HP OMEN - Advantage Edition 16.1" Laptop - AMD Ryzen 7 - 16GB Memory - AMD Radeon™ RX 6600M - 1TB SSD

Name: HP OMEN - Advantage Edition 16.1" Laptop - AMD Ryzen 7 - 16GB Memory - AMD Radeon™ RX 6600M - 1TB SSD
Brand: HP OMEN
SKU: 6464193
Rating: 4.6 (85 reviews)

Model: 16-c0002dx

SKU: 6464193

This item is no longer available in new condition. See similar items below

Key Specs
- Screen Size: 16.1 inches (Size of the screen, measured diagonally from corner to corner.)
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) (Screens come in a range of resolutions (measured in pixels, horizontal x vertical). The higher the resolution, the greater the picture quality.)
- Touch Screen: false (Touch-screen devices make navigating more intuitive. Using a touch-screen display, you can do things such as tap to select, hold and drag to move items, swipe to scroll, and pinch to zoom.)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz (The number of frames per second the device can produce natively without enhancement. Higher rates help produce smooth, seamless pictures.)
- Processor Model: AMD Ryzen 7 5000 Series (Your computer's processor is like its brain. Working in combination with system memory, the power of the processor determines the complexity of software you can run, how many programs you can have open at the same time, and how fast those programs will run. Most computers feature an AMD, Intel or Snapdragon processor.)
- Storage Type: SSD
- Total Storage Capacity: 1000 gigabytes
- System Memory (RAM): 16 gigabytes (Random-access memory (RAM) is a computing device's short-term data storage, which allows active information to be accessed quickly. The size and type of RAM determines how efficiently the device can handle large amounts of information at one time. For example, gaming or video editing requires more RAM for optimal performance.)
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6600M (Often referred to as a "graphics processing unit" (GPU), this device is responsible for displaying image content and decoding/encoding video content in programs and games.)
- 2-in-1 Design: false (A laptop and a tablet combined in one lightweight, portable device. Sometimes referred to as "convertible" or "hybrid" laptops, these devices deliver the processing power and keyboard of a laptop. When you're ready to play, either detach the screen or fold your 2-in-1 into tablet mode to comfortably watch movies, play games, read an e-book and more.)
- Backlit Keyboard: true (Integrated lights allow for visibility of the keys in low-light conditions.)
General
- Brand: HP OMEN
- Model Number: 16-c0002dx
- Product Name: Advantage Edition 16.1" Laptop - AMD Ryzen 7 - 16GB Memory - AMD Radeon™ RX 6600M - 1TB SSD
- Year of Release: 2021
Display
- Display Type: LED
- Screen Size: 16.1 inches (Size of the screen, measured diagonally from corner to corner.)
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) (Screens come in a range of resolutions (measured in pixels, horizontal x vertical). The higher the resolution, the greater the picture quality.)
- Touch Screen: false (Touch-screen devices make navigating more intuitive. Using a touch-screen display, you can do things such as tap to select, hold and drag to move items, swipe to scroll, and pinch to zoom.)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz (The number of frames per second the device can produce natively without enhancement. Higher rates help produce smooth, seamless pictures.)
Processor
- Processor Brand: AMD
- Processor Model: AMD Ryzen 7 5000 Series (Your computer's processor is like its brain. Working in combination with system memory, the power of the processor determines the complexity of software you can run, how many programs you can have open at the same time, and how fast those programs will run. Most computers feature an AMD, Intel or Snapdragon processor.)
- Processor Model Number: 5800H
Storage
- Storage Type: SSD
- Total Storage Capacity: 1000 gigabytes
- Solid State Drive Capacity: 1000 gigabytes (The amount of data that can be stored on the device's solid state drive (SSD). SSD is a flash-based storage with faster speeds than a hard disk drive (HDD).)
- Solid State Drive Interface: NVMe (Connects the solid state drive to the host system. PCI and SATA interfaces are the most common; PCI interfaces are typically faster, but SATA interfaces are compatible with a wider range of systems.)
- Hard Drive Accelerator: None (A module integrated (or added) into a PC to improve performance speed. By acting as a high-speed cache, an accelerator speeds up access times to the hard drive, which results in faster web browsing, improved gaming experience, and overall more responsiveness.)
Memory
- System Memory (RAM): 16 gigabytes (Random-access memory (RAM) is a computing device's short-term data storage, which allows active information to be accessed quickly. The size and type of RAM determines how efficiently the device can handle large amounts of information at one time. For example, gaming or video editing requires more RAM for optimal performance.)
- Type of Memory (RAM): DDR4 (Each type of RAM delivers a different level of speed, bandwidth, energy efficiency and performance.)
- System Memory RAM Speed: 3200 megahertz (How fast the information-storing hardware operates. The faster the RAM, the faster memory can be transferred to other system components. Ultimately, faster RAM improves operational efficiency.)
- Number Of Memory Slots: 2
- Number of Memory Sticks Included: 2
- System Memory RAM Expandable To: 32 gigabytes (Adding more random-access memory (RAM) to a computer speeds up performance and improves efficiency. Upgrades to memory are limited by the number of expansion slots for additional RAM and existing RAM installed on the device.)
Graphics
- Graphics Type: Dedicated (Dedicated graphics uses a separate graphics card for processing video images. Because it does not use memory from the system's RAM, there is no extra burden on the CPU and graphics are processed more efficiently. Integrated graphics shares system RAM to process video images.)
- GPU Brand: AMD Radeon
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6600M (Often referred to as a "graphics processing unit" (GPU), this device is responsible for displaying image content and decoding/encoding video content in programs and games.)
Compatibility
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home (The operating system manages all software and hardware, including files, memory and connected devices. Most importantly, it lets you interact with your device and your programs in a visual way; otherwise, you'd be typing computer code to get anything done.)
Connectivity
- Number of HDMI Outputs (Total): 1
- Number of DisplayPort Outputs (Total): 0
- Number of Thunderbolt Ports (Total): 0
- Number of VGA Ports: 0 (VGA (Video Graphics Adapter or Video Graphics Array) is a display standard that transmits via analog signals. This type of interface is typically used to connect a computer to a display device such as a monitor, projector, or TV.)
- Number of USB Ports (Total): 4
- Headphone Jack: true (The device features an interface that allows for the connection of headphones.)
- Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (The manner in which a device sends data to another device over a short distance without the use of wires or cables.)
- Ethernet Card: 10/100/1000 (Also known as an Ethernet adapter, this card plugs into a computer's motherboard and enables it to access an Ethernet network. Ethernet data transmission speeds are measured in Mbps (megabits per second) and Gbps (gigabits per second). For example, a 10/100 Ethernet port transmits 10 and 100 Mbps, while a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port transmits 10 and 100 Mbps and has a maximum speed of 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps).)
- Number Of Ethernet Ports: 1
Power
- Battery Cells: 4-cell
Camera
- Front-Facing Camera: true
- Front Facing Camera Video Resolution: 720p (Refers to the number of pixels, both horizontally and vertically, used by the camera facing the user to capture video. The higher the resolution the finer the video detail that can be seen.)
- Built-In Microphone: true
Features
- 2-in-1 Design: false (A laptop and a tablet combined in one lightweight, portable device. Sometimes referred to as "convertible" or "hybrid" laptops, these devices deliver the processing power and keyboard of a laptop. When you're ready to play, either detach the screen or fold your 2-in-1 into tablet mode to comfortably watch movies, play games, read an e-book and more.)
- Backlit Keyboard: true (Integrated lights allow for visibility of the keys in low-light conditions.)
- Customizable Keyboard Lighting: RGB
- Touchpad Type: HP Imagepad with multi-touch gesture support
- Media Card Reader: true (A hardware device that allows for access to data on a memory card and enables the transfer of its files to a computer. These devices may have one or multiple slots for various types of memory cards, and may be integrated into the computer or available as an external device.)
- Customizable Case Lighting: false
- Audio Technology: Audio by B&O with dual speakers
- Speaker Type: Audio by Bang & Olufsen with dual speakers
- Stylus Dock: None
Dimensions
- Product Height: 0.91 inches (The out of box height of the item. Height is measured as the vertical distance from the bottom of the item to the top as it would be primarily used or placed.)
- Product Width: 14.53 inches (The out of box width of the item. Width is measured as the horizontal distance from one side of the item to the other as it would be primarily used or placed.)
- Product Depth: 9.65 inches (The out of box depth of the item. Depth is measured as the distance from the front of the item to the back as it would be primarily used or placed.)
- Product Weight: 5.22 pounds (The out of box weight of the item.)
Certifications Listings & Approvals
- ENERGY STAR Certified: true (Devices carrying the ENERGY STAR service mark, such as computer products and peripherals, kitchen appliances, and other products, generally use 20% to 30% less energy than required by federal standards.)
- EPEAT Qualified: true (The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) was designed to provide an environmental assessment tool for purchasers. In order to qualify for EPEAT, a product must meet all 23 required criteria.)
- EPEAT Level: Silver (The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) was designed to provide an environmental assessment tool for purchasers. In order to qualify for EPEAT, a product must meet all 23 required criteria. Products are rated Bronze, Silver or Gold based on how many of 28 optional criteria they meet (below 50%, 50%, 75%).)
Included
- Included Software: Windows 10 Home
- Optical Drive Type: None (An optical disk drive (ODD) uses a laser light to read data from or write data to an optical disc. These discs include CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs. This allows you to play music or watch movies using prerecorded discs.)
- Numeric Keypad: false
- Stylus Included: false
Other
- UPC: 196068075866

Yes, it's that powerful: Play with performance with a powerful AMD processor and mighty graphics. All that power stays cool with our frosty OMEN Tempest Cooling. We can't stop others from feeling a little envy. Gaming shouldn't feel this good: Feast your eyes on this 16.1 diagonal inch machine, boasting a high resolution and fast refresh rate. The floating hinge design and Audio by Bang & Olufsen show it off while you go off. And the long battery life lets you play even longer. One place. All play. OMEN Gaming Hub is your one-stop shop to elevating your play. From getting rewards just by gaming, to controlling every little performance and lighting option of your machine, the list goes on. Every game, every play, every moment is now in your control.

Windows 10 Home: Do great things confidently with the familiar feel of Windows - only better.
Display: 16.1-inch diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), 144 Hz, IPS, micro-edge, anti-glare: Reduce frustrating lag and image ghosting with a display that combines a 144Hz refresh rate and 1080p FHD resolution for smooth, crisp gameplay.
Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800H: Now you can enjoy elite gaming performance on a thin and light notebook with amazing battery life. Never compromise on your gaming laptop again.
Memory: 16 GB DDR4-3200 MHz RAM (2 x 8 GB): With higher bandwidth, you get more of a boost in performance for improved multitasking.
Internal storage: 1TB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD: Get up to 30x faster performance than a traditional hard drive.
Flicker-free: Using DC Dimming technology that controls brightness by adjusting direct current rather than cycling the backlight, we can eliminate screen flickering for more comfortable viewing.
HP Fast Charge: Go from 0 to 50% charge in approximately 45 minutes.
Wi-Fi 6E: Enjoy faster speeds, improved performance, greater capacity and lower latencies than earlier iterations with Wi-Fi 6E technology
HP Wide Vision HD Camera: The 88-degree, wide-angle field of view lets you video chat with the entire family or group of friends in crystal clear detail.
An exceptionally rich audio experience: HP Dual Speakers, HP Audio Boost, and expert tuning by Bang & Olufsen bring audio perfection to your PC.
Four Zone RGB keyboard: Allows you to backlight 4 independent zones with different RGB keyboard lighting. WASD keys are outlined to highlight key controls. It’s all easily controlled through the OMEN Gaming Hub.
OMEN Tempest Cooling Technology: Stay cool under pressure with the advanced laptop thermal solution, OMEN Tempest Cooling Technology. 3-sided venting and 5-way airflow ensure optimal system stability and performance when gameplay heats up
Elevated aesthetic: Designed with an aluminum-finished palm rest for a premium look.
Created with the planet in mind: HP is dedicated to driving progress toward a more sustainable future and making responsible choices for the environment and our customers.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate - Discover your next favorite game.: 1 month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate included. Play over 100 high-quality games on Windows 10, console and mobile. Includes new day one titles, iconic Bethesda games and EA Play on PC.
AMD SmartShift: Get up to a 10% performance improvement thanks to AMD SmartShift. Using a hardware boosting interface and machine learning algorithms, SmartShift quickly moves power between the CPU and GPU, optimizing performance on the fly for games, 3D rendering, video editing, and other workloads.
AMD Smart Access Memory: Enjoy higher frame rates in many games thanks to AMD Smart Access Memory. Only offered with the AMD Advantage System.
Windows 10 Home: Do great things confidently with the familiar feel of Windows - only better.
Display: 16.1-inch diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), 144 Hz, IPS, micro-edge, anti-glare: Reduce frustrating lag and image ghosting with a display that combines a 144Hz refresh rate and 1080p FHD resolution for smooth, crisp gameplay.
Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800H: Now you can enjoy elite gaming performance on a thin and light notebook with amazing battery life. Never compromise on your gaming laptop again.
Memory: 16 GB DDR4-3200 MHz RAM (2 x 8 GB): With higher bandwidth, you get more of a boost in performance for improved multitasking.
Internal storage: 1TB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD: Get up to 30x faster performance than a traditional hard drive.
Flicker-free: Using DC Dimming technology that controls brightness by adjusting direct current rather than cycling the backlight, we can eliminate screen flickering for more comfortable viewing.
HP Fast Charge: Go from 0 to 50% charge in approximately 45 minutes.
Wi-Fi 6E: Enjoy faster speeds, improved performance, greater capacity and lower latencies than earlier iterations with Wi-Fi 6E technology
HP Wide Vision HD Camera: The 88-degree, wide-angle field of view lets you video chat with the entire family or group of friends in crystal clear detail.
An exceptionally rich audio experience: HP Dual Speakers, HP Audio Boost, and expert tuning by Bang & Olufsen bring audio perfection to your PC.
Four Zone RGB keyboard: Allows you to backlight 4 independent zones with different RGB keyboard lighting. WASD keys are outlined to highlight key controls. It’s all easily controlled through the OMEN Gaming Hub.
OMEN Tempest Cooling Technology: Stay cool under pressure with the advanced laptop thermal solution, OMEN Tempest Cooling Technology. 3-sided venting and 5-way airflow ensure optimal system stability and performance when gameplay heats up
Elevated aesthetic: Designed with an aluminum-finished palm rest for a premium look.
Created with the planet in mind: HP is dedicated to driving progress toward a more sustainable future and making responsible choices for the environment and our customers.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate - Discover your next favorite game.: 1 month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate included. Play over 100 high-quality games on Windows 10, console and mobile. Includes new day one titles, iconic Bethesda games and EA Play on PC.
AMD SmartShift: Get up to a 10% performance improvement thanks to AMD SmartShift. Using a hardware boosting interface and machine learning algorithms, SmartShift quickly moves power between the CPU and GPU, optimizing performance on the fly for games, 3D rendering, video editing, and other workloads.
AMD Smart Access Memory: Enjoy higher frame rates in many games thanks to AMD Smart Access Memory. Only offered with the AMD Advantage System.

Whats Included

Battery
AC Adapter
Battery
AC Adapter

Q: Is it possible to upgrade the RAM to 64 or 128?

A: I just received the laptop today and installed 64GB (2x32GB) ram, there are only two slots and as far as I know there are no 64GB laptop dimms yet so 128GB is likely not possible

Q: when will it be available

A: June, at least that's what AMD said when they were talking about their advantage series of laptops. Starting to get close to the end of June though and nothing from HP about it as far as I'm aware

Q: what is the GeForce # on this computer

A: The "GeForce" number applies to computers that have Nvidia GeForce graphics cards. This computer, however, is different; it has an AMD Radeon graphics cards, which in many ways is better than the equivalent Nvidia graphics cards. But coming back to your question, there is no GeForce number on this computer.

Q: Will this option eventually be able to be configured with the 5600H CPU and the 6600M GPU?

A: It will be configured up to a the 6800M and a 5900HX im unsure if they will configure it with a 5600H

Q: I got two questions. What is the resolution/refresh rate of this panel? On HP's website it's listed as QHDp/165Hz. Here on bestbuy it's listed as FHD/144Hz. I'd also like to know the 6600M's wattage? I know the max is allegedly 100 watts.

A: Best buy's model of Omen 16 is rx 6600m and FHD/144hz display. It is $1480. On HP's website, it's probably showing you the maxed out version of the laptop. Most likely having a RX 6800M and Ryzen 9. The version with 1440p/165hz is gonna be more expensive and have better graphics and CPU

Q: Is it possible to link an Xbox One Controller to the computer for games? Sorry, I'm new to laptops.

A: Yes, you should be able to do that with no problems.

Q: Does it have a mix switch?

A: No. It uses AMD smartshift which I don't think is compatible with a mux switch.

Q: About how long does the battery last from a full charge?

A: One, to One and a half hours when gaming. 2 to 3 hours more general use in my experience.

Customers are saying

Customers are satisfied with the performance, speed, and large screen size of the Advantage Edition 16.1" Laptop. Many appreciate the excellent keyboard, effective cooling system, and high-quality graphics. However, some users noted that the battery life could be improved and that the laptop is relatively heavy. Concerns were also raised regarding the included software's stability and user-friendliness.

This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.

Customer Images

The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars
A good laptop, with only a few small issues.
Cons - Mine came with a small manufacturers defect the upper right corner the screen bezel isn't snapped into the lid. Off course bound to have some sometimes wouldn't worry about it to much just look closely at yours. - HP's website list USB-C power-delivery, I couldn't get it to work, best buy actually doesn't PD, just Dipslay port which did work when I tested it. - In performance mode the fans get quite loud ~55 DB, this can if you switch to Balance mode and use a cooling pad you only take a small hit to performance and they drop a more reasonable ~50 DB. -Omen command center constantly crashed on me, even after a clean windows install. Pros - The 6600MPerforms as good or better than a full power RTX 3060 - Favorite laptop keyboard I've ever used, you dont have a number pad but it makes the rest of they keyboard layout spacious for a laptop. - The included stock ram in this has good timings (cough lenovo) - This is 30$ cheaper than the intel version while also having 1/2tb more SSD. Neutral The 16.1 inch screen has a good response time, the extra space is appreciated, but has mediocore color accuracy.
Posted 4 years ago by grumblez
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Mid-Range Contender but No-Go for Me
The gist: a mid-range, decent laptop with less-than-average battery life, weird touchpad glitches, a bulky frame and charger, decent gaming performance and a fairly attractive screen. I was hopeful this laptop would be a decent replacement for my super old MacBook Pro, as well as being my first gaming machine. I wanted a Windows PC and to be able to actually game for once. The price was much better than those for Razer or MSI products, especially when discounted and open-box. And at first, everything seemed fine--until I started using it for a few days. Performance: The performance is alright. It's able to handle low-to-mid-range games pretty well, easily giving 60+ FPS on higher graphics settings. I haven't tested out any media creation tools or AAA games, as I have no need of those. The AMD processor and graphics card both perform fairly well, though if you are running on battery power alone, the performance drops, a power-saving feature of AMD. There is a little lag every now and then, especially if you have higher settings enabled for games. But, of course, this is not a high-end laptop, so you get what you pay for. Overall, don't get this if you want to play higher end games or want ultimate performance (obviously, this is the advantage edition after all). Additionally, I noticed last night, after I had closed all of the programs/apps and closed the laptop, the fans kicked on to full blast, even though the machine was normal temperature/cold and nothing was happening. It wouldn't turn on or show anything on screen, so I had to force shutdown. I don't know if that is due to an AMD glitch or an issue with Windows or HP, but whatever the case, it's not a good sign this early into using it. Cooling: Speaking of the laptop being cold, this laptop excels in remaining cool to the touch. The fans on the bottom work very efficiently to remove heat from the motherboard and the keyboard. So far, I have yet to feel the laptop get uncomfortable at all. I have only noticed a little warmth when I have it sitting on my lap instead of propped up, which traps the hot air underneath the machine. So, obviously, don't game hard on your lap... <3 Battery: The battery is sub-par. You will get 2-3 hours max unplugged even just web-browsing or writing code in a text-editor with the best power-saving setting and no keyboard lighting. It's a gaming laptop, so never expect too much battery life, but this one is even less impressive than others on the market. So don't get this one if you want to be on the go a lot, especially with the size. If you want to carry around the massive charger with you, then this might work for you. But seriously, the power brick is ginormous. Touchpad/interaction: The touchpad is a mess. At first, it seems intuitive and higher quality, but it glitches a lot. Every time I try typing out a sentence or two, the cursor jumps around to random places, causing text to become garbled and deleted. Also, while using the touchpad to game (when you are on the go and don't have a setup), random Windows features pop up and interrupt your game, as if there are hidden touchpad shortcuts to launch GUIs. It's extremely annoying. Don't get this laptop if you want a nice touchpad or plan to do much of anything with it, as it will frustrate. Maybe I got a faulty one. Display: The display is nice, but nothing to write home about. On full brightness, it's not really very bright, and on lower brightness, it's very much not dark. I don't know why, but you cannot dim the screen entirely, which is new to me on laptops. For gaming or watching videos, you get a pretty decent display, but don't get this if you are looking for a beautiful and wide-ranged screen--you will be disappointed. Keyboard/lighting: The keyboard is pretty nice for a laptop. Being used to a MacBook keyboard, any other typing experience is usually very different. But this one is fairly low-key and intuitive. I haven't found myself hitting the wrong keys or getting lost. Additionally, the keyboard does have RGB lighting, though, be warned, it's zoned. The keyboard is split up into a number of zones, each of which can be customized, though it's static normally. Using Omen Light Studio, you can give the wave or radial or other effects, but keep in mind, it's not a uniform pattern, it's still zoned. Overall: I will be returning this laptop because it doesn't fit my needs well enough. The bulkiness, the glitches, and the sub-par battery are too big of turnoffs. It's certainly not for everyone. But if you don't mind the occasional glitch, being plugged in most of the time, having mid-range performance and an only-decent display, this is the perfect laptop for you.
Posted 4 years ago by ndeering17
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
EXTREMELY POWERFUL, YET QUIET UNDER PRESSURE
KEY FEATURES 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6e 1TB WD SN730 NVMe SSD 16GB DDR-4 RAM Ryzen 7 5800H Processor (8 Cores / 16 Threads) INITIAL SET-UP AND CONFIGURATION This was a mixed of success and epic fails. Initial boot-up and loading went hassle-free. Windows walks you through all steps, as always, to create your account, get online, etc. However, once Windows update kicked in and went online, things were not as smooth. The initial Windows image appears to have been created prior to May 2021. The computer received a May 2021 update, but only received the 20H2 feature set. No biggie. I installed the May 2021 update, restarted, got the July 2021 update, installed it, restarted the laptop, then it all stopped. I got continued warnings that my PC was missing important updates and security fixes, but no matter what I tried, Windows would not update the PC any further. The Windows Update Assistant said the PC was compatible with 21H1, but it would not install. Hmmmm. Every time I’ve encountered this issue, it has been related to some form of bloatware. Time to dig in. After poking around and getting the Microsoft Store and all its associated programs updated, I discovered that HP graced me with several undesired programs. Included in this list are: McAfee, ExpressVPN, and LastPass. Programs are personal choices and I prefer not to use these programs. I tried uninstalling the 3 biggest offenders, hoping it would fix my failure to update issue, but it did not. So, I grabbed my trusty flash drive and went to the Windows Media Creation Tool to download a pure, un-adultered version of Windows from Microsoft. The clean version of Windows installed without issue. But, with this being a new computer, there were tons of updates and drivers that needed installed. Therein lies my 2nd issue with set-up. I downloaded the Omen drivers from HP’s website and used the self-extracting files to install the drivers for the laptop. The HP files didn’t work. They didn’t extract and install correctly on my machine, leaving me driverless and the laptop operating horribly. Luckily, Windows recognized the NIC after installation and I was able to get to Windows Update via an ethernet cable. From there, Microsoft took care of the rest and properly identified the correct drivers. At last, everything finally worked correctly, and all the latest security updates and patches were installed, but not without a couple of hours’ worth of work. USE AND PERFORMANCE Is this machine powerful? Yes, it is. My favorite go-to game for testing is Forza Horizon 4. While it may not be the flavor of the day for most. I enjoy the mindless racing simulator. I set the Power Management feature to balanced using the Omen Command Center and proceeded to benchmark. Forza returned recommended settings at either High or Ultra. With everything cranked up to max or near max levels, the machine returned a respectable average of 42fps. Lowering those levels down could ratchet up the framerates considerably, but the game plays fine at 42fps. The computer could technically be considered GPU bound, if you are a hard-core gamer. At 100% GPU utilization, the CPU was only being taxed at roughly 36%. While not a huge mismatch, there is still a little room for improvement. Further driver refinements may extract more performance from this new graphics chipset over time. Speaking of taxing the CPU, just how powerful is the new Ryzen compared to its competition? It is quite impressive. To find out the true compute power, I put it up against my Omen desktop that has a liquid cooled i7-9700 (8 cores / 8 threads) clocked at 3.0GHz. I found a home video that was 26 minutes and 36 seconds in length. It was recorded at 1080p / 30 fps and measured in a little over 7GB. Using Handbrake, my i7 Omen desktop converted my home movie from 1080p/30 to 720p/30 in 7:08. The Ryzen put that i7 to shame. Converting the home video on the Omen laptop took only 5:19. WOW!!! A huge difference. This was strictly using CPU rendering and not using GPU. Raw compute power is quite impressive. But even more impressive is the quietness of the cooling solution HP created. Handbrake stressed the CPU. During the 5 minute encode test, utilization ranged from 70% to 99% and temps spike momentarily up to 91C. VERY HOT. At the end of the test, the average temp stabilized to 88C. Surprisingly, using a laptop cooler didn’t help the thermals. Even at this temperature and the fans at 100% the laptop remained relatively quiet and was pleasant to use. Unlike my similar Acer Nitro that is distractingly loud and annoying while gaming. I find the annoying whine of the Acer quite tiring after just a few minutes of gaming. Not so with the Omen. HP has done a very good job balancing cooling, airflow, and noise levels. FINAL THOUGHTS This is a very attractive option for a gaming laptop. The screen looks nice and calibrates very well, accurately reproducing colors and textures. The keys will take a little while to get used to. I don’t like them as well as some of my other laptops I’ve had, but they work well enough, and the customizable backlighting is a bonus. Battery life is not very good. Others have been reporting very good battery life, but I’ve found only about 2 – 3 hours of battery life with casual use and less than 1 hour of life while gaming. The power brick charges the laptop back up quickly, but it is HUGE. Much bigger than any power brick I’ve used to date. There are plenty of expansion ports to satisfy nearly everyone. These ports include: LAN, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 A, 1 x USB C, SD card reader, 3.5mm headphone, full-size HDMI, and what appears to be a mini display port (I didn’t have a mini-DP cable to test it). At the end of the day, this is a very powerful laptop that rivals most desktops. While the Radeon 6600M graphics may not be quite as powerful as the latest nVidia options, it still works well and satisfies my graphics needs. My recommendations: HP removes their bloatware from the initial load (as it appears it prevented my laptop from updating correctly), improve their driver support on the website, and lastly find a way to squeeze in a better battery. Still, this is a very satisfying product, that is only held back by the initial configuration woes.
Posted 4 years ago by NAMO