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HP ENVY vs Pavilion Laptops

HP ENVY vs. Pavilion Laptops: Which is Best for You?

Kirstyn Amanda
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Reading time: 7 minutes

Are you looking to upgrade your laptop but cannot choose between HP ENVY and Pavilion laptops? Both are great options but come with their district features. Understanding this will guide you in selecting one that matches your needs the best.
What is the difference between HP ENVY vs HP Pavilion laptops? The HP Pavilion series is all about practicality and affordability. These laptops are great for everyday use, handling your regular tasks without putting a dent in your wallet. Meanwhile, the HP ENVY series steps up the game with more power and advanced features. It's the go-to solution for business needs or those craving top-notch performance.
In this article, we’ll take a look at their similarities and differences in terms of their design, performance, and features so that we can guide you to understand and choose the perfect match for your needs.
We’ll only explore the following models.
  • HP ENVY Laptop 17-cr1087nr
  • HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 Laptop 15-fh0097nr
  • HP Pavilion Plus Laptop 16-ab0010nr
  • HP Pavilion x360 Convertible 15-er1047nr

Design and build

man using envy laptop on table
We’ve kept the design simple and minimalistic for our HP Pavilion and HP ENVY laptops. You’ll find them in mineral silver, nightfall black aluminum, natural silver aluminum, and natural silver colors.
Their build quality is good, with a durable chassis and robust hinges that keep them tightly in place. The workmanship is also excellent, with a finish that feels smooth and doesn’t scratch easily.
We're proud to say that we've integrated recycled ocean-bound plastics and metals into the speaker enclosures and keyboard frames. This eco-conscious approach underscores our dedication to reducing plastic waste and contributes to a more sustainable future. Owning either of these laptops means owning one of the most eco-friendly options out there.
In terms of weight, both models are portable, but the Pavilion series tends to be lighter compared to the ENVY laptops. For instance, the HP Pavilion x360 weighs only 3.96 lbs, while the HP ENVY x360 tips the scales at 4.03 lbs. It's worth noting that while convertible models might start lighter than standard ones, their weight can increase with add-ons like a stylus pen or a larger battery.

Performance and specifications

Let us now look at what you get under the hood in HP Pavilion vs ENVY laptops.

Processor

We’ve powered the ENVY and Pavilion laptops using the latest Intel® Core™ i7 or i5 and AMD Ryzen™ series processors. These powerful CPUs ensure that these laptops can efficiently handle everyday tasks like browsing and document creation.
If you're looking for a laptop for basic tasks and entertainment, the 12th Generation Intel Core i5 processor in our HP Pavilion x360 Convertible (15-er1047nr) strikes an ideal balance between value and performance.
For multitasking or resource-intensive applications like video editing, opt for a laptop with 13th Gen Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7000 series processor.

RAM

We’ve equipped all the models we are comparing with a substantial 16GB memory, which is crucial for faster application loading and data retrieval.
However, they differ in terms of power efficiency ratings. Laptops with low-power double data rate 5 (LPDDR5) RAMs consume less power than ones with double data rate 4 (DDR4) RAMs. For the highest performance and power efficiency, check out the LPDDR5x-5200 MHz RAM in our HP Pavilion Plus Laptop (16-ab0010nr).

Storage

We’ve incorporated solid-state drives (SSDs) into the ENVY and HP Pavilion laptops. The SSD enables the laptop to load programs faster and store more files and documents.
The ENVY laptops offer higher storage options, allowing you to choose between 1TB or 512GB, whereas Pavilion laptops offer 256GB or 512GB SSDs.

Graphic capabilities

Our team has equipped both lineups with high-performance integrated graphics cards. For the HP ENVY, you can choose from an Intel Iris® Xe or AMD Radeon™ Graphics, while for the HP Pavilion, you only get the Iris Xe graphics cards. These GPUs deliver stunning visuals, perfect for streaming shows and handling modern games at medium settings.

Display and visuals

When it comes to display and visuals, our HP Pavilion and ENVY laptops offer a range of sizes and qualities to cater to different preferences.

Screen size

For those craving a cinematic experience, the HP ENVY Laptop (17-cr1087nr) offers an expansive 17.3-inch display, offering ample space for immersive movie watching. The Pavilion Plus laptop follows closely with a substantial 16-inch screen. The ENVY x360 and Pavilion x360 models sport a respectable 15.6-inch display, ideal for convertible designs.

Resolution

Both lineups boast high-resolution screens, featuring either a Full High-Definition (FHD) display or a Wide Quad Extended Graphics Array (WQXGA) display to ensure that they deliver stunning visuals.

Display quality

Which HP laptop is better, between ENVY vs Pavilion, regarding display quality? For the standard models, our Pavilion Plus Laptop stands out. With exceptional color reproduction, high color accuracy, and an impressive 400 nits of brightness, it delivers lifelike visuals, making it the ideal companion for enjoying shows or light graphic design work.
As for the convertible models, our HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 Laptop (15-fh0097nr) shines. Boasting high color accuracy, FHD resolution, and 300 nits of brightness, it offers stunning visuals. Paired with its versatile 2-in-1 design, it's an ideal solution for content creators to use to edit photos before posting on social media.

Battery life

The HP Pavilion and ENVY lineups feature robust batteries designed to keep you powered throughout the day, even when you're away from an AC outlet.
If you're indulging in a marathon of your favorite show on the ENVY Laptop 17 or the Pavilion x360, anticipate over 11 hours of watch time. Meanwhile, the ENVY x360 and Pavilion Plus Laptop offer an exceptional over 15 hours of watch time, ensuring extended entertainment sessions without worrying about battery life.
For everyday tasks like browsing the web or running Microsoft Office applications, expect over 8 hours of battery life on the Pavilion x360 and ENVY Laptop 17. Moreover, the ENVY x360 and Pavilion Plus Laptop take it further to provide over 11 hours of battery life for extended usage without needing a recharge.

User experience and features

Keyboard

Our team has built both the ENVY and Pavilion laptops with full-size backlit keyboards so that you can keep working even in dimly lit environments. Typing on them feels comfortable, with keys offering a satisfying amount of travel.
We’ve also included a responsive touchpad to simplify navigation. Notably, the HP Pavilion x360 laptop provides multi-touch gesture support for its touchpad.
The HP ENVY laptops are available in moonstone gray and nightfall black opaque colors, while the HP Pavilion laptops are available in soft gray and natural silver colors.

Audio quality

Immerse yourself in clear, authentic audio with rich mid-tones and crisp highs through the dual speakers integrated into both laptop series.
Additionally, we’ve partnered with Bang & Olufsen to bring you the HP Audio Boost software. Use it to enhance dialogues, amplify bass levels, and create a virtual surround sound for a more immersive listening experience.

Webcam

We’ve kitted the ENVY 17, ENVY x360, and Pavilion Plus laptops with an HP True Vision 5MP IR camera for enhanced video calls. This webcam ensures you’re seen clearly during video conference calls with your colleagues, even in poorly lit environments.
In contrast, we’ve equipped the Pavilion x360 model with an HP Wide Vision 720p HD camera. Despite its lower resolution capabilities, it offers decent visibility, though lacking finer detail. It's perfect for casual video chats with friends.

Use-case scenarios

woman using pavilion laptop on lap
HP ENVY vs HP Pavilion, which is best for:
  • Students
HP Pavilion: Ideal for students looking for a reliable laptop for note-taking, research, assignments, and perhaps some entertainment like watching movies. They offer great value as they provide students with good performance and features without straining their budgets.
HP ENVY: Suited for students in fields like data analysis and visualization. These laptops come equipped with fast processors that effortlessly handle resource-intensive applications with minimal disruptions.
  • Professionals
HP ENVY: Recommended for small business owners or content creators due to its enhanced performance and built-in privacy features like privacy screens and camera shutters, ensuring data safety even on the move.
HP Pavilion: A viable option for professionals on a budget. Not only do you get to save, but also you get highly portable laptops that are easy to carry.

Benefits of ENVY and Pavilion laptops

HP ENVY pros
  • They are often made with aluminum or magnesium alloy for a luxurious feel
  • Typically have more powerful components that score highly in benchmark tests
  • They have advanced features like Thunderbolt ports
  • They can handle intense workloads smoothly
HP Pavilion pros
  • They can handle everyday tasks like browsing or video streaming with ease
  • They weigh less and are more portable
  • Their batteries may last longer due to less demanding components
  • They provide more value for casual users

Summary

HP ENVY vs HP Pavilion, which laptop is best for you?
Well, the answer to that question comes down to what you truly want. We recommend knowing what you need from a laptop - like specific features and how you'll use it, whether for editing videos or everyday tasks. After that, it’s about finding the best option that matches your budget.

About the Author

Kirstyn Amanda is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. She has a background in tech and a keen interest in emerging trends in the tech industry.

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