In the realm of laptops, finding one that offers an all-in-one experience can be quite elusive. The ideal laptop should boast exceptional performance for both business applications and graphical tasks, feature a high-quality display, provide long battery life, possess a comfortable keyboard, and maintain a reasonable weight and price point. While HP’s Envy 16 may not fulfill every single one of these requirements, it comes remarkably close on all fronts, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a powerful notebook PC.
Let’s start with the design of the Envy 16. As the name suggests, it boasts a large 16-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. While there may be sharper screens on the market, the Envy’s 2,560 X 1,600-pixel resolution is more than adequate for most users and computing needs. The OLED touchscreen is not incredibly bright, but it offers impressive clarity, especially at higher brightness levels.
Under the hood, the Envy 16 is equipped with a 2.6-GHz Intel Core i9-13900H CPU (13th generation), 16 GB of RAM, and a 1-TB SSD. These specifications alone are impressive, but what sets this laptop apart is the inclusion of an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Max-Q video card. This powerful combination delivers outstanding performance, particularly in graphics-intensive tasks. Whether you’re playing the latest gaming titles or running rendering tests, the Envy 16 handles it all with ease. In fact, its benchmarks surpass those of even high-end laptops from just a few years ago.
But what about battery life? Surprisingly, the Envy 16 doesn’t sacrifice longevity for power. During uninterrupted video playback at maximum screen brightness, it managed to last just over nine hours—an impressive feat. Of course, adjusting performance settings can further extend battery life if needed.
In terms of usability, the Envy 16 excels. It features a large trackpad and a responsive keyboard with a standard island-style design. Getting work done is a breeze, and users have the option to interact directly with the touchscreen if desired. Unlike many modern laptops, the Envy 16 doesn’t skimp on expansion ports. It offers two USB-C ports, two full-size USB 3.1 ports, HDMI output, and a microSD card slot—all conveniently located on the sides. The laptop weighs just over 5 pounds and measures 26 mm in thickness, making it relatively portable considering its power-packed components.
When it comes to audio, the Envy 16 doesn’t disappoint. Its integrated speakers from Bang & Olufsen deliver impressive sound quality. However, at maximum volume, the audio can become overwhelming when sitting directly in front of the laptop. Music, voices during video conferences, and gaming effects all come through with crystal clarity, complemented by ample bass thanks to the downward-firing woofers.
High-performance machines often suffer from loud fan noise, but HP has taken measures to ensure a quieter experience, even under heavy workload. The Envy 16 utilizes a “gaming class” thermal solution known as the vapor chamber. This technology directs airflow through the entire chassis via centrally positioned fans, effectively keeping the laptop cool and minimizing noise.
The Envy 16 comes in various configurations, with the model tested falling in the middle price range at $1,750. While this price point may not be considered cheap, it offers reasonable value for the capabilities and features provided. The top-end configuration reaches a higher price of $2,685. For those who require the extra screen real estate and are willing to accommodate it in terms of weight and bag size, the Envy 16 stands out as a striking computing option.
In conclusion, the HP Envy 16 comes close to embodying the comprehensive laptop experience. With its exceptional performance, high-quality display, impressive battery life, comfortable keyboard, and wealth of expansion ports, it caters to the needs of business users, gamers, and creative professionals alike. While it may not tick every single box, it offers an outstanding balance of power, portability, and affordability, making it a prime choice for those seeking a powerhouse notebook PC that can handle any task thrown its way.