HP Envy TouchSmart 15t-j100 Quad Edition

The TouchSmart HP Envy 15t-J100 Quad Edition ($ 1,058.99 direct) is a multimedia powerhouse desktop replacement laptop. This is the one you want if you need to replace a $ 2,000 desktop you bought back in 2010, and it starts to feel slow. You know you can not think of buying a PC without the latest quad-core Intel processor and NVIDIA GeForce graphics, so you want to use power system. It may be the case if you are a graphic artist by trade, do you think you need a power system for a long time, or if you think $ 500 budget laptop is just too darn slow. Sure, it's got some flaws, but the TouchSmart 15t-J100 is worth a look anyway if you are that kind of user.

Design and Features
The TouchSmart 15t-J100 follows the standard bright silver with black chiclet keyboard design ID currently in vogue for high-end multimedia-oriented laptop. Although the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (2013) ($ 1999) were almost twice the price, it is no doubt that some of the same style cues are present in the TouchSmart 15t-J100. It is relatively large, as in the desktop replacement territory, with its size running approximately 1.2 by 15 by 10 inches (HWD) and weighs in at a hefty 5.61 pounds. It is a system designed to look good on a desk surface, and a commuter bag taken back and forth from home every day.

The black chiclet-style keyboard is comfortable to use, and is stable with zero keyboard flex. The keyboard is not backlit, but that is an extra cost option for configure-to-order systems like our review unit. Keyboard has a full numeric keypad on the right, fitting for a desktop replacement laptop, but it does mean that HP will have to shorten the width of the return and backspace key. The Delete key above the backspace key is also very small.

One plus for the consumer is the row of function keys on the top row default on their multimedia and light functions; If you need F1-F12, you have to hold down the Fn key. There's a fingerprint reader below the numeric keypad, the palm rest. You can use the fingerprint reader instead of typing passwords, because a quick swipe of a finger has emerged as the HP SimplePass utility. The one-piece trackpad responds quickly to single and multi-finger touch commands.

Speaker interaction, 15.6-inch screen TouchSmart 15t-J100 has a 1920 by-1, 080 (1080p HD) resolution and 10 finger multi-touch support. The dual-hinge design means that the lid is not moving at the time when you touch the screen. Bounce Screen can be a problem if you use the touch screen a lot, and shows the system like the Vizio 15.6-inch Thin + Light Touch (CT15T-B1) ($ 1,350). The screen is bright and clear, although since the display is a LED-backlit Brightview display, aka LED-backlit TFT LCD, the viewing angle is a bit narrower than they would be in an IP display like the one on Sony VAIO Flip 15 (SVF15N190X) ($ 1,199). The screen of the TouchSmart 15t-J100 is recommending less than other systems in an IP display.

If you need to share photos or videos with a team from the TouchSmart 15t-J100, best to use the built-in HDMI port or Intel Wi-Di to show your work to an HDTV. Other I / O ports include four USB 3.0 ports, an SD card reader, Kensington lock port, headset jack, and an Ethernet port. The system has quite a few pre-loaded apps, including Case (cloud storage), four Xbox Live games, Connected HP Image (Snapfish), HP + (online shopping) Savings Center (ads and coupons) HP Games, Kindle, Fresh Paint, Norton Internet Security, Netflix, Youcam, ebay, Microsoft Office Trial, Connected Music HP, HP MyRoom (conferenceing video), and PowerDirector 10 (a basic video editor). Speaker system is very clear, though nowhere as strong as systems like the Acer Aspire V7-582P-6673 ($ 849.99) or the Editors Choice 'for mainstream DTR laptop, Asus N550JV-DB72T ($ 1,079), although the TouchSmart envy 15t-J100 with Beats Audio enhancements include a bottom mounted subwoofer and four speakers. The system has a 24GB SSD cache (for speed) and a 1TB 5,400 rpm SATA hard drive for storage. The system has a standard one-year warranty.