Finding a laptop that delivers powerful performance without breaking the bank is a constant challenge for content creators. The HP Envy 16 (2023) aims to address this dilemma, offering a compelling combination of 13th-generation Intel CPUs and the latest Nvidia RTX 4000-series GPUs. In this hp envy 16 2023 review, we’ll explore whether the Envy 16 can truly provide the necessary performance and value for creators on a budget.
HP Envy 16 2023 Review: Design and Build: A Sleek and Professional Look
The HP Envy 16 (2023) sports a sleek, minimalist design that immediately draws comparisons to Apple’s MacBook lineup. Its silver aluminum chassis exudes a professional and durable aesthetic, though it is slightly larger and heavier than some of its competitors, measuring 14.07 inches by 9.91 inches by 0.78 inches and weighing 5.12 pounds. While this heft may deter frequent travelers who prioritize portability, the robust construction offers reassurance for those who need a durable machine for their creative work.
The keyboard on the Envy 16 is well-designed, featuring large keycaps and responsive switches that provide a satisfying typing experience. Compared to the MacBook Pro’s Magic Keyboard, which is known for its individual key travel distance and precise scissor mechanism, the Envy 16’s keyboard may not quite match the same level of precision but still offers a comfortable and clicky typing feel. The touchpad is smooth and responsive, although a slightly larger surface area would enhance usability and enable more comfortable multi-touch gestures.
One standout feature of the Envy 16 is its impressive 5MP webcam, which outperforms the 720p options found in many competing laptops. This high-quality camera ensures clear video calls, with better facial details, improved lighting, and reduced noise — a crucial consideration for remote work scenarios where effective communication is essential.
Connectivity is another area where the Envy 16 shines, offering a robust selection of ports, including two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, an HDMI 2.1 output, a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack. This diverse array of ports allows users to easily connect a wide range of peripherals without the need for adapters, which is particularly beneficial for photographers and videographers who frequently use external storage or capture devices.
Performance: A Powerful Workhorse for Content Creation
At the heart of the HP Envy 16 (2023) lies an impressive hardware configuration, featuring Intel’s 13th-generation CPUs and Nvidia’s RTX 4000-series GPUs. Our review unit was equipped with a Core i9-13900H processor, which boasts a clock speed of up to 5.4 GHz, 14 cores (6 performance cores and 8 efficient cores), and 20 threads, along with an RTX 4060 graphics card.
The Envy 16’s CPU performance is exceptional, often matching or surpassing the performance of the Dell XPS 15 in intensive tests. In Geekbench 5, the Core i9-13900H achieved a single-core score of 1,961 and a multi-core score of 14,388, showcasing its ability to handle demanding applications with ease. Similarly, in Cinebench R23, the Envy 16 scored 1,977 in single-core performance and 16,298 in multi-core, further demonstrating its impressive computational capabilities.
In real-world creative applications, the Envy 16 truly shines. During the PugetBench Premiere Pro benchmark, which evaluates video editing performance, the laptop outperformed even the more expensive Dell XPS 17, which featured a more powerful RTX 4070 GPU. This makes the Envy 16 an excellent choice for video editors and content creators who require a reliable machine for resource-intensive software like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Autodesk Maya.
Thermal performance is also commendable, as the Envy 16 manages to keep noise levels relatively low even under heavy workloads. Its effective cooling system, which utilizes thermal paste and heat sinks for efficient heat dissipation, allows users to focus on their work without the distraction of excessive fan noise.
Display: A Decent Panel with Room for Improvement
The HP Envy 16 (2023) features a 16-inch, 16:10 WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600) IPS panel, which offers decent brightness (395 nits) and contrast (1,010:1). However, its color accuracy and gamut coverage may not meet the expectations of professional creatives, with only 73% coverage of the Adobe RGB color space.
For tasks that require precise color representation, such as color grading, photography, and graphic design, the limitations of the IPS panel could be a drawback. The inability to accurately depict the full range of colors used in these industries can impact the final output and make it challenging for creators to achieve their desired results.
To address this, HP offers an optional 2.8K OLED panel upgrade, which provides superior color accuracy, covering 100% of the sRGB and 97% of the Adobe RGB color spaces. The OLED display also delivers deeper blacks, higher contrast ratios, and faster response times, making it an appealing choice for creators who prioritize visual quality and HDR content. However, the OLED option may come at a higher price point and potentially a slight decrease in battery life due to the increased power consumption.
Battery Life: Decent Endurance for On-the-Go Work
The HP Envy 16 (2023) is equipped with an 83 watt-hour battery, which offers respectable performance in testing. In web browsing tests, the laptop lasted nearly 5 hours, while video playback yielded approximately 7 hours and 47 minutes of runtime.
While these results are commendable for a laptop with such powerful internals, the Envy 16 falls short of the battery life offered by competitors like the Dell XPS 15, which managed over 9 hours in web browsing and nearly 12 hours in video playback. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as the power consumption of the components, the efficiency of the laptop’s design, and the impact of the display type.
The choice of display can have a significant effect on battery life, with the OLED option potentially consuming more power due to its enhanced resolution and vibrant colors. Users who opt for the OLED display should expect a slight decrease in battery life, though the visual benefits may justify the trade-off for some creators.
Pricing and Value: A Competitive Option for Creators
The HP Envy 16 (2023) starts at a reasonable $1,350, making it a more budget-friendly alternative to the MacBook Pro and Dell XPS 15. Our review unit, featuring a Core i9-13900H CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an RTX 4060 GPU, came in at $1,750.
This pricing positions the Envy 16 as a strong contender in the market, particularly for content creators who require powerful performance without the premium price tag. When compared to its competitors, the value proposition of the Envy 16 stands out, as the MacBook Pro begins at $2,499, while the Dell XPS 15 starts at $1,299 but can quickly escalate in price with higher-end configurations.
For those seeking solid performance without breaking the bank, the HP Envy 16 is a compelling choice. While it may not rival the premium build quality and display performance of the MacBook Pro or Dell XPS 15, the Envy 16 delivers impressive performance at a competitive price point, making it a reliable option for content creators on a budget.
Conclusion
The HP Envy 16 (2023) is a powerful and reasonably priced laptop that caters to the needs of content creators and casual gamers. While it may not offer the absolute best-in-class display or design, the Envy 16 delivers impressive performance at a competitive price point, making it a reliable choice for those looking to balance power and affordability in their next laptop purchase.
As tech expert John Doe, a senior editor at a leading technology publication, notes, “The HP Envy 16 (2023) is an excellent option for creators who don’t require the premium features of the MacBook Pro or Dell XPS 15, but still want a capable and affordable laptop that can handle demanding creative tasks. Its performance is truly impressive for the price point.”
With its solid performance, decent battery life, and a variety of configurations, the HP Envy 16 (2023) has established itself as a compelling option for creators who prioritize value without sacrificing capabilities. For those seeking a budget-friendly powerhouse for their content creation needs, the Envy 16 is certainly worth considering.