The HP Omen Transcend 14 marks HP’s entry into the premium thin and light gaming laptop arena. While previous Omen laptops prioritized value, the Transcend 14 aims for a more refined experience, boasting a stunning OLED display and a competitive price against rivals like Asus and Razer. However, some questionable spec choices hinder its performance, leaving room for improvement in future iterations.
The back of the HP Omen Transcend 14.Image: The sleek, minimalist design of the HP Omen Transcend 14.
HP Omen Transcend 14: Specifications and Configurations
Unlike Asus and Razer, HP has opted for Intel’s Meteor Lake CPUs for the Omen Transcend 14. HP links CPU and GPU options, limiting customization. Both the RTX 4050 and 4060 configurations feature the Core Ultra 7 155H, a 16-core CPU boosting up to 4.8GHz. The RTX 4070 model upgrades to the Core Ultra 9 185H, also 16-core, but with a 5.1GHz boost and 32GB of soldered RAM, compared to 16GB in the other configurations.
HP’s choice of Intel over AMD raises questions regarding gaming performance. The soldered memory limitation, especially the 16GB on lower configurations, is a significant concern for longevity.
| Feature | HP Omen Transcend 14 (2024) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.32 x 9.19 x 0.67 inches |
| Weight | 3.6 pounds |
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (16 cores, 4.8GHz boost) |
| Graphics | Nvidia RTX 4060 (90W TGP) |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Display | 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED, 16:10, 120Hz |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E |
| Webcam | 1080p with Windows Hello |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Battery | 71 WHr |
| Price (as reviewed) | $1,700 |
Strangely, HP’s base model starts with a 512GB SSD, requiring a $90 upgrade for 1TB. Thankfully, retail configurations often include the 1TB drive. Across all models, the standout feature is the vibrant 2.8K OLED display, shared with the 2024 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14.
Pricing is competitive, with the RTX 4070 model at $2,000, matching the Zephyrus G14 and undercutting the Razer Blade 14 by $700. The RTX 4060 model is priced at $1,700, a $100 premium over a comparable Asus configuration.
Design and Build: A Sleek, Yet Familiar Aesthetic
Logo on the HP Omen Transcend 14.Image: The subtle Omen branding on the laptop lid.
The Omen Transcend 14 is arguably HP’s most visually appealing gaming laptop to date. Its rounded edges and sleek aluminum chassis evoke HP’s Spectre x360 line, giving it a more versatile, less “gamer-centric” appearance. While the aluminum build feels less premium than the Razer Blade 14, exhibiting some flex in the keyboard deck, the robust hinge inspires confidence in its durability.
Forza Horizon 5 running on the HP Omen Transcend 14.Image: Forza Horizon 5 showcasing the laptop’s gaming capabilities.
At 0.67 inches thick and 3.6 pounds, the Transcend 14 strikes a balance between portability and performance. It’s thinner than the Zephyrus G14 but slightly heavier. Compared to the Razer Blade 14 and Zephyrus G14, the Omen Transcend 14 occupies the middle ground in terms of size and weight, offering a reasonable compromise.
Port Selection and Layout
Side ports on the HP Omen Transcend 14.Image: A closer look at the side port selection.
Mirroring the Zephyrus G14, the Transcend 14 offers a practical port selection: HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm headphone jack, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and a Thunderbolt 4 port. Both USB-C ports support power delivery and DisplayPort, while the Thunderbolt 4 port also handles charging.
However, using a single USB-C port for charging, especially with a 140W charger, potentially limits performance, particularly for the RTX 4070 configuration. This bottleneck is similar to the Alienware x14 R2, hindering performance in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077.
Back ports on the HP Omen Transcend 14.Image: The rear ports, strategically placed for cable management.
HP’s thoughtful port placement, with the charging port and HDMI port located at the back, minimizes cable clutter. The remaining ports are well-distributed on the sides. While the selection and layout are commendable, the USB-C charging choice remains a concern for the higher-end configurations.
Keyboard and Touchpad: Functional, but Not Exceptional
Keyboard on the HP Omen Transcend 14.Image: The keyboard with its four-zone RGB lighting.
The Omen Transcend 14’s keyboard offers decent key travel but lacks the tactile feedback of the Razer Blade 14 or Zephyrus G14. While suitable for extended typing sessions, the mushy keystrokes detract from the overall experience. The four-zone RGB lighting, while visually appealing when illuminated, reveals its limitations with dynamic patterns, appearing less refined than per-key RGB. HP plans to release a per-key RGB version later.
Keyboard on the HP Omen Transcend 14.Image: The keyboard backlighting in action.
The spacious trackpad, while not as large as the Razer Blade 14’s, provides ample room for navigation. However, its excessive travel distance raises concerns about long-term durability.
Display: A Visual Masterpiece
OLED demo on the HP Omen Transcend 14.Image: Showcasing the vibrant colors of the OLED display.
The 2.8K (2880 x 1800) 120Hz OLED display is the highlight of the Omen Transcend 14, offering exceptional clarity and vibrant colors. With a pixel density exceeding 240 PPI, it rivals the sharpness of MacBook displays. Color accuracy is superb, covering 95% of AdobeRGB and 100% of DCI-P3, with a Delta E of just 0.84. Brightness is respectable, reaching 381 nits in SDR and peaking at 606 nits in HDR.
OLED demo on the HP Omen Transcend 14.Image: Another example of the stunning OLED display quality.
While this high resolution impacts performance, the visual experience is undeniably impressive.
CPU Performance: A Respectable Showing, but Trailing Behind AMD
The Core Ultra 7 155H performs adequately in the Omen Transcend 14, likely due to HP’s dynamic power allocation and Intel’s recent CPU updates. However, it still lags behind AMD’s Ryzen 9 processors in gaming laptops.
Multi-core performance for the Omen Transcend 14 in Cinebench R24.Image: Multi-core performance results from Cinebench R24.
Cinebench R24 results show the Ryzen 9 8945HS outperforming the Core Ultra 7 155H despite having fewer cores. The Omen Transcend 14 also exhibits some throttling, trailing behind the Alienware m16 R2 with the same CPU. Single-core performance is slightly below expectations but not significantly impactful.
Single core performance for the Omen Transcend 14 in Cinebench R24.Image: Single-core performance results from Cinebench R24.
In Premiere Pro, the Omen Transcend 14 performs well, nearly matching the Zephyrus G14 despite its less powerful GPU. In PCMark 10, it surpasses the Alienware m16 R2 with the same CPU.
Performance for the Omen Transcend 14 in Adobe Premiere Pro.Image: Performance results in Adobe Premiere Pro.
Performance for the HP Omen Transcend 14 PCMark 10.Image: PCMark 10 benchmark results.
Game Performance: Resolution Holds Back the RTX 4060
The Omen Transcend 14 prioritizes portability over raw power, with its 90W RTX 4060. However, the high-resolution display proves challenging for the GPU.
Performance for the HP Omen Transcend 14 in 3DMark Fire Strike.
Image: 3DMark Fire Strike benchmark results.
HP Omen Transcend 14 performance in 3DMark Time Spy.
Image: 3DMark Time Spy benchmark results.
In 3DMark benchmarks, the Transcend 14 falls behind the Acer Swift X 16 with an RTX 4050 and significantly trails the Alienware x14 R2 with the same GPU. The primary bottleneck is the 2.8K display. At native resolution, only Guardians of the Galaxy exceeded 60 fps.
Performance for the HP Omen Transcend 14 at 1800p.Image: Gaming performance at native 1800p resolution.
Lowering the resolution to 1600p improves performance, with Horizon Zero Dawn joining Guardians of the Galaxy above 60 fps. However, most titles still struggle. DLSS significantly boosts performance, pushing most games above 60 fps with the Balanced setting.
Performance for the HP Omen Transcend 14 at 1600p.Image: Gaming performance at 1600p resolution.
Performance for the HP Omen Transcend 14 with DLSS on.Image: Gaming performance with DLSS enabled.
Ray tracing is viable with lighter titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Guardians of the Galaxy when using DLSS. However, demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 remain unplayable even with DLSS 3.
Ray tracing performance for the HP Omen Transcend 14.Image: Ray tracing performance in various games.
Battery Life: A Pleasant Surprise
The Omen Transcend 14 offers surprisingly good battery life, lasting around five and a half hours in web browsing tests, surpassing the Zephyrus G14. HP attributes this to the absence of a MUX switch, which reportedly drained power. While not exceptional for a gaming laptop, the portable 140W USB-C charger and dual USB-C charging ports offer convenience.
Should You Buy the HP Omen Transcend 14?
Cyberpunk 2077 running on the HP Omen Transcend 14.Image: Cyberpunk 2077 running on the Omen Transcend 14.
The Omen Transcend 14 is a commendable first attempt from HP in the premium thin and light gaming segment. Its sleek design, stunning OLED display, and decent battery life are appealing. However, the USB-C charging and the high-resolution display’s impact on gaming performance, especially with the RTX 4060, are notable drawbacks.
While a solid gaming laptop, the Omen Transcend 14 faces stiff competition from Asus at the same price point. The compromises made for portability hold it back. However, if found on sale, especially around $1,400 for the RTX 4060 configuration, it becomes a much more compelling option.
