Hp has a long list of functional and affordable product lines of PCs but we’ll be focusing on Hp Envy and Hp Pavilion.
Going laptop shopping or “hunting” is a really big deal. Just like choosing an insurance plan, you never recover if you make the wrong choice. It’s harder now because brands like HP have so many product lines to choose from with each having its attractions. I may not be able to recommend the best insurance policy for you, but I can certainly point you in the right direction for your PC.
HP Envy Overview
The HP Envy line comes in two main categories: traditional clamshell laptops (HP Envy) and 2-in-1 laptops (HP Envy x360). The clamshell HP Envy laptops are available in 4 predominant length alternatives: 13, 14, 15, and 17 inches.
However, there are a few features that you can expect to see across the board in the HP Envy line. Displays with three-sided narrow bezels, touchscreen options, IPS displays, fingerprint readers, backlit keyboards (some with numeric keypads), HD cameras, dual-array microphones, webcam shutters, microphone mute buttons. You also have port selections that include Thunderbolt 4, microSD card readers, and USB-C and USB-A.
HP Pavilion Overview
HP’s Pavilion has four categories: Clamshells (Pavilion), 2-in-1s (Pavilion x360), ultra-lightweight (Pavilion Aero), and gaming laptops (Pavilion Gaming). The standard Pavilion clamshell laptops come in three size options: 13, 14, and 15 inches.
Pavilion clamshells also have FHD and HD displays, IPS displays, up to 1TB of solid-state drive (SSD) storage, backlit keyboards, keyboards with numeric keypads (on 15-inch models), HD webcams, dual-array mics, dual speakers, microSD card readers, and a variety of ports including USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI 2.0. However, none of the Pavilion clamshells has Thunderbolt ports.
Pavilions also have displays with three-sided narrow bezels and fingerprint readers. However, the fingerprint readers are only available on a few models, unlike the Envy line. The Pavilion line also offers both Intel Core and AMD Ryzen options in terms of processors.
Pavilion Aero
HP’s Pavilion Aero is designed to be incredibly lightweight at only 13 inches and weighs less than 2.2 pounds. It is the lightest laptop out of both the Pavilion and Envy laptop lines. The Aero also sports a magnesium chassis and a 16:10 four-sided narrow bezel display.
There are slight variations among the Aero models, but you can expect to see the following features among them: AMD Ryzen 5 and 7 processors, displays with WUXGA or WQXGA resolutions, IPS displays, up to 1TB of SSD storage, fingerprint readers, backlit and non-backlit keyboards, HD webcams, dual-array mics, dual speakers, and selections of ports that include USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI 2.0 ports.
HP Envy x360
The Envy x360 is a 2-in-1 Envy offering from HP. It comes with a 360-degree hinge that allows you to fold your laptop into different display modes like tablet, stand, or tent. Envy x360 line also comes in two sizes: 13 and 15 inches.
Envy x360 has some common features across the product line which includes Narrow bezel displays, fingerprint readers and backlit keyboards. It also has touch-enabled displays, HD webcams, privacy camera shutters, microphone mute keys, and dual-array microphones. Port selections include USB-C and USB-A ports, HDMI 2.0 and 2.0b, Thunderbolt 4, and microSD card readers.
You’ll also get built-in privacy screens and a variety of sensors: Accelerometers, gyroscopes, eCompass, and IR thermal sensors.
In terms of weight, the Envy x360 line is a bit on the lighter side compared to the Envy clamshells. The heaviest x360 (Envy 15) is only 4.42 pounds. The lightest x360 offering, however, isn’t the lightest Envy laptop overall since it weighs in at 2.92 pounds. Both the Envy x360 and Envy clamshells offer FHD and IPS displays, and you can also find options for WUXGA, UHD, and even 4K UHD displays.
HP Pavilion x360
Like the Envy x360, these 2-in-1s from the HP Pavilion line feature a 360-degree hinge, which allows for four display modes: Laptop, tablet, reverse, and tent. The Pavilion x360 comes in three sizes: 11, 14, and 15 inches.
With these 2-in-1s, you’ll get three-sided narrow bezel displays (on the 14- and 15-inch models only), displays with HD or FHD resolutions, IPS displays, touchscreens, HD webcams, dual-array mics, and selections of ports that include microSD card readers, USB-C and USB-A ports, an HDMI 2.0 and 1.4 ports.
Though Thunderbolt ports are missing from the Pavilion x360 laptops, they have three kinds of sensors: An accelerometer, a gyroscope, and e-compass.
Some of the x360 configurations have backlit keyboards, and some do not. Others have backlit keyboards and numerical keypads. Like the Pavilion clamshells, the Pavilion x360s also don’t offer many models with fingerprint readers.
Weight
In terms of weight, the Pavilion clamshells aren’t the lightest laptops the Pavilion line has to offer, but they’re not exactly heavyweights either with a range of 2.74 lbs. to 3.86 lbs.
When it comes to weight, the clamshell portion of the Envy line is a bit on the heavy side, but there are lightweight options like the 2.88-pound 13-inch Envy. The heaviest options on the Envy line are just over 6 lbs., making the HP Envy line heavier than the two.
The Best Gaming Experience: HP Envy or HP Pavilion
Unlike the Envy line, the Pavilion series has a dedicated gaming laptop collection. The Pavilion Gaming laptops come in two sizes: 15 and 16 inches. These laptops have three-sided narrow bezel FHD displays, up to 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of SSD storage, backlit keyboards, keyboards with numeric keypads, HD webcams, dual-array mics, dual speakers, accelerometers (some models, not all), and a port selection that includes USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI 2.0.
The Pavilion Gaming lines also come with a choice of AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 and Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, offering even more variety with a graphics card. Nvidia GTX 1650, 1660 Ti, RTX 3050, and 3050 Ti discrete GPUs are available, as well as a more standard Intel Xe onboard GPU option.
Pavilion Gaming laptops however don’t come with fingerprint readers or Thunderbolt ports. They’re also a bit on the heavier side, with a weight range of 4.37 lbs. to 5.18 lbs.
Screen Size And Resolution
Both the laptops in the Envy and the Pavilion series are named after the sizes of their display. This means that an Envy 13 display measures 13” inches, an Envy 17 measures 17.3” inches and a Pavilion 15 comes in at 15.6” inches.
However, the Envy x360 models are more advanced in terms of specs than their Pavilion counterparts with 512 GB on SSD for some of the Envy x360 models, an Intel Quad-core i7 processor and a battery life of up to 12 hours on a full charge.
The lightweight Envy 13 also comes with a 4K model – which makes it an excellent choice to stream movies on Netflix. Its colours and contracts are crisp and it also features BrightView, a functionality that makes your screen brighter. This however proves to be a disadvantage as it is less suitable for use outdoors.
The Pavilion laptops are mostly limited to 15.6” inch displays. They have different display options: 1080p IPS, glossy 1080p IPS, and the 4K model, which is again, a perfect choice for streamers. Some Pavilion laptops are touch-screen enabled, but Envy offers a multi-touch, which is a bonus for the Envy series.
Why You Should Choose An Envy
If you need a dedicated work laptop, get an Envy. The Envy laptop line has lightweight options if you need a portable machine for working on the go. It also has the privacy features you need to keep your work and your information secure: Fingerprint readers, webcam shutters, microphone mute buttons, and built-in privacy screens. Envy laptops also have a wider selection of productivity-friendly ports like Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.0.
The price-to-performance ratio of some of the Envy series like HP Envy 15 is excellent. Catering to creative professionals in fields like graphic design, the Envy 15 features an Intel Core i7-10750H processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and a dedicated NVIDIA GTX 1650Ti graphics card so if you opt for this, you’ll also be able to play many of the PC games out there.
Content creators who need a laptop that can handle intensive tasks like video and photo editing at a budget-friendly price would also love the Envy x360 13 as it comes with an AMD Ryzen processor. Its 2-in-1 design is also a bonus for more mobile professionals.
Why You Should Choose Pavilion
Pavilion laptops are marketed and designed to either emphasize entertainment and gaming or balance those features with some products as well. But generally speaking, professional productivity is kind of treated as an afterthought when it comes to Pavilion laptops, and it shows when you look at the included features and what they lack.
There are a wide variety of display-resolution options, narrow-bezel displays, and dual speakers. Pavilions, however, don’t have very many models with fingerprint readers, an important security feature workstation laptops tend to have. And they also don’t have Thunderbolt ports, unlike their more work-friendly Envy counterparts.
Though the Pavilion line comes with long battery life, the Envy series is slightly ahead with the Pavilion x360 series having a battery life of 9 hours while the Envy counterpart tops it at 12 hours.
The Pavilion line also offers a dedicated gaming collection, Pavilion Gaming, which comes with specific features that optimize these machines for gaming, such as discrete graphics cards and a dual fan system to keep your machine cooler during marathon gaming sessions.
If you really need a lightweight machine, you can also consider getting a Pavilion laptop because the Pavilion line has a collection dedicated to that as well: The Pavilion Aero. You can still get many of the same features as the other Pavilion laptops and do so without having to lug around a heavy machine. Aero laptops are less than 2.2 pounds.
You should go for a Pavilion laptop if you want a general-purpose laptop, an entertainment laptop, or a gaming laptop.
Which Is More Affordable: HP Envy or HP Pavilion
Disregarding any sale offers or discounts, you can expect to spend anywhere from $740 to $1,500 on an Envy laptop. Pavilion laptops are more mid-range and more pocket friendly between $600 and $1,200. Based on their features, the Pavilion line has more budget-friendly options overall and has lower prices than the Envy laptop line.
Bottom Line: HP Envy or HP Pavilion
One feature in the favor of the Envy and Pavilion lines is that the laptops the series offer are upgradable. Though HP recommends against users upgrading their systems, you still have the option of removing the bottom of the chassis to swap out RAM and SSD, which helps future-proof your investment (your laptop) well into the future.
The Envy line is best for those who need a professional-grade machine, but that means you should also prepare yourself and your wallet to pay pro-level prices. Laptops like Envy come with a hefty price tag because they’re outfitted with enhanced security, privacy features, and productivity tools to help optimize your work experience.
However, if you just need a general-purpose laptop for work and play, or you just want a dedicated laptop for recreation, get a Pavilion. They’re cheaper and lighter, but they’ll still enhance your movie-watching or gaming experience, so you can relax properly after a long day.
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