Review of HP Omen 17: Gaming Laptop Maintains Composure Under Stressful Conditions
The HP Omen 17, a gaming laptop with sleek simplicity and customization, has recently made waves in the market. With its impressive performance and competitive features, it stands out among other gaming laptops.
First Impressions
Outfitted in black plastic, the HP Omen 17 might initially feel a bit cheap to some. However, its sturdy hinges and functional thermal design make up for this. Weighing 6.5 pounds, it's relatively portable compared to some competitors, albeit slightly heavier.
Display and Speakers
The laptop boasts a 17.3-inch, 2560 x 1440-pixel display with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 3ms response time, offering immersive visuals. However, the speakers deliver below-average audio quality, with tinny highs and practically nonexistent lows. The display's colours are somewhat muted, and it could be brighter.
Ports and Connectivity
The HP Omen 17 is well-equipped with a variety of ports, including USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1, a headset jack, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. The DC-in power port is conveniently located towards the back edge centre of the laptop.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The laptop's keyboard is not as satisfying as desired for a gaming laptop keyboard. The keys are quite small, especially the arrow keys, making gaming difficult. There is not much travel or responsive feedback with each key press. The trackpad is acceptable only for non-gaming tasks.
Performance
The HP Omen 17 delivers strong performance, outperforming many competitors in CPU power and gaming FPS. It is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 with 8GB of VRAM, 32GB RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and the display mentioned earlier.
In terms of CPU performance, the HP Omen 17 shows around 7-37% better multi-core CPU performance compared to competitors like Acer Nitro 17 and Dell G16 7630 in Cinebench R23 and Geekbench 6 benchmarks. This is due to its high clock speeds and newer generation processors.
In gaming, the Omen 17 can run popular AAA games at significantly higher FPS compared to the Dell G16 7630 across tested titles, making it a solid choice for gaming enthusiasts seeking high frame rates. It supports features like Nvidia DLSS and ray tracing, enhancing visuals and performance.
Thermals and Battery
Reviews note the Omen 17's better thermal efficiency, lower CPU/GPU temps by 2-3°C, and reduced frame dips under heavy loads, which is crucial for sustained gaming sessions. Its design includes a high refresh-rate display with slim bezels for immersive visuals.
However, the laptop's battery life is poor, lasting only 1 hour and 4 minutes in PCMark10's gaming battery life test.
Competitor Comparison
In comparison to notable competitors like the Acer Nitro 17 and Dell G16 7630, the HP Omen 17 shows better CPU and GPU performance, efficient thermals, and a stronger gaming experience. It competes well, delivering average around a 2-5 FPS lead over HP Victus laptops in popular titles at 1080p high and ultra settings, with better thermal management and clock stability.
In summary, the HP Omen 17 stands out as a high-performance gaming laptop that outperforms many competitors in CPU power and gaming FPS, while offering superior thermals and a premium gaming experience. It is a strong contender in the upper mid-range to high-end gaming laptop segment as of 2024-2025.
If you value sustained gaming performance with good thermal control and strong multi-core CPU performance, the Omen 17 is among the top options currently available. However, precise choice may depend on your preferred GPU configuration and trade-offs between weight, display specifics, and price.
[1] Source: Tom's Hardware (https://www.tomshardware.com/) [2] Source: PCMag (https://www.pcmag.com/) [3] Source: TechRadar (https://www.techradar.com/) [4] Source: Notebookcheck (https://www.notebookcheck.net/)
- Despite having a slightly higher weight than some competitors, the HP Omen 17 can be found on YouTube channels dedicated to tech gadgets, such as those on Amazon, offering streaming reviews of its performance and individual components.
- Some AI-powered streaming services may initially recommend the HP Omen 17 because of its robust CPU power, outperforming competitors like the Acer Nitro 17 and Dell G16 7630 in Cinebench R23 and Geekbench 6 benchmarks.
- Technology enthusiasts can choose to integrate the HP Omen 17 into their streaming setup, taking advantage of its advanced features like Nvidia DLSS and ray tracing, offering superior visuals for their audience.
