laptop is quite thin and doesn’t take up as much room on a table as you would expect a 17 inch laptop to take. This makes it very popular because it’s easy to set up.

An oversized click pad is appreciated and easy to use. It’s responsive and allows for easy multi-function. The backlit keyboard is also a positive aspect.

HP definitely got it right with the construction as well. This laptop may be heavy, but it’s extremely sturdy. You don’t need to drop it to see this. The well-built chassis is made with aluminum and magnesium to give it more strength and stability.

The display is one of the most highly talked about aspects of the HD Envy 17 3D review. The 1,920 X 1,080 pixel display is crisp, clean, and extremely clear. You can watch HD and Bu-ray content just as it was meant to be viewed. The speakers aren’t bad either. When compared to other laptops in this class, they’re actually much better.

HP Envy 17 3D Review Cons

Aside from the weight, there is only one aspect of this HP Envy 17 3D review that is less than positive.

The 3D software is just flat out terrible. If you’re not computer savvy it can become very frustrating very quickly. In order to watch 3D Blu-ray, you have to download a separate program as the included software won’t play Blu-ray discs in 3D. Playing games can also be tricky. Some games will automatically load in 3D, while others require you to manually add the EXE file to the software’s list. Even if HP included some better directions or a file that explains how to work everything it would have been a step in the right direction.

Bottom Line

The HP Envy 17 3D is a great laptop for the most part. If you don’t have a lot of experience running things from the backend, you may want to pass on this and either find another 3D with more friendly applications, or just wait for the technology to advance a little more. All in all, for those who are familiar with these things, the HP Envy 17 3D is a good option.