HP Envy 17 vs Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i

The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i provides a better gaming and 3D experience due to its Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics card, which outperforms the integrated graphics found in the HP Envy 17, and it also offers a higher screen refresh rate for smoother visuals. While both have similar CPUs and quality screens, the dedicated GPU and refresh rate are key contributors to the Lenovo's gaming edge over the HP.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i is rated higher for engineering and design use due to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU, higher resolution screen, and 120Hz refresh rate, which benefit detailed visual tasks and design work, while the HP Envy 17, although equipped with similar CPU and RAM, falls short with an integrated GPU and a lower resolution 60Hz screen, affecting graphics performance and detail clarity. However, the HP Envy 17 could be more suitable for those prioritizing a larger screen and longer battery life but compromises on portability and advanced graphics capabilities compared to the lighter and more graphics-oriented IdeaPad Pro 5i.

The HP Envy 17 boasts a display that excels in sharpness and clarity, making it suitable for everyday tasks and professional design work where color accuracy and detail are key, but it falls short for gaming due to a lower refresh rate that can't keep up with fast-paced scenes. Meanwhile, the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i steps up with even higher resolution and brightness, enhancing the viewing experience for both casual and professional users, along with a wider color gamut that ensures more precise hues for design tasks, but like the HP, it doesn't cater to gamers with its less-than-ideal refresh rate. Both laptops skip the gaming-optimized screens in favor of features that emphasize media consumption, productivity, and creative work, where smooth color gradients and crisp text are more critical than blistering frame rates.

Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.

The HP Envy 17 is favored for its larger screen and long battery life, making it suitable for extended periods of general use without frequent charging, but less portable due to its size and weight. Conversely, the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i offers better portability with a lighter frame and a sharper, higher-resolution screen, which is ideal for clear visuals, though this may contribute to its shorter battery life compared to the HP Envy 17.

PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.

PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.

PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.