HP Envy 17, Core i7-13700H, 64GB, 1TB SSD, Silver

The HP Envy 17 is a 17.3" desktop replacement that packs an Intel Core i7-13700H and an absurd 64GB of RAM. It's a productivity and development powerhouse with a class-leading port array, but the integrated graphics and dim 300-nit screen hold it back for entertainment or creative work. Right now it's out of stock across all vendors, so finding one is the real challenge.

The Core i7-13700H delivers the kind of multi-core performance that makes compiling code, running VMs, or blasting through spreadsheets feel snappy. In our database, this CPU lands in the 79th percentile among all laptops, which is solidly above average. You'll rarely feel held back by processing power. But the GPU is the elephant in the room. The integrated Iris Xe sits at a disappointing 18th percentile, meaning it's fine for streaming and basic photo edits but utterly chokes on modern games or 3D modeling. For developers who don't touch graphics-heavy workloads, the massive 64GB RAM (95th percentile) is a dream. You can run Docker containers, an IDE, and a bunch of emulators without breaking a sweat. The 1TB SSD is quick enough at 81th percentile, though we'd have loved to see a Gen 4 drive for that extra zip. Realistically, this machine is a productivity beast, not a creative one.

Stacked against the Apple MacBook Pro M4 Max, you lose the gorgeous Liquid Retina XDR display, M-series efficiency, and premium build, but you gain a 17.3" touchscreen and a far more generous port selection. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA403WW-G14.R95080 and MSI Raider RAIDERGE6814247 both offer dedicated GPUs and much better screens for creative and gaming workloads, which makes the Envy a non-starter for photo or video pros. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 is another gaming-focused alternative that runs circles around the Envy in graphics performance. Meanwhile, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition is far more portable and battery-friendly, but its RAM ceiling and price tag don't even belong in the same conversation. If you need a huge screen and ungodly RAM on a shoestring budget, the Envy 17's closest competitor might be a refurbished desktop. That's about it, assuming you can even find the Envy in stock.

The HP Envy 17 used to be a bafflingly good deal at $495, but that price has evaporated. Right now the machine is out of stock across all vendors we track, which means the value story has changed from "buy it immediately" to "wait and hope it comes back." You'd typically pay double or triple for 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD in a machine with a 14-core H-series Intel chip, so if it reappears anywhere near its old price, it absolutely trounces its competitors on price alone. You're still making clear sacrifices in display quality, portability, and graphics. For a coder, data analyst, or anyone who needs a desktop replacement that can handle a ton of memory, it remains a no-brainer if you can actually find one. Just don't expect to edit 4K videos or play Cyberpunk. The real question now is whether HP or a reseller will restock it at a price that keeps the value proposition intact.

If you're looking for a laptop that feels more like a desktop that occasionally moves rooms, the HP Envy 17 makes a strong case. We're talking about a 17.3-inch machine with an Intel Core i7-13700H, a staggering 64GB of DDR4 RAM, and 1TB of NVMe SSD storage. This configuration sits in a weird spot where it's massively overbuilt for office tasks but can't really game. The 14-core, 5.0GHz boost clock gives it serious crunch power, and the port selection is, no exaggeration, the absolute best we've seen in our database. It's not the sleekest or lightest option, but if you're someone who's been searching for a 17-inch laptop that can handle development work, large datasets, or just juggling a hundred browser tabs, this Envy might have caught your eye. The integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, however, will quickly remind you that this isn't a mobile workstation for rendering or gaming. One big caveat right now: the Envy 17 is out of stock across every vendor we track, so finding one at a sane price has become a waiting game.

If your laptop ever needs to leave your desk, skip this. The 2.49kg weight and 17-inch footprint put it in the worst category for portability in our database. Gamers and creative professionals will be frustrated by the integrated graphics, and anyone who works outside should look for at least 400 nits of brightness. For a more balanced 17-inch laptop with a dedicated GPU, consider something like the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 or the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 if your budget allows. If portability matters, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition or a ThinkPad will serve you far better. And if you simply can't wait for a restock, the Envy 17's absence from store shelves may force your hand toward one of those alternatives anyway.

You should buy the HP Envy 17 if your workload is all about memory and CPU muscle and you don't care about gaming, colour accuracy, or schlepping it to a coffee shop. It's a phenomenal deal for programmers, homelab enthusiasts, or anyone running data-intensive local tools, provided you can actually track one down. The port situation alone will make some desktop users weep with joy. But if even a whisper of GPU-dependent work is on your radar, or if you need a screen that's bright enough for a sunny room, you'll be disappointed. The bigger issue right now is availability: with the Envy 17 out of stock everywhere, you may need to wait, buy used, or look at alternatives like the Surface Laptop 7th Edition for portability or the Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 for graphics. This laptop fills a very specific niche and fills it cheaply, but it falls flat for mainstream consumers who might expect a more well-rounded machine.