The Omen series is HP’s response to other manufacturers creating high-end gaming PCs. Within the lineup are some desktops and laptops, but their flagship device is the HP Omen 16. While it comes in various options, it is designed from the ground up with gamers in mind.
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The Omen 16 has an impressive design, much like HP’s Envy and Spectre line. But while the Envy and Spectre laptops are designed for productivity, the Omen is built specifically for gaming. High-powered processors like the Intel i7 are paired with state-of-the-art graphics chips like the RTX 3070 Ti.
Why Buy an HP Omen?
Gaming laptops are a dime a dozen these days, with most major manufacturers offering something to gamers. However, the quality of gaming laptops varies wildly. HP’s Omen lineup offers unique features not available on any other HP computer. These distinctions include components like GPUs, which the Omen line has many more options.
Design
The first thing you will notice about the HP Omen gaming laptops is that they’re unlike HP’s traditional offerings like the Pavilion or Envy. It has a bold design with sleek edges, similar to other competitor gaming laptops. Omen’s lineup is also thicker than everyday HP laptops.
While regular computer users want something portable, gamers understand a thicker computer can be good. The larger stance allows for improved cooling, which means better performance. Too many laptops are going toward a super-thin profile that does not provide adequate cooling of the CPU and GPU.
Power
One reason people buy gaming computers is they want power. However, laptops struggle to deliver comparable speed and performance to similar desktops. As previously mentioned, cooling is a significant problem for laptops because of the compact form factor. The Omen uses an advanced cooling system to move air around the components.
But before you get to cooling, you need a computer that can create a large amount of power. The HP Omen 16 comes in some configurations. However, it maxes out with an Intel i9 or a Ryzen 9 processor. The max GPU is an RTX 3070 Ti which is a little slower than the desktop equivalent but still provides great performance for most games.
Gaming Hub
Finally, the HP Omen 16 comes with some features most gamers will appreciate. The monitor is one of the most essential parts of any laptop, and the Omen 16 features a 1080p 60Hz display that is 16.1″ diagonal. In addition to the high-definition screen, it also has super thin bezels on both sides, with a slightly larger one on the top that houses the webcam.
Even better, you can pair it with a stunning white casing rather than the traditional black housing. All HP Omen computers come with the Omen Gaming Hub. This is where you will manage all of the gaming features on the computer, like RGB, streaming, and even launch games.
What’s in the HP Omen 16?
The HP Omen 16 gaming laptop is just a family of laptops with a 16.1″ screen. Within this series are some models that each have different specifications. So, you can get a super-powered version with the i7 or i9, but they also have lower-end versions that come with i5 and Ryzen 5 processors.
It is important to note that the computer is essentially the same between component choices. So an Omen 16 with a Ryzen 7 will look identical to an i5. However, some features are different, such as the RGB backlit keyboard, so it is essential to look closely at each computer’s specification sheet. Similarly, memory and GPUs may also be drastically different.
Most HP Omen 16 laptops use a 1080p monitor, as previously noted, but they also have a couple of options with 1440p. This is also an excellent time to mention that HP constantly changes its available configurations. If you see an ad for an Omen 16, but can’t find it on the HP website, then it may be discontinued.
Another critical point to make is that you cannot customize HP computers. Unlike other PC manufacturers like Dell, HP has no option to customize its computers further. Additionally, you may find slightly different configurations at retailers than at HP’s store because they commonly use different components for models going to retailers.
Is the HP Omen 16 Good For Gamers?
The HP Omen 16 is undoubtedly built for gamers, but it may not be the best gaming laptop on the market. HP largely overlooked the gaming market for many years by offering some powerful computers but failing to come out with actual gaming laptops. This is in stark contrast to other brands like Acer, Asus, and Lenovo, which are smaller but offer arguably better products.
The biggest problem with the HP Omen lineup is that they don’t feel substantial. On the bright side, it is fairly compact and does not have weird protrusions. This makes it suitable for everyday use in addition to playing video games.
Another major problem is that the HP Omen 16 is somewhat overpriced. Like with Alienware, you are paying a premium for minor features like RGB, proprietary software, and a stylish design. In reality, there is nothing groundbreaking about the HP Omen series. They are good computers from a reputable manufacturer, but not much makes them unique.
What Makes a Good Gaming Laptop?
When choosing a gaming laptop, there are some things to consider. Everyone has personal preferences, which will affect what you think makes a good computer. For instance, you may want one built well so it will handle the rigors of traveling. On the other hand, some people don’t move their laptops much so they may choose a larger screen.
The best gaming laptop is the one that works for you. So try to get hands-on with a few different brands and models before committing to one. With that in mind, some manufacturers specialize in gaming computers. Therefore, you may want to look at companies like MSI that primarily focus on gaming customers.
Another option is to look for high-performance laptops that are not targeted toward gamers. You can usually get laptops with high-speed processors and even GPUs. However, they will not have extras like RGB and may not have as good of cooling. The benefit of choosing one of these is the price. Gaming laptops like the HP Omen 16 have a higher price tag than standard laptops.
