Are there any alternatives?

The MSI Prestige 14 Evo is a solid alternative to the Envy 14. It’s faster at CPU-intensive tasks, has a better display, and good battery life. It’s also quite a bit less expensive, but of course, you don’t get the fast GPU.

　　If a 2-in-1 is more your style, then you’ll want to consider the HP Spectre x360 14. It’s faster when in performance mode, it’s built and looks better, and its OLED display meets the needs of photo and video editors in a way that the Envy 14 can’t.

　　As usual, I’ll also offer up the Dell XPS 13 as an alternative. It’s smaller, sure, with its 13.4-inch 16:10 display, but that display is slightly better, and the Dell has a much better build quality.

　　

How long will it last?

The Envy 14 is built well enough to last for years of productive service. The components are up to date and should keep up with the typical user’s demands for quite some time. The one-year warranty is disappointing but the industry standard.

　　

Should you buy it?

Yes, but not for photo or video editing if tons of accurate colors are required. The Envy 14 is a great productivity machine and should be judged as one rather than the creative powerhouse that HP positions it as.