[Review] HP OMEN 16 with Jensen Huang's Pick Graphics Card: A Laptop That Handles High-End Games with Ease

HP OMEN 16 Rivals Desktops in Performance
Expansive Display for AAA Gaming
Versatile for AI Tasks and Video Editing

Until now, the common perception has been that high-end games could only be played on desktop PCs. While gaming laptops have certainly advanced compared to the past, gamers have traditionally chosen desktops due to limitations in power supply caused by battery dependence and the difficulty of replacing key components. However, HP's flagship laptop, the "HP OMEN 16," boasts performance that rivals high-spec desktop PCs. I tested the OMEN 16 with both graphically intensive games and programming using generative AI models.

HP's flagship laptop PC, HP OMEN 16. Provided by HP

To begin with, HP introduces the OMEN 16 as an all-around gaming laptop equipped with desktop-level performance, claiming it has the capabilities suited for enjoyable gaming. The OMEN 16 features AMD's high-end processor, the Ryzen 9 R9-8940HX, which is commonly found in top-tier gaming laptops. The processor serves as the "brain" of the PC, and a high-end chip can be regarded as a brain that is smarter and faster than those in other PCs. In addition, it comes with NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card. Notably, this is the same graphics card that NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang gifted to PC gamers at a PC cafe during his recent visit to Korea on June 5.

The Snowy Mountains of Red Dead Redemption 2 Unfold Before Your Eyes... Enhanced Immersion with the Expansive Display

Despite being a laptop, the wide display prevented any sense of confinement during gameplay. I launched Rockstar Games' AAA hit "Red Dead Redemption 2," a personal favorite. The snow-covered mountains that appear at the beginning of the game spread out impressively, defying the usual constraints of gaming laptops. The OMEN 16 offers a 16-inch WQXGA (2560x1600) display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, 500 nits of brightness, a 240Hz variable refresh rate, and a micro-edge design that maximizes the field of view. The screen is so large that it would take about three adult male palms to cover it. And it’s not just during gaming that the large screen proves advantageous. For example, I watched a gameplay video of Korean game developer Pearl Abyss's new release "Crimson Desert" on YouTube using the OMEN 16, and the large display significantly heightened the sense of immersion.

Playing the AAA game "Red Dead Redemption 2" from Rockstar Games on HP's flagship laptop PC, the "HP OMEN 16." Photo by Byungseon Gong

But can the laptop handle games at the highest settings without any issues?

While playing Red Dead Redemption 2, I set all graphics options to "very high." Even then, there was no lag or stuttering during gameplay. Every visual detail provided by the game was rendered sharply. For instance, the flow of water, the fur of wolves attacking the protagonist, and the horse’s tail fluttering in the wind were all distinctly visible. Character movements were also extremely smooth. Even when mounting a horse, there was no awkwardness, which increased my focus during play. The laptop’s quick responsiveness, even in split-second moments requiring precise aiming, meant there was never any frustration. I expect that not only Red Dead Redemption 2 but also a stream of new high-end game releases can be played smoothly on this device.

The OMEN 16 is not just advantageous for gaming. Users also find it convenient for professional tasks such as video production. For example, when running Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing, there was no lag and processes ran quickly. Thanks to the powerful processor, a high-performance graphics card, and at least 32GB of RAM, even ultra-high-definition video editing is possible.

The 'HP OMEN 16,' a flagship laptop PC from HP, is recognized as an all-around gaming laptop with desktop-level performance. Photo by Byungseon Gong

Furthermore, the OMEN 16 features a dedicated key in the lower right corner of the keyboard to launch Microsoft's Copilot, an AI productivity tool for work. Pressing this key activates Copilot in chatbot form. Through Copilot, users can search for game strategies, summarize documents, translate text, and perform various other tasks. Even when programming with the generative AI that many people now use, the OMEN 16 responded quickly. For instance, I wrote code to monitor articles using Google's generative AI model Gemini, and Gemini produced code and results even faster than usual. When experiencing trial and error during "vibe coding"—writing code through natural language—the AI provided immediate responses, boosting work efficiency. Even beyond vibe coding, the AI delivered prompt answers for other tasks as well.

OMEN 16 Boasts Sleek Design and Excellent Typing Feel

Even as a device, the laptop is praised for its clean design. The black chassis and a thickness of just 23mm ensure that, despite the 16-inch display, it doesn’t feel bulky. Unlike most laptops with side-mounted power ports, the OMEN 16’s charging port is located at the rear of the display. This means that the charging cable is hidden from view during charging, contributing to a neat impression. There is one USB port on both the left and right sides, and the back panel houses HDMI 2.1, a wired LAN port, and various other input ports. The abundance of USB ports allows for multiple tasks to be performed simultaneously. The device weighs 2.35 kg, making it slightly heavier than most compact laptops from leading manufacturers. The power adapter is also quite large, adding noticeable weight when carried in a bag.

The laptop PC representing HP, the 'HP OMEN 16,' does not feel thick despite its large screen, thanks to its 23mm thickness. Photo by Byung-sun Gong

The keyboard also offers a unique experience compared to typical laptops. It provides a soft yet deep keystroke, delivering excellent tactile feedback. The noise level is low, and because both the laptop and keyboard are large, there’s no need for a separate Bluetooth keyboard. Furthermore, unlike most laptops, the arrow keys are independently and generously sized, which is particularly convenient for in-game controls. The high-performance keyboard of the OMEN 16 integrates the expertise of HP’s gaming equipment brand, HyperX. According to HP, this keyboard supports rapid response times and high polling rates, minimizing input lag.

One particularly impressive aspect is heat management. Even after running the OMEN 16 for over three hours, the keyboard and surrounding areas never felt hot to the touch. HP attributes this to its proprietary "OMEN Tempest Cooling System," which features triple-sided vents to ensure stable temperature control during extended gaming sessions. The system draws in cool air from below and expels hot air out the rear and sides. This effective temperature management not only keeps the device cool but also enhances system stability and performance. However, the fan noise from the vents was quite loud. From the moment the laptop was first powered on, the fan noise was surprising, and it remained noticeable even during gaming sessions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.