HP Pavilion Laptop Review

If you’re looking for a laptop with great performance at an affordable price, the HP Pavilion is the laptop for you. Many of the models of this brand are built for gaming, with gamers in mind, even though they each have distinct differences and advantages. Check out this HP Pavilion laptop review for more details.

Excel at any task with the HP Pavilion laptop line

The HP Pavilion laptop line is part of a trusted brand with both performance and mainstream features designed to help you excel at any task; be it gaming, content creation, or entertainment. The line includes HP Pavilion Gaming, HP Pavilion 15, and HP Pavilion x360.

HP Pavilion laptops: Features that stand out

POWERFUL PROCESSORS

HP Pavilion laptops help you effortlessly keep up with the most intensive games, streaming video, and serious multi-tasking using the latest Intel® Core™ processors. These laptops offer from 8th Generation Intel Core i3 and i5 processors up to powerful hexa-core 9th Generation Intel Core i7 processors like the ultra-powerful 12-thread, 6-core i7 9750H.

IMPRESSIVE GRAPHICS

Tap into full desktop performance while mitigating slowdowns and lag with powerful graphic options. You can choose up to NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 graphics with Max-Q design or AMD Radeon™ RX 560X graphics.

The GeForce GTX 1060 takes advantage of the NVIDIA Pascal™ architecture - one of the more powerful computer architectures ever built inside a GPU - to enhance power efficiency and speed: letting you play at Full High-Definition (FHD, or 1080p gaming) resolutions, as well as some in the Quad High Definition (QHD) resolution range. The AMD Radeon RX 560, also an option on some models, is built on AMD’s Polaris graphics architecture that offers low latency with powerful compute capabilities.

FAST MEMORY AND SIGNIFICANT STORAGE

Experience a boost in performance with up to 32GB of upgradable, speedy high-bandwidth DDR4 RAM. Boot up and load games quickly with full array of storage options. Choose up to 512GB of SSD storage to get fast access to all of your files and quick boot-up times. Or select up to 1TB of HDD space, providing the high storage volume that you’ll need for video, game, photo, or music libraries. Store more with optional dual storage, which combines both traditional HDD and a PCIe SSD. Hybrid and SSD are also available as upgrade options.

DISPLAYS THAT BRING YOUR CONTENT TO LIFE

HP Pavilion laptops feature stunning narrow bezel 1080p displays that let you enjoy cinematic-quality video with refresh rates of up to 144 Hz. Optional 4K displays or Ultra High Definition (UHD) monitors featuring over 8 million pixels let you see more of your game.

PACKED WITH PORTS

Easily plug in your favorite accessories to your HP Pavilion with a generous port selection that includes:

• Combo audio jack
• Ethernet
• HDMI 2.0
• (3) USB 3.0 Type-A
• USB 3.1 Type-C
• Power connector
• Card reader

RICH, AUTHENTIC SOUND

HP Pavilion laptops deliver a rich, authentic audio experience with tuning by B&O PLAY, front-firing HP Dual Speakers, and HP Audio Boost. HP Audio Boost is smart amplification technology that gives you loud, clear, and dynamic sound.

BOLD DESIGN AND AESTHETICS

In addition to high levels of performance, HP Pavilion laptops are designed from the ground up with style in mind. From sleek, edge-to-edge screens to precision-cut speaker grills to the number of bold, eye-catching color options available, the HP Pavilion line stands out from the crowd.

BOOSTED BATTERY LIFE AND THE LATEST GAMING TECHNOLOGIES

On select models, NVIDIA BatteryBoost™ lets you experience fast, smooth gameplay and long hours of unplugged gaming. BatteryBoost regulates the performance of GeForce graphics cards to provide the optimal amount of power to deliver a smooth gaming experience.

For instance, if your game shows more visually complex scenes, then BatteryBoost will dynamically adjust GPU performance to compensate; so hitching and stuttering will be eliminated. And if you’re playing a fast-paced game that needs more frames per second (fps), then BatteryBoost lets you adjust and control your target frame rate.

HP Pavilion laptops are also virtual reality (VR)-ready, offering more immersive experiences and reduced latency with innovative new technologies within haptic, physics, and audio.

HP Pavilion gaming laptop review

HP Pavilion gaming laptops are the ideal budget gaming laptops with a versatile design that can handle both gaming and content creation. These laptops feature the latest 8th and 9th Generation Intel Core processors, up to performance-level graphic options with both NVIDIA GeForce GTX and AMD Radeon™ graphics cards, fast DDR memory (RAM), substantial storage options, and much more. Here are a few models for you to peruse.

1. HP PAVILION 15T GAMING LAPTOP

The HP Pavilion 15t gaming laptop is a solid gaming laptop in the HP Pavilion line. This moderately priced, yet thin and powerful, gaming laptop is equipped with a high-performance 9th Generation Intel Core i5 9300H quad-core processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB PCIe solid-state drive (SSD) hard drive.

With a micro-edge bezel, 15.6-inch diagonal FHD display, and 3GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card, you can immerse yourself in the crisp details of your game. HP Audio Boost, front-firing dual speakers, and audio by B&O give you authentic, custom-tuned sound.

It’s also outfitted with a dual fan system for enhanced thermal cooling. Optimize your overall performance and stability and keep your laptop cool during extended use with maximized airflow via wide rear corner vents plus additional air inlets.

The HP Pavilion 15t gaming laptop supports fast battery charge, so you can recharge your battery approximately 50% within only 45 minutes when your system is off (using the “shutdown” command). And you can take advantage of improved connectivity with faster throughput thanks to WiFi supporting gigabit speeds.

2. HP GAMING PAVILION 15-INCH LAPTOP

Looking to ramp up your performance, graphics, and playability even more? Check out the HP Gaming Pavilion 15-inch. This laptop also features a 15.6-inch diagonal FHD IPS display, 8GB RAM, and 256GB HDD like the previous model. But it’s loaded up with the latest 9th Generation i7 processor from Intel: a whopping 6-core, 12-thread 9th Generation i7 9750H with Intel Turbo Boost technology. Turbo Boost dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom. So you’ll get a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

The HP Gaming Pavilion 15 (dk0030nr) also features a discrete NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card with 6GB of dedicated GDDR6 video memory and Max-Q design. NVIDIA Max-Q helps get the maximum GPU performance from the thinnest-possible designs, so the GPU consumes less power, producing less heat and lower temperatures, reducing the number of times that fans need to spin which, in turn, results in a quieter laptop.

The GTX 1660 Ti is also built with the breakthrough graphics performance of the award-winning NVIDIA Turing™ architecture. Turing is currently the world’s most advanced GPU architecture and the first GPU that’s capable of real-time ray tracing improving performance considerably more than previous generations with improved graphics capabilities and new programmable shading technologies.

And with a battery life of up to 6 hours and 15 minutes, as well as up to 4 hours and 30 minutes of video playback battery life, you can easily game for extended sessions.

3. HP PAVILION 17T GAMING LAPTOP

Another budget choice in the HP Pavilion gaming line is the HP Pavilion gaming laptop 17t. Just like the HP Pavilion 15t, this thin and powerful gaming laptop offers solid processing power and high-grade graphics for gaming and multi-tasking. It’s got a high-performance 9th Generation Intel Core i5 9300H processor with 4 cores, 8GB of RAM, a 3GB GTX 1050 graphics card, and a 256GB PCIe SSD hard drive.

The HP Pavilion 17t gaming laptop offers a large viewing area with a 17.3-inch diagonal FHD 60 Hz IPS anti-glare, narrow bezel, and WLED-backlit display. And with a full-size island-style backlit keyboard with numeric keypad that’s optimized for gaming, you’ll experience tactile feedback and exceptional control. It comes standard in acid green on shadow black, or you can choose ghost-white backlighting for only $10 more.

The HP Pavilion 17t gaming laptop features an HP Wide Vision HD camera with integrated dual-array digital microphone. Its 88-degree, wide-angle field of view lets you video chat in superb detail with fellow gamers, family members, or colleagues.

4. HP GAMING PAVILION 17-INCH LAPTOP

To add high-performance and graphics processing power in the same footprint, look no further than the HP Gaming Pavilion 17-inch. Like the preceding model, this laptop also features a 17.3-inch diagonal FHD IPS display, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB HDD. This one, however, is decked out with some very powerful technologies: a CPU consisting of the hexa-core Intel i7 9750H and a GPU comprising the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with 6GB of video RAM.

Play those triple-A (AAA) games for even longer sessions with a battery that lasts up to 8 hours and 45 minutes. And your video playback capabilities will be just as impressive: enjoy up to 7 hours for your gaming or entertainment - or working - pleasure.

HP Pavilion 15 review

HP Pavilion 15 laptop series consists of stylish powerhouses that are slim enough to take anywhere, yet robust enough to help you balance work and play throughout your day. They feature a variety of advanced graphics and processors. Choose between a trio of graphics card options that include AMD Radeon Vega 8, Intel UHD 620, or the NVIDIA GeForce MX250. And CPUs start with the powerful 8th Generation Intel Core i5 processors all the way up to the i7 and equally powerful AMD Ryzen 5 processors.

The line offers serious power at surprisingly affordable price points. It also boasts a modern design with a smooth all-metal finish that gives these laptops a sharp, polished look from the elevated keyboard to the slim profile. They’re available in multiple color options. Dual HP Speakers, HP Audio Boost, and tuning by B&O PLAY also guarantee that each model can provide a rich, vibrant media experience.

If you’re working on-the-go, then the HP Pavilion 15 is ideal since it can run for up to 9 hours with lighter configurations, and more than 7 hours for higher-powered builds. It can also recharge up to 50% of its battery life in only 30 minutes.

5. HP PAVILION 15T LAPTOP

The HP Pavilion 15t laptop is a budget-friendy, but solidly performing, laptop with a quad-core 8th Generation i5-8265U, Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU, 4GB RAM, and 1TB of HDD storage with 16GB Intel Optane™ memory. Intel Optane creates a bridge between DRAM and storage to deliver an intelligent, amazingly responsive computing experience.

Its 15.6-inch diagonal FHD IPS BrightView WLED-backlit display gives you the perfect surface area for your activities which you can take advantage of if you’re out and about thanks to a nice long battery life of up to 9 hours and a weight of only 4.69 lbs.

Stylish as well as functional, the HP Pavilion 15t features an elevated, full-size, island-style keyboard in natural silver and an HP Wide Vision HD Camera with dual array digital microphone in mineral silver.

6. HP PAVILION 15T TOUCH LAPTOP

The HP Pavilion 15t touch offers more performance with a quad-core i7-8565U with up to 4 GHz and 8MB cache combined with Intel UHD Graphics 620 or up to NVIDIA GeForce MX250 with 4GB GDDR5 video memory. It’s outfitted with 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD storage, and 16GB Intel Optane memory. This 15.6-inch diagonal HD display SVA BrightView display is a WLED backlit touch screen so you can conveniently control your laptop right from the screen.

It comes standard in mineral silver, but offers a number of other color options for only a few dollars more including Ceramic White plus Natural Silver, Velvet Burgundy, Fog Blue, or Warm Gold.

7. HP PAVILION 15Z LAPTOP

The HP Pavilion 15z laptop provides performance features with a quad-core AMD Ryzen 5 2500U processor combined with an AMD Radeon Vega 8, one of AMD's high-end graphics cards. It also has 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage. This laptop features a 15.6-inch diagonal HD SVA BrightView micro-edge WLED-backlit touch screen display for a rich and immersive experience with a weight of only 4.27 lbs, but the same extended battery life of up to 9 hours as the 15t.

HP Pavilion x360 review

The HP Pavilion x360 is more than just your typical notebook. HP Pavilion’s x360 series laptops blur the line between laptop and tablet with a blend of portability and immersive multimedia features.

UNIQUE 360-DEGREE HINGE WITH FOUR MODES

With an innovatively engineered, detachable, and easily adjustable hinge that rotates 360-degrees, you can cycle between four convenient, distinct viewing modes to take on any kind of work or entertainment. The four modes include:

• Laptop - the default mode that’s perfect for a traditional working/gaming experience and getting the job done anytime, anywhere
• Tablet - detach your display so that you have the freedom and movement to read comfortably or get creative with your optional HP Pen
• Stand - fold back the keyboard as a stand and go hands-free to focus on your full screen and watch (or even binge) your favorite movies or TV shows from anywhere
• Tent - optimize for touch screen use, gaming, and audio by folding over the laptop, and impress your clients or colleagues by giving a presentation from anywhere

Change modes as often as you like without having to worry about the lifespan of those critical hinges. Each HP Pavilion x360 is tested across tens of thousands of openings, closings, and adjustments. And each hinge is enclosed in metal to protect against the elements and particulate damage for outdoor uses.

POWER AND PERFORMANCE

Each HP Pavilion x360 is equipped with the processing power, performance, and portability that lets you do more with less. They feature up to 8th Generation Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors along with discrete graphics options from both NVIDIA GeForce and AMD Radeon. They offer up to 12GB DDR4 of RAM, up to 2TB HDD, and up to 512GB PCIe SSD storage.

PORTABILITY

The HP Pavilion x360 offers up to 10 hours and 45 minutes of long-lasting battery life, weighs no more than 4.25 lbs, and is less than 1-inch thin. This means you can take it wherever you’re working or playing; at home, in the office, or on-the-go.

8. HP PAVILION X360 11-INCH LAPTOP

The HP Pavilion x360 11-inch convertible laptop packs a punch in a small, light footprint of only 0.66-inches thin and 2.66 lbs. It provides up to 2.7 GHz of processing power with a quad-core Intel Pentium Silver N5000 processor and an integrated GPU of Intel UHD Graphics 605, 4GB of RAM, and fast SSD storage of up to 128GB. The thin bezel design lets you see more of your photos and videos on the screen, and up to 10 hours and 45 minutes of battery, as well as up to 8 hours and 45 minutes of WiFi streaming, helps keep you productive or entertained wherever you are.

9. HP PAVILION X360 14T LAPTOP

The HP Pavilion x360 laptop - 14t is a compact 14-inch model that’s the ultimate balance of portability and power. At only 3.5 lbs and 0.78-inches thin, it’s still powerful boasting from an 8th Generation dual-core i3 8145U processor up to a 4.6 GHz quad-core i7 8565U, and Intel UHD Graphics 630 up to an NVIDIA GeForce MX250. It also offers 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD storage, with a long battery life of up to 10 hours and 30 minutes.

The 3-sided micro-edge display allows you to see more of your screen in crystal-clear FHD resolution. And a new hourglass shape, 360-degree hinge, and optional fingerprint reader lets you open your laptop quickly and effortlessly from all three sides. The HP Pavilion x360 14t also comes with a full-sized island-style keyboard to provide a desktop-like experience anytime, anywhere.

10. HP PAVILION X360 15-INCH LAPTOP

The HP Pavilion x360 15-inch laptop gives you additional screen real estate to complement your workflow even more. Its 15.6-inch diagonal micro-edge WLED-backlit HD touch screen lets you swipe, pinch, and zoom to intuitively control your PC right from the screen. With its 360-degree hinge, you can easily find the perfect position to work, write, watch, or play.

It features 8GB RAM, with 1TB SATA and 128GB SSD for a dual-storage configuration. Including both a traditional hard drive and an SSD drive for the operating system gives you the benefits of two worlds: larger storage capacity, fast boot-up times, and quick responsiveness.

It also has a powerful quad-core i5 8265U with a 1.6 GHz base frequency and up to 3.9 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology and 6MB cache. You’ll be equipped for an exceptional PC experience with upgraded performance, smooth responsiveness, and fast load times.

An Intel UHD Graphics 620 graphics card helps you stream content easily (or create your own) and play your favorite games. And a long battery life of up to 8 hours and 30 minutes will keep you playing, or working, when you need it most. At only 4.33 lbs, taking it with you wherever you go won’t be too difficult.

Customizations and add-ons

The HP Pavilion laptop line lets you pick and choose from a variety of flexible specs, customizations, and add-ons that include basic builds for your everyday tasks up to more elaborate setups. So you can rest assured that there is a model that will work for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jolene Dobbin is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Jolene is an East Coast-based writer with experience creating strategic messaging, marketing, and sales content for companies in the high-tech industry.