HP Omen best gaming laptop

Some people prefer gaming with consoles, such as Xbox One or PS4. However, others swear by gaming on a computer. When gaming on a computer, you have the ability to upgrade components, giving you more power to run the latest games.

HP’s OMEN family of gaming laptops are designed to handle the latest games and are easy to upgrade and customize. You’ll find HP OMEN laptops in many different configurations, creating a mixture of power and value to meet your gaming needs. As with any gaming laptop, you need to consider what types of games you want to play and what their system requirements are. While OMEN laptops are easy to upgrade, you still want the best machine possible out of the box. 

You will pay an above-average price for an HP OMEN laptop versus a general laptop, but the processing power in an OMEN machine makes it well worth the price for the gamer who wants outstanding quality. To learn more and find the best gaming machine for you, continue reading our buying guide. 

Key considerations

Software needs

The area where HP OMEN laptops clearly outperform other HP laptops is in the type of software they can run. 

Gaming software requires strong CPU and GPU processing power. HP OMEN gaming laptops contain the latest graphics cards and CPU and GPU chips, including Intel Core i5, i7, and i9 CPUs and NVIDIA GeForce RTX and GTX graphics cards. You’ll also be able to run software that creates large databases or that processes video with this type of laptop.

Having the latest components drives up the price of the laptop, though. So if your software needs are more about word processing, using a web browser, and checking social media, you can have plenty of success with a less expensive HP laptop.

Screen resolution and size

HP OMEN laptops have large screens, usually measuring 15.6 or 17.3 inches diagonally. They generally have full HD resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, although some models will offer 4K resolution (3840x2160). This type of screen quality is great for gaming or watching video, as the images and graphics will be pin sharp.

With a smaller screen, your laptop will have a smaller-sized chassis, which some people prefer. Screen size plays a key role in determining the overall size of any laptop.

Features

Here are the most important features you’ll find in an HP OMEN laptop — and any gaming laptop.

  • Graphics card: For gamers, the graphics card is a very important piece of hardware. If the graphics card, which contains the GPU (graphics processor unit), doesn’t have enough power, your gameplay will lag. You’ll find NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, 2070, and 2080 graphics cards in OMEN laptops. Lower-priced models may include the GeForce GTX 1660Ti and 1650.

  • Graphics RAM: The RAM contained on the graphics card (also called VRAM) is exclusively for use by the GPU. Having at least 4 GB of graphics RAM is a necessity, but 8 GB or more is generally better.

  • CPU: The central processing unit (CPU) is the primary processor for the laptop. You will want plenty of processing power in your HP OMEN laptop, as the CPU runs the gaming software. A powerful CPU can handle the quick inputs you must make when gaming. OMEN laptops may contain 9th generation Intel Core i5, i7, and i9 CPUs.

  • RAM: System RAM is different from graphics RAM. The system RAM is available for everything other than graphics processing. Large amounts of RAM allow the computer to run smoothly and fast. RAM is the temporary storage area for data the CPU needs to access quickly. OMEN models are available with between 8 GB and 32 GB of DDR4 RAM.

  • Storage: Storage in an HP OMEN laptop is available in three configurations. SSD (solid state drive) storage is fast, but it’s expensive per GB. HDD (hard disk drive) storage is slower, but it’s cheaper than SSD. Some HP OMEN laptops have a hybrid storage system, which uses SSD and HDD together. Commonly, OMEN laptops have 1 TB or 2 TB HDD storage or 256 GB to 1 TB SSD storage.

  • Keyboard: For gamers, the keyboard must be highly responsive, as many rapid inputs occur through the keyboard. Keyboards in gaming laptops should also have a backlight so you can see the keys when playing in a darkened room. OMEN laptops have zone backlighting for precise keystrokes, as well as a 26-key rollover feature with anti-ghosting (for simultaneous keystroke commands). The OMEN 17 line allows for independent macro key settings, too.

HP OMEN Laptop prices

Because of their high-end components and large display screens, OMEN Laptops have higher price tags than general use laptops and business laptops.

Budget-priced OMEN laptops cost between $800 and $1,100. These units have screens measuring around 15 inches in size. Don’t expect to receive the latest CPUs or large capacity SSDs in these machines.

Mid-range HP OMEN laptop prices run between $1,100 and $1,500. These laptops may have screens around 15 or 17 inches in size, and they will have excellent graphics processors and CPUs with up to 6 cores.

The most expensive HP OMEN laptops cost from $1,500 to $3,000. These machines have top-of-the-line components across the board with screen sizes of around 17 inches. 

"OMEN laptops have large chassis to allow for airflow and cooling, which prevents overheating. "

STAFF

BestReviews

If you aren’t sure whether the HP OMEN laptop will handle the kinds of games you want to play, here are some ways to ensure that your gaming laptop is up to the task.

  • Buy a high-end GPU. As new software gaming titles appear on the market, they demand more and more graphics processing. A strong GPU will allow your HP OMEN laptop to give you strong performance over a few years. For virtual reality gaming, the latest GPU is a must-have feature.

  • Look for SSD storage. SSD storage has significantly faster read and write speeds versus HDD storage. This can be helpful for loading complex gaming software quickly. However, SSD storage is generally two to three times the price of HDD storage.

  • Make sure you can upgrade the RAM. Although it’s notoriously difficult to upgrade components inside laptops because of the sealed chassis, HP OMEN laptops are different. With many of these laptop models, you can upgrade the amount of RAM relatively easily to keep up with increasingly complex gaming software.

  • Look for an overclocking option. Sometimes, the CPU in an HP OMEN laptop works with overclocking software. This means you can boost the clock speed on the CPU to above its maximum recommended level, delivering a processing boost for high-end gaming software.

Other products we considered

If you are looking for features that aren’t offered in our top picks, we did consider a few other HP OMEN laptops that are worth purchasing.

The HP OMEN 15 Laptop with Max-Q includes an outstanding graphics processor that runs cooler with Max-Q technology. Customers love the impressive 13-hour battery.

The HP OMEN 15-dc1030nr 2019 Gaming Laptop has a reasonable price and is ready for virtual reality gaming, thanks to its powerful graphics performance. 

When you want a big display screen at a good value, the HP OMEN 17-cb0060nr 2019 Gaming Laptop includes a 17.3-inch display with full-HD display. THe 512 GB SSD is another plus that makes for smooth performance and short load times.

FAQ

Q. Do I have to use a gaming laptop for gaming?
A. Gaming laptops have the processing power and graphics performance required for high-end gaming software. However, because of their highly capable components, you can use these laptops for almost any kind of computing. If you only plan to browse the internet and answer emails with your laptop, an HP OMEN gaming laptop probably has more power than you need. 
 

Q. How long should my HP OMEN laptop last?
A. An OMEN gaming laptop should give you 18 to 36 months of solid performance. Some models are upgradeable in a few ways, like upgrading RAM, which will give you closer to the 36 months of performance (or even more). 
 

Q. Should I use WiFi or Ethernet for online gaming?
A. If you want to be able to game from anywhere, WiFi gaming is the better choice. If you are going to sit in one place for gaming, connect an Ethernet cable for the most reliable connection speeds. 
 

Q. How can I conserve battery power in my HP OMEN laptop?
A. The best way to increase the battery life in a laptop is by turning down the brightness setting in the display screen. Additionally, close any apps or software running in the background that you don’t need to use. Right-click on the taskbar on the bottom of the Windows screen and left-click on Task Manager to see what items are running.

While HP's gaming laptops haven't always hit the mark, the HP Omen 15 (1007na) is a solid entry into the current slimline trend. While still packing a few pounds, this machine is a much more streamlined build than previous iterations, and while some smaller niggling design choices are frustrating on the periphery, there's plenty to celebrate in the overall experience here. 

I spent a few weeks with the HP Omen 15, and dug out my rusty old 2018 Omen to compare some changes, putting it through its paces with the latest games and some daily work. Back when I first got my hands on an HP Omen, these machines weren't great. From so-so performance to a huge blocky design that takes up half a desk by itself, this line hasn't exactly had an easy time of it. 

However, after spending some time with the new iteration, it's easy to see that the tides have turned, with a smaller form factor and excellent CPU handling bringing it far close to the best gaming laptops on the market right now.

Today's best HP Omen 15 deals

Design

The HP Omen 15 is very much following the trend of slimline gaming laptops that eschews the angular designs and bulk of previous iterations for a far more subtle aesthetic. With a compact lower half comprising a simple keyboard (there's no numpad) and large touchpad and a simple diamond Omen logo on the back of the matte black exterior, this is a toned-down machine that would fit in at an office just as well as it would in an RGB-clad setup. 

That chassis offers up a sturdy frame with no bounce or bend in the keyboard plate or on either side of the touchpad. However, there is considerable flex to the screen which wobbles on the hinge quite easily. That's not a major concern - this machine comes in under $1300 / £1300 with some impressive components under the hood - but does show how the materials used to make this machine so slim aren't the most solid in the business. 

Still, there's a solid hinge between the two halves that holds the weight of the main board when opening well. 

HP Omen best gaming laptop

(Image credit: Future)

Strangely, HP has placed the power button along the top row of the keyboard, perilously close to the delete key. While I never had any issues with accidental presses putting the machine to sleep it did take some getting used to and made me miss the simpler dedicated space on previous models. 

Power up the HP Omen 15, though, and you'll immediately spot four-zone RGB across the main keyboard. These LEDs aren't quite as bold as RGB lighting on other devices, and offer up more of a pastel tone, especially in sunlight (though they do still hold up well in brighter conditions). 

It's worth noting that the Omen weighs in at 2.46 kg, so while slimline there's still some considerable heft to this device. For reference, the MSI Stealth 15M weighs in at just 1.67kg with a similar form factor. 

Features

Specs

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
Graphics: RTX 3060
Memory:
16GB
Display: 15.6-inch IPS at 165Hz
Resolution:
2560 x 1440
Storage:
512GB
Ports:
1x SuperSpeed USB Type-C / Display Port; 3x SuperSpeed USB Type-A, 1x Mini Display Port, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ-45, 1x AC smart pin, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity:
Intel WiFi 6 AX200 and Bluetooth 5
OS:
Windows
Weight:
2.46kg

One of the most notable features of the HP Omen 15 is its gorgeous 1440p 165Hz display. It's capable of producing a particularly crisp picture, with the quality even noticeable on home screens and desktop icon text. With deep, rich blacks and fantastic color handling, there's plenty to marvel at here and motion is particularly smooth at 165Hz as well. 

That display is still a little glossy, so there was a bit of shine in brighter lighting conditions. However, it's one of the best-looking laptops I've seen in a while once the lights were a little dimmer. 

The keyboard is snappy and responsive, feeling great in the hand though noticeably less clicky than my older model. Still, there was a super-fast return rate here and a satisfying bite with a short travel time that made gliding across the board feel all the more natural. 

I averaged a WPM of 87 on the HP Omen, with a 98.6% accuracy. That's pretty impressive considering my average on the super-fast HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is 91.3 WPM with 96.3% accuracy, and that model nudges the best gaming keyboards in performance, not to mention it's my daily driver with plenty of muscle memory baked in. The wide touchpad features a silky soft finish and feels great to use, with a responsive tap and just the right level of resistance beneath the main clicks as well. Of course, you'll likely be using one of the best gaming mouse options during gaming, so this is left for work use. 

HP Omen best gaming laptop

(Image credit: Future)

Omen Gaming Studio is baked right in still and offers a super clean terminal for all your presets, keyboard lighting, and installed games. Revitalized from the Omen Command Centre of previous iterations, this is a particularly easy-to-use piece of software. I love that HP has done away with the 'spy' aesthetic that so many machines paint over the top of their built-in software, instead offering a range of simple menus. 

Those running mobile devices with Android Marshmallow and iOS 13 can also make use of the Remote Play feature, a program that casts your gameplay to a secondary device. While a little laggy, it functioned well in my testing, but I don't really see a particular use case considering you'll need to be on the same WiFi connection to get a chance of playing. This is a feature definitely best placed on HP's gaming PCs. 

Performance

Benchmarks

We put the HP Omen 15 to the test on some well-known benchmarking exercises (all at 1080p), here's how it matched up: 

Firestrike: 7254
TimeSpy: 7753
PC Mark 10: 6057
Cinebench CPU: Multi-core: 9,873; Single-core: 1,320
Tom Clancy's The Division 2: Ultra: 55 fps; High: 61 fps
Metro Exodus: Ultra (RTX): 53 fps; High: 59 fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Highest: 58 fps; High: 65 fps
Total War: Three Kingdoms: Ultra: 53 fps; High: 59 fps
Red Dead Redemption 2: Ultra: 48 fps; High: 54 fps

The HP Omen was remarkably quiet during day-to-day tasks and even lighter gaming. Those fans did kick into gear during the most demanding moments, but the whirring never outstayed its welcome, and I didn't notice any particularly concerning temperature climbs. If you're concerned, though, the best gaming headsets can easily block that extra noise out. That was a little surprising considering these cheaper slimline laptops often lack the internal cooling structures to keep their compact insides at an acceptable temperature. The CPU is incredibly efficient here, though, running super fast during everyday work and play. 

The autumnal tones of Life Is Strange: True Colors looked gorgeous on the QHD screen, with colors popping across the town and smooth background movements, shadows, and detailing throughout my travels. The display panel made every game feel a little more vibrant, offering up a super bright picture but sometimes sacrificing clarity for contrast in more cluttered scenes. 

I often push my old 2018 Omen too far when loading up larger Planet Coaster projects, but this model handles even the most densely packed areas with aplomb, only really starting to feel the throttle when the park is absolutely full of moving guests. The detailing and lighting were particularly impressive here, though. 

When it came to faster action sequences, things kicked up a notch. Games like Doom Eternal and Apex Legends gave the fans something to contend with, and sometimes dropped a considerable number of frames when the system wasn't set to prioritize performance over all else. I experimented with running these titles on battery power and it's obvious that this was not the intended use case. While playable, it's very much recommended to keep an outlet nearby. 

HP Omen best gaming laptop

(Image credit: Future)

The frame rates coming out of this machine won't rival some of the more premium options, but still hit 60fps when I paid more attention to graphical aspects that weren't as necessary as a smooth picture. This is a cheaper RTX 3060 laptop, but there's still a Ryzen 7 5800H processor inside and a good amount of RAM as well. It was a little disappointing to have to make sacrifices to reach 60fps on games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Metro Exodus, but these are more demanding titles and the RTX 3060 is still at the 'lower' end of the 30-series spectrum. Shadow of the Tomb Raider and The Division 2 ran much better (though some particle effects were sacrificed in the latter).

It's also worth mentioning that, while you're getting a 1440p display here, more intense titles run much better at 1080p, so save your super-resolution for specific games, work, and binge-watching.

Should you buy the HP Omen 15?

HP Omen best gaming laptop

(Image credit: Future)

The latest HP Omen 15 redesign certainly brings the line into the aesthetic of today's most popular machines. While you're not getting the outright performance of some of the best Alienware gaming laptops like the Alienware M15 R6, you're not paying for it. Instead, you're getting a slimline machine with a gorgeous screen that feels tailor-made for 1080p-1440p gaming. That $1,350 MSRP feels a little high considering the Asus TUF Dash F15 often packs an RTX 3070 card into that price tag. However, the screen technology on here may save the day if you play slower, more strategic titles. 

If you're looking to get access to those Ultra settings with a reliable result, though, we'd recommend picking out an RTX 3070 laptop (these configurations are generally $150 more). Of course, you'll be spending a lot more, but the best performance will be found in premium RTX 3080 laptops. 

Today's best HP Omen 15 deals

We're also rounding up all the best Razer gaming laptops on the market right now if you're looking for more slimline designs. Or, take a look at the best gaming PCs if you're after a desktop experience. If so, we'd also recommend checking out the best gaming desks and the best gaming chairs for a full setup.