The HP Omen 16 has historically been known for its affordable pricing, offering decent gaming performance without breaking the bank. The 2023 iteration aims to shed that budget image and compete with premium gaming laptops, boasting powerful components like the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS and Nvidia RTX 4070. While the performance upgrade is undeniable, the 2023 Omen 16 struggles to justify its elevated price tag, clinging to budget-oriented decisions that hinder its premium aspirations. Is it a worthwhile investment, or does it fall short of the competition?
The back of the HP Omen 16.
HP Omen 16 (2023): Specifications and Pricing
The review unit we tested featured the top-tier configuration: an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS, Nvidia RTX 4070, 16GB DDR5-5600 RAM, and a 512GB NVMe SSD. While HP lists this model for $1,620, retail prices hover around $1,850. This premium pricing is concerning considering the inclusion of a standard 1080p display and limited storage, features that are typically found in lower-priced laptops. Other configurations are available, starting at $1,200 for a Ryzen 7 7840HS and RTX 4060. A fully loaded model with a Ryzen 9 7940HS, RTX 4070, 32GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, and a 1440p 240Hz display reaches $2,090.
| Feature | HP Omen 16 (2023) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 14.53 x 10.21 x 0.93 inches |
| Weight | 5.23 pounds |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS |
| Graphics | Nvidia RTX 4070 (95W TGP) |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5-5600 |
| Display | 16.1-inch, 1080p IPS, 7ms response time, 165Hz |
| Storage | 512GB NVMe SSD |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Ports | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB-C (1x with Power Delivery), HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Webcam | 720p |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Battery | 83Whr |
| Price (as reviewed) | $1,850 |
Design and Build Quality
The Omen 16 adopts a subtle, understated design. The all-black chassis, accented by a silver Omen logo, avoids the flashy gamer aesthetic. Rounded corners and a slightly protruding rear section contribute to a premium look. However, the plastic construction feels hollow, and noticeable screen flex detracts from the overall build quality. While the laptop is relatively lightweight at 5.23 pounds, its 0.93-inch thickness makes it less portable than expected.
Port Selection
Ports on the HP Omen 16.
The Omen 16 excels in port selection and placement. The rear houses HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, the power jack, and a USB-A port, keeping bulky cables out of the way. Two USB-C ports (one with Power Delivery) and a headphone jack are located on the left side, while a single USB-A port sits on the right. This thoughtful arrangement enhances usability.
Keyboard and Trackpad
Keyboard on the HP Omen 16.
The keyboard offers decent key travel, but the mushy bottoming action feels less responsive than some competitors. The layout is also questionable, with separated arrow keys and a dedicated block for Insert, End, and Home keys. This feels inefficient on a 16-inch laptop lacking dedicated media controls or a number pad. The trackpad is adequately sized but could be larger, given the available space.
Display: A Disappointing 16:9 Panel
The MaagX website displayed on the HP Omen 16.
The 1080p 16:9 display is a major drawback. The thick bezels, especially the prominent bottom bezel with the Omen logo, give the laptop a dated appearance. While a 1440p 240Hz option is available for a slight premium, the 1080p panel’s limitations are hard to ignore, especially at this price point. Competitors offer superior 16:10 displays for less. The tested 1080p panel reached a peak brightness of 312 nits and has a 7ms response time, which is less than ideal for gaming.
CPU Performance: Inconsistent Results
Badges on the HP Omen 16.
The Ryzen 9 7940HS delivered inconsistent performance in our benchmarks. While it outperformed some competitors in Cinebench, it lagged behind in Geekbench and PugetBench. The fan noise also varied significantly between tests, suggesting thermal management issues. While the CPU performance wasn’t outright bad, it didn’t fully utilize the hardware’s potential.
| Benchmark | HP Omen 16 | Razer Blade 14 | Lenovo Legion Pro 5 | Lenovo Legion 9i |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench R23 (Single/Multi) | 1,778 / 18,229 | 1,791 / 14,305 | 1,750 / 16,939 | 2,041 / 27,301 |
| Cinebench R24 (Single/Multi/GPU) | 106 / 1,015 / 10,949 | N/A / N/A / 11,053 | N/A | 125 / 1,665 / 23,212 |
| Geekbench 6 (Single/Multi) | 2,616 / 11,435 | N/A | N/A | 2,959 / 17,367 |
| Geekbench 5 (Single/Multi) | 1,972 / 11,439 | 1,927 / 10,801 | 2,021 / 12,293 | N/A |
| Benchmark | HP Omen 16 | Alienware x14 R2 | Dell Inspiron 16 Plus |
|—|—|—|
| PugetBench Premiere Pro | 608 | 554 | 627 |
Gaming Performance: Loud but Not Leading
Forza Horizon 5 running on the HP Omen 16.
The RTX 4070 delivers competent gaming performance, but the Omen 16 consistently trailed behind similarly configured laptops, especially the Lenovo Legion Pro 5. While the performance was acceptable, the excessively loud fan noise was a constant distraction. This level of noise would be understandable in a high-end RTX 4090 laptop, but it’s unacceptable given the Omen 16’s performance relative to its competitors.
A comparison of the HP Omen 16 to other gaming laptops at 1080p.
3DMark Performance for the HP Omen 16 compared to other laptops.
Gaming performance for the HP Omen 16 across different power modes.
Battery Life and Bloatware
Battery life was underwhelming, clocking in at under five hours in our web browsing test. While this is typical for gaming laptops, competitors with similar hardware have demonstrated significantly better battery endurance. The Omen 16 is also burdened with excessive bloatware, including Dropbox, ExpressVPN, McAfee, and a plethora of HP utilities. This pre-installed software diminishes the user experience and requires significant time to remove.
Verdict: A Missed Opportunity
The 2023 HP Omen 16 attempts to transition into the premium gaming laptop market but falls short due to several key shortcomings. While the performance is adequate, the high price, subpar display, excessive fan noise, and bloatware hinder its appeal. Competitors offer better value and performance for the same or less money. The Omen 16 might be a worthwhile purchase if found at a significant discount, but at its current price, it’s difficult to recommend.
