HP is back in the high-stakes arena of premium gaming laptops with its latest beast: the HP Omen Max 16. Promising to be their most powerful gaming laptop yet, it boasts specifications that can range from a potent RTX 5060 all the way up to the monstrous RTX 5090. With a stunning OLED screen, more performance tuning options than ever before, and a fresh take on RGB lighting, the Omen Max 16 aims to deliver “maximum gaming power.” But does it truly conquer the competition, or do some unexpected quirks hold it back from ultimate glory? We dive deep to find out.
Contents:
Key Specs at a Glance (Review Unit Configuration)
Specification | Details |
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 16 GB Laptop GPU (TGP: 168W-175W) |
RAM | 32 GB DDR5-5600 MT/s (2 x 16 GB) |
Storage | 2TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD |
Display | 16-inch QHD+ (2560×1600) 240Hz OLED |
Weight (Laptop) | Approx. 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) |
Weight (with 330W charger) | Approx. 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg) |
Battery | 83 Whr |
Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1, 2x USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 4 / USB4, 100W PD, DisplayPort 1.4), 3x USB Type-A, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack |
Wireless | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
Webcam | 1080p with IR and physical privacy shutter |
Design and Build: A Tale of Two Halves
The Omen Max 16 arrives in either a stealthy Shadow Black or a striking Ceramic White finish. Our review unit sported the black, exuding a clean, professional aesthetic that doesn’t scream “gamer” too loudly, yet retains an undeniable presence. HP touts this as their first gaming laptop featuring an RGB light bar, and it’s a commendable effort. The light bar offers a clean, diffused look that arguably surpasses similar implementations from competitors like MSI or Gigabyte, adding a touch of modern flair without being overly ostentatious.
Build quality is generally decent. The metal finish feels premium and resists fingerprints well, contributing to its clean appearance. There’s only minor keyboard flex, even when applying significant pressure, giving an overall impression of sturdiness. However, the display is a different story. The screen exhibits more wobble than is ideal; a small bump to the desk or an aggressively typed email is enough to set it jiggling. While the hinges themselves feel smooth and allow for easy one-finger opening, the screen instability is a noticeable drawback in an otherwise solid chassis.
Portability-wise, the Omen Max 16 is a substantial machine. It’s a fairly standard size for a powerful 16-inch gaming laptop, not excessively thick, but it tips the scales at nearly 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) for the laptop alone. Add the 330W charger, and the total travel weight climbs to 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg). This positions it as one of the heaviest 16-inch gaming laptops tested in recent years, comparable to behemoths like the ASUS SCAR 16. The Omen’s charger, however, is a bit lighter than some rivals, which shaves off a little from the total carry weight compared to some competitors.
Keyboard, Touchpad, and Illumination: Bright Ideas with Minor Quirks
The Omen Max 16 features a keyboard with perky RGB backlighting, accentuated by HP’s unique “pudding” keycap design. This design allows more light to shine through the sides of the keycaps, creating a vibrant effect. Crucially, all keys and their secondary functions are illuminated. Key brightness can be toggled between two levels or turned off entirely using the Function + F4 shortcut. A neat touch is that holding the Function key highlights only the keys with assignable F-key functions. You can cycle through various lighting effects for both the keyboard and the front light bar using Function + 1 or 2.
For deeper customization, HP’s Omen Gaming Hub software is your control panel. It offers more granular control over the 10 lighting effects, including direction and speed. You can manage the keyboard and light bar lighting independently or sync them. For true lighting aficionados, the Light Studio software takes things even further, allowing brightness adjustments in precise 1% increments.
Typing on the keyboard is a pleasant experience. The key presses offer a subtle, satisfying click. The only notable ergonomic complaint is the smaller-than-standard up and down arrow keys, a common compromise on many laptops that can be frustrating for navigation.
The touchpad performs adequately for everyday tasks. It allows clicks anywhere on its surface, though it becomes progressively harder to press towards the top. The click mechanism itself feels a bit clunky, lacking the refined tactile feedback found on some premium competitors.
Ports and Connectivity: Mostly Good, But Room for Improvement
The port selection on the Omen Max 16 is decent, with a thoughtful layout that mostly keeps cables out of your way. The left and right sides are kept relatively clear, minimizing interference with a mouse hand. However, the inclusion of a Type-C port on each side would have been a welcome addition for versatility.
Most ports are conveniently located on the rear:
- HDMI 2.1
- Two USB Type-A ports
- The power input
The power plug itself is a minor annoyance. It doesn’t “clip” securely into place, meaning a slight movement of the laptop can easily dislodge the cable a few millimeters – just enough to stop it from charging. This can be frustrating if you’re not paying close attention.
On the sides, you’ll find:
- Right: One USB Type-C port, one USB Type-A port.
- Left: Another USB Type-C port, an Ethernet jack, and a 3.5mm audio combo jack.
Both USB Type-C ports support charging the laptop up to 100W and offer DisplayPort 1.4 functionality for connecting external monitors. However, for the absolute best gaming performance (highest FPS), you’ll want to use the rear HDMI port, as it’s the only display output that connects directly to the Nvidia dedicated graphics. When Optimus is enabled, both Type-C display outputs route through the Intel integrated graphics first. Interestingly, if you disable Optimus in the BIOS (to use the MUX switch), the Type-C ports lose their display output capability altogether.
Display Deep Dive: The OLED Experience
Our review unit was equipped with the top-tier 16-inch QHD+ (2560×1600) 240Hz OLED screen, and it is indeed a visual treat. As expected from OLED technology, it delivers an exceptionally wide color gamut, making games and media look incredibly vibrant. However, for professional content creators, the Delta E color accuracy being above 3 isn’t ideal for color-critical work out of the box.
Brightness maxed out at around 400 nits in our testing, with HDR on or off, falling a bit short of HP’s claimed 500 nits for HDR content. This is fairly average for OLED laptops; those seeking searing brightness will likely need to look towards Mini-LED alternatives. Being an OLED panel, it has a glossy finish, which means reflections can be an issue in brightly lit environments. Also, like other OLED panels, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is used to adjust brightness, which can be perceptible and potentially bothersome to a small percentage of users sensitive to flicker. We didn’t find any specific software options dedicated to mitigating OLED burn-in, though many modern panels have built-in mitigations at the hardware level.
For gaming, the display shines. The average gray-to-gray screen response time is an astonishing 0.5 milliseconds, on par with other OLED panels and significantly faster than any IPS or VA technology. This translates to exceptionally clear motion with minimal ghosting, a huge boon for competitive players. The total system latency (mouse click to gunshot on screen in CS2) was also among the fastest results we’ve seen, further cementing its credentials for competitive gaming.
The Omen Max 16 features Advanced Optimus, allowing seamless switching between integrated and dedicated graphics without a reboot. There’s also a traditional MUX switch accessible via the BIOS, but this requires a reboot and, as mentioned, doesn’t alter which GPU the Type-C ports connect to, making Advanced Optimus the more practical choice. G-Sync is available when Optimus is off (dedicated GPU mode), while Adaptive Sync works with the integrated graphics when Optimus is on, ensuring tear-free gameplay regardless of the active mode.
Internals and Upgradability: A Mixed Bag of Accessibility
Getting inside the Omen Max 16 is straightforward, requiring the removal of just six Phillips head screws. The two front screws are shorter than the rest, and one rear screw cleverly doesn’t come out completely but instead helps lift the bottom panel, making it easier to pry open.
Inside, the layout is fairly standard: the battery is at the front, two RAM slots are under a cover towards the middle, and two M.2 SSD slots are to the right of that. However, upgrading the primary components can be a significant hassle, particularly on higher-end configurations.
On models with RTX 5070 Ti graphics or above (like our RTX 5080 unit), accessing the primary M.2 SSD requires removing the entire cooling assembly. This is because its cover is soldered to a heat pipe that runs over the CPU. This design choice is questionable. The reviewer posited that the CPU is more likely to generate significant heat than the SSD, suggesting this heat pipe might inadvertently transfer CPU heat to the SSD rather than effectively cooling it. On models with an RTX 5070 or below, the primary drive can reportedly be removed with tweezers, which is still not ideal but preferable to a full cooler removal.
The stock 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD in our unit delivered excellent speeds. Most users will likely opt to add a second SSD rather than replace the primary, avoiding an OS reinstall. At least one of the M.2 slots supports faster Gen 5 drives, though documentation didn’t specify which.
Wi-Fi card upgradability also suffers from a similar design constraint: the cooler must be removed to access it. This necessitates a thermal paste (and liquid metal, in this case) reapplication, an extreme measure for what is usually a simple swap. Fortunately, the included Wi-Fi 7 card (a $10 upgrade over the default Wi-Fi 6E card, and highly recommended to avoid future upgrade headaches) is already excellent.
The secondary M.2 slot was confirmed to fit a drive with double-sided chips, but the primary slot couldn’t be accessed for such a check without disassembling the cooler. These upgrade hurdles are significant downsides for users who like to tinker or future-proof their machines.
Performance, Thermals, and Acoustics: Power Unleashed, But at What Cost?
Our configuration packed Intel’s Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, Nvidia RTX 5080 graphics, and 32GB of RAM. The cooling system features a vapor chamber cooler covering both CPU and GPU, utilizing HP’s “Omen Cryo Compound,” described as a liquid metal hybrid. Two fans draw air from vents directly beneath them on the bottom panel (despite the whole panel appearing meshed) and from additional vents above the keyboard. Hot air is exhausted from both sides towards the rear and from the back corners.
HP’s Omen Gaming Hub software provides several performance modes: Eco, Balanced, Performance, and the new Unleashed mode. In all modes except Eco, fans can be set to maximum speed.
- Performance Mode: Includes a “Power Settings” tab to enable “Smart Performance Gain,” which increases the shared CPU/GPU power limit. This can potentially drain the battery even when plugged in, but you can configure acceptable battery drain levels.
- Unleashed Mode: Offers granular control over power and temperature limits for users who want to squeeze out every last frame. This mode is where you can truly push the hardware, but expect more heat and noise.
- Advanced Performance Tab (Unleashed): Allows CPU and GPU overclocking (not tested in this review due to unit-to-unit variance).
A novel feature is the Intel-designed self-cleaning fan system, which periodically spins the fans in reverse to expel dust when not actively gaming. This can be scheduled, run manually, or disabled.
Thermal Performance:
At idle, internal temperatures were cool. However, under combined CPU and GPU stress tests (a worst-case scenario), both the CPU and GPU experienced thermal throttling in Performance and Unleashed modes. This is a rare sight in modern high-end gaming laptops. Even a cooling pad didn’t alleviate the temperature throttling, though setting the laptop’s fans to maximum did stop the GPU from throttling (at the cost of much higher noise).
The GPU could sustain close to 170W in Unleashed mode, impressive given the CPU was also drawing nearly 90W. This is close to the 5080’s rated 175W TGP with Dynamic Boost. Essentially, improving cooling allows the laptop to draw more power, boosting performance but also generating more heat. Users can, of course, use the power and temperature limits in Unleashed mode to cap thermals and avoid throttling, albeit at the cost of some peak performance.
A Critical Concern: Random Shutdowns
During these intensive stress tests, the laptop unexpectedly shut down approximately three times. This only occurred when using a cooling pad set to a moderate 1400 RPM. It didn’t happen in other tests, nor when the cooling pad was maxed out at 2800 RPM. The logs simply showed an “unexpected shutdown.” While the faster cooling pad speed might have kept temps below a critical shutdown threshold, seeing spikes up to 105°C during stress tests and experiencing random shutdowns under heavy load is a significant concern, not typically seen in other gaming laptops in recent years.
Gaming Performance:
In actual games, Unleashed mode didn’t offer a significant FPS boost over Performance mode; its value lies more in fine-tuning. Even Eco mode managed Cyberpunk 2077 at 2560×1600 Ultra settings above 60 FPS (without upscaling), allowing for quieter gaming sessions.
- Cyberpunk 2077 (RT Ultra): The Omen Max 16 (RTX 5080) was slightly behind RTX 5090 laptops, consistently beaten by an Alienware M18 (RTX 4090), and only a few FPS ahead of a last-gen Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (RTX 4080).
- Black Myth: Wukong: Similar story, beaten by most 5090s, but the performance gap wasn’t massive considering the price difference.
- Alan Wake 2: The Omen Max 16 performed 5-10% better than the 4080 Legion, with 5090 laptops not showing a commanding lead.
A notable observation across RTX 50-series testing was significantly better 1% low framerates compared to last-gen, resulting in a smoother, less stuttery experience. However, a few game crashes were experienced during testing. It’s unclear if this was specific to the Omen or an early Nvidia RTX 50-series driver instability, which will hopefully improve over time.
CPU Performance:
In CPU-only workloads like Cinebench, Performance mode actually edged out Unleashed mode. The scores were excellent, competitive with other 275HX laptops. On battery power, performance understandably drops, but not excessively. Some occasional random stuttering was noticed on battery despite good single-core scores.
Keyboard Temperatures & Fan Noise:
The keyboard remained cool at idle, below the typical low 30°C range. Under full load, the WASD area was a bit warm, the middle warmer, and the back (where you don’t touch) hot. Overall, keyboard surface temperatures were acceptable.
Fan noise at idle was slightly audible, likely due to a default BIOS setting (“fan always on”) which can be disabled for quieter operation. Under load, fan noise was not excessively loud compared to other gaming laptops, and even slightly quieter than HP’s thinner Omen Transcend 16.
Battery Life, Speakers, and Webcam
The Omen Max 16 is powered by a 6-cell, 83Wh battery. Battery life is hampered by the display being locked at 240Hz; there’s no dynamic refresh rate support (despite HP’s product page claiming otherwise for the Omen series, possibly not applicable to this OLED SKU) to drop to 60Hz for power saving. You can limit the battery’s maximum charge to 80% via the BIOS to improve longevity, but a software toggle would be more convenient. Disabling the Nvidia GPU for exclusive Intel graphics use (to save power) is possible via software but requires a reboot.
In a YouTube video playback test, the laptop lasted just over 5 hours, a fairly average result, similar to the ASUS SCAR 16 despite the Omen having a slightly smaller battery. It lost 16% of its charge while asleep for 24 hours, which, when calculated as average power loss per hour, was the lowest seen from an Intel-based laptop in these tests so far.
The dual speakers are located underneath on the left and right sides. They sound pretty good, offering clarity and some bass, though some vibration was noticeable in the palm rest area at higher volumes. LatencyMon results during a 5-minute idle test were poor.
The 1080p webcam above the screen includes IR for Windows Hello facial recognition and a physical privacy shutter – all welcome features.
Software, BIOS, and Linux Support
The Omen Gaming Hub is the central command software for performance tuning, lighting, and other system settings. The BIOS is straightforward and functional, including some less common but useful options like “fan always on” control and keyboard backlight timeout settings.
Linux support was reported as excellent overall, with most tested features working out-of-the-box, except for 6GHz functionality on the Wi-Fi 7 card, which likely just needs a driver update.
Pricing and Value Proposition: A Tough Sell?
Pricing for the Omen Max 16 (as of early May) starts at $2,500 for an RTX 5070 Ti configuration. The RTX 5060 model pricing wasn’t available at the time of review. The heavily specced RTX 5080 configuration, as tested, came in around $3,600 directly from HP.
The crux of the value discussion lies in performance comparisons. The RTX 5080 in this laptop performed similarly to last-generation’s RTX 4090 mobile GPUs. Given that good RTX 4090 laptops have recently been available in the $2,000-$2,500 range, the current pricing for the RTX 5080 Omen Max 16 feels steep. This is typical for new-generation launches; RTX 40-series laptops were also very expensive initially, with prices gradually decreasing over time.
The Verdict: Powerful, Flawed, and Premium-Priced
The HP Omen Max 16 is undeniably a performance beast. The raw power from its high-end components, coupled with a gorgeous 240Hz OLED display and extensive performance tuning options via the Omen Gaming Hub, makes for a compelling package on paper. The clean design and well-implemented RGB lighting (especially the new light bar) are also strong positives, though the pudding keycaps might be a love-it-or-hate-it affair.
However, this power comes with significant caveats. It’s one of the heaviest 16-inch gaming laptops on the market. Despite its heft and robust cooling hardware, it still experienced thermal throttling under sustained heavy loads. More concerning were the random shutdowns during stress testing, even with a cooling pad. While users can customize power and temperature limits to find a more stable balance, the option to push the hardware further seems to come with risks.
Upgradability is another sore point. Requiring cooler removal to access the primary SSD and Wi-Fi card is a major inconvenience compared to most competitors. The noticeable screen wobble also detracts from the premium feel.
So, who is the HP Omen Max 16 for?
If you prioritize cutting-edge components, a phenomenal OLED display for gaming, and appreciate deep performance customization, and you’re willing to accept its weight, potential thermal quirks (and manage them through software), and upgrade limitations, then the Omen Max 16 could be on your radar. However, its current high price, especially when compared to the performance of discounted last-gen flagships or potentially more thermally stable competitors like the ASUS SCAR 16 (which runs cooler and performs slightly better with its Mini-LED screen), makes it a tougher recommendation.
Ultimately, the Omen Max 16 is a potent gaming laptop with some brilliant features, but it’s held back by a few critical design choices and stability concerns under extreme loads. It has the potential to be great, but prospective buyers should weigh its impressive strengths against its notable weaknesses and high launch price.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the standout features of the HP Omen Max 16?
Ans: The key highlights include its powerful performance potential (up to RTX 5090, tested with Core Ultra 9 and RTX 5080), a stunning 16-inch QHD+ 240Hz OLED display with excellent response times, comprehensive performance tuning options via the Omen Gaming Hub (including the new “Unleashed” mode), and a clean design with a new, diffused RGB light bar.
Q: What are the main drawbacks of the HP Omen Max 16?
Ans: The primary concerns are its significant weight, thermal throttling under heavy stress tests, instances of random shutdowns during those tests, difficult upgradability for the primary SSD and Wi-Fi card (requiring cooler removal), noticeable screen wobble, and a relatively high launch price.
Q: How is the gaming performance on the Omen Max 16?
Ans: Gaming performance is excellent, especially with the RTX 5080 configuration. It trades blows with last-gen RTX 4090 laptops and offers very smooth gameplay thanks to high frame rates and good 1% lows. The 240Hz OLED display further enhances the gaming experience with its rapid response time.
Q: Is the HP Omen Max 16 good for content creation?
Ans: It has the raw power for content creation, with strong CPU and GPU performance. However, the out-of-the-box color accuracy of the OLED display (Delta E > 3) isn’t ideal for professional color-critical work without calibration. Some creator benchmarks (like DaVinci Resolve) also experienced crashes during testing.
Q: How is the battery life?
Ans: Battery life is average for a high-performance gaming laptop, lasting just over 5 hours in a YouTube playback test. The lack of a dynamic refresh rate option for the OLED display (stuck at 240Hz) limits potential power savings.
Q: Is the Omen Max 16 easily upgradable?
Ans: Not particularly. While accessing the internals is easy, upgrading the primary M.2 SSD and the Wi-Fi card on higher-spec models requires removing the entire cooling assembly, including repasting the CPU/GPU, which is a significant undertaking. RAM and the secondary M.2 SSD slot are more accessible.
Q: What about the display wobble mentioned in reviews?
Ans: Yes, the display does exhibit more wobble than desirable. Small desk bumps or vigorous typing can cause the screen to shake, which can be distracting and detracts from the premium feel.
Q: Is the HP Omen Max 16 worth its price?
Ans: At its current launch price (around $3,600 for the RTX 5080 model), it feels expensive, especially since its performance is comparable to last-gen RTX 4090 laptops that can now be found for significantly less. Value may improve with sales or as prices adjust over time.
Q: How does the Omen Max 16 handle heat and fan noise?
Ans: It can run hot under sustained, maximum load, leading to thermal throttling of the CPU and GPU. Fan noise is manageable in balanced modes but can get loud when fans are set to max or in Unleashed mode. The laptop also features a self-cleaning fan system. More concerning were unexpected shutdowns during stress tests, potentially linked to thermal management under extreme conditions.
Q: What kind of display options are available?
Ans: The Omen Max 16 is available with three different screen options. The review unit featured the top-end 16-inch QHD+ (2560×1600) 240Hz OLED panel. Other options will likely be IPS-based with varying refresh rates and resolutions.
