Gaming laptop hierarchy adjusted, HP Omen Max 16 rises to top position following $700 price reduction
Blasting onto the Scene:
Just dropped the HP Omen Max 16 onto my list of killer gaming laptops to keep an eye on. And guess what? This bad boy's got a massive $700 discount going on!
The same RTX 5080 configuration I've been wrestling with in tests for the past fortnight is now available for just $2,599.99 on the ol' HP store. You ain't gonna find many rigs of this caliber pulling full whack at that price tag, no sir.
Now, it's been cheaper before, by a smidgen during a flash sale when the 16-inch gaming laptop initially launched. But the MSRP was a bit lower back then, so I ain't expecting too many improvements on today's sweet deal anytime soon.
HP Omen Max 16 16-inch RTX 5080 gaming laptop | $2,599.99 at HP Save $700 - Dive into the top-tier world of gaming with the HP Omen Max 16 now for under $2,600!
Specs: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | Nvidia RTX 5080 | 32GB RAM | 1TB SSD | QHD+ 240Hz display
Grab it if:
✅ You're looking for a long-term investment✅ Performance takes center stage over an OLED panel✅ You're all about control over performance presets
Steer clear if:
❌ You're after battery life longevity❌ Can't stand a bit of keyboard flex
Check it out## Should you splurge on the HP Omen Max 16?
The HP Omen Max 16's been cooling down after my relentless testing, but this powerhouse has already earned a coveted spot in my top recommendations. Framerates and synthetic benchmark numbers I extracted from this rig are off the charts, rivaling even some RTX 5090 machines in action.
Here are some numbers. The RTX 5080 HP Omen Max 16 triumphed over the RTX 5090 Razer Blade 16 in most titles, besting it in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Three Kingdoms, and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. It didn't rule the roost everywhere, as it slightly faltered in larger releases like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth Wukong.
But it blew 'em away in 3D Mark's synthetic benchmarks, surpassing the Blade 16's Fire Strike score with a 37,344 score of its own and topping the Blade's Time Spy score in similar fashion. It slipped behind by 425 points in Steel Nomad, but it still outpaced the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 by an additional 1,242 points.
Performance is paramount, but there's more. The HP Omen Max 16's design is sleek as sin, boasting a sharp white finish that keeps digital smudges at bay and masterfully balances the chassis size with portability. Sure, you miss out on the OLED displays of Asus and Razer competitors, and there's a touch less overall vibrancy, but it's still vivid, bright, and punchy overall.
No laptop's perfect, and I wouldn't recommend the HP Omen Max 16 to anyone eyeing an off-grid gaming companion. If you need a dedicated gaming rig, though, I’d be hard-pressed to suggest anything at this price point. Just keep in mind the battery life doesn't stray far beyond two hours, even in eco mode and with the screen and RGB shut off.
I'm also digging into the best Razer laptops, best Asus gaming laptops, and the best Alienware laptops for those searching for another brand to suit their needs.
Exploring Alternatives
Curious about other high-powered laptops in the same league as the HP Omen Max 16 RTX 5080? Here are some tantalizing options:
- HP Omen Max 16 RTX 5090 - The instant follow-up within the HP ecosystem, featuring an even more potent GPU: the RTX 5090, with the same high-performance CPU and advanced cooling and tuning. Makes for a genuinely juicy upgrade with just a bit more power.
- HP Omen Max Desktop (GPU variant) - This machine delivers a musclebound AMD Ryzen CPU combined with an NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti GPU, though the GPU takes a step down compared to the RTX 5080. Nevertheless, it's a fierce competitor in its own right, especially at a slightly different price/performance ratio.
- HP Omen Max 16 RTX 5060 - A budget-friendly answer that packs an AMD Ryzen AI 7 H 350 CPU and the RTX 5060 GPU. Still a formidable option for gamers and creators who want a pocket-friendly alternative without sacrificing power.
- HP Omen 16 (2024) - A slightly older model equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 and the RTX 5080, albeit with lower memory bandwidth and power limits compared to the Max 16 variant. It's a useful point of comparison to see how far the Max 16 has come in terms of GPU specifications.
The Skinny
The top competitors to the HP Omen Max 16 RTX 5080 are mainly found:
- HP Omen Max 16 RTX 5090 - The upgraded model with the most powerful GPU, making it the prime option for better performance.
- HP Omen Max Desktop RTX 5070 Ti - A solid bet with a powerful AMD CPU and a less powerful GPU.
- HP Omen Max 16 RTX 5060 - A cost-effective alternative for gamers and creators on a budget.
- HP Omen 16 (2024) - The older model with slightly lesser GPU specs, but worth checking out as a baseline comparison for its RTX 5080 model.
These laptops share similar, high-refresh WQXGA displays, DDR5 RAM, PCIe SSD storage, and advanced thermal management features optimized for demanding gaming and creative workloads.
- The HP Omen Max 16's impressive performance in hardware-intensive games, rivaling the RTX 5090, makes it a noteworthy option for gaming enthusiasts seeking top-tier deals.
- For those advocating technology innovation, the current release of the HP Omen Max 16 RTX 5080 boasts pioneering features like DDR5 RAM and advanced thermal management, showcasing the latest in gaming gadgets.
- The HP Omen Max 16 RTX 5080, alongside other gaming hardware like the Alienware and Asus offerings, promises to raise the bar in the world of technology, redefining the standards for high-performance gaming laptops.
