HP has been a staple in the laptop industry for decades. Known for their reliable, high-performing models across categories, HP continues to be a popular choice among casual and professional users alike. Several of their laptop lines like the HP Spectre, HP Envy, HP Pavilion, HP Elitebook and HP Omen enjoy great market success.
In 2024, HP is offering some of its most powerful and versatile laptops yet. After extensive research and comparisons, we‘ve picked the 8 best HP laptop models this year based on critical reception, customer reviews and value offered.
1. HP Elite Dragonfly G3 – Best Overall
The HP Elite Dragonfly G3 strikes the perfect balance between portability, power and premium build quality. Weighing just 2.2 pounds, it packs robust specs like a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD storage and over 7 hours of battery life.
The 13.5" touchscreen display with 1920 x 1280 resolution provides sharp visuals. It also has a 5MP webcam that enhances video conferencing. With its slim aluminum chassis and excellent connectivity, it‘s great for traveling executives.
The Elite Dragonfly G3 costs over $1000 but offers business-class performance for everyday workloads. It‘s a worthy investment if you want the best overall enterprise laptop from HP‘s stable.
2. HP Envy 13 – Best Premium Consumer Laptop
For shoppers seeking a premium home and office laptop without breaking the bank, the HP Envy 13 hits a sweet spot. It combines the power of an 11th Gen Core i7 CPU and Intel Iris Xe graphics with portability of a 13.3" thin body at just 2.7 pounds.
The Envy 13 starts around $800 and features extras like a fingerprint reader and webcam privacy switch. Battery runtime crosses 12 hours on light usage. While the plastic touchpad feels somewhat cheap, the aluminum chassis, comfortable keyboard and vibrant 1080p display make up for it. It handles daily tasks and media consumption seamlessly.
3. HP Chromebook 11a G8 – Best Budget-Friendly
Costing less than $200, the HP Chromebook 11a G8 proves that budget laptops can still deliver solid performance. The 11.6" HD touchscreen and durable plastic body make it ideal for students. The MediaTek processor isn’t very fast but gets the job done for web apps and documents.
With its long battery life, robust Wi-Fi, precision touchpad, 4GB RAM and 32GB eMMC storage, the Chromebook 11a G8 gives you tremendous value. It’s lightweight too at just 2.4 pounds. If affordability is key, this should be your top contender.
4. HP ZBook Studio G7 – Best for Creative Professionals
Creative professionals who regularly work on graphics, video editing and 3D rendering workloads should consider the HP ZBook Studio G7. It justifies its steep $2000+ price tag by packing groundbreaking power via 10th Gen Intel Xeon CPUs and NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 graphics.
The 15.6” 4K DreamColor touchscreen enables true-to-life color reproduction. Designers will also appreciate the facial recognition sign-in and built-in precision stylus with magnetic attach. With RAID configurations and upgradable parts, it’s a reliable mobile workstation for creative jobs.
5. HP Spectre x360 13 – Best 2-in-1 Convertible
If you want versatility from your next laptop, the HP Spectre x360 13 is your best bet. As a premium 2-in-1 convertible, you can use it as a regular notebook or tablet by rotating the durable 360° hinge. The touchscreen comes with a 4096 pressure-sensitivity active pen for notetaking and drawing.
Under the hood, it packs serious power through 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processors coupled with Intel Arc graphics. The bright 13.3” 3000×2000 OLED display works well for movies and presentations. For enhanced security, it even includes a physical camera shutter switch. Overall, a fantastic convertible pick if you can afford the $1200+ price range.
6. HP EliteBook 840 G9 – Best Business Laptop
Road warriors who want an enterprise-level work laptop should seriously consider the HP EliteBook 840 G9. Starting around $1600, you get premium extras like 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6 and VPN encryption alongside robust performance specifications.
It rocks up to 12th Gen H-series Intel processors with vPro management and Iris X graphics. The 14” 1080p display offers flexible viewing angles while the keyboard is very comfortable for long typing sessions. HD webcam, Thunderbolt 4 ports and all-day battery complete the package.
7. HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook – Best Premium Chromebook
Majority of Chromebook laptops focus heavily on affordability which often compromises build quality and features. The HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook breaks that norm by incorporating premium elements like a sleek aluminum/magnesium body, 400-nit 13.5" bright QHD+ touch display, backlit keyboard and a claimed 12+ hour battery life.
Despite running Chrome OS, it has midrange specs like a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB NVMe SSD storage. The combination makes it very snappy for web browsing, Android apps, streaming etc. It costs around $750 but gives a vastly refined Chromebook experience.
8. HP Omen 17 – Best for Gaming
For hardcore gamers who demand raw graphics horsepower, the HP Omen 17 gaming laptop is a top choice. It comes loaded with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 GPUs alongside strong Intel Core i7/i9 processors and plenty of ventilation for smooth FPS.
Visuals really stand out on the responsive 17.3" Quad HD 165Hz display. You also get software enhancements like Network Booster to reduce online lag and Omen Command Center to customize system profiles. The RGB-backlit mechanical keyboard further elevates gameplay. If budget permits, go for high-end configs close to $2000 for mind-blowing performance.
How to Pick the Best HP Laptop
Choosing from HP‘s extensive range of laptops spanning various budgets and uses can get overwhelming. Follow these key aspects when deciding the ideal HP laptop for your requirements:
Determine the Primary Function
First and foremost, assess what you will primarily use the HP laptop for – basic web access and documents, office/business productivity, intensive graphics work, entertainment etc. This will give you a fair idea of suitable specs, size, battery backup and pricing.
Portability Requirements
If you travel frequently for work or college and want an HP laptop to tag along, portability factors like weight, thickness and battery rating become critical. Verify official dimensions and reviews on mobility before ordering a shortlisted model.
Compare Hardware Specifications
Based on software needs mapped earlier, determine adequate RAM, storage space, graphics card and processor configurations. For instance – gaming and creative applications require dedicated GPUs while enterprise security solutions need vPro.
Set a Realistic Budget
HP laptops scale from $200 entry-level Chromebooks to $3000+ top-tier mobile workstations. Set price expectations that align with functionality goals and hardware requirements. Premium extras do boost cost so strike the right balance for your wallet.
By evaluating these parameters against personal workload tendencies, you can zero in on the best HP notebook for daily driver needs or specialized professional use cases. Do extensive research online and shortlist at least 3-4 potential options before deciding.
What to Know Before Buying an HP Laptop
Beyond the standard specs and features, keep these additional pointers in mind when purchasing your next HP laptop:
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Carefully verify battery backups claimed by HP during actual third-party reviews. Real-world performance is often lower than advertised numbers.
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Newer HP laptop processors like 12th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 deliver much better performance, especially on multi-threaded workloads.
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Midrange and premium HP laptops offer USB Type-C Thunderbolt ports for superfast data transfers and external device connectivity.
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HP provides proprietary software tools via Command Center to automatically adjust system settings based on active workload – useful addition for squeezing extra juice.
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Presence of HD, Full HD or 4K displays and touchscreens enhance visual richness of HP notebooks – great for creative jobs or entertainment.
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Many latest HP laptops integrate security features like fingerprint readers, privacy shutters and TPM chips to safeguard sensitive business data for remote or hybrid work.
The HP Laptop Experience
Based on personal testing and community perspectives across forums, HP laptops provide very well-rounded and reliable performance for daily requirements. Brand trust also resonates strongly among customers given their longevity producing computer hardware and meeting enterprise needs.
Expect responsive processing, vivid displays, ergonomic keyboards and robust connectivity from HP machines since focus areas keep revolving around these aspects. However, battery life varies quite a bit depending on individual models and actual workflow intensity compared to factory claims.
Overall, you can bank upon HP laptops to deliver productive, long-term function at reasonable price points. Just ensure due diligence around warranties, post-purchase support and potential hardware defects before handing over your money!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do HP laptops cost?
Costs range from $200 for Chromebooks to $2000+ for high-end gaming/workstation configs. Midrange home/office options fall under $800.
Which HP laptop has the longest battery life?
The HP Elite Dragonfly G3 and HP Spectre x360 13 claim over 12+ hours of runtime on single charge.
Do HP laptops support fast charging?
Many newer models contain fast charging support to attain 50% capacity within 30 minutes.
What’s the best HP laptop webcam resolution?
Premium options like HP Dragonfly G3 and HP Presence integrate 5MP+ webcams with auto framing and lighting adjustment.
Which HP laptop is ideal for college students?
The HP Envy x360 15 strikes an optimal balance between performance, weight, price and battery life for college needs.
So those were our top recommendations for best HP laptops you can purchase in 2024 based on purpose, budget and mobility considerations. HP maintains excellent global service standards so rest assured regarding after-sales support too.
