HP OMEN 16 Gaming Laptop Review

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This review takes a close look at the HP OMEN 16-inch Gaming Laptop, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. We’ll detail the specifications of the exact model we tested. If you’re looking for a gaming laptop that offers good value, read on to see if this one is right for you.

HP OMEN – 16″ Gaming Laptop Review – What is the HP OMEN?

The HP OMEN is a line of gaming laptops made by HP. With so many gaming options available today – desktops, laptops, and handheld devices – it can be hard to choose what’s right for you. If you prefer playing games on a portable device but find handhelds like the Steam Deck (or the new Xbox ROG Ally) too small, a gaming laptop might be the perfect fit.

Even with so many options, plenty of well-known and reliable companies make gaming laptops. Each brand – like Lenovo, Asus, HP, and MSI – has its own strengths and weaknesses.

I’m no PC gaming expert – there are much more knowledgeable people out there. Before getting an HP OMEN, I hadn’t really played games on a PC. However, we still wanted to share our experience in case it helps others who are new to PC gaming too.

HP OMEN Specs – HP OMEN 16 Review

Here are the specifications for the specific HP OMEN 16 I am using:

  • Price: $1579.99
  • Display: 16-inch 2K 144 Hz (1920 x 1200)
  • Dimensions (Width, Depth, Height): 14.07 x 10.59 x 1-inches
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 8000 Series (8940 HX)
  • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 GPU (8GB VRAM)
  • Memory: 32 GB GDDR5 Memory (5200 MHz)
  • OS: Windows 11 Home
  • Storage: 1024 GB PCIe 4.0 SSD
  • Ports:
    • HDMI (1x)
    • 3 USB Ports:
      • USB-C 3.1 (1x), USB-A 3.1. (1x), USB-A 3.0 (2x)
    • Headphone Jack (1x)
    • Ethernet Port (1x)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth Support
  • Webcam: 1080p

HP offers different versions of its OMEN gaming laptops. Some have more powerful graphics cards, like the 5070 or even the 5080. The number of ports can also vary between models. While upgrading to a better graphics card will increase the price, it could be a worthwhile investment if you plan on playing the latest games.

I don’t play a lot of the newest games, so 8GB of VRAM worked great for me. However, if you’re hoping to max out the settings on demanding titles like Black Myth: Wukong or Indiana Jones, you’ll probably want a more powerful laptop, like the OMEN Max or Transcend. Luckily, there are plenty of laptops available with different graphics cards to choose from.

Before you buy any gaming laptop, desktop, or handheld device – no matter the brand – it’s important to always double-check the product details to make sure it meets your needs.

Build Quality – HP OMEN 16 Review

The OMEN 16 has a stylish and well-designed look. One thoughtful feature is its slightly elevated base, created by small rubber feet. This helps with airflow and keeps the laptop cool – it’s a common design choice, but the OMEN does it well.

The laptop’s screen is excellent. Its IPS display makes colors vibrant and images clear. The 16-inch size strikes a good balance between a large viewing area and portability, and you can even connect it to a larger external screen using the HDMI port if desired.

I really like having both USB-A and USB-C ports – it’s convenient and lets me connect an external SSD. I can have the SSD, a controller, and my laptop all plugged in and working with my TV at the same time.

Honestly, while having a terabyte of storage sounds great, I usually prefer to keep most of my games on an external drive – it’s just how I roll. You also have to remember that the laptop itself uses up some of that space, so you don’t actually get the full 1TB. And with how huge new games are these days, a terabyte fills up surprisingly fast. It’s still decent if you don’t have a massive game collection, though.

My main concern with this laptop is the hinges. They seem a bit weak, and it makes me worry every time I open the screen. While I know hinges don’t last forever, these don’t feel very durable. It might be a good idea to consider a protection plan, just in case!

I also really appreciate other aspects of the OMEN 16. The keyboard and mouse are both high quality – the buttons have a satisfying click, and the trackpad responds quickly. And if you prefer, you can easily connect a different Bluetooth mouse and keyboard to customize your experience.

Honestly, I was really impressed with the webcam on this laptop. It’s 1080p, which is a big step up from my old one – the OMEN 15 had a pretty basic 720p camera. I don’t jump on video calls that often, but it’s cool knowing I’ll look good if I do!

Gaming & Performance – HP OMEN 16 Review

The OMEN performs better than expected, even with newer games. Although my model has only 8GB of VRAM with the RTX 5060, it still handled gaming at 1080p resolution with a smooth 60 frames per second.

This laptop can smoothly run demanding modern games like Doom: The Dark Ages and Elden Ring with good graphics and frame rates. It also has more than enough power to easily handle older favorites such as Dark Souls Remastered and Fallout: New Vegas.

Gaming laptops naturally have more noticeable fan noise than desktop gaming PCs. However, the fan noise on this laptop wasn’t excessive, and I didn’t find it disruptive when using a headset.

The computer I’m using has an RTX 5060 graphics card, which is part of Nvidia’s latest 50 series. It’s a capable GPU and can run most games smoothly with good graphics settings. However, the 5060 is the least powerful card in the 50 series. Luckily, there are also models available with a more powerful 5080 (with 16GB of VRAM) or a 5070 (with 12GB), though those options are more expensive.

But if you’re a casual gamer who:

  • Doesn’t care about running games at max settings
  • Plays non-intensive games (i.e. – League of Legends, Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege X)

A 5060 graphics card should easily handle your games. Currently, 8GB of video memory (VRAM) is enough for most games, including many newer titles. However, keep in mind that this won’t stay true indefinitely. Soon, 12GB or 16GB of VRAM will become standard, particularly with the arrival of next-gen consoles and increasingly demanding games.

A significant drawback is that the 50 series graphics cards aren’t compatible with games using the older 32-bit PhysX technology, which is disappointing. This means popular titles like Batman: Arkham Asylum and City, Mafia II, Mirror’s Edge, and Borderlands 2 won’t run on this device. However, HP isn’t at fault – Nvidia is responsible for dropping support for this older technology. Despite this, it’s still unfortunate that these games are unplayable.

While a few games aren’t compatible, you can still enjoy a wide range of fantastic titles. From classics like System Shock 2 (including the updated version) to newer games like Cyberpunk 2077, you’ll have plenty to choose from.

I know desktops usually offer more power and features than laptops, but I really appreciate the OMEN 16’s portability – it’s convenient to take with me. It’s not as small as handheld devices like the Steam Deck, MSI Claw, or Xbox ROG Ally X, and that’s actually why I chose not to get one of those.

I use my gaming laptop for everything, not just games. Honestly, I don’t really trust how well-built the controllers are on most portable devices. At least with a Switch, if a Joy-Con breaks, you can replace it. But with a handheld PC, you’re kinda stuck if something goes wrong, and they usually have fewer ports to connect stuff to anyway.

Look, I really like the idea of handheld PCs, but for me, a gaming laptop just felt like the perfect balance. It wasn’t about putting handhelds down, I just wanted something in the middle.

Verdict: Is The HP OMEN 16 Gaming Laptop Worth Your Time & Money?

As a gamer, I’ve been really impressed with the HP OMEN 16. It handles both my games and everyday stuff with ease! The graphics card, with its 8 GB of VRAM, was powerful enough to run all the latest titles smoothly. That said, I know that if I want to play the really demanding games coming out in a few years, I might need to upgrade eventually, as it’s not quite as powerful as some of the higher-end laptops out there.

One of the great things about the OMEN is the wide variety of models available, so you’re likely to find one that fits your needs. If you want a laptop that can handle both new and older games, the OMEN is a good choice.

Like many gaming laptops, the battery life isn’t great, the screen hinges feel a little flimsy, and the fans can get noisy. However, if you can get it at a discounted price, it’s a capable machine for playing most PC games.

If you find this laptop on sale, I highly recommend getting it. I’ve noticed the price has dropped to $1,249.99 at stores like Best Buy, which is a great deal.

Be sure to check out all the different HP models available. They offer a range of options, including configurations with both 5070 and 5080 graphics cards, which gives consumers more choices.

While it doesn’t cool quite as effectively as a high-end desktop, the OMEN is easy to open and clean due to its straightforward design. Overall, it impressed me with its gaming performance, how easy it is to maintain, its portability, and its size.

I really love the OMEN 16 Gaming Laptop. It’s fantastic for gaming on the go – I can easily take it with me on trips, to friends’ houses, or even just around my home. It gives me a powerful gaming experience wherever I am. While there are other great laptops out there, I’m completely happy with this one.

Score: 9/10

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2025-10-24 20:41