Key Points
- The main difference between the HP Envy and Pavilion series is their purpose, with Envy laptops designed for premium computing and gaming, while Pavilion laptops are suitable for general use.
- Envy models come with more powerful processors, including Intel Core i9 and AMD Ryzen 7, while Pavilion models mostly have Intel Core i5 processors.
- Envy laptops have better graphics cards, with some models equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, while Pavilion models have integrated graphics or a less powerful NVIDIA GeForce MX550.
- Envy laptops offer more memory options, with customizable models having up to 64GB of RAM, while Pavilion models mostly have 8GB or 16GB of RAM.
- Envy laptops have larger display sizes, ranging from 14â to 17.3â, while Pavilion laptops have smaller sizes, ranging from 13â to 15.6â.
Whether you need a high-end personal laptop or a convertible one, HP is high on the list of choices. The Envy and Pavilion series are two of the brand’s most popular lineups for home users. Both include standard and convertible laptops, and you can choose from a wide range of configurations and price ranges.
However, considering the number of laptops in each series, it could be challenging to decide which one to buy. To narrow down options, you should first figure out which lineup to consider. This in-depth comparison between the HP Envy and Pavilion series might help you make up your mind.
Let’s get into it!
HP Envy vs. Pavilion: Side-by-Side Comparison
| HP Envy Series | HP Pavilion Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for… | Premium computing and gaming | General use |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen or Intel Core | AMD Ryzen or Intel Core |
| GPU | Integrated AMD or Intel, external NVIDIA GeForce | Integrated AMD or Intel, external NVIDIA GeForce |
| RAM | 8GB to 32GB | 8GB or 16GB |
| Internal Storage | 256GB to 1TB | 256GB or 512GB |
| Display Size | 14” to 17.3” | 13” to 15” |
| Display Type | IPS, OLED | IPS, OLED |
| Resolution | FHD to 4K | FHD or WQXGA |
| Battery Life | 6 to 10 hours | 3 to 8 hours |
| Touchscreen? | Yes, some models | Yes, some models |
| Convertible? | Yes, some models | Yes, some models |
| Customizable? | Yes, some models | Yes, some models |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Price Range | Around $630 to $2,200 | Around $480 to $1,000 |
- 17.3-inch 4K UHD display
- 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor
- 512GB hard drive
- Windows 11 compatible
- 15.6-inch HD touchscreen with anti-glare
- Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor up to 4.1GHz
- 16GB RAM
- 1TB SSD storage
- Up to 11 hours of battery life
- Type-C HDMI
- Windows 11 Home
HP Envy vs. Pavilion: What’s the Difference?
The Envy and Pavilion are two of HP’s lineups designed for personal use. While both series share similar features, the main difference between them is the purpose.
The Envy laptops are designed for premium computing and gaming and are generally more expensive than the Pavilion models. The Pavilion lineup includes a range of laptops suitable for general use and portability. Apart from this factor, there are slight differences in features and performance that might determine whether you pick a laptop in one series over the other.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about the Envy and Pavilion laptop lineups.
Processor
Both the Envy and the Pavilion laptops come with AMD Ryzen or Intel Core processors, but there are some differences. Most Envy models use 13th Generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors. These CPUs can run power-hungry apps, including light video rendering and image editing. They are also ideal for multitasking, making these laptops perfect for a home office, remote workers, and students.
If you’d rather opt for an AMD processor, you can choose from a 7000-series Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7. In addition to these options, HP also offers a high-end Envy model equipped with a 13th-generation Intel Core i9 processor.
The vast majority of the HP Pavilion laptops come with a 12th-generation or 13th-generation Intel Core i5 processor. Most casual users won’t notice a huge difference in performance, so you can choose the older generation CPU if you want to save a buck. You should get the 13th Gen CPU, however, if you need a laptop for multitasking or more resource-avid applications.
Other CPU options for the Pavilion series include 13th Gen Core i3, 11th to 13th Gen Core i7 processors, and AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 (7000-series).
Graphics Card
While a powerful CPU helps your laptop complete its tasks faster, a good GPU is equally important — especially if you want to use the computer for graphically demanding tasks. The main issue with both the Envy and the Pavilion laptops is that most models come with integrated graphics cards.
These GPUs are fine for most tasks, but they can’t handle more than light content creation or simple gaming. If you want to use the laptop for image and video editing or to play more complex games, you should opt for a model with an external GPU.
The Envy series includes only one laptop with an external GPU — and the same is true for the Pavilion series. In the Envy lineup, the Envy Laptop 16-h1097nr comes with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card. Part of NVIDIA’s latest GPU edition, this graphics card can handle all graphically demanding tasks and games.
HP doesn’t equip any of its more affordable Pavilion laptops with such a powerful GPU, but the Pavilion Plus Laptop 14t-eh100 comes with an NVIDIA GeForce MX550 graphics card. This GPU is not exactly a gaming powerhouse, and it sometimes even struggles to compete with integrated graphics solutions. However, it is upgradeable, so you could turn this Pavilion model into a gaming-ready computer.
As far as the integrated graphics solutions go, most laptops in the Envy series come with Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon. Entry-level models in the Pavilion series sport Intel UHD graphics cards, while the higher performance options come with an Iris Xe or Radeon.
Memory
Computers use random access memory (RAM) for immediate data storage and retrieval, which basically means any task that requires access to computing resources. But that’s not it. The RAM can also help your computer load any previously accessed information more quickly, and the more RAM you have, the quicker your laptop will respond.
However, that doesn’t mean you need top memory — laptops with more RAM are generally more expensive. To find the right balance, think about your needs.
Entry-level models in both the Envy and the Pavilion lineups have 8GB of RAM, which are usually expandable. That’s enough for general purposes, including playing simple games. If you want to run more demanding apps, you should aim for at least 16GB of RAM.
If you need more than that, however, you have to focus on the Envy lineup. High-end laptops in this range have up to 32GB. In customizable models, you can even expand the memory to 64GB.
Storage Options
A laptop’s internal drive stores data so that you can install an operating system and software or applications. How much internal storage you need depends on how many files you want to save on your computer.
The Envy laptops use solid state drives (SSDs) with capacities between 256GB and 1TB. If you want a Pavilion laptop, you’ll have to settle for either 256GB or 512GB.
Display
Most laptops nowadays have either IPS or OLED displays, and things are no different for the Envy and the Pavilion laptops. Entry-level models in both lineups feature IPS displays, which are a kind of LCD in which two glass panels enclose a layer of liquid crystals.
The crystal molecules are aligned parallel to the glass panels, providing higher color accuracy and a wider viewing angle compared to the standard TN panels. However, if you want the best image quality a laptop can deliver, you should opt for an OLED Envy or Pavilion model.
Compared to their IPS counterparts, the OLED models produce more vivid colors and darker blacks and have better response times. The main downside is that the pixels in these panels degrade faster, especially if static images remain on the screen for a long time (e.g., the Windows taskbar, game logos, etc.). The OLED models are also more expensive.
©Sklo Studio/Shutterstock.com
Battery Life
HP claims that its Envy and Pavilion laptops can run up to 13 hours per charge. You won’t get that runtime in real life, but you can still expect up to 10 hours of battery life from the Envy models when using them for general purposes (web browsing, answering emails, using text editors, and other undemanding tasks).
For video playback and other demanding tasks, you can expect up to six hours of continuous use. Despite HP’s claims, the Pavilion models can’t achieve this performance. They provide up to eight hours of battery life when using them for undemanding tasks and around three hours for demanding applications.
Like most HP laptops, the models in both series charge to 50 percent in around half an hour, and they require under two hours to fully charge.
Design
Both the Envy and the HP lineups include standard and convertible laptops. The convertible models, named x360, feature touchscreens that can rotate completely on the hinges. This feature allows you to fold the laptop with the screen up and turn it into a tablet or place it on a hard surface in a pyramid style.
These laptops also have touchscreens and are compatible with stylus pens, so they are a good choice for designers and artists. The only limitation is the screen size — convertible models in both lineups have either 14” or 15.6” screens.
Standard laptops in the Envy series measure between 14” and 17.3” diagonally. The Pavilion laptops are smaller, with sizes ranging between 13” and 15.6”.
Portability
Size and weight are the two main factors affecting portability. Smaller laptops are obviously lighter and easier to carry than larger models, but there are also some differences between the Envy and the Pavilion series.
Generally, the Pavilion laptops are lighter than the Envy. Likewise, standard models are lighter than convertible laptops. For instance, a standard 15.6” Pavilion laptop weighs around 3.86 pounds, but a convertible 15.6” Pavilion laptop weighs around 3.96 pounds. The difference is minimal, but customizations could add more heft.
Compared to a convertible Pavilion laptop, a convertible 15.6” Envy laptop weighs 4.22 pounds. The Envy series doesn’t include any standard 15.6” laptops, but a 16.1” model weighs around 5.17 pounds. Sure, the Envy’s premium components and higher-quality parts are typically heavier, but the Pavilion series wins in terms of portability.
Price Range
The Envy is a series of premium personal laptops, but they can suit professionals and gamers alike. These laptops are constructed with high-performance components that drive costs up. You can expect to pay around $680 to over $2,000, depending on the model’s size and specs, and customized laptops could cost more than that.
Most Pavilion models won’t set you back more than $1,000, and you could even find good models under $500 in this series. However, you might have to settle for an older or less powerful processor and an entry-level graphics card. That said, if you mostly need a laptop for general use, this choice could save you a buck.
HP Envy vs. Pavilion: 5 Must-Know Facts
- The HP Envy and the HP Pavilion are two laptop series developed for personal use. Nevertheless, the models in both series are ideal for productivity.
- Both series include standard and convertible models. HP sells its convertible laptops with a matching stylus pen.
- Some of the HP Envy laptops can handle graphically demanding apps, such as the Adobe Suite or action games.
- Most of the HP Pavilion laptops are light and compact, so they are ideal for portability.
- The HP Pavilion laptops are more affordable than the HP Envy models. Both lineups include customizable models.
- AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor
- AMD Radeon graphics
- 15.6-inch Full HD display
- 8GB RAM
- 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- Comes with Windows 11 Home
- Charges to 50% battery capacity in 45 minutes
- Stunning 15.6" display
- 16GB of DDR4 RAM, 512GB of SSD storage
HP Envy vs. Pavilion: Which One is Best?
From an objective standpoint, the HP Envy laptops are better than the Pavilion. However, you have to consider several factors to decide which model is the best for you.
To make the right choice, think about your needs. HP Pavilion laptops are ideal for web browsing, general use, and simple tasks, such as writing or editing documents. These models come with affordable GPUs that can’t handle graphically demanding apps, but they are great for all other purposes.
HP Envy laptops are perfect for folks who need performance. They are more expensive, but they have better components and can run demanding apps without stuttering. These features make them ideal for designers, content creators, and anyone else looking for a premium personal laptop.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©REDPIXEL.PL/Shutterstock.com.
