Skip to main content

Review: HP Envy 14

The fruits of the HP-Voodoo marriage are finally ripe: an inexpensive, feature-rich, and exquisitely designed computer.
Image may contain Electronics Pc Computer Laptop Computer Hardware Computer Keyboard Hardware and Keyboard

All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Rating:

9/10

Sometimes, a little identity crisis is a wonderful thing. Since acquiring Voodoo in 2006, HP has been quietly injecting the specialty gaming PC maker's high-dollar DNA into its own mass-market machines. It's taken some time, but the fruits of that marriage are finally ripe: an inexpensive yet fast, feature-rich, and exquisitely designed computer. HP dropped serious hardware into this box, with a 2.4-GHz Intel Core i5 processor and smoking ATI Radeon 5650 graphics card, backed up by enough RAM and hard drive space to rip a pile of movies on the quick. And all that power is ensconced in decadent luxury. The spacious island-style keyboard offers full-size arrow keys typically unheard of on laptops. The slot-loading DVD drive is smooth and responsive, battery life is great, and three USB ports keep your gear connected. Even better is the gloriously high-resolution LED-backlit display that loads up on enough pixels (1600 x 900) in its 14.5 inches to give games, movies, and photos an immersive level of realism. Finally, it's simply beautiful to behold, with a richly textured and patterned aluminum case that looks like a custom etching. The result is a sophisticated and sleek machine that makes Envy an affordable luxury.

runMobileCompatibilityScript('myExperience649780450001', 'anId'); brightcove.createExperiences();

See Also: