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envy laptop vs pc

PC or Laptop: Which HP ENVY is Right for You?

Harry Stewart
|
Students and professionals adore the raw processing power and sleek aesthetics of the HP ENVY. This premium product ships with top-end specs and a slew of potent productivity tools, making it the go-to computer for users with demanding needs.
With a myriad of models to choose from, there's an HP ENVY computer for you. But before you pinpoint the perfect PC, take a minute to ask yourself, "Should I get a laptop or desktop?"
This post will analyse the crucial desktop-versus-laptop considerations, compare two similarly priced PCs, and cover the pros and cons. Finally, to streamline the shopping process, we'll review four of our favourite ENVYs on the HP UK Store.

Understanding your needs

There's no set-in-stone superior option regarding an ENVY laptop and desktop PC. The ideal choice boils down to your specific needs. The first step is to evaluate whether to prioritise power, portability, or price.

Power

Need a beefy machine to cruise through high-demanding tasks? An ENVY desktop might be the best bet. While laptops cram sophisticated hardware into a tiny, lightweight case, the desktop has abundant excess real estate. This extra legroom mitigates potential overheating issues, making desktops especially effective for graphically intensive tasks (animation, video editing, etc.)
Nonetheless, HP ENVY laptops still offer ample grunt. A late-generation processor and stacks of RAM give you more than enough power for everyday use and some high-intensity tasks.

Portability

Portability is the key deciding factor between a laptop and a desktop PC. If you work or study in multiple locations, a nimble little laptop is the obvious choice. Desktops are generally too cumbersome to lug between classrooms or meetings (though portable desktops now exist).
On the other hand, users who never (or rarely) relocate their computers are better off with a desktop, as they get more power for a lower price.

Price

A common concern for all consumers (except private island-dwelling billionaires) is price. The HP ENVY, like all other PC products, offers better-value hardware in desktop form, especially when you want a dedicated GPU. As HP doesn't have to invest in complex cooling systems or negotiate tiny size constraints, it's more cost-effective to manufacture a desktop PC.
As such, an HP ENVY desktop PC will have superior hardware specifications to a similarly-priced ENVY laptop.

An HP ENVY desktop versus laptop comparison

envy desktop laptop comparison
Curious about how an HP ENVY desktop stacks up against an HP ENVY laptop? Here's a comparison of two popular models on the HP UK Store. This HP ENVY desktop and HP ENVY laptop retail at a similar (though not quite identical) mid-range price point.

HP ENVY (17-cw0009na) 4K Laptop

  • Processor: Intel® Core™ i7 1335U (13th Generation)
  • RAM: 16GB RAM
  • Storage: 512GB SSD
  • GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050 (4GB)
  • Display: 43.9 cm (17.3"), 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
  • Weight: 2.49 kg

HP ENVY (TE02-1001na) Desktop

  • Processor: Intel Core i7 13700 (13th Generation)
  • RAM: 32GB RAM
  • Storage: 512GB SSD + 2TB HDD
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (12GB)
  • Display: Not included
  • Weight: 13.75 kg
The processors inside these ENVYs are similar at first glance - both have the latest 13th Generation Intel Core i7. However, dig a little deeper, and you'll learn the desktop's 13700 processor has 16 cores and 24 threads. These specs represent a significant performance boost compared to the laptop's 1335U CPU with only 10 cores and 12 threads. Our desktop also sports a larger L3 cache (30MB versus 12MB), resulting in quicker inter-core communication and data sharing.
Moreover, this HP ENVY desktop boasts double the RAM (32GB vs 16GB), making it vastly superior for multitasking, gaming, and rendering high-resolution video files. While the SSD storage is identical, our desktop has an enormous 2TB HDD, perfect for users storing a sizeable file library.
Finally, the desktop model comes with a superior CPU. Video editors, animators, and gamers will notice a massive difference when using the 12GB RTX 3060 compared to the 4GB RTX 3050.
Of course, this isn't a perfect apples-to-apples comparison. Our chosen desktop doesn't come with a webcam or monitor, while the ENVY laptop stocks these by default. Desktop users must purchase the peripherals separately or bring them from a previous PC.
Most importantly, the HP ENVY laptop weighs a minuscule 2.49 kg compared to the tower PC's cumbersome 13.75 kg (plus its peripherals and display). This portable design makes all the difference for users on the move.
Note: You can snag an even lighter HP ENVY laptop weighing just 1.34 kg by opting for a 13-inch model.

The pros and cons of an ENVY desktop and laptop

Still unsure which computer type is the best option for you? Let's examine the pros and cons of an ENVY laptop and desktop PC.

ENVY desktop PC advantages

  • Available in tower PC and all-in-one PC variations
  • Better specs compared to a similarly-priced ENVY laptop
  • Superior performance for graphically intensive tasks like gaming and 3D modelling
  • All-in-one PCs offer slick, streamlined aesthetics and use minimal room
  • Numerous upgradability options to future-proof your PC

ENVY desktop PC disadvantages

  • Generally too cumbersome to be moved around regularly
  • Tower PCs don't include peripherals like a webcam or monitor (all-in-one desktops have these features built-in)
  • Require much more desk space, especially true for tower PCs

ENVY laptop advantages

  • Available in conventional laptop and 2-in-1 convertible models
  • Solid performance to suit most business and home users
  • Lightweight design makes it easy to carry each day
  • High battery life for lengthy work sessions without a nearby power socket
  • Includes most necessary peripherals and accessories

ENVY laptop disadvantages

  • Inferior hardware specifications compared to an ENVY desktop of the same price
  • Limited upgradability options
  • Smaller laptop screens may be too difficult to comfortably read during long-term use
  • Battery will eventually degrade and require replacement

The best HP ENVY desktops and laptops in the UK

Now you've got a handle on the laptop versus desktop debate, it's time to choose the perfect HP ENVY. We've summarised four of our favourites on the HP UK Store.

HP ENVY x360 (15-fh0010na) Convertible Laptop

An excellent all-rounder, the HP ENVY x360 (15-fh0010na) is a powerful and portable option at a mid-range price. A potent Ryzen™ 7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a speedy 1TB SSD storage drive make it suitable for many user types. Students and professionals alike will make good use of this convertible, 15-inch device.
envy x360 laptop
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7730U
  • RAM: 16GB RAM
  • Storage: 1TB SSD
  • GPU: AMD Radeon™ Graphics
  • Display: 39.6 cm (15.6"), FHD (1920 x 1080), touch screen
  • Weight: 1.79 kg

HP ENVY (17-cw0008na) Laptop

Fancy a bigger screen? This sizeable unit comes with similar specs and retails at a comparable price. The big difference is that the HP ENVY (17-cw0008na) has a roomy 17-inch display, so you can read the screen easily and reduce eye strain during those tiresome all-day sessions. Note that this model isn't a convertible and doesn't have a touch screen.
envy 17 laptop
  • Processor: Intel Core i7 13700H (13th Generation)
  • RAM: 16GB RAM
  • Storage: 512GB SSD
  • GPU: Intel Iris® Xe Graphics
  • Display: 43.9 cm (17.3"), FHD (1920 x 1080)
  • Weight: 2.49 kg

HP ENVY Move Portable All-in-One PC

Remember when we said desktop PCs were too bulky to lug around town? There are exceptions to every rule. Weighing in at 4.1 kg, the 23-inch HP ENVY Move is light enough to whisk between worksites with ease. While you probably wouldn't want to move it every day (as you would a laptop), it's massively more portable than a standard desktop PC.
envy move
  • Processor: Intel Core i5 1335U (13th Generation)
  • RAM: 16GB RAM
  • Storage: 1TB SSD
  • GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
  • Display: 60.5 cm (23.8 "), QHD (2560 x 1440), touch screen
  • Weight: 4.1 kg

HP ENVY (TE02-1000na) Desktop

This thing is a beast. Boasting a late-generation Intel Core i9 and a whopping 64GB of RAM, it'll breeze through about anything you could throw at it. It also sports one of the most powerful graphics cards on the market, a 12GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti. Video editors, animators, and gamers need look no further than the HP ENVY (TE02-1000na).
HP ENVY TE02-1000na Desktop
  • Processor: Intel Core i9 13900K (13th Generation)
  • RAM: 64GB RAM
  • Storage: 1TB SSD + 1TB HDD
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti (12GB)
  • Display: Not included
  • Weight: 13.75 kg

Summary

So, should you snag a shiny new HP ENVY desktop or laptop? It depends on whether you value power, portability, or price.
Desktops offer superior performance at an equivalent price point, especially when undertaking GPU-hungry tasks. Laptops, on the other hand, offer more portability, making them suitable to carry between daily meetings and classes.
Once you've determined the ideal PC type, revisit our recommended options or see what other HP ENVY desktops and laptops are available in the UK Store. Should you fancy a middle ground between the two, consider the HP ENVY Move. Whichever you choose, the HP ENVY will make you the envy of your classroom or office.

About the Author

Harry Stewart is a Tech Takes contributor covering everything from how-to guides to laptop reviews.

Disclosure: Our site may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.

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