Overview

The hot Windows 8 OS has been out for a couple of months today plus something consumers have swiftly realized is how much simpler it may be to utilize the fresh big tile interface with a touchscreen.  The issue is, there absolutely aren’t which numerous touchscreen equipped laptops available, plus those which are tend to have a costly price.  One offering which stands out plus can fit various people’s budgets, including pupils, is the HP ENVY TouchSmart 4t Ultrabook which begins at a cost of $ 749.99 about HP.com plus is had for lower following coupons.

The HP ENVY TouchSmart 4t-1100 beneath review has the following configuration specs:

• OS: Windows 8 Pro (64-bit)
• Screen: 14-inch glossy LED HD TouchSmart show (1366 x 768)
• Processor: Dual-core Intel Core i5-3317U Processor (1.7GHz, 2.6GHz Turbo frequency, 3MB cache, 17W TDP)
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000
• Memory: 8GB DDR3-1600 RAM (2 DIMM, 16GB max supported)
• Storage: 500GB 5400rpm HDD and 32GB mSATA SSD cache
• Wireless: 802.11a/b/g/n wireless network adapter, Bluetooth v4.0
• Web Camera: Integrated 720p webcam
• Keyboard: LED Backlit keyboard
• Speakers: Beats Audio with stereo speakers and subwoofer
• Warranty: 1-year limited hardware warranty
• Battery: 4-cell (52 WHr) Li-Po integrated battery
• Weight: four.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 13.38 x 9.28 x 0.78 inches

Build plus Design

In terms of shape the ENVY 4t-1100 looks a lot like additional latest Ultrabooks from HP including the ENVY x2 plus ENVY m4.  The ENVY 4t TouchSmart has a brushed metal finish surrounding it with a pleasing soft touch bottom which feels wonderful to the touch and adds a premium touch we don’t discover about other laptops.

The ENVY 4t is regarding because thin because we receive, with all the width being a mere 0.9-inches whenever the screen is shut.  The fat comes inside at four.77lbs meaning it’s convenient enough to carry in a backpack with books plus not weigh we down more than an additional textbook might.  The touch enabled screen is heavier than a standard screen, thus you need to know it’d be difficult to achieve the incredible 3lbs of fat the 14” screen ThinkPad X1 Carbon has.

As far because total strength, the aluminum covering plus rubberized underside assist to give a good amount of security.  If you push inside found on the back of the screen there’s rather small rippling affect, meaning the lid provides enough security to the screen to avoid any drops or extreme exterior stress from really cracking the screen.  One really good technology feature HP has taken initiative with is moving almost all of the fat, including the power, to the front half of the computer thus which whenever we touch the screen it doesn’t result the ENVY TouchSmart 4t to tip over.

As far because updates plus starting up the ENVY 4t goes, that’s not precisely an convenient task because it’s not tailored to be conveniently taken aside.  Simply to access the RAM slots for a memory upgrade might take removing 13 screws found on the bottom.  So it’s best should you simply pay plus configure the TouchSmart with the components we desire at the time of buy.  Saving money plus doing updates oneself following buy certainly isn’t worth the hassle concerned – except naturally we love to tinker plus see it because recreation plus not function!

Ports

The ENVY TouchSmart 4t-1100 comes with the ports you’ll need for a transportable computer.  On the left side is an Ethernet port, HDMI, 2 USB 3.0 ports, a 4-in-1 media card reader and several status lights.  Over found on the appropriate side is a microphone jack, headphone jack, USB 2.0 port as well as the energy adapter.  There are no ports found found on the front or back sides.

Left side:

Right side:

Screen

The screen is naturally the key attraction of HP ENVY TouchSmart 4t-1100 due to its touchscreen feature.  The screen has a 1366 x 768 resolution plus utilizes an LED backlit show plus glossy surface finish.  The touchscreen was pretty exact, more thus than I might have expected, touching for input was simple to do as well as the sensitivity was good.  The fresh Start screen plus tile interface for Windows 8 were tailored for touch, so it’s ideal to employ with all the new OS interface, simpler than the touchpad is in the event you ask me.  Naturally, in the event you are a touchpad individual plus wish To keep utilizing which then it’s there plus there’s no requirement which you must move completely to utilizing really the screen to click icons.

The screen found on the ENVY TouchSmart 4t is not an IPS screen that way found found on the ENVY x2, these signifies which because the screen angle moves hues can shift.  The ideal watching angle is directly about plus perpendicular to the eyes.

Speakers plus Audio

The ENVY 4 has Beats Audio software for improved sound output plus utilizes 2 2W stereo speakers found right above the keyboard.  There is a 3rd 2W speaker situated inside the bottom half of the chassis which works because a subwoofer. However, the 3rd speaker which HP pertains to because a Subwoofer truly just offers a little of bass due to its place plus little size.   However, the hearing experience is above average for an Ultrabook, the sound is well-defined plus loud without annoying tininess.

Keyboard plus Touchpad

The keyboard found on the ENVY TouchSmart 4t-1100 is chiclet design inside shape plus has the possibility to be upgraded with backlighting for a mere $ 20, a deal plus broad upgrade in the event you ask me.  The keyboard backlight is certainly helpful inside dimly lit room because it assists we to locate the black keys.  It additionally adds a bit of the shape flare plus looks cool.  For an Ultrabook the key travel is very good plus has wise tactile suggestions.  The total typing experience is enjoyable.  There are no regions of flex or mushiness found on the keyboard, basically considering everything is packed inside thus tightly there’s no area for clear room below the keyboard!

The touchpad is oversized with a superior amount of surface for scrolling, the mouse buttons are integrated into the touchpad itself to offer this additional surface.  You are able to moreover click anywhere found on the touchpad to register a left click.  There are several gestures like pinch to zoom, 2 finger scrolling plus finger rotation to turn an object found on the screen (state a picture inside Photoshop).  These gestures are all supported by Synaptics forces to allow plus disable them because we please.

Performance

While the Envy TouchSmart 4t isn’t tailored to be a powerhouse, it’s nonetheless very a capable small computer.  It comes with an Intel Core i5 third generation “Ivy Bridge” processor which clocks inside at 1.7GHz plus is double core.  Note, the processor is undervolted to conserve about power lifetime, however, that’s typical with an Ultrabook fashion of computer.  The Core i5-3317U is the quickest processor obtainable in this model computer.   It’s going to be over adequate for everyday jobs like internet browsing, company efficiency software, streaming movie / processing movie, utilizing photoshop – easily put, everything outside of possibly CAD shape or intense 3D gaming.  The included hard drive is an ample 500GB inside size however, spins at a very slow 5400RPM.  But, the advantageous information is the fact that HP included a 32GB mSATA SSD cache to aid speed items along.  The mSATA SSD is employed to load popular programs plus to boost bootup occasions, basically it helps you to provide SSD like speeds without the cost of getting a true SSD.  For those worried with benchmarks, whenever running PCMark 7, a benchmark which tests the performance of the program, the score came out to 4,180.

Heat plus Fan Noise

HP has gone from their method to ensure the ENVY 4t remains cool whenever used.  The included HP CoolSense software utilizes internal sensors to change enthusiast speed based about use plus orientation of the computer itself.  Temperatures about both the keyboard region plus bottom of computer not got above warm to the touch, even following intense use, thus this computer is secure plus comfortable to employ inside the lap.  The enthusiast naturally has to run to keep the computer cool, yet whenever idling it was difficult to even hear the fans.  Under more intense use the enthusiast might be heard plus had a little of whine with it, the enthusiast is found on the back of the laptop close to the hinge thus the sound is guided away from we that assists.

Battery Life

Battery lifetime is naturally an significant feature to anybody found on the go like company consumers or pupils.  The ENVY TouchSmart 4t has a 4-cell power, it’s sealed inside the bottom thus unluckily it’s not upgradeable or replaceable.  The wise information is the fact that inside the tests power lifetime came to about 6 hours whenever doing simple aspects like internet surfing or simply making the computer idle because we read a website.  The computer was set to force saver settings inside Windows 8, screen brightness was at half plus wireless was naturally about to be capable to surf the internet!  Under more demanding use with video playback looping, screen at full brightness plus wireless found on the power existence was far less at 3 hours 40 minutes.  Obviously power existence numerous based about use, nevertheless recognizing which you’ll probably receive at smallest 4 hours of power lifetime plus about 6 is very good for a computer of the size, particularly considering the truth a touchscreen demands more force than a standard screen.

Conclusion

With a limited selection of touchscreen enabled laptops available the HP ENVY TouchSmart 4t absolutely stands out to be a strong providing which won’t break the budget plus doesn’t force too several compromises.  While there are different touchscreen laptops which have started filtering out, none absolutely hit the cost point of the Envy TouchSmart 4t.   The touchscreen feature is certainly good for navigating the big icons inside Windows 8, much simpler than utilizing the touchpad.  We do want the screen offered a high resolution 1600 x 900 way, along with a matte finish to lessen glare will be a good way too.   Other good qualities include the fast Intel Core i5 third generation processor, spacious difficult drive choices with a quick SSD cache addition to speed it up, premium brush metal finish plus soft touch bottom, plus truly thin shape of 0.9”.  For a cost of about $ 700, or less should you search for sales or coupons, the Envy TouchSmart 4t is an appealing way for a Windows 8 machine which won’t break the bank.