HP Envy 13-ad173cl: unsuitable for dark or dim rooms?

[dv411]

Could anyone familiar with Envy 13-ad1xx series answer a few of my questions please? Mainly about the ergonomics and UX working in dark spaces (edit bays etc.).

• keyboard backlight: can it be dimmed to anything else but fully off or fully on? As it is, it's either on (and too bright for dark rooms), or off - and then you can't see the keyboard...
• the power light on the power button: if there a way to turn that light off? (I realize I could paint or tape over it - yet don't really get why HP thought it'd be a brilliant idea to put such a bright light on it.) Again, this makes it hard to work in a dark room.
• a fully dimmed display is still rather bright - brighter than on MBPs... I assume it can't be dimmed further?
• the touchpad seems to have a very high click effort. Is it just me?
• the keyboard sounds quite clicky (loud) to me... Again, is it just me?

Thanks!

[A4Apollo · Accepted solution]

Hey there! @dv411, Thank you for joining the HP Forums!

I understand you have few questions related to your PC.

Don't worry I'd like to help you out.

Did you make any software or hardware changes on your laptop?

Please provide the product number of your PC to assist you better.

As you mentioned you have few questions related to your PC.

If you are using a new laptop it might take some time to get the buttons on the touchpad get loosened up. So give it some time to get it adjusted.

1. To answer your first question the keyboard backlight cannot be reduced. It can be either turned on or turned off.

2. The power button light cannot be disabled.

3. If you tried reducing the brightness of the display already then you cannot dim it further.

However, you can try F5 button on the keyboard to reduce the brightness on your PC.

4. As you mentioned you have to apply pressure on the touchpad button to get it working.

If it a new laptop it would take some time for the buttons to get loose. Please give it some time.

5. The Keyboard type shipped with this laptop is called chiclet keyboard. It would certainly make some noise when you press the keys.

If the solution provided worked for you, please mark accepted solution for this post.

Hope this answers your query!

Have a great day ahead! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[dv411]

Thanks Mr Robot! The laptop is then unsuitable for my use case and shall be heading back to the store.

P.S. Really not used to such long answers.... Was any of this necessary?

---

@A4Apollo wrote:

Hey there! @dv411, Thank you for joining the HP Forums!

I understand you have few questions related to your PC.

Don't worry I'd like to help you out.

Did you make any software or hardware changes on your laptop?

Please provide the product number of your PC to assist you better.

As you mentioned you have few questions related to your PC.

...

[A4Apollo]

@dv411, thanks for your quick response and time.

Thanks for writing back to us.

I have few custom templates that I use, so got added few question which was not necessary. 

As you mentioned this laptop is not suitable for your use.

You can contact HP phone support and check for other options.

Link to contact HP.

Have a great day ahead!

Take Care! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!