HP’s Omen brand has been around since 2016 and encompasses a wide range of products, including desktops, monitors, and laptops. However, in this article, we will focus on the latest Omen Windows laptop, which stands out for its commitment to delivering high-end gaming performance at a reasonable price point. It’s worth noting that HP also offers the Victus line for those looking for even more affordable options, although it may not feature the latest cutting-edge components.
First and foremost, it’s important to address the physical aspects of the Omen 16. Unlike some sleek and lightweight laptops, this model is quite substantial, weighing in at 5.1 pounds and measuring 32 millimeters thick. With its 16.1-inch non-touch display, it’s one of the beefiest laptops currently available on the market.
Under the hood, the Omen 16 boasts a rare combination of an AMD CPU (a 4-GHz Ryzen 9 7940HS) and an Nvidia GPU (a GeForce RTX 4070). This combination offers an impressive amount of raw power that is hard to find in a portable device. However, it should be noted that the laptop comes with only 16 GB of RAM and a 512-GB SSD, although these components are relatively easy to upgrade if more memory is required.
Performance-wise, the Omen 16 excels in almost every benchmark. It outperforms the competition in various tests, with the exception of a closely matched score on the VRMark Orange Room test, where it just slightly trailed behind the HP Envy 16. The system consistently delivers scores that are 2 to 30 percent higher, and surprisingly, it also offers impressive battery life, lasting just shy of 8 hours during full-screen YouTube playback. This is a significant improvement compared to some gaming rigs that barely manage to reach 2 hours of running time.
However, when it comes to design, the Omen 16 has some drawbacks. One peculiar choice is the inclusion of a three-column bank of keys to the right of the keyboard, which omits a numeric keypad. While this decision frees up space, it also means that all the keys on the keyboard had to be shrunk to accommodate this layout. This adjustment can make touch-typing less smooth and comfortable, resulting in more typing errors. Additionally, the space bar extends a couple of millimeters farther towards the touchpad compared to the rest of the keys, which creates a visually odd appearance.
In terms of overall design, the Omen 16 doesn’t stand out as particularly impressive. Its chunky, all-black design seems to prioritize maximizing the use of vents, which are located on both sides, the rear, and even half of the entire underside of the laptop. In terms of ports, the Omen 16 offers some nostalgia for those who miss the days of real-mounted expansion ports. It includes two USB-C ports and one USB-A port on the sides, while the backside features an additional USB-A port, an HDMI 2.1 jack, a full-size Ethernet port, and a dedicated power port.
The screen resolution of the Omen 16 is a modest 1920 x 1080 pixels, which contributes to its relatively dim display. However, the Bang & Olufsen speakers provide satisfactory audio performance. The fan noise can become noticeable under heavy load, but considering the performance this laptop delivers, the added noise is a fair trade-off.
Finally, let’s talk about pricing. The Omen 16’s MSRP for the model number 16-xf003dx is $1,850 on Best Buy and $1,810 on HP’s website, both for the same configuration. However, it’s worth keeping an eye out for discounts, as Best Buy has previously lowered the price to $1,450. It is advisable to wait for a sale before making a purchase to ensure the best value for your money.
In conclusion, the HP Omen 16 offers top-tier gaming performance with its powerful AMD CPU and Nvidia GPU combination. While it may not excel in terms of design, the laptop compensates with its robust performance and relatively decent battery life. It’s important to consider the dimensions and weight of the device, as well as the layout of the keyboard, when making a purchasing decision. And, as always, staying informed about pricing and potential sales is crucial to securing the best deal.
