Are HP Laptops Good for Gaming? [Expert Reviews]

A good gaming laptop will typically have an incredibly powerful processor that can handle demanding graphics and animations without flinching; and at least 8GB of RAM (without accounting for any operating system), which means there will be plenty of memory left over for other tasks like watching videos or streaming various types of music via Spotify and other similar services. Are you interested in learning whether HP laptops are good for gaming? You’re in luck since that’s what this article will be about. This article will look at some of the best HP gaming laptops and see how they stack up against the competition in terms of pricing and performance. Continue reading to learn whether an HP laptop is ideal for you.

How Effective Are HP Laptops for Video Game Playing?

Yes, HP laptops are more than up to the task of withstanding long gaming sessions. Although HP is not primarily known for its gaming laptops, its gaming laptops lineup will surprise you.

However, there are a few things to think about if you’re thinking about getting an HP laptop for gaming:

• • First, you’ll want to make sure the laptop has a dedicated graphics card. Start by examining the CPU; for optimum performance.

• • Second, it should have at least four cores.

• • Last, be sure the laptop has enough RAM and storage to meet your gaming demands.

Given these factors, an HP laptop may unquestionably be a great option for a gaming PC. So don’t be reluctant to try it!

Can I play video games on an HP laptop?

An HP laptop may be used for gaming in a variety of settings. Most importantly, HP is a great option for your requirements if you’re looking for a cheap gaming alternative that doesn’t skimp on performance.

Gaming laptops from HP cost less than those from Dell. On the other hand, the performance is just amazing. Most importantly, you can do a range of jobs on your HP laptop. You see, you need to look for an HP laptop with the right features if you want to play games on your laptop.

What makes an HP Laptop good for gaming?

Here are a few reasons why we advise HP laptops for gaming, along with some more details. You may review the major points to see if they address any of your concerns.

Because of their excellent performance, brilliant display, stunning design and aesthetics, and affordable pricing, HP laptops are often suggested for gaming. Let’s examine their whole explanation in more detail now.

Outstanding Display

The effectiveness of your laptop computer as a whole depends significantly on the display of your gaming device. It is without a doubt more pleasurable to play various games with excellent images when you have a high resolution and a suitable screen size.

In contrast, the refresh rate, screen type, and response time of your device all have a significant role in how well it performs overall in terms of gaming.

You should choose a device with a refresh rate of at least 75 Hertz. Using this technique will allow for higher frame rates for current game titles—the higher the refresh rate, the better the graphics while playing games on a computer.

However, you can be guaranteed to get higher refresh rates, premium displays, increased color accuracy, and superior gaming visuals with HP laptops.

Outstanding performance

Gamers want high performance from their laptops for gaming. In this regard, HP gaming laptops are exceptional since they come with high-end parts that provide good performance ratings.

We’ll go into more depth about the specific specifications of each of HP’s new gaming laptops in the section that follows. This will help you comprehend the performance management mechanism of HP gaming laptops.

Good aesthetics and design

If you are a player, it will be hard to overlook flawless game aesthetics when they are integrated with all of the fundamental components. A gaming laptop should be portable, distinctive, and pleasing to the eye.

Having appealing game graphics is a big plus in addition to these design features. When it comes to HP laptops, you can select a model with a stylish appearance and aesthetically attractive gaming aesthetics without much difficulty.

Affordability

We advise HP laptops for gaming since they are reliable and long-lasting in addition to being affordable. In terms of performance, HP laptops are really affordable.

If you look, you may get virtually everything you want for an excellent gaming experience at an affordable price. As a result, if you’re searching for anything within your budget range, HP gaming laptops are highly recommended.

List of Best HP Gaming Laptops

Possibly, you’re wondering which HP gaming laptop is the best. Finding the right laptop for you might be challenging since there are so many options available. However, the laptops given below are commonly recognized as the best HP gaming laptops available right now, and I can definitely suggest them to you.

Omen 17t-ck100 is the best overall.

The newest Omen 17 from HP is the only laptop in the company’s inventory with a strong enough GPU if you’re seeking the finest gaming laptop. This system is a beast, powered by the newest Intel and Nvidia components, yet it maintains the unmistakable Omen family cleanness.

The Omen 17’s 12th-generation Intel Core i7-12700H CPU, which has 14 cores, 20 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.7GHz, delivers performance, which is the name of the game in this situation. With so much gaming power and a laptop GPU with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti and 16GB of RAM, you can be confident that it will be able to play all the newest games without any problems. An RTX 3060, which is included in the basic setup, is already rather impressive.

In addition, it features up to 2TB of storage and up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM running at 4800MHz, which is plenty for a number of games, depending on your preferences.

Display

When it comes to gaming, the display is equally crucial, and the Omen 17t is one of HP’s top options in this area. The 17.3-inch display is rather huge, but the 144Hz refresh rate and Full HD resolution of the basic setup are disappointing. Even so, that’s more than enough for a satisfying gaming experience, and if you’re looking for more, you can upgrade to a Quad HD panel, which also has a slightly faster 165Hz refresh rate. This is unquestionably superior, and if you can afford the most powerful GPU alternatives, using all of that power is probably worthwhile.

The fact that the laptop still has a 720p camera is one element that isn’t really stunning here, despite the fact that this is a reoccurring theme in this piece. You’ll probably need an external camera if you’re intending to broadcast your gaming sessions online. A fingerprint reader and face recognition are also absent from Windows Hello.

Design

We’d say that HP’s gaming laptops are particularly clean in terms of design compared to most of their rivals. Given that the majority of the surfaces are black, you may still use these computers in public without drawing too much-unwanted attention. You may choose between a 4-zone or per-key RGB illumination for the RGB keyboard. Its 6.17 lbs weight is one aspect that you may not enjoy. Although it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise given the laptop’s specifications and the size of the display.

Ports

One Thunderbolt 4 port, three USB Type-A (3.2 Gen 1) connectors, one HDMI 2.1 port, a mini DisplayPort, RJ45 Ethernet, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader round out the list of ports. Yes, it is a lot, and with big gaming laptops like this, that is often expected. Nevertheless, there is a tonne of alternatives available to you straight away, so there is no room for complaint.

The Omen 17 is without a doubt the greatest gaming laptop HP currently manufactures if you’re ready to deal with its considerable weight and can ignore its subpar camera. Use the following link to purchase it.

Omen HP 17z

The Omen 17 is a large, powerful gaming laptop that is also more than capable of handling content production. HP’s largest and most powerful gaming laptop, the Omen 17, is equipped with top-tier specifications and a smooth display.

HP OMEN 16 17-inch laptops can accommodate the most powerful, but as we already noted, they might be difficult to carry around due to their weight. The Omen 16t is another excellent alternative that is also very adjustable if you want something a little bit smaller and you don’t need all that power.

The Omen 16t’s CPU can be set to use the same Intel Core i7-12700H chip as its bigger brother, so you’ll still get 14 cores, 20 threads, and speeds of up to 4.7GHz. The highest GPU configuration drops to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti, but even at this reduced refresh rate or resolution, it’s still incredibly strong and will be able to play the majority of recent games just fine. It has a maximum SSD storage capacity of 1TB, which means that although it can be configured with up to 32GB of RAM, it is not as powerful as the bigger variant.

Display

It’s a disappointment that the 16.1-inch panel’s resolution is only available in Full HD if you prefer screens with more contrast. If you wish to play video games more fluidly, you may upgrade to a 144Hz refresh rate from the standard model’s 60Hz. This laptop has more than enough power to run the display at its highest refresh rate while playing practically any game.

Similar to Omen 17t, this model also comes with a mediocre 720p camera that is not the best for making video calls or live-streaming games. Again, neither a fingerprint reader nor face recognition feature for Windows Hello is present.

Even though the design of all Omen laptops is the same, this one nonetheless has a modern, sleek appearance. The keyboard has RGB lighting. With a starting weight of 5.11 lbs, it is much lighter than the 17-inch model. Even if it’s lighter than the Omen 17t, that is still rather hefty.

Ports

One Thunderbolt connector, three USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 connections, HDMI 2.1, Mini DisplayPort, RJ45 Ethernet, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader are all included, precisely the same as on the bigger variant. The Omen 16t has all these ports, which is amazing and allows you a tonne of versatility considering the size of this model.

The Omen 16t is an excellent option for individuals who want to blend a big display with some degree of mobility and plenty of power. Although the Omen 16t is a scaled-down version of the Omen laptop, it still has a lot of power and connectors.

Omen 16z-c100, an HP AMD alternative.

The Omen 16 also comes in an AMD version, known as the Omen 16z. The AMD model’s 2022 iteration isn’t yet ready, but the 2021 model is still a terrific choice with top-notch graphics.

With an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX CPU, which has 8 cores and 16 threads and can accelerate up to 4.6GHz, the Omen 16z has plenty of power. It may be an AMD CPU from an older generation, but it’s still very fast. In addition, it has a laptop GPU of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, which is a step down from the latest Ti versions but is still capable of handling the majority of current-generation games. This one may be configured to include up to 1TB of SSD storage in addition to up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM running at 3200MHz.

Display

This AMD model actually has a somewhat better display than the more recent Intel variant. The standard configuration is still a Full HD display running at 60 frames per second, but you may choose to upgrade to 144 frames per second refresh rate or a crisper Quad HD panel running at 165 frames per second. You may not be able to use the entire resolution and refresh rate in more demanding games, but for the majority, you can have a really crisp and smooth gaming experience.

This is a 720p webcam laptop once again, and as is becoming more common with HP’s gaming laptops, neither Windows Hello face recognition nor a fingerprint reader is supported.

It has a lot of similarities in terms of appearance with the Intel version, with the exception of how the 016 branding appears on the keyboard base. The ability for per-key RGB lighting is one feature that is lacking from this model, and you can only choose between single-zone or 4-zone illumination. The portability is essentially the same.

Ports

One USB Type-C (3.2 Gen 2) port, three USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, RJ 45 Ethernet, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader make up the remaining connectors. The absence of Thunderbolt 4 capability is a significant degradation that you can notice, and this is because Thunderbolt is an Intel-only technology. Additionally, this model doesn’t have a mini DisplayPort, which some people would have liked as DisplayPort allows for greater framerates on many displays.

The Omen 16z is still a superb laptop for anybody looking for a powerful computer powered by AMD, despite certain concessions it does make in some areas.

Victus 15t-fa000, the best 15-inch gaming laptop from HP

The Victus 15t-fa100 is arguably the greatest gaming laptop HP currently has to offer if you’re looking for one with an even smaller footprint. This is a member of the somewhat more popular Victus line, but it still has a respectable amount of punch.

The Victus 16t obviously performs worse than the Omen variants in terms of performance. It is if you configure it with an Intel Core i7-12700H or above and get 20 threads, 14 cores, and boost speeds of 4.7GHz. Because this laptop’s GPU is limited to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, that is its drawback. Although it’s much less powerful than the Omen models, it can still play the majority of contemporary games; you’ll likely simply need to lower certain settings in many of them to obtain excellent frame rates. You can only use up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM @ 3200MHz, but storage is the same and is restricted to 2TB.

Display

Along with having inferior specifications, the Victus 16t’s display cannot be customized to the same extent as certain Omen models. If you want a smoother gaming experience, which you undoubtedly do, you can upgrade to a 144Hz refresh rate from the basic model’s Full HD display and normal 60Hz refresh rate. That is the maximum, and given the specifications of this laptop, it wouldn’t make sense to go much farther.

At the risk of stating the obvious once again, this laptop also has a 720p webcam. In case you were wondering, Windows Hello does not support either an infrared camera or a fingerprint reader.

Because it offers you a few additional choices, the Victus 15t does have an edge over the Omen versions in terms of how it appears. It is available in the extremely dark shade of grey “Mica Silver,” but you can also choose from the elegant Ceramic White or the somewhat more vibrant Blue. Because the Victus logo isn’t colored and RGB illumination isn’t an option, the design is in some ways even more restrained. Surprisingly, it manages to accommodate a number pad next to the keyboard despite being smaller than the ones above, so that’s another possible benefit. On the other hand, even though it is smaller, it weighs about as much as the 16-inch Omen versions.

Ports

It contains two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, RJ45 Ethernet, a headphone jack, an SD card reader, and a USB-C connector (3.2 Gen 1). Despite having an Intel CPU, it lacks Thunderbolt compatibility and has one less USB Type-A connector than Omen versions. Additionally, having at least one speedier USB port would be helpful.

The Victus 16t-fa000 is a fairly good laptop, even if it does give up some power, and it’s a perfect choice if you want something a little more understated or don’t like black computers. Additionally, it costs much less than the Omen models.

Victus 15z-fb000

A 15-inch gaming laptop with the newest Intel CPUs and Nvidia graphics in a sleek design and affordable. Even a machine like the Victus 15t above costs quite a bit if you want to update it completely, which is common with gaming laptops. One of the greatest laptops HP now offers is the Victus 15z-fb000 if you want a great gaming experience at a more affordable price. Even though it has AMD CPUs from the previous generation, it is still rather powerful for $799.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600H, a 45W CPU with 6 cores and 12 threads, is what you’ll receive for that money. It has more than enough power to handle the majority of contemporary games. You may always upgrade to a Ryzen 7 if you feel you need it. You also get an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti, however if your budget permits, you may upgrade to an RTX 3050 Ti. Additionally, the laptop has 256GB of SSD storage and 8GB of DDR4 RAM (configurable to 16GB) (up to 1TB). The RAM and storage could undoubtedly be upgraded, but this is already a good place to start.

Display

No of your arrangement, the 15.6-inch panel display has a Full HD resolution. For greater viewing angles, you may upgrade to an IPS panel. If you require better vision in bright conditions, you can also increase the brightness to 300 nits or add a 144Hz refresh rate. It’s not very spectacular, but most games wouldn’t be able to push the requirements very far over this resolution and refresh rate.

Again, this is a 720p webcam, and Windows Hello is not supported in any way. You shouldn’t be surprised by this given that more-priced laptops also lack it.

In terms of design, this is quite similar to the Victus model mentioned before. Although it has a simple appearance, you may select from three different colors to find something that is a little more in line with your own taste. Additionally, it contains a number pad, which is becoming less popular in laptops, exactly like the more recent model.

Ports

Additionally, there are two USB Type-A ports, an SD card reader, HDMI 2.1, RJ45 Ethernet, a headphone jack, and one USB Type-C port. Similar to the previous model, a faster USB connection would have been wonderful to have, but this arrangement is still reliable.

Victus 16z-e000

The Victus 16z provides good performance for the price thanks to AMD laptops and NVIDIA graphics. If you can find it on sale will determine whether you can call this a bargain laptop, but for the time being, it starts at $699.99, making it one of the greatest gaming laptops HP has to offer.

Internally, the Victus 16z-e000 has the same AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor with 6 cores and 12 threads as the 15-inch model above. You do have the option to upgrade to a Ryzen 7 5800H if you have the money. The GPU is an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, thus you can expect to have a highly satisfying gaming experience. It’s a great value if you can buy it for $699.99 considering what you’re receiving. Additionally, this variant has 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM (configurable to 32GB) (up to 1TB).

Display

Along with that, the basic model of this laptop includes a 16.1-inch display with Full HD resolution. Although it may increase the cost somewhat, you can choose to upgrade to a 144Hz refresh rate (which isn’t included in the standard model). A Quad HD 165Hz display is an option, but given the specifications of this laptop, it’s definitely not worth it, particularly if you’re on a tight budget.

This laptop has a 720p webcam, much like all the previous variants, but no infrared sensor for Windows Hello. Furthermore, there isn’t a fingerprint reader either.

The design is essentially the same as that of the other Victus laptops, with the exception that this bigger model is only offered in Mica Silver or Blue and not White. It has a number pad in addition to having the same appearance as earlier variants. This one is a little heavier than the 16-inch Omen version.

Ports

One USB Type-C connector, three USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, RJ45 Ethernet, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader round out the connection options. In comparison to 15-inch devices, the 16-inch gives you an additional USB Type-A connector.

This is really a much better alternative than its 15-inch sibling at $699.99 (the price as of this writing), but the price will change according to future sales.

In comparison to the 15-inch predecessor, the Victus 16z has a bigger screen and comes with more advanced specifications.

HP Envy 16t: Best all-purpose hp Laptop

We’ve looked at a number of laptops specifically designed for gaming, but what if you’re not a gamer? What if you want a device that is stylish and capable of handling some gaming on the side? Introducing the HP Envy 16t.

The HP Envy 16t can compete with some of the top laptops on our list in terms of specs. It is the only laptop on our list that has the choice for an Intel Core i9-12900H CPU, and it features the most recent 12th-generation Intel Core processors. With 14 cores and 20 threads and a boost speed of up to 5GHz, this CPU is incredibly strong and quick. Additionally, unlike many of the gaming laptops on our list, you can purchase them with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card. Despite the simple appearance, you’re getting lots of power here. Up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM is available in this laptop, and a 2TB SSD may be used for storage. It’s remarkable that the HP Envy 16t sometimes outperforms several other laptops on our list.

Display

Additionally, contrary to popular belief, a high refresh rate cannot be sacrificed just because this is not a gaming laptop. This laptop actually has one of the top displays on the list. It has a 16-inch screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, Quad HD+ resolution (2560 x 1600), and a 120Hz refresh rate as standard. Although it isn’t nearly as quick as some of the other computers in this room, it will nonetheless provide clear pictures and fluid gaming. It is excellent for both work and gaming since it has a display that is brighter than any of the gaming laptops we have reviewed so far.

Additionally, this is the first laptop on our list with a top-notch webcam. To make things even better, it offers a tonne of clever features like auto framing and lighting changes so you can look your best during meetings. It boasts a 5MP sensor that can capture 1080p video. Additionally, this laptop is the first on our list to offer Windows Hello face recognition, which makes logging onto your PC much simpler.

Naturally, the design differs greatly from everything else on this list. The HP Envy is a traditional silver laptop constructed of aluminum that appears polished and professional from every angle. Since this one lacks any unique embellishments or RGB lights, it may be utilized almost everywhere. Even though it starts at 5.12 lbs, it’s lighter than the majority of the gaming laptops we have here and will blend in even more in business settings.

Ports

Along with HDMI 2.1, a headphone jack, two Thunderbolt 4 connections, and two USB Type-A (3.2 Gen 2) connectors, you also get a MicroSD card reader. This is one of the most adaptable solutions even if it lacks Ethernet since it offers two Thunderbolt connectors for high-speed devices and two speedier USB Type-A ports.

Despite not being a specifically designed gaming laptop, the HP Envy 16t excels at juggling work and play. It is strong, stylish, and adaptable.

The HP Envy 16 is a great laptop for all users and is still reasonably priced. Although the HP Envy 16t is a high-end consumer laptop, it also does the essentials well to provide a fantastic gaming experience.

To Sum Up

Those are what we’d rank as the top HP laptops for gaming right now. We selected the Omen 17t as our top overall option because it offers the most powerful CPU and GPU combinations together with a display with a high refresh rate, which results in the greatest gaming experience. If you’re looking for a little more mobility in exchange for power, the Omen 16t is a fantastic choice. However, I find the HP Envy 16t to be incredibly tempting since it achieves a superb mix between work and gaming.

The best HP gaming laptop for you will depend on your needs. HP doesn’t provide nearly the same selection of gaming laptop options as ASUS or MSI do. However, it’s important to keep in mind that HP gaming laptops are cost-effective and provide the best gaming performance.

FAQs on Are HP Laptops Good for Gaming

Are HP laptops good for gaming?

HP laptops are capable of running some games, but it depends on the specific model and its hardware specifications. Some HP laptops come with dedicated graphics cards and powerful processors that can handle high-end games, while others may not be suitable for gaming.

What are the features I should look for in an HP laptop for gaming?

When looking for an HP laptop for gaming, you should consider the processor, graphics card, RAM, storage, and display. Look for a laptop with a powerful processor like an Intel Core i7 or i9, a dedicated graphics card like an NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon, at least 8GB of RAM, SSD storage for faster load times, and a high-quality display with a high refresh rate.

Which HP laptop is best for gaming?

The best HP laptop for gaming will depend on your budget and specific requirements. The HP OMEN and HP Pavilion Gaming series are popular choices for gaming, with powerful processors and dedicated graphics cards. The HP Spectre x360 is also a good option, with a sleek design and powerful hardware.

Can I upgrade to an HP laptop for better gaming performance?

It depends on the specific model and its upgradeability. Some HP laptops allow for easy upgrades of the RAM and storage, which can improve gaming performance. However, it may not be possible to upgrade the graphics card or processor on some models.

What is the average lifespan of an HP gaming laptop?

The lifespan of an HP gaming laptop will depend on how well it is maintained and used. On average, a well-maintained gaming laptop can last for around 5 years before needing an upgrade or replacement.