HP Envy Transfer Evaluation – Thurrott.com

HP doesn’t get sufficient credit score for its design experimentation, however the Envy Transfer emphatically make the case that innovation is alive and nicely within the PC market. This pleasant PC reimages the all-in-one (AIO) as a conveyable gadget that may be simply used all through the house.

Design

HP wins large with the design of the Envy Transfer: This can be a enjoyable, particular PC that elicits smiles from everybody who sees it in motion. Sure, it’s principally plastic, however the Shadow White coloration with its environmentally pleasant grey splotches of recycled supplies is exclusive on this house, and the material speaker cowl on the backside entrance appears to be like stylish.

There are different neat design touches, too. The built-in deal with that hangs off the highest again of the PC has a leather-like strap and a sturdy deal with, and it clings to the gadget magnetically when not in transit.

There’s additionally a cloth pouch on the underside rear of the PC that holds the keyboard in transit in a cuter-than-necessary means.

After which there are the spring-loaded retractable ft.

The ft, my God, the ft.

By no means has such an innocuous characteristic delighted so many individuals. If you stroll as much as the HP Envy Transfer, it resembles a typical all-in-one with its mostly-screen design and wi-fi keyboard. However once you seize the deal with hanging from the highest rear of the PC and decide it up, the magic begins. These two ft swivel and disappear underneath the bottom.

Nevertheless it will get higher: If you decrease the Transfer onto a tough floor, like a desk or desk, the 2 ft swivel again out, perpendicular to the PC, to help it. This transformation is so easy and easy that it’s virtually comical. Nonetheless, it is not going to work on a softer floor in any respect.

These ft look maybe too small and skinny however they supply a sturdy base that helps the PC resist overt makes an attempt to push it over in both course. I suppose a devoted two-year-old with maliciousness in thoughts may make it occur, however I by no means had any worries that it will topple. You can even tilt the complete PC again only a hair in case you want a greater view.

The button and port placement are additionally considerate. HP put the growth ports on the underside of the gadget, on either side, the place they belong. The facility button is on the highest of the precise facet of the PC, the place your hand goes naturally (although I usually simply woke it up by tapping a key on the Bluetooth keyboard.) The amount buttons are on the decrease left facet, above the USB ports, and there are brightness buttons (which duplicate devoted keys on the bundled keyboard) on the precise facet, above the HDMI-in and energy ports, together with a video supply switcher. (Extra on this within the subsequent part.) There’s additionally a big privateness swap for the webcam on the highest center of the PC that’s a lot simpler to make use of than comparable switches on laptops.

Show

I take advantage of 27- and 28-inch shows at my desk, however the HP Transfer’s 23.8-inch IPS show is a pleasant step up from a 16- or 17-inch laptop computer and was a pleasure to make use of. It appears ideally suited to dwelling use with its Quad HD (2560 x 1440) decision and multi-touch capabilities, and it throws off an affordable 300 nits of brightness given that it’s going to hardly ever enterprise exterior. Sure, the show incorporates a 16:9 facet ratio, which can appear a bit anachronistic on this period of 16:10 laptop computer shows, however all of my desktop shows are 16:9 and this felt pure to me.

What the show lacks is any form of coloration accuracy, however then this PC is aimed an off-the-cuff computing—net searching, gentle productiveness work—and isn’t applicable for artistic professionals. I believe it’s an important alternative for its supposed audiences.

That mentioned, I want there was a bigger model: I’d think about a 27- or 28-inch AIO for private use, and having the ability to carry it out to the kitchen desk or residing is a plus. And I want it didn’t sit so low: In comparison with a laptop computer, the display screen reaches increased within the vertical, nevertheless it falls in need of good ergonomics with its high edge sitting about six inches too low (for me). Should you sit in entrance of this for lengthy intervals of time, you possibly can develop neck pressure. The power to tilt the display screen/PC again a bit doesn’t assist actually.

To be honest, I suppose the children that use this PC commonly, and the adults in a household who use it sparingly, will likely be superb.

In a pleasant contact, the Transfer helps video-in by way of an HDMI port on its backside proper that lets the PC act as an exterior wired show. I examined this utilizing a PC laptop computer with a USB-C to HDMI dongle and an HDMI cable, and it labored splendidly. There’s even a video enter switcher button proper above that HDMI port that permits you to toggle the show between the interior PC and an exterior video supply. Properly executed.

Inner parts

Just like the Intel NUC I nonetheless miss, the Envy Transfer is principally a laptop computer in disguise, on this case one that’s powered by a thirteenth Gen Intel Core i3-1315U or i5-1335U processor. These are low-end, environment friendly 15-watt components which might be paired with low-end built-in Intel UHD graphics and never the newer Iris Xe graphics. Certainly, the Core i3 possibility is similar CPU utilized in the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus I just lately reviewed. That is in all probability unfounded, however I’m cautious of utilizing a Core i3 U-series processor in a Home windows PC. The Core i5-1335U within the evaluate unit was completely acceptable in day-to-day gentle productiveness duties of the kind one would possibly count on from a shared household PC like this: Internet searching, electronic mail, gentle picture modifying, phrase processing, and so forth.

Serving to issues, HP additionally configured the evaluate unit with 16 GB of RAM, which I really feel is the baseline for any PC as of late. It’s additionally the utmost quantity attainable within the Envy Transfer, which has a base configuration of simply 8 GB. There are extra selections with storage selections—256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD—and right here, once more, HP went with the highest-end alternative. I’d as nicely had been I spending my very own cash, and hopefully a future replace or model will supply extra expansive processor and RAM selections.

I by no means harassed the Envy Transfer all that a lot—I believe essentially the most demanding workload it endured was an enormous file copy associated to my current picture assortment consolidation work—and so there was by no means any noticeable fan noise. HP locations two giant air flow ports on both facet of the webcam privateness swap on the highest of the PC to help with warmth dissipation, and the corporate works its now-usual wizardry by overwriting the interior energy administration controls in Home windows with its personal extra subtle choices that stability efficiency, fan noise, and cooling. This effort appears to have paid off.

Connectivity

Connectivity is stable and fairly fashionable: Relying on the configuration, you’re going to get Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E wi-fi capabilities, and each include Bluetooth 5.3 as nicely. The evaluate unit has the extra succesful Wi-Fi 6E half, and it paired properly with my Eero 6E Professional mesh wi-fi community.

Ports and growth

Expandability is appropriate given the wants of the goal market, and let’s not neglect {that a} bunch of wires hanging off the PC would intervene with its distinctive portability. There’s one USB Kind-C and one USB Kind-A port on the left facet, each of which supply 10 Gbps of knowledge switch velocity; the Kind-C port additionally helps DisplayPort 1.4a for video-out.

On the precise, you’ll discover only a single growth port, a full-sized HDMI 1.4b port that solely helps video-in and sits above the proprietary HP charging port. As famous above, you should utilize the HP Envy Transfer as an exterior show too.

These ports are all on the underside of the gadget the place they belong, which was the precise alternative.

Audio and video

The Envy Transfer sports activities two 5-watt audio system which might be hidden behind a lovely cloth grill on the underside entrance of the PC and tuned by Bang & Olufsen. Configuration is minimal and lackluster: You’ll be able to manually select between music, voice, and video modes within the myHP app, however there’s no computerized configuration for particular content material sorts. In fact, one shouldn’t count on Dolby Atmos at this worth level, and audiophiles aren’t the supposed viewers.

That mentioned, the AV expertise is surprisingly good, given what we’ve to work with. The audio system blast clear and surprisingly loud, and so they don’t distort on the higher limits of the quantity vary. And the stereo separation is cheap. Paired with the precise video content material, the general expertise is superb. If something, music one way or the other sounds even higher: Trendy tracks like Def Leppard’s All We Want and the remastered songs in Van Halen’s The Assortment II stuffed the room with highly effective, clear, sound.

Hybrid work

The Envy Transfer gives a high-quality and widescreen 5 MP webcam, and whereas I used to be nervous that the low peak of this PC would lead to a jowly viewpoint, I used to be shocked to find that wasn’t the case. You’ll be able to regulate the angle by tilting the complete PC, I suppose, however I left it in its regular upright place. The webcam is backed by HP’s AI-based Enhanced Digital camera expertise that permits you to configure the decision (as much as 4K/UHD) and auto body, backlight, low-light, tone, and look filter changes. You can even blur the background or select between numerous backgrounds, together with presets and your personal.

I can’t think about many within the Transfer’s audience would ever use this characteristic, however Enhanced Digital camera additionally helps you to add a second webcam and blend the 2 collectively in fascinating layouts, together with after all a picture-in-picture possibility. Should you’re dwelling sick with the children, this PC is a terrific alternative for video conferences.

For audio, the Transfer provides a typical Realtek microphone array with background noise removing and convention and private microphone modes (configured in myHP). I examined the audio high quality by studying a part of this evaluate to the Sound Recorder app. It was surprisingly good, with no distortion and good quantity ranges from my place about two ft from the display screen.

Keyboard and touchpad

HP bundles a white all-in-one Bluetooth wi-fi keyboard and touchpad with the Envy Transfer and the one good factor I can say about it’s that it type of matches the colour and design of the PC it’s paired with.

From there, it’s all downhill.

The keyboard is all plastic and it has an affordable appear and feel, and HP one way or the other didn’t trouble to match the enjoyable splotchy look of the PC, going as a substitute with a stark white coloration. The keys are horrible, with lengthy throws and an affordable plastic really feel, and so they’re extremely loud. There are additionally some lacking keys, like Print Display screen, and no backlighting in any respect.

Perhaps I’m being too harsh, given the goal market. However youngsters have to sort faculty experiences and papers, too, and even a household sharing one PC deserves an excellent typing expertise. I couldn’t use this keyboard for any size of time, and I didn’t. I used a unique keyboard to put in writing this evaluate.

I do just like the enjoyable mesh pouch on the again of the PC that you should utilize to stow the keyboard when carrying it round. However this pouch additionally serves to spotlight a missed alternative right here: There’s loads of room on the again of the Envy Transfer for a pouch of no matter dimension and form, and HP ought to have designed the keyboard in order that its built-in touchpad was in entrance of the keyboard with a wrist relaxation. The present elongated design feels unnatural: Virtually nobody makes use of a touchpad off to the precise facet of the keyboard. And as soon as they do that one, they’ll by no means wish to achieve this once more.

Safety

The HP Envy Transfer helps facial recognition by way of its webcam, which appears best for youths and members of the family, nevertheless it unsurprisingly doesn’t present a fingerprint reader. There’s a big, apparent, and easy-to-use webcam privateness shutter on the highest center of the PC, however no approach to simply mute the microphone: Yet one more key lacking from that horrible keyboard.

Sustainability

HP, like the opposite top-tier PC makers, is making ever-more sustainable units, and the Envy Transfer advantages from this development with 55 p.c post-consumer recycled plastic total, ocean-bound plastic in its speaker enclosures, 100% recycled polyester within the audio system and pocket cloth, and 45 p.c recycled metallic internally. However as an all-in-one PC, it doesn’t look like notably serviceable, with no apparent approach to open the chassis and entry its innards.

Portability

That is the primary time I can recall operating battery life assessments on a desktop pc, however there have been few surprises given the HP Envy Transfer’s giant, high-resolution show: I noticed a bit over 3.5 hours of real-world battery life whereas testing, which needs to be superb for its supposed use round a house, the place energy is all the time available. The bundled 90-watt energy provide can quick cost the Transfer’s 6-cell 83-watt-hour inner battery to 50 p.c in about 45 minutes, which is likewise acceptable. As a result of the charger is proprietary, you don’t have to fret about utilizing up the USB Kind-C port whereas charging.

Is it moveable? I imply, certain. The factor weighs a bit over 9 kilos, and it’s straightforward to choose up and carry round, assuming you’re not a really small youngster. Simply make sure to discover a steady, flat, onerous floor for it: You’ll be able to’t use the Envy Transfer in mattress or on a sofa until you don’t thoughts leaning it in opposition to one thing and taking your probabilities.

Software program

HP’s client PCs endure from an abundance of crapware, however the Envy Transfer is available in on the sunshine facet, with superfluous Adobe provides, Dropbox promotion, and the reviled McAfee LiveSafe. There are additionally 9 HP utilities and two Intel utilities (together with the Unison telephone hyperlink app), and although I query the necessity for HP’s OMEN Gaming Hub app on this PC—I’m guessing it’s about promoting you Nvidia GeForce Now—most of HP’s additions are not directly helpful.

For instance, myHP gives a front-end for configuring the PC’s audio, video, show, and energy administration options, but in addition optionally available display screen time and display screen distance notifications. HP Help Assistant is available for up-to-date drivers and basic help help. And the Enhanced Lighting app, whereas a bit goofy, gives a ring-light-like impact for video calls.

Total, this isn’t horrible for a client providing.

Pricing and configurations

A base Envy Transfer configuration—with a Core i3 processor, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB of SSD storage, and Home windows 11 Residence—is simply $750, which sounds fairly cheap. However I can’t suggest a Home windows PC with lower than 16 GB of RAM, so the suitable base configuration, as I see it, is about $800. Upgrading to a Core i5 processor provides one other $100, the storage upgrades will run one other $70 to $150, and you may improve to Wi-Fi 6E for simply $10. The maxed-out evaluate configuration prices about $1060. (Or about $1130 with Home windows 11 Professional.)

On the higher finish of the value sheet, you is perhaps tempted to pit the Transfer in opposition to an entry-level prosumer laptop computer, which would offer extra highly effective internals and higher battery life, however a a lot smaller show. That call is as much as the person however I really feel that the Envy Transfer is the precise alternative for these with youthful youngsters, or maybe {couples} or younger households with solely primary computing wants. Those that want a laptop computer will know that and select accordingly.

Suggestions and conclusions

I’m not a candidate for this PC, and my youngsters are actually adults and now not residing at dwelling. Nevertheless it’s onerous to disclaim the attraction of this for youths or younger households, and my kids would have liked to have had such a PC after they had been rising up. The HP Envy Transfer delivers a enjoyable, family-friendly design with distinctive around-the-home portability performance, a terrific show, and simply sufficient efficiency to fulfill the wants of that viewers, and it’s an excellent worth for the cash total. Solely the keyboard is a letdown, however this looks like a solvable downside, and I’d like to see HP develop this product household with a number of extra selections. you need one.

At-a-glance

Professionals

• A really moveable all-in-one PC for households
• Enjoyable, pleasant design with crowd-pleasing options
• Glorious multi-touch show
• Terrific audio/video and hybrid work performance
• Good worth for the cash

Cons

• Low cost and horrible keyboard and touchpad