The HP Omen X is a transportable gaming PC that doesn’t fiddle, with a high-end Intel processor, a strong GeForce GPU, a speedy G-Sync display, and a mechanical keyboard. I’m struggling to class it as a laptop computer, nonetheless, such is the size and spec sheet of this 17-inch cellular monster. That stated, it’s one of the vital succesful gaming notebooks we’ve ever seen away from the plug.
A gaming laptop computer wants one of many best gaming mice. These are our favourites. Aww.
That stellar on-battery efficiency might be the most important shock in regards to the big-boy Omen X laptop computer, particularly given the truth that it’s bought such a mighty specs sheet. The most necessary part selections are the CPU and GPU that HP have picked for this highly effective machine. Inside the chunky chassis is the Intel Core i7 7820HK, the third tier quad-core cellular chip in Intel’s Kaby Lake vary, and sat alongside that could be a full-fat Nvidia GTX 1070 graphics card.
Coupled with the 120Hz IPS display, with its native 1080p decision, which means you’re getting wonderful gaming efficiency proper out of the field, with no compromise. HP have additionally kitted our evaluate unit out with 16GB of speedy DDR4 reminiscence, a 256GB Samsung NVMe SSD, and a 1TB spinny exhausting drive.
A particular word must be made in regards to the low-profile mechanical keyboard they’ve fitted the Omen X with too. Because of the high-end parts, the chassis is a somewhat broad 36mm thick, however which means it has the house to accommodate a genuinely responsive, clicky mech-switch keyboard with a satisfyingly deep journey. It’s pretty to sort on and on-the-money in relation to gaming efficiency too.
All these fancy bits does imply this machine is a little bit of an expensive cellular gaming PC. The UK model we’ve been testing is available in at £2,500, although the closest we will get within the US is available in at $1,895, however that solely has a Core i7 7700HQ as its CPU.
But it’s that GTX 1070 which provides the HP Omen X 17 its gaming chops, and at 1080p, you’ll be capable to play all the most recent video games at their native decision. You received’t essentially all the time be capable to hit the 120fps you would possibly must run on the display’s refresh fee, however the G-Sync assist nonetheless means you’re getting a deliciously clean gaming expertise. That stated, even at max brightness the panel does really feel a contact dim.
Away from the plug you’re nonetheless getting good gaming body charges, nonetheless, and for over an hour and 20 minutes too. Normally, gaming laptops obtain that by drastically dropping down their GPU clockspeeds to devour much less juice, however there may be solely a comparatively small reduce going from plugged-in to on-battery energy. In the benchmarks beneath among the different laptops (we’re you Asus) default to unplayable gaming efficiency away from the plug. You can fiddle with the facility settings, however with the Omen X you need not.
That’s as a result of in addition to that chunky chassis permitting HP to ship sufficient cooling to name the Omen X an overclockable laptop computer, it additionally means they’ve bought the footprint to drop in an impressively capacious battery too.
But the Omen X isn’t with out its issues. Though, most of them right down to the design, not the selection of parts, or how they operate. I perceive it is a desktop alternative machine – a transportable, highly effective gaming rig, somewhat than an extremely cellular laptop computer – so I can cope with the chunky aesthetic. What I’m not so comfy with are the angular, overly sharp edges.
After solely a comparatively quick gaming session my forearms are pink uncooked the place the chassis cuts in slightly below my wrist as my digits relaxation on the WSAD keys. And after penning this complete evaluate on the beautiful mechanical keyboard they’re feeling extremely sore. A little bit of a bevelled edge wouldn’t go amiss. It’s not a welcome design alternative and would drive me to distraction if I have been to be commonly gaming or typing.
That’s not the one bum-note within the design both. Why HP have determined that the broad energy cable must be plugged in on the appropriate hand facet of the board I don’t know. Yes, the facet the place most players are prone to be utilizing their gaming mouse. It does get proper in the way in which. It’s not even prefer it’s a discreet, right-angle cable both.
And don’t get me began in regards to the dimension of that energy brick… I’ve made full gaming PCs with the AMD Raven Ridge chips that are virtually the identical dimension.
It’s irritating that these design points get in the way in which of what’s in any other case a stunning gaming PC. I’m nonetheless battling the concept that one thing this large is usually a laptop computer, however the spectacular cooling on provide means you’re not going to soften your legs off and, in the event you’re desk-bound, pocket book overclocking immediately turns into doable too.
Having used the Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC, with its 16-thread AMD Ryzen processor, I’ve been just a little spoiled by way of CPU energy, particularly when that machine prices round £1,000 much less, however in gaming efficiency the HP simply has the Asus beat. The Nvidia GPU means it’ll ship all of the 1080p efficiency you could possibly want for, and with G-Sync smoothness too.
As a desktop alternative gaming machine then, it’s a winner, as long as you’ve bought the money and a sturdy sufficient desk to deal with its mighty girth.
SE7EN.WS verdict: 8/10
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