5 Best HP Laptops to Give as Gifts
The holidays are almost here, and it’s time to find the right gift for everyone on your shopping list. Laptops are an ideal choice, because almost everyone needs to stay connected and get more done, even when away from home. Picking the right laptop model doesn’t even require you to know how the person will use it; although, it’s helpful.
Whether you’re giving to a gamer, a professional who needs to telecommute, or the next YouTube star, these 5 best HP laptops can help you bring more joy to the season. Check out this list of top HP laptops to give as gifts.
Be sure to check out our HP Holiday Gift Guide for deals on tech gifts and more this season. You’ll find everything from budget-friendly and family gifts to tech stocking stuffers and this year’s top holiday gifts. With our holiday gifts guide, you’re sure to find something for anyone – and at any price point, whether it’s desktops, laptops, printers, PC accessories, gaming gear, and more.
Who are you buying for? Know your laptops
The biggest factor when buying a laptop is knowing who it’s for. Is your spouse a videographer who needs a mobile workstation? Or is your son a remote worker who needs a durable, light machine for balancing in-office tasks with at-home Zoom meetings? Whoever you’re shopping for, it’s important to think about how they’ll use their laptop before you make a purchase.
Consider the following specs as you shop:
- Processing speed
- Graphics
- Screen size and touchscreen capability
- Ports and accessory options
- Weight
- Battery life
- Durability
Some laptops also fold into a tablet mode so you can use them for tasks like drawing and note-taking in class. Others are more like traditional laptops with full-sized keyboards and sturdier cases, which allows for mobile productivity in airports and hotels.
If you are having a hard time choosing between them, you don’t have to worry. The laptops on this list fit multiple tech personalities.
HP laptop gift guide
HP laptops are trustworthy for a number of reasons. Known as the world’s most secure laptops, they’re built tough-to-crack with layers of protection. Then there are the jam-packed integrated features. You can choose 2-in-1 laptops that work as traditional work machines, as tablets, or in tent or stand modes for easy binge-watching or gaming. You can also pick from dozens of convertible or traditional HP laptops with powerful Intel® Core™ processors, Bang & Olufsen audio, and dedicated Intel HD Graphics cards.
1. HP laptop (17t-cn200) - best laptop for students
More and more kids use their laptops for everything from streaming the latest Netflix series to creating a PowerPoint presentation for history class. This is why many gravitate to laptops with a larger screen and high-performing processors, all while working with a student’s budget.
The HP Laptop (17t-cn200) fits that bill and then some. It offers many of the features adults would want in a PC, but at a mid-range price tag that makes it an incredible value.
The perks start with the laptop’s lift-hinge, which allows your student to enjoy a more natural position when typing on the full-size keyboard with an enlarged clickpad. This ensures they can spend hours getting their best work done before retiring in the evening to enjoy the 17.3-inch screen (upgradable to Full High Definition).
On the inside, this laptop boasts a fast Intel Core i5-1235U processor, Intel Iris® Xe Graphics, and 8GB of RAM. It will have no problem tackling multiple programs at once, and the 256GB of SSD storage is nothing to sneeze at, either. Choose between the Natural Silver or Jet Black case to match your student’s personality, and be sure to tell them about the HP Fast Charge technology. It gets the battery back to a 50% charge in around 45 minutes.
2. HP Pavilion x360 laptop - best laptop for young adults
Those entering college or the workforce need a rugged option that can keep up with their lifestyle and provide some perks, too. That’s exactly what young adults will get with the HP Pavilion x360 convertible laptop. It doubles as a slim, flexible workstation that flips from a traditional laptop, into a tablet, and much more.
This HP Pavilion x360 rocks an Intel Core i5-1235U and Intel Iris Xe Graphics, which can handle quite a bit of the gaming and entertainment needs of this generation. It also comes with Bang & Olufsen speakers, a notable upgrade from standard audio options, to bring vibrance to movies and video chats.
This PC is customizable, too, so you can boost the memory, storage, and wireless technology based on your loved one’s needs. Even with the starting specs, it runs seamlessly with new Windows 11 OS features. Certain configurations also include the HP Rechargeable MPP2.0 tilt pen, ideal for note taking or illustrating in tablet mode.
3. HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 laptop - favorite laptop for office pros
The HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 is another standout convertible laptop, and it also comes with an HP pen. This device allows you to flip it from tablet to laptop mode in seconds, all while using it in a variety of ways. Where this HP ENVY shines, though, is in its performance for business professionals.
It starts with an Intel Core i7-1355U processor and 16GB of RAM, but you can also customize this gift so that it’s just the right device for that special someone. Want more storage? Upgrade to a beefy 512GB SSD. Need a pen to bring your notes or drawings to life? This ENVY x360 also comes with the HP USB-C Rechargeable MPP2.0 Tilt Natural Silver Pen.
The HP Pallette toolkit makes it easy to share important documents with coworkers without ever writing an email, and the enhanced 5MP IR webcam provides brighter, better resolution with privacy shutter and noise-blocking functions, too. Whether your loved one works at home or in the office, this is gift will help them stay productive in any environment.
4. HP OMEN (16t-wf000) gaming laptop - best laptop for gamers
No holiday would be complete without games, and for the PC gamers on your list, you can’t go wrong with the loaded features of the OMEN Gaming Laptop (16t-wf000). With the slim, lightweight portability of this powerful gaming rig, your loved one may never go back to the bulk of a desktop machine again.
It boasts the Intel Core i7-13700HX processor and a speedy 512GB SSD, which is plenty of room to store even some of the biggest titles. The OMEN Tempest Cooling system keeps everything running at the right temperature, and the large 16.1-inch screen delivers an immersive experience. Marathon players will appreciate the TUV Eysafe Low Blue Light tech to reduce eye strain and make long raid sessions much more enjoyable.
Between the additional ports for external drives or accessories and the multiple customization options, every type of gamer can benefit from this thoughtful gift.
5. HP ENVY Laptop (17t-cw000) - best laptop for creatives
There are so many ways to express yourself on a PC today, including 3D printing, graphic design, illustration, and video editing. With the HP ENVY 17t-cw000 as a holiday gift, your loved one will see fewer limits when they bring their best ideas to life.
You can customize just about everything with this laptop, including RAM and storage, to ensure your creative gets the laptop they want. Highlights include the Intel Core i7-13700H processor with Intel Iris Xe Graphics and the incredible 512GB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD.
With Windows 11 helping to keep everything organized and secure, hobbyists and professionals alike can spend more time creating and less time worrying about the details. This laptop also comes with a 17.3-inch color-calibrated display, which can bring every creative endeavor to life in grand detail.
Bonus: HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop (14t-ef200) - best laptop for home
For that person on your gift-giving list who goes between home and the office, there's the HP Spectre x360 laptop. This 2-in-1 laptop truly shines as a hybrid work powerhouse or home-use laptop. With its 13th Generation Intel Core i5 processor, multitasking is a breeze, whether the task at hand involves spreadsheets or homework. With 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage, there's plenty of room and power for anything work or home life demands.
This Spectre x360 can also be customized to up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage, just in case the need for more computing power arises.
And with its 2-in-1 form factor, it's as adaptable as it is sleek. Work shines on its 13.5-inch diagonal, WUXGA+ (1920 x 1280) display, and with the included HP Rechargeable MPP2.0 Tilt Pen, notes and graphics come to life.
Bonus: HP Spectre Foldable (17-cs0097nr): Best new laptop innovation
The Spectre Foldable Laptop is HP's first 3-in-1 laptop, seamlessly allowing you to switch between laptop, tablet, and desktop, or even a laptop with an extended screen. This highly versatile laptop can take whatever form you need in the setting you're in at a moment's notice. It's loaded with a 12th Generation Intel Core i7 processor and Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and a 2.5K touch screen display. It also includes an HP Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen in the box to help you bring your creations to life.
The Spectre Foldable has a healthy battery life of up to 12 hours and 30 minutes in foldable mode, and up to 11 hours and 45 minutes in detachable mode. It also supports fast charging of 50% in about 45 minutes for a quick bit of power if you're on the go.
It's also loaded with AI features, like walk away screen lock and screen wake on walk up, privacy alerts when others are detected around your screen, screen distance and screen time reminders, and auto screen dimming. And you'll feel even better using the Spectre Foldable, as it's made with 50% recycled plastics and 90% recycled metals.
HP laptop accessories gifts
While your loved one should have everything they need to use their laptop right out of the box, you can help them get the most from their tech with some additional gear. From sleek backpacks and gaming headsets to a comfortable wireless mouse, you’ll find just what you need in the HP accessory shop.
The best laptop gifts keep on giving
The best part of giving a laptop as a gift is that it keeps rolling out the joy and functionality for years to come. The best HP gift laptop to buy depends on who you’re buying for. Our list has the best choice for grandparents, high school or college students, moms, dads, and better halves. Anyone who wants to connect, create, or commute can enjoy a fresh start in the new year with HP’s cutting-edge tech.
