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.
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.
For example, the Omen 16 can be configured with up to an Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU, which provides incredible frame rates in the latest games. Many standard HP laptops only come with integrated graphics, which are not suitable for gaming or content creation tasks that demand strong graphics performance.
The Omen series also comes with high refresh rate display options not found on regular HP laptops. While a standard HP Envy may have a 60 Hz 1080p screen, the Omen 16 can be specced out with a 165 Hz 1440p display, allowing for super smooth gaming. This is incredibly important for competitive esports titles.
You‘ll also find that only HP‘s gaming-focused Omen brand offers processors as powerful as the Intel Core i9-12900H in a laptop. This 14-core beast can hit speeds up to 5 GHz. Other HP laptop lines top out with much slower chips. So if you want true high-end components in a notebook, Omen is the way to go.
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.
The Omen 16 measures 14.09 x 10.2 x 0.95 inches and weighs 5.4 pounds, putting it right in line with competitors like the Razer Blade 15 (14 x 9.3 x 0.78 inches, 4.7 pounds). So while not the most portable, it strikes a good balance between performance and somewhat reasonable transportability for a gaming rig.
One unique design aspect of the latest Omen 16 model is the rear honeycomb venting. This improved airflow helps keep the powerful internals cool under load. The keyboard is offset toward the user with more open space by the vents to allow for better cooling. Small touches like this show HP designed every aspect with gaming in mind.
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 16 makes use of an advanced cooling system to move air around the components thanks to its Thermal Grizzly Liquid Metal compound applied to both the CPU and GPU. This exotic paste between the chips and heatsinks pulls heat away more effectively than standard grease. Paired with two fans and lots of heat pipes, this gaming laptop can sustain high boost clocks.
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, detailed below:
CPU:
- Intel Core i5-12500H (12 cores, 16 threads, up to 4.5 GHz boost)
- Intel Core i7-12700H (14 cores, 20 threads, up to 4.7 GHz boost)
- Intel Core i9-12900H (14 cores, 20 threads, up to 5.0 GHz boost)
GPU:
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti (4 GB GDDR6 VRAM)
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (6 GB GDDR6 VRAM, up to 1,282 MHz boost clock)
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti (8 GB GDDR6 VRAM, up to 1,485 MHz boost clock)
As you can see, it maxes out with an Intel i9-12900H or a Ryzen 9 processor. The max GPU is an RTX 3080 Ti which is a little slower than the desktop equivalent but still provides great performance for most games. On max settings at 1440p, you can expect well over 60 FPS in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077.
Benchmarks
To quantify the performance, here are some benchmarks from TechSpot testing the Omen 16 (12700H + RTX 3070 Ti):
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: 1080p High Settings – Average FPS: 87
- Cyberpunk 2077: 1080p High Settings (No RT) – Average FPS: 72
- Call of Duty Warzone: 1080p Highest Settings – Average FPS: 138
While not chart-topping speeds, these results show the Omen 16 has power suited for smooth 1080p or 1440p gaming. The cooling keeps clocks boosted fairly high for a laptop. An i9 config would push performance even higher.
Gaming Hub
You can customize the laptop with add-ons like an RGB backlit keyboard which looks fantastic.
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 lighting, streaming, and even launch games.
It‘s a handy centralized dashboard that provides quick information and customization options tailored to gamers. The Alienware Command Center is a similar concept. But HP‘s Omen Gaming Hub feels more refined and user-friendly.
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 i9, but they also have lower-end versions that come with i5.
It is important to note that the computer is essentially the same between component choices. An Omen 16 with a Ryzen 7 will look identical to an i5 model besides small logos denoting the CPU difference.
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, storage, and GPUs may also be drastically different.
Here’s a breakdown of other key components in the Omen 16:
- Display: 16.1” IPS LCD, 1920 x 1080 or 2560 x 1440 resolution, 165 Hz refresh rate options
- Memory: Up to 32 GB DDR5-4800 RAM
- Storage: Dual SSD slots, up to 2 TB PCIe NVMe Gen4
- Ports: 1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C, 3x USB-A, 1x HDMI, 1x Mini DisplayPort, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet, 1x Headphone jack
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2
- Webcam: 1080p with privacy shutter
- Speakers: Stereo speakers by Bang & Olufsen
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 because they commonly use different components for models going to retailers.
Is the HP Omen 16 Good For Gamers?
While heavy and bulky compared to a MacBook Pro, for example, the HP Omen 16 feels well built and constructed from quality materials. The keyboard deck and palm rest areas have a premium brushed metal finish rather than cheap plastic. There is some keyboard flex when gaming, however.
Opening the bottom panel reveals an intricately designed interior with thermal pads making contact with various heat-producing components. It‘s clear HP put engineering effort into the cooling capabilities.
The HP Omen 16 sits right up against the Razer Blade 15 and other top gaming laptops in terms of specifications. An Omen 16 configured with a 12th Gen i7, RTX 3070 Ti, and a 1440p 165 Hz screen gets you fantastic gaming performance in a slick package.
There are a few downsides that stop it from being the “perfect” gaming laptop, however. The battery life takes a significant hit thanks to the power-hungry components. You’ll be lucky to get 3 hours of regular use. And don’t expect more than an hour gaming away from an outlet. Other brands edge out the Omen 16 slightly when it comes to battery efficiency.
While the 1080p webcam is nice, its image quality disappoints. Razer includes a better webcam with the Blade 15. And the Omen 16‘s 250 nit display doesn’t get very bright, making it less ideal for outdoor gaming sessions.
Finally, at over $2,000 fully specced out, the pricing falls a little short compared to the value offered by gaming laptops brands that focus more on price competitiveness.
So while HP made a product suitable for most gaming needs, it doesn’t necessarily beat the competition across all areas. The Omen 16 lands as a good, but not stellar option. Other laptops have advantages in certain aspects like battery, webcam, or pure value.
What Makes a Good Gaming Laptop?
When choosing a gaming laptop, there are some essential things to consider based on your needs:
Performance: A great CPU and GPU combo that provides smooth frame rates in the games you want to play on high settings.
Display: You‘ll want a panel with high resolution (1440p or 4K), high refresh rate (144+ Hz), color accuracy, and vivid picture.
Build Quality: Look for a sturdy chassis that can withstand being moved around regularly, along with a keyboard and trackpad that feel responsive and comfortable for long gaming sessions.
Heat Management: Proper cooling to keep temperatures low and avoid thermal throttling which hampers gaming performance in hot laptops.
Portability: Consider the size, weight, and battery life to determine if a gaming laptop can easily be transported if you plan to game on the go.
Price: Get the right balance of performance and features at a price you feel offers good value according to your budget.
The best gaming laptop is the one that fits your budget while meeting your performance, display, and design preferences.
The HP Omen 16 hits many of these marks with style, making it a good solution, but not necessarily the very best option out there if you analyze its shortcomings. For some gamers, however, it certainly ticks all the right boxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play in VR on a gaming laptop?
Yes, you can use a VR headset with a laptop, but remember, the laptop must be powerful enough to run the headset. The RTX 3060 or 3070 Ti graphics in the Omen 16 provide enough muscle for a smooth virtual reality experience.
Do gaming laptops have disc drives?
Some laptops do still come with disc drives. However, most PC games no longer come on discs because their data exceeds what a disc could hold. So modern gaming laptops like the Omen 16 focus solely on fast SSD storage options.
What kinds of games can you play on a gaming laptop?
Gaming laptops can play most of the same games that a desktop can. You may just need to tweak some graphics settings for the most demanding titles. But the Omen 16‘s hardware can readily power AAA games at smooth frame rates.
What screen resolution is best?
QHD 2560 x 1440 (1440p) resolution tends to be the best option for a gaming laptop display size of 15 to 17 inches. While 4K would be nice, graphics cards struggle to play many games smoothly at this high resolution on a laptop. FHD 1920 x 1080 (1080p) still offers a great picture on a 16 inch screen.
Do you need a “gaming” laptop to play games?
Not necessarily. You can play less intensive games on plenty of regular consumer laptops. But if you want to play new AAA games on high settings, get smooth frame rates in shooters, or future-proof your computer, then a gaming laptop with a good GPU is best.
