Productivity maximizers using for a capable everyday desktop PC but can’t pay for a workstation PC will find the new HP Envy TE01-1022 (2020 model) quite valuable. For just under a grand, our review unit is quite steep for the budget class, but it includes powerful components like an eight-core Intel Core i7 processor, lots of storage (512 SSD + 1TB HDD), and 12GB of memory.
And, should you need to load an old movie collection, you’ll appreciate the optical drive that can read and write DVD, great port selection – including USB-C, as well as the included wireless keyboard and mouse combo. It also includes Gigabit Ethernet connectivity that lets you serve content to the rest of your devices, and that’s great for all-round productivity.
Design
The Envy TE01-1022 sorts the same boxy shape that we’ve seen on most PC towers, but HP redesigned the exterior to complete with sleek ultraportable laptops and the new crop of all-in-one desktops. Its Nightfall Black chassis has rounded corners and a ribbed front panel, which is makes the desktop look unique and exquisite at the same time. The tray-loading optical drive is slated into one of the ribbed channels, so are the front ports.
The Envy desktop’s front ports are located on a column along the right edge, right below the power button, including a headphone jack, four USB Type-A ports, a full-sized SD card reader, and a single USB Type-C port. Such an array of ports makes it easier for you to plug in most of your storage or charge several peripherals and accessories simultaneously.
It’s interesting to see that HP is bucking away from the trend of cramming too many front ports on the same panel.
Rear Ports
Around the back, there are an additional four USB Type-A ports, a Gigabit Ethernet jack, HDMI and VGA video outputs, two 3.5mm audio outputs and a microphone input. In addition to its physical connections, the Envy Desktop includes 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless connectivity.
Also included in the package are basic peripherals – a keyboard and mouse that are sturdy, but not the most comfortable for marathon writing or gaming sessions. The peripherals are available in either wired or wireless versions. However, the monitor isn’t included but you can pair it with HP VH240a (1KL30AA) as it offers great quality 1080p image.
Performance
Our review unit comes with the 10th-Gen Intel Core i7-10700, which is the first time we’ve reviewed it in a full productivity PC package. Despite what you think, some gamers have been basing entry-level builds off this CPU, thanks to the fact that this generation’s Core i7 is now eight-core (16 thread), and fairly affordable. It has 16MB of L3 cache, which matches las generation’s Core i9-990, yet the 10700 has the “Core i7” rating, but it’s in the same league as the Ryzen 7 3700X and 3800X. Notably, it gets tight power management out of the box and includes a cooler, something that adds to its value.
Back to our review model, it stands out as a better version among midrange productivity PCs like the Dell Inspiron 3671 and the Lenovo ThinkCentre M720s, thanks to a newer chip and generous amount of RAM. In real-time usage, you’ll find the HP Envy more than capable for daily activity and moderate workloads – just don’t expect it to edit complex 4K video. The strong performance is backed by 16GB RAM, and the 512GB SSD storage option paired with a 1TB hard drive.
If you’re asking yourself whether this desktop can play games – the answer is yes, but only basic games like Candy Crus, Minecraft and the ilk. It uses Intel UHD Graphics 630, so on demanding games you’ll get results similar to the disappointing numbers that our integrated-graphics-equipped HP 24-Xa0032 AIO desktop achieved.
If you need something capable of gaming, both the CyberpowerPC Gamer Extreme GXiVR8020A7 and SkyTech Shadow 3.0 are great midrange choices.
Bottom Line
The HP Envy Desktop is a super everyday PC that’s proficient in every other way -except gaming, delivering excellent productivity performance in a souped up chassis and a little room for expansion. As mentioned earlier, its gaming performance is drab, that’s not a major concern here as it is created for productivity maximisers and creatives.
And since the HP Envy TE01-1022 is designed to be very powerful out-of-the box, you can just have it at the top of your list without a second though.
HP Envy Desktop Computer, Intel Core i7-10700, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB Hard Drive & 512 GB SSD Storage, Windows 10 Pro (TE01-1022, 2020 Model)
2 used from $854.15
