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The 3 New HP Gaming Laptops that Will Keep You Playing
Dwight Pavlovic
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July 26, 2019
As new video games get better and better, it’s only right that we expect the same from new gaming laptops. The latest PC games demand more resources from your device, so it’s crucial that it can keep up with your gaming routine. Plus, it helps to save you from the headaches and delays associated with underpowered machines.
For many users, that means you should probably check out what’s available from new gaming laptops in 2019. While some will assume that a “gaming laptop” equates to a cumbersome and overpriced product, they’d be wrong. There are budget options, displays of all sizes, and of course premium, high-end tech to consider.
In this article, we’ll cover the features and performance of the following gaming machines:
1. HP Pavilion gaming laptop
2. HP OMEN 15 & 17 gaming laptop
3. HP OMEN X gaming laptop
What is a gaming laptop?
While the idea of a gaming laptop is simple to understand - a laptop designed with gaming in mind - defining this type of device takes a bit more work. So what are the qualities of a powerful gaming laptop?
Does it have a dedicated graphics card?
The best new gaming laptops should have an up-to-date processor and, almost always, a dedicated graphics card. Without dedicated graphics, laptops rely on less efficient integrated graphics. Whereas dedicated graphics cards are built with onboard memory, integrated graphics share memory and power from the same source as your processor.
How much RAM do you need?
How much RAM you’ll need for your gaming laptop depends on the rest of your routine. In addition to gaming, do you typically run lots of background software? RAM makes it easier for your PC to handle multiple processes at once, so more is better for power users. When shopping, only consider laptops with at least 8GB of RAM and prioritize models with 16GB or more.
Storage
Storage also depends on your routine. If you prefer a local storage solution and handle lots of large game files or applications, then you’ll want to start with at least 1TB. Some models will also offer highly responsive SSD or hybrid options, which provide more efficient storage than traditional HDD drives can supply on their own.
That being said, the HP gaming laptops in this article have extra room left for component upgrades. If you want to upgrade your graphics card, storage, and RAM down the line, you’ll be glad to know these devices are designed with expansion in mind.
Thermal regulation
It may not be included in all gaming laptops, but HP’s gaming selection features highly competitive thermal regulation features. There are heavy-duty fans and radiators, superior ventilation, and even liquid cooling to help reduce the stress on your laptop when you’re in the middle of hectic gameplay.
Designed for more than gamers
With great graphics and high-level specs, gaming laptops are great for other activities, too. They’re ideal for anyone in the design or media fields, from filmmakers and production editors to artists and creatives.
And when it comes to the look of your device, HP’s gaming laptops offer far more options to make it your own than the competition. For example, the HP Pavilion gaming laptop has two distinctive color options, while the HP OMEN series boasts a full range of customization features.
With all of these features in mind, let’s now take a deep dive into the three new HP gaming laptops that will keep you playing.
1. HP Pavilion gaming laptop
For users shopping on a budget but who still want access to a robust gaming PC, the HP Pavilion gaming laptop is a great first option for under $1,000. Configure yours into a powerful mid-range option for gaming and work, or start smaller for an unbeatable price. Whatever options you choose, you’ll get the same great media experience thanks to four speaker banks, HP Audio Boost, and tuning by B&O Play.
This is a seriously competitive PC for new gamers and a great starting point for anyone unfamiliar with dedicated gaming laptops. It’s also extremely portable. This laptop weighs less than 5 lbs, measures 1 inch thick, and has a full range of connection ports including a USB 3.1 Type-C™.
Robust hardware specs
Starting with your choice of an 8th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 or i7 processor, your gaming experience is rendered in high-detail with up to the NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon™ RX 560X graphics card. Both are great, but the NVIDIA can boast Max-Q compliant design that meets the industry’s highest standards of efficiency for thin gaming laptops.
They’re also designed to support a more stable and efficient hybrid storage solution with more than 2TB of HDD and SSD storage options. You’ll also find up to 16GB of RAM and an optional efficiency boost with 16GB PCIe® NVMe™ Intel Optane™ Memory for storage optimization. You’ll enjoy quicker boot-up and loading times for the latest games and the rest of your software.
Striking color options
If you want your laptop to look as good as the games you’re playing, you’ll love the three color LED backlighting options for this HP Pavilion. You can choose from Acid Green, Ghost White, and Ultra Violet. All have matching accents to provide a distinctive finish and easy visibility in low-light environments.
Energy efficiency
The HP Pavilion gaming laptop is the first entry on our list to highlight that a gaming laptop doesn’t equate to “power hog.” With ENERGY STAR® certification and an EPEAT® Silver rating, this laptop has a modest environmental footprint.
2. HP OMEN 15 & 17 laptop
The main gaming lines of HP OMEN 15 or 17 laptops is the workhorse of the bunch and it’s available with either a 15.6-inch or 17.3-inch display. Choose a 4K display for the best possible detail and clarity with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, IPS anti-glare, and WLED backlighting. This HP OMEN is also energy efficient, maintaining both ENERGY STAR certification and an EPEAT Silver rating.
If you need something eminently portable, you’ll want to choose the 15.6-inch model that weighs just 5.26 lbs and measures 14.17 x 10.35 x 1.02 inches. But if screen real estate is a priority, go with the 17.3-inch option. It measures 16.65 x 11.97 x 1.3 inches and weighs in at 8.33 lbs. Still, both are surprisingly compact and comfortable, and they feature a full bank of connection ports.
Superior graphics cards options
The HP OMEN 15 and 17 laptops offer a big graphics boost right out of the box, with up to NVIDIA GeForce GTX™ 1070 or AMD Radeon RX 580 Graphics available. Created with high-speed FinFET technology and support for DirectX, the NVIDIA and AMD cards are both powerhouse options. DirectX is a robust development interface that helps developers make the most immersive, realistic experiences possible. Expect great resolution and smooth frame rates with every title.
Whichever graphics card you choose, your device will deliver extremely detailed, high-clarity graphics with more efficient power consumption than older models. Both the NVIDIA and AMD Radeon graphics cards were developed with the emerging world of virtual reality in mind, too, so you can be ready for the future of entertainment.
Even more hardware potential
The higher-tier HP OMEN laptop options offer a lot of performance hardware potential. You’ll start with an 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor and then load it up. You can include up to 32GB of RAM and more than two 2TB of storage when you select the efficient, hybrid setup. Some even allow you to add 16GB of Intel Optane Memory for storage acceleration.
Intensely gamer friendly
With the HP OMEN 15 and 17 laptops, you can customize your keyboard backlighting, from a single color to the entire rainbow. You’ll also find the WASD keys highlighted for visibility with features like anti-ghosting and independent macro keys available for the 17.3-inch model. You can even prioritize your network traffic, all via the HP OMEN Command Center.
These laptops are designed for upgrades, too, thanks to easily accessible innards. Do you need to boost your storage or RAM capacity to keep up with more demanding titles? You won’t struggle at all thanks to a single entry panel that’s simple to open and close.
3. HP OMEN X gaming laptop
Occupying the top spot on our list of the latest HP gaming laptops, the HP OMEN X gaming laptop delivers great specs and the most comprehensive perks for gamers that we’ll cover. It also stands out as the series’ first laptop that can be overclocked via the HP OMEN Command Center.
It boasts upgraded ventilation, an optional integrated vapor chamber, and four supersized radiators for when things really heat up. In addition to being protected against overheating, you’ll avoid all the risks that come with it, including damaged hardware and software errors.
Optional 4K display plus NVIDIA G-Sync technology
If you want to save at checkout, you can choose the HP OMEN X with a Full High Definition (FHD) display. It has a 120 Hz refresh rate, 1920 x 1080 pixel native resolution, IPS anti-glare, and WLED backlighting. Or you can move up to the best quality available with the 4K display.
The HP OMEN X also features NVIDIA G-Sync technology, a performance display system that dramatically cuts down on errors like display stutter, screen tearing, and lag. It works by syncing your display and GPU, making for more seamless and consistent delivery even with the most demanding triple-A (AAA) games.
With NVIDIA G-Sync and 4K on your side, you’ll enjoy the best possible detail during your next gaming session.
Loaded with great gaming features
The HP OMEN X laptop features tons of other details tailored to gamers. You’ll hear everything with the utmost clarity thanks to HP Audio Boost and tuning by Bang & Olufsen, especially when you pair your laptop with the right gaming headset.
You can customize your HP OMEN, too, with its signature customizable color schemes across eight different areas. That includes the mechanical keyboard with independent macro keys and N-key rollover, designed for comfort and inspired by the growing world of competitive gaming. You’ll also have access to HP OMEN’s Network Booster feature from the intuitive HP OMEN Command Center.
Premium hardware and storage options
Built around a quad-core 7th Generation Intel Core i7 processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, the laptop also features 32GB of memory. For storage, there’s a range of options from traditional HDD to the latest SSD. You can even combine both for a fast and stable hybrid option or upgrade to RAID 0 SSD. Optimized for speed, RAID 0 SSD uses two separate drives to improve response times.
Fast to charge and energy efficient
Most gaming laptops take a big hit on battery life from demanding displays, but the HP OMEN X stacks up well in this regard. The standard FHD setup can deliver as many as 5 hours and 45 minutes of life, plus you can take advantage of HP Fast Charge for up to a 50% charge in just 30 minutes.
Like the other models we talked about in this article, the HP OMEN X laptop is also ENERGY STAR certified and has an EPEAT Silver rating.
In summary
As you can tell from this stellar selection of laptops, it has never been a better time for gamers on-the-go. There are options available for different budgets, styles, and tastes, and they can all keep you playing the latest titles as they’re released. And for those times when you need some extra power, you can even easily upgrade some of the laptops on our list to make sure you can stay in the game.
About the Author: Dwight Pavlovic is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Dwight is a music and technology writer based out of West Virginia.
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