HP Pavilion vs. HP Envy: Which HP Laptop Is Better?
Choosing between HP ENVY and HP Pavilion can be challenging, given their many offerings. Both laptops are designed for productivity, so you won’t see any of them kicked out of the list for processing power and graphics.
The most notable difference between the two laptops is the price point. HP Pavilion laptops are generally cheaper, ranging between £500 and £800. On the other hand, HP Envy laptops come with hefty price tags, with a typical price range between £700 and £1500.
Both series may have HP x360 laptop configurations with a convertible form factor. This can be useful for users who need a stylus with their laptop screen and also want to use their laptops as tablets. Touchscreen also features in both lineups, giving users more versatility when choosing a new laptop.
In this HP Pavilion vs. Envy comparison guide, we will explore the differences and benefits of each, helping you make an informed decision based on your computing needs. HP Pavilion laptops offer a balanced mix of performance and affordability for everyday tasks. ENVY laptops provide a premium experience to all creative professionals and multimedia enthusiasts.
Simply put, The HP Envy series is ideal if you’re planning to handle more demanding productivity tasks or dabble in light creative work. While the HP Pavilion line is still highly capable of handling office or school tasks, it may not deliver as much performance as its counterpart in many cases.
Let’s compare the features of both series to better understand which would suit you best.
Design and Build
The Pavilion line generally boasts a more traditional design, using plastic materials for its chassis. On the other hand, the ENVY series embraces a sleeker, modern aesthetic, often incorporating metallic elements like aluminium. This gives it a more refined and premium appearance and adds to its durability and sturdiness.
That said, build quality can differ across various models and price ranges within both series. Higher-end Pavilion models may feature durable materials, while some entry-level ENVY models might incorporate more plastic.
Pavilion and ENVY laptops use eco-friendly materials such as recycled metal and ocean-bound plastics in their construction. In terms of portability, both laptops are lightweight and easy to carry. HP Pavilion laptops are generally lighter compared to ENVY laptops. For example, the HP Pavilion x360 weighs only 3.96 lbs, while the HP ENVY x360 tips the scales at 4.03 lbs.
Ultimately, your decision between the two will depend on your preferences for design, portability, and the value you place on premium materials.
Display Quality
Pavilion series features laptops with resolutions starting from Full HD (1920 x 1080) and going up to Quad HD (2560 x 1440), which are well-suited for most everyday tasks and media consumption. Conversely, the HP ENVY series often provides higher-resolution options like 4K (3840 x 2160), delivering exceptional clarity and detail for tasks like photo and video editing, media streaming, and more.
When it comes to display quality, the ENVY laptop wears the crown. These laptops often feature wider viewing angles, better colour accuracy, and higher brightness levels, making them ideal for colour-sensitive work or enjoying multimedia in varying lighting environments. Both series offer touchscreen functionality, but it’s more commonly available in ENVY models, especially those geared toward creative or productivity tasks. You can even opt for an IMAX Enhanced Certified display to create a private movie theatre experience.
Performance and Specifications
Regarding performance, it is important to note that both series include models for basic to advanced-level applications. Let’s look at what wins in HP Pavilion vs. HP ENVY performance matrices.
Processor
HP has integrated the latest Intel Core i7 or i5 and AMD Ryzen series processors in Pavilion laptops. These powerful CPUs ensure that these laptops can breeze through everyday tasks like browsing and document creation.
In contrast, the ENVY series packs higher-end Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processors, better suited for demanding applications, content creation, and multitasking. For example, the HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 OLED 13-bf0141TU laptop features a 12th-gen Intel Evo platform powered by a Core i7 processor for unparalleled responsiveness. This enables superior performance without draining the battery so fast.
Graphics
Both HP ENVY and Pavilion laptops are equipped with integrated graphics cards. As for the HP ENVY, you can choose between Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon graphics. Meanwhile, Pavilion laptops only support Intel Iris Xe graphics cards. These graphics cards are well suited for streaming media and playing modern games in moderate settings.
RAM
Most HP Pavilion and ENVY laptops have a substantial 16GB memory, which is essential for efficient data handling and application loading. However, they differ in terms of power efficiency ratings. Laptops equipped with low-power double data rate 5 (LPDDR5) RAM consume less power than those with double data rate 4 (DDR4) RAM.
Storage
The ENVY and HP Pavilion laptops are equipped with solid-state drives (SSDs), which enable faster program loading times and efficient file storage capacity. The ENVY series offers 1TB or 512GB SSDs, while the Pavilion series offers 256GB or 512GB SSDs.
Battery Life
Battery life is a major consideration when buying a new laptop, especially if you are an on-the-go professional or student. Both HP Pavilion and ENVY laptops boast notable differences in battery performance.
The Pavilion series generally offers reasonable battery life, with most models offering several hours of usage on a single charge. This should suit most casual users who mainly use their laptops for web browsing, document editing, and light multimedia tasks.
In contrast, the ENVY series strongly focuses on battery efficiency and optimisation. Many ENVY models come with larger batteries and more advanced energy-saving technologies. Some high-end ENVY models can last up to 20 hours or more, depending on the model and its use.
Important: Battery life can vary greatly based on screen brightness, workload, and whether you’re running resource-heavy applications or performing video playback or gaming tasks. Additionally, as batteries age, their capacity and performance may decline.
User Experience and Features
Keyboard
HP ENVY and Pavilion laptops are designed with built-in backlit keyboards, so you can work even in dimly lit settings. Typing feels more comfortable, with keys offering decent travel and a smooth experience.
You get an intuitive and responsive touchpad on both laptops. The HP ENVY laptops come in moonstone grey and nightfall black opaque colours, while the HP Pavilion laptops are in soft grey and natural silver.
Audio
Experience clear, immersive sound with well-balanced mid-tones and sharp highs through the dual speakers built into both laptop series. Another great thing? HP has collaborated with Bang & Olufsen to introduce the HP Audio Boost software, which allows you to enrich dialogues, boost bass levels, and create virtual surround sound for a higher-quality audio experience.
Webcam
The ENVY x360, ENVY 17, and Pavilion Plus laptops have an HP True Vision 5MP IR camera, providing enhanced video quality for your conference calls. This webcam ensures clear visibility during virtual meetings. On the other hand, the Pavilion x360 comes with an HP Wide Vision 720p HD camera. While its resolution is lower, it still offers adequate visibility, though with less sharpness.
Conclusion
Which HP laptop is better, the Envy vs. the Pavilion series? The Pavilion lineup provides excellent value if you want a general-purpose, budget-friendly option for everyday tasks like web browsing and light multimedia use. These laptops offer decent performance, durable build quality, and essential features at an affordable price.
In the meantime, the HP ENVY series is a better fit if you want professional-grade multimedia performance and enhanced productivity features. With improved battery life, high-quality displays, efficient processors, and dedicated graphics options, ENVY laptops are ideal for power users, content creators, etc. Envy laptops are not cheap because they are outfitted with improved security, privacy features, and productivity tools to help optimise your workloads.
