The HP Omen range of gaming laptops gives an unmistakable design fashion that leaps out at you. There are the specs to suit, too, handing over a high-quit revel in with masses of punch.
The Omen 15 is the modern-day 15-inch version within the variety, complete with a ramification of specification alternatives – including Nvidia’s contemporary RTX graphics processors. But how does this gadget get up against the competition?
A snazzy layout in a portable body
Intel Core i7-8750H CPU
8GB 2666Mhz DDR4 SDRAM (user-expandable)
Up to 1TB HDD and as much as 256GB NVMe SSD garage
Bang & Olufsen audio system, HP Audio Boost, and DTS Headphone:X aid
The HP Omen 15 uses metallic and plastic, combined with a brushed aluminum/carbon fiber-esque finish to create an elegant-looking pc. It’s compact, portable, and packed full of potential.
Though perhaps no longer the thinnest gaming pc we have visible, it’s genuinely a contender for maximum outwardly attractive. We love the cool accents and carbon fiber appearance, even though you may depend on personal taste.
Opening the computer up and turning it on, you’re greeted by a tasty view that consists of a lovely 144Hz G-SYNC successful IPS panel and a four-sector RGB backlit keyboard.
Under the hood, the specifications encompass some customizable alternatives that go all of the manners up to an Intel Core i7-8750H CPU, 16GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070. The model we examined is more center-of-the-street with just 8GB of RAM and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU. However, there may be masses of ability for greater gaming strength when you have the finances.
It’s additionally upgradable in case you choose to tinker in the future. HP says it’s geared towards upgrades with an unmarried smooth-get admission to the panel to change or improve the HDD, SSD, and RAM. So there may be plenty of flexibility, depending on your finances.
With a 15.6-inch display screen and a compact frame that weighs around 2.52 kg, the Omen 15 is a portable and comfortable-to-use gaming gadget. It’s also flexibly designed with many connectivity alternatives and built to delight in several exclusive ways. As nicely as stylish looks, the Omen 15 additionally packs dual Bang & Olufsen speakers, HP Audio Boost era, and DTS Headphone:X aid – meaning it’s as easy at the ears as it’s far on the eyes.
The Omen 15 also does not pass overboard with the gaming extras features you may have seen some other place, though. Sure, there is a backlit keyboard. However, there is no RGB underlighting or complex gaming software to muddle your enjoyment. The result is a gaming pc. It is truly as easy to use for everyday work, first-rate for binge-looking Netflix; however, it is also top-notch for gaming. An all-rounder that rarely disappoints.
Storage is likewise pleasant, regardless of the spec you purchase. A zippy NVMe force is hooked up to handle the OS (Windows 10 64-bit) and any vital programs or games you want to paste on it simultaneously as a larger capacity. Still, a slower HDD is protected from handling your recreation library. This setup is premiere to having a small single major drive, which you’d need to hold cleansing to maintain sufficient area for your favored games.
Display visuals and gaming abilities
The fundamental draw of the Omen 15 may well be its 144Hz G-SYNC IPS panel, which runs at native 144Hz via default. Sure, it is only 1080p, but it also functions “micro-edge” technology – which means it offers trim bezel and has a few nifty visuals with the intention to revel in. It supplies rich colors, vivid visuals, and first rate viewing angles.
We discovered this laptop’s gaming functionality to be a piece of a mixed bag even though (right here in GeForce GTX 1060 GPU spec with 8GB of RAM). Some video games ran nicely and seemed exceptional. Overwatch, for instance, ran at around 60fps on extreme settings without a fuss in any respect. Battlefield five controlled around 50fps on extremely or excessive settings, whilst Apex Legends pushed the one’s numbers even better. Kingdom Come: Deliverance did not do as nicely, though, with around 20fps on better settings.
Benchmarking with Tomb Raider accomplished around an average of 40fps, and the 3DMark ratings have been equally middling. Essentially, except you opt for the better snapshots versions, you are now not going so that you can run current triple-A titles on max settings without compromising frame fees.
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We found the Bang & Olufsen speakers supply a respectable sound for gaming, however once in a while lack punch and can verge on sounding a bit tinny. The accompanying microphone is, like maximum built-in mics, pretty underwhelming.
We are glad to document that the Omen 15 runs pretty quietly, though. During our playtime, we weren’t overpowered with the aid of fan whine or pissed off by using white noise generated by using the tool. The audio system is sufficient to counter such problems. However, we might still advocate an amazing gaming headset for the fine possible experience.
The trackpad is also a piece hit-and-leave out at some stage in gaming classes. We discovered it to be flawlessly capable of day-to-day use, however less than accurate for the duration of gaming, even to the factor of being extraordinarily frustrating. But then any severe gamer will get a proper gaming mouse besides.
Compatibility and outputs
1 x Thunderbolt three port
3 x USB three.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports
1 x Mini DisplayPort
1 x HDMI
1 x headphone/microphone combination
1 x multi-layout SD media card reader
1 x Ethernet port
Intel Wireless-AC 9560 802.11ac (2×2) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth five
As well as an impressive screen, the Omen 15 additionally impresses in different regions. There are several distinct connection options right here, along with 3 USB ports to your gaming mouse, headset, and extra. There’s also the multiple display connection alternatives and an Ethernet port if you’re the sort of gamer who enjoys stressed out connections over Wi-Fi.
The more than one connectivity options also suggest it’s viable to run an Oculus Rift on this pc. However, the graphics card of this overview model handiest meets the minimum necessities.
The internal Intel Wireless-AC 9560 802.11ac Wi-Fi adapter guarantees a decent Wi-Fi connection, and we by no means had any problems with losing connection during checking out.
Keyboard layout, comfort, and snazzy lights
Full-length backlit keyboard with sector customization lights
26-key rollover and anti-ghosting capabilities
The Omen 15’s keyboard is another spotlight to the layout. It’s a large keyboard consisting of a Numpad and the whole lot else you’ll expect for gaming goodness. However, this format consists of a frustratingly small enter key and weirdly located hash key that frequently results in some annoying typing studies at the beginning. Otherwise, this keyboard is usually comfy to apply, even though the manner the computer sits on the table can result in some occasional wrist discomfort.
We have been impressed with the simple but easy-on-the-eye backlighting, split into four zones that can be customized in the HP Omen Command Center software program. The default settings see this lighting set to one of a kind colors in every region, and it looks surely excellent. The WASD keys even have a moderate highlight around the rims, even though that is only visible, and there may be nothing tactile to allow you to realize the distinction among the one’s keys. Via the function keys, backlighting is either on or off, there are no brightness settings right here, and that’s the type of no-frills, user-pleasant design that contains on with different settings.
The accompanying software permits for various customization alternatives. These include the capability to regulate fan speeds, a network booster to tweak the priority of unique apps – ensuring video games or streaming tools get the maximum bandwidth when you’re gambling – and overall performance controls to grow the gaming prowess of the device with a focus on electricity and visuals on the price of cooling. All smooth to recognize and clean to use too.
Middling battery life and lap-warming cooling
4-cellular, 70 Wh Li-ion battery with rapid-charging
The battery lifestyles on the Omen 15 within reason disappointing. Like different skinny gaming laptops we’ve got tested, it is not up to tons at all. We would get around two to 3 hours out of the battery for well-known use – surfing, working, and the like. Even with Nvidia’s battery boost grew to become on, brightness down, and keyboard backlighting off, we hardly ever were given something greater out of it. It does aid fast-charging, even though it’s viable to get 50 according to cent electricity in only 45 minutes on the plug.
Like other gaming laptops we have tried with comparable specifications, the gaming performance dips extensively while walking on battery alone. Games that might manipulate 50-60fps are suddenly jogging at a painfully choppy 10-20fps. You might be able to manipulate a few informal gaming, but something extra severe, and you may need the plugin.
The HP Omen 15 uses underside fanatics to draw cool air in, and it blows hot air out of the lower back of the system via the snazzy-looking vents. This works moderately nicely whilst you’re gaming on a table; however, while you’re gambling with the pc to your lap, things get a little bit extra toasty. Not unpleasantly uncomfortable, however, in reality, hotter.
Verdict
The HP Omen 15 is an extremely good-looking and carried out all-rounder that grants a satisfying gaming experience that is perfect for all-day use while plugged in or just a short gaming blast when you want it.
We absolutely loved having this pc around, and for the fee, it’s not terrible. The gaming outcomes are a piece lackluster in places, but here is continually the option of sports powered machine alternatively for more punch.
