HP Envy 16 Review
HP Envy 16 Review
Pros
Gorgeous 4K OLED touch screen
Fancy 5-megapixel webcam
Great performance and battery life
Robust GeForce RTX 3060 GPU
Cons
A bit heavy
60Hz display won’t satisfy hardcore gamers
| Brand | HP |
| Model Name | HP ENVY |
| Screen Size | 16 Inches |
| Color | Natural Silver |
| Hard Disk Size | 2048 GB |
| CPU Model | Intel Core i9 |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 32 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Graphics Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 |
Unofficially, HP’s Envy laptops defy their supposed status as the brand’s second-tier consumer models, nestling comfortably between the budget-friendly Pavilions and the top-tier Spectres. The new Envy 16 (starting at $1,389; tested at $1,809) exudes a deceptive aura of superiority. Positioned as a versatile desktop replacement catering to both content creators and gamers, it boasts the option of an Intel Core i9 processor and a dazzling OLED display, alongside extravagant features like a 5-megapixel webcam.
Although it doesn’t come cheap and isn’t exactly lightweight, its midrange Nvidia graphics may not fully satisfy hardcore gamers. However, as an all-purpose performer, it’s an attractive option that significantly undercuts the price of a similarly configured Dell XPS 15. In fact, it’s garnered enough admiration to dethrone the XPS 15 as our top pick for premium creative laptops.
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The unit we tested, originally priced at $1,809 from Micro Center, is currently available at a discounted rate of $1,699. Equipped with a Core i7-12700H processor boasting six Performance cores, eight Efficient cores, and 20 threads, along with Nvidia’s 6GB GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, it promises powerful performance. The device features a stunning 3,840-by-2,400-pixel OLED touch screen, complemented by Windows 11 Home as its operating system.
Storage-wise, it includes a standard 1TB NVMe solid-state drive (SSD), paired with 16GB of DDR5 memory for smooth multitasking. Connectivity options are robust, with Wi-Fi 6E ensuring fast and reliable internet access. (For entry-level models, Wi-Fi 6 is provided.)
Wrapped in partially recycled aluminum with HP’s signature Natural Silver finish, the Envy boasts dimensions of 0.78 by 14.1 by 9.9 inches (HWD). It’s marginally thicker than the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus, but otherwise matches it in size. However, the Dell outshines it in weight, tipping the scales at 4.51 pounds compared to the Envy’s 5.12 pounds. While there’s a slight flex when applying pressure to the screen corners or keyboard deck, there’s noticeable creaking from the plastic bottom panel when lifting the laptop with one hand.
The display bezels on the Envy are slim, boasting an impressive 88.7% screen-to-body ratio according to HP. Positioned alongside the keyboard are speakers, with a convenient key located on the top row to toggle the webcam shutter. Notably, the camera features infrared (IR) face recognition for Windows Hello authentication, though there’s no integrated fingerprint reader.
Positioned on the left side of the laptop, you’ll find a USB 3.1 Type-A port with a convenient drop-down cover, alongside a microSD card slot and a headphone jack. On the right side, there’s another USB-A port capable of charging devices, two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports for versatile connectivity, an HDMI video output, and the AC adapter connector.
Putting the HP Envy 16 to the Test: Comparing High-End Systems
In our rigorous benchmark tests, we pitted the Envy 16 against four other top-tier desktop replacements. While the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus and the Lenovo Yoga 7i 16 Gen 7 offer near-premium features, the Dell XPS 15 (9520) and the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X share the Envy’s stunning OLED displays.
