The HP Envy 17t is another example of the return of a large laptop that isn't just for gaming. Apple is now discontinuing the 15-inch MacBook Pro and is selling a 16-inch model instead. Dell introduced the new XPS 17 for the first time since 2011. There's even a shockingly lightweight 17-inch version of the LG Gram laptop.


The HP Envy 17t is not new and has been around for quite some time. Display technology development seems to have contributed to the increase in similar large models. This is because a large screen can be mounted on a relatively small body. It's also due to market trends that acknowledge that PCs are comfortable when working. In a world where smarthorn screens keep getting bigger and tablets get better, laptops are getting lighter and more portable, but big laptops still play a unique role in doing business. 


The Envy 17t is definitely such a laptop. It should be noted, however, that having such a large 4K display comes with major drawbacks. Especially if you don't want to spend more money for higher performance.
 

HP Envy 17t Specifications

The model subject to this review is a product with a list price of $1,590 based on the HP website, and the specifications are as follows.

• Display: 17-inch 3840x2160 non-IPS touch display
• CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7 CPU
• Memory: 16GB DDR4-3200 RAM
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce MX330 GPU and 2 GB VRAM
• Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Left port: 1 Gen USB-A 3.2 sleep-and-charge port, HDMI, headphone jack, Gen 1 USB-C 3.2 port
• Right port: 2 Gen USB-A 3.2 ports, SD card slot
• Webcam : 720p, software-operated privacy cover
• Networking : Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 support
• Dimensions: 15.71 x 10.2 x 0.76 inches (39.9 x 25.9 x 1.93 cm)
• Weight: 6.02 lbs (2.73 kg) (6.88 with charger included) pounds (3.12 kg))

Additional configurations are listed on the HP website and are priced between $1,050 and $1,980. It has an Intel Core i5-1035G1 CPU, and the MX330 graphics card can be upgraded to 4GB of VRAM. The memory can be configured down to 8GB or up to 32GB, and for storage, you can choose a 1TB SSD or a combination of a 256GB SSD and a 1TB hard drive. A 1080p display can choose whether or not a touch screen is present, but a 4K display cannot select a touch panel.
 
It's big, but it's not a full-fledged gaming or heavy media production laptop. The main purpose of having a GeForce MX330 graphics card is to support 4K displays. Meanwhile, Intel Ice Lake CPUs are very similar to the CPUs found in very thin high-end laptops like the Lenovo C940 Yoga 14 or HP Specter x360 13t. If you need a high-performance laptop, you should look for a product with an Intel H-series processor and a better dedicated GPU, such as the new Dell XPS 17 or Lenovo C940 Yoga 15.

Still, the port selection is pretty good. Taking advantage of the generous space provided by the 17-inch screen, a large SD card slot, which is hard to find in laptops these days, and an HDMI port that can output 4K at 60 frames per second to a compatible monitor or TV are provided. The port's maximum transfer rate is 10Gbps, so the lack of a faster USB-C port, or Thunderbolt 3 port, is a drawback.

It's also worth noting that the Envy 17t has space for a hard disk drive. However, to access the inside, you have to remove the rubber bottom of the laptop and the hexagonal screws.


HP Envy 17t: design and display

The HP Envy 17t, like other Envy laptops, has a light gray aluminum chassis. The side corners are sharp and the palm rests are slightly raised. The diamond pattern on the Bang & Olufsen speaker grill is the same. Combined with HP's large keycaps, the Envy 17t's clear and distinct exterior is created.

However, the Envy 17t is incredibly heavy and bulky, unlike other Envy laptops. It weighs over 2.7 kg excluding the charger. The bezels around the display are small, but not as thin as the new Dell XPS 17 bezels. This laptop is not suitable for use on a desk, it is difficult to carry around. You can tell by looking at the hinges that appear when you open the laptop. On a flat surface, the design allows for good airflow and convenient typing, but if you put it on your lap, the two rubber stoppers will cripple your legs.
 

Still, the 4K display itself is very nice to look at. Also, I didn't see any issues with the animations stuttering or scrolling as smoothly as on some 4K laptops with integrated graphics cards. It's probably thanks to the built-in MX330 GPU. Although the screen doesn't support Dolby Vision HDR, the highest measured brightness is 387 nits, which is great for a laptop of this size.


HP Envy 17t: keyboard and trackpad

One of the best things about 17-inch laptops is that they include a number pad without sacrificing too much keyboard size. The keys are rather elastic, but a slight swipe of the corners is not enough to press the entire key. There is plenty of key travel and the sound is good. There is absolutely no vibration in the laptop body when typing. Notice that the Ctrl key is missing on the right. The fingerprint sensor was placed in the place where the original Ctrl key was. Overall it's a great keyboard.


The trackpad lacks a lot in terms of completeness. It's more spacious than the trackpad on a relatively small laptop, and the top corner is clickable, but responsiveness has room for improvement. It did not react sensitively to finger movements and felt like it was rattling at times. On the plus side, the Envy 17t supports Microsoft's precision touchpad drivers, so common Windows 10 multi-touch gestures are supported, and there are no accuracy issues previously encountered with some HP laptops.


HP Envy 17t: Audio, Webcam, Security

HP's high-end notebook speakers were created in collaboration with Danish audio brand Bang & Olufsen, and the results are as you might expect. The sound system doesn't match the warm voice or rich bass of the Lenovo C940 Yoga 14, but it's standard among high-end Windows PCs. The volume is as loud and clear as a PC, which is a level that is difficult to find on a laptop.

On the other hand, HP Webcams do not collaborate with famous camera brands. It provides 720p video, similar to the webcams of most other laptops. There is a privacy cover that covers the lens, but it cannot be opened or closed when the computer is turned off because it is operated by software through a function key.

The fingerprint sensor is also a bit disappointing. It's bigger than the little fingernail-sized sensor on many other laptops, taking up a spot on the keyboard. There was a problem with it working reliably. Even after re-enrolling my fingerprints, I had to try again and again with slightly different positions of my fingers to unlock the laptop.