I found power and value in this HP gaming laptop, but it left me wanting more

Price When Reviewed

$3,339.99

Best Prices Today: HP Omen Max 16

$2799.99

$2799.99

$3339.99

The near-simultaneous look of recent Intel Core Ultra 9 processors and Nvidia RTX 5080 cellular graphics has led to a burst of mid- to high-end gaming laptops with extraordinarily succesful {hardware}. The HP Omen Max 16 is amongst these, and whereas it performs about in addition to its friends, it additionally struggles to set itself aside on pricing and design.

HP Omen Max 16: Specs and options

The core of the HP Omen Max 16 is the one-two punch of an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and Nvidia RTX 5080 cellular graphics. Both chips are new and ship glorious all-around efficiency of their respective classes.

• Model quantity: 16-ah0043dx
• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
• Memory: 32GB DDR5-5600
• Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 5080 (Max 175W with Dynamic Boost)
• NPU: Intel AI Boost as much as 13 TOPS
• Display: 16-inch 2560×1600 240Hz OLED with HDR
• Storage: 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD
• Webcam: 1080p 30fps digital camera with Windows Hello help
• Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 with USB-C and Power Delivery, 2x USB Type-A (10Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack
• Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
• Biometrics: Facial recognition
• Battery capability: 83 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 14.04 x 10.59 x 0.98
• Weight: 6.1 kilos
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home
• Additional options: HyperX wi-fi connectivity
• Price: $3,339.99 MSRP

CPU and GPU apart, the HP Omen Max 16’s specification sheet is typical. The mannequin I reviewed had a 16-inch show with 2560×1600 decision, 32GB of reminiscence, and a 2TB PCIe 4.0 strong state drive.

Connectivity is the one place the place HP deviates from the norm, because the Omen Max 16 has two Thunderbolt 4 ports (some rivals have only one). It additionally has a HyperX wi-fi adapter for immediate pairing with HyperX gaming {hardware}, which is a distinct segment characteristic however probably helpful, as HyperX gaming peripherals are sometimes quite good.

The HP Omen Max 16 I reviewed was priced at an MSRP of $3,339.99 at Best Buy, although it was diminished to $3,139.99 on the time I wrote this overview. That’s costly, however on the inexpensive aspect for this caliber of {hardware}.

HP Omen Max 16: Design and construct high quality

IDG / Matthew Smith

If imitation is the best type of flattery, Alienware is little question blushing. HP’s Omen lineup has steadily morphed into one thing that appears very like older Alienware laptops. With the Omen Max 16, the inspiration comes throughout within the availability of black and white colorways, the easy traces with rounded corners, and, most notably, the same alternative of font used within the laptop computer’s “O16” badging.

However, the Omen Max 16 isn’t as extravagant as a typical Alienware machine. While the Omen Max 16 affords a customizable RGB-LED lightbar throughout the entrance, in addition to an RGB-LED keyboard, the badging throughout the laptop computer’s exterior is quite tame. The Shadow Black colorway is especially stealthy, as HP’s alternative of matte black supplies comes throughout as uninteresting. Many rivals have their very own prospers: the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 has a white LED display on its lid, for instance.

That leaves the Omen Max 16’s design in a troublesome spot. It’s not unattractive, but it surely’s the least alluring of the brand new RTX 5080-powered gaming laptops PC World has reviewed to this point.

On the plus aspect, HP hasn’t lower corners on construct high quality. The laptop computer chassis doesn’t permit a lot flex when picked up from one nook, and the supplies don’t groan or creak. Opening and shutting the laptop computer reveals solely slight flex within the show, and the keyboard additionally resists flex except particularly abused. Competitors like Alienware, Lenovo, and Asus present strong construct high quality on this value bracket, too, however the Omen Max 16 is a minimum of their peer.

HP Omen Max 16: Keyboard, trackpad

IDG / Matthew Smith

The HP Omen Max 16’s keyboard, very like the remainder of its design, doesn’t seem like a lot, particularly when the RGB-LED backlight isn’t in use. This is generally because of the keycaps, which have a quite old style bevel.

However, the Omen Max 16 strikes again in typing really feel. The laptop computer affords good key journey and a agency, tactile bottoming motion with a definite scissor-switch slap. The Omen Max 16 isn’t going to match a mechanical keyboard, in fact, but it surely feels crisp.

While the keyboard didn’t strike me as enticing, the customizable RGB-LED backlight helps alleviate that downside. It’s extraordinarily vivid and vibrant, because the keycaps have clear edges that permit important mild by way of. The keyboard can also be straightforward to customise by way of HP’s Omen Light Studio software program.

The touchpad is much less spectacular. It feels responsive however solely measures roughly 5 inches extensive and three inches deep. That’s the minimal for a laptop computer. A few rivals, just like the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 and Razer’s Blade 16, supply a a lot bigger touchpad floor.

HP Omen Max 16: Display, audio

IDG / Matthew Smith

Display high quality is a perk for the HP Omen Max 16, although provided that you spring for the top-shelf 16-inch OLED show. It has a decision of 2560×1600, a most refresh price of 240Hz, and helps variable refresh charges between 48Hz and 240Hz.

Going OLED has its strengths and weaknesses. OLED shows are sometimes shiny, which might make glare a problem, and never as vivid because the Mini-LED shows discovered on rivals just like the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16.

On the opposite hand, OLED supplies top-tier distinction, shade gamut, and movement readability which are tough to beat at any value. These benefits are nicely suited to a gaming laptop computer, so I desire the HP’s OLED show over options with an IPS Mini-LED or IPS LCD show.

The OLED show additionally helps HDR when the laptop computer is plugged into an outlet. It’s not going to match the HDR brightness of recent desktop OLED screens, but it surely’s not dangerous and appears vibrant sufficient to assist HDR video games pop.

The HP Omen Max 16’s audio system sound balanced at decrease volumes however start to sound shrill as the amount is elevated. They’re wonderful for chill background beats or video games that lean much less on immersive audio, however you’ll need desktop audio system or a headset for something extra acoustically demanding. This is an space the place the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 has a big benefit, because it has a robust, crisp sound system.

HP Omen Max 16: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

HP ships the Omen Max 16 with a 1080p webcam and twin microphone array. Neither stands out, however each do the job. You can anticipate the webcam to ship sharp, colourful video, and the microphone array will choose up your voice with loads of quantity.

The Omen Max 16 additionally has an IR digital camera for Windows Hello facial recognition. Most aggressive laptops help this characteristic, too, but it surely’s at all times good to see. Facial recognition was quick and dependable in my testing, which, once more, can also be true of aggressive laptops. A bodily privateness shutter is included, too, to impede the webcam when desired.

HP Omen Max 16: Connectivity

IDG / Matthew Smith

You’ll discover a wholesome choice of ports alongside the HP Omen Max 16’s flanks.

A pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, each of which help USB-C, are discovered on the left flank and joined by the 3.5mm combo headphone/microphone jack. The proper flank has a single USB-A port. Another USB-A port is discovered on the rear, alongside HDMI 2.1 and a pair of.5Gbps Ethernet. The laptop computer additionally has a barrel plug energy adapter on the rear, which connects to the included 330-watt energy brick.

This is an effective choice of ports for a contemporary gaming laptop computer. I additionally like that some ports are discovered on the rear of the laptop computer, which makes cable administration simpler. Helpfully, two of the three ports are these you’re most definitely to make use of (HDMI and Ethernet) if the laptop computer spends quite a lot of time on a desk.

The Thunderbolt 4 ports additionally help USB-C energy supply. HP’s specs don’t state the quantity of energy accessible, but it surely’s irrelevant, because the laptop computer’s most energy draw probably exceeds what USB-C may present. Still, it’s good to have USB-C as a secondary possibility for charging the laptop computer in case you occur to overlook the brick.

Like most new laptops offered in 2025, the HP Omen Max 16 helps Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. But right here’s a twist: the laptop computer additionally helps prompt wi-fi pairing with HyperX units. I didn’t have a suitable HyperX machine readily available to check this characteristic, nonetheless.

HP Omen Max 16: Performance

The {hardware} contained in the HP Omen Max 16 I reviewed is much like aggressive laptops PC World has just lately reviewed, which incorporates the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16, and the MSI Raider 18 HX AI. It pairs an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor with an Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU. The Omen Max 16 additionally had 32GB of DDR5 reminiscence and 2TB of PCIe strong state storage.

IDG / Matthew Smith

We kick issues off with PCMark 10, a holistic system benchmark. Here, the Omen Max 16 reached a strong rating of 8,321. That is in the direction of the decrease finish of the aggressive Intel Core Ultra 9 / Nvidia RTX 5080 laptops we’ve got just lately reviewed, however the margin is so slim that it’s primarily a tie.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Handbrake is a closely multithreaded benchmark that sometimes has an extended length. The newest Intel Core Ultra 9 chips actually chew by way of it, nonetheless, and the HP Omen Max 16 is not any exception. It’s proper on par with most of its rivals. Only the MSI Raider 18 HX A2XW, which had the advantage of a bigger chassis and barely extra succesful Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processor, comes out forward of the pack.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Cinebench R23 is one other closely multi-threaded benchmark, albeit a extra trendy one, and it doesn’t change the HP Omen Max 16’s story. The Omen performs extraordinarily nicely right here with a rating of 33,224, but it surely’s not a lot totally different from its direct rivals. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16 is as soon as once more a tad faster than the HP and the bigger, costlier MSI Raider 18 HX A2XW takes a victory lap.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Moving on to graphics efficiency, the Omen Max 16 with RTX 5080 delivers 3DMark Time Spy and Port Royal outcomes which are proper in keeping with aggressive laptops. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16 is an general chief right here, however the HP Omen Max 16 does nicely.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Shadow of the Tomb Raider, nonetheless, was a weak level for the Omen Max 16. The laptop computer averaged 165 frames per second at 1080p decision with element set to highest and DLSS off. That’s notably behind the competitors, and the Omen Max 16’s first actual defeat.

IDG / Matthew Smith

But Tomb Raider might not be indicative of basic recreation efficiency, because the Omen Max 16 leapt again into the pack with the Metro Exodus benchmark. Here it averaged 89 frames per second at 1080p and Extreme element. Some rivals, just like the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16, have an edge right here. But others, just like the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16, find yourself tied with the Omen Max 16.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Last, however definitely not least, is Cyberpunk 2077. Here the Omen Max 16 averaged 143 frames per second at 1080p decision and the Ultra preset with DLSS/FSR/XeSS turned off. Turning the element as much as max with the Overdrive ray-traced preset vastly diminished efficiency to a median of simply 40 frames per second. Both outcomes are aggressive. The Omen Max 16 beats the Asus ROG Strix Scar, however falls behind the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16.

Remember, that is with DLSS set to off. Higher element presets, resembling Cyberpunk 2077’s Overdrive preset, profit vastly from DLSS picture upscaling and body era. Engaging these options elevated efficiency from 40 to as excessive as 178 frames per second.

The HP Omen Max 16’s general efficiency is exactly what I anticipated. It’s similar to different laptops examined with an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and Nvidia RTX 5080 graphics. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16 is mostly a bit faster, and the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 is a tad slower, however the margins are sometimes slim. This finally works out barely in HP’s favor, nonetheless, as a result of it’s a bit inexpensive than its rivals.

HP Omen Max 16: Battery life & portability

The HP Omen Max 16 has an 83-watt-hour battery, which is in the direction of the smaller aspect for a high-end gaming laptop computer. However, the laptop computer additionally supplies Nvidia Optimus graphics, which might enhance battery life by disengaging the discrete GPU when its efficiency isn’t required.

IDG / Matthew Smith

This does present some profit. The HP Omen Max 16 endured our battery take a look at, which loops a 1080p file of the brief movie Tears of Steel, for roughly 5 and a half hours. That’s longer than the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 and MSI Raider 18 AI HX, however not so long as the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16.

In any case, 5 to 6 hours of battery life isn’t so much. The Omen Max 16 can also be a bit tough to pack at 6.1 kilos and practically an inch thick at its thickest level. Add within the 330-watt energy brick and also you’ll be hauling roughly eight kilos.

HP Omen Max 16: Conclusion

The HP Omen Max 16 is a succesful, although quite uninteresting, possibility within the extremely aggressive subject of mid to high-end gaming laptops with Nvidia RTX 50-series {hardware}. It supplies efficiency that’s broadly just like the options but lacks options that may assist it separate it from the pack. It doesn’t have the aptitude of the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 or the efficiency of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16.

Yet there’s one factor in regards to the HP Omen Max 16 that’s very enticing: the value. Listed at an MSRP of $3,339.99 and at present offered (and in inventory!) on Best Buy for $3,139.99, the Omen Max 16 is in the direction of the low finish of pricing for a 16-inch gaming laptop computer with an Intel Core Ultra 9 and RTX 5080. And, as talked about, it performs about in addition to its costlier friends. If it have been my cash, I’d go for the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16, which is extra enticing and has a couple of extras I desire, resembling a snug touchpad and high-quality speaker system. If you simply need good bang-for-your-buck and don’t sweat the small print, nonetheless, the HP Omen Max 16 is a strong choose.