HP OMEN 16 2023 Intel Review - An iconic gaming laptop series' new DLC

In a realm where the line between gaming and work-orientated hardware is continually blurring, the HP OMEN 16 2023 emerges as a strong contender in catering to the needs of both the gaming community and the working professional - especially if they are content creators or students. 

Powered by Intel, the 2023 refresh of the OMEN 16-inch laptop promises to be an elevated gaming experience for longtime fans of the brand. With this particular iteration, it's clear HP is looking to branch further out and market this model as "the one that can do it all, for the person who needs it all in one place."

As an avid gamer, but a professional who needs to edit content and stay on the go constantly with her PC setup, I was excited to delve into the OMEN 16 2023 and see how it fared with my previous OMEN 17 2019. Would it be enough to make me want to switch from my current main working hardware, the formidable Macbook Pro 2020?

OMEN 16 2023 Intel - Design:

The first thing that caught my eye about the OMEN 16 2023 was its sleek and understated design. Gone are the flashy indicators of a gaming machine, replaced with a more subtle aesthetic that wouldn't look out of place in a classroom or a coffee shop. The thinner bezels are a welcome change, lending the laptop a more modern, compact, appearance - a feature that has clearly contributed to its lightweight feel. 

One thing to bear in mind is that if you're the type of person who hates seeing fingerprints and marks on your tech surfaces, the laptop's black exterior is prone to picking up even the slightest print when handling it. That includes typing and leaning your palms on the base, as well as even simply closing the screen at the end of the day.

The absolute standout in design for me, though? The rear charging port slot. Gone are the days of bending the wires to the point of breaking when using the laptop in an informal setting or accidentally knocking it out while moving, which I have perpetually struggled with. It's a happily welcomed feature when using the OMEN 16. The customisable RGB keyboard was a delightful addition, too, and made night-time gaming or late writing sessions a lot more vibrant.

OMEN 16 2023 Intel - Display:

Turn on the 16-inch gaming laptop, and you're immediately greeted with a 240Hz QHD display, offering crisp visuals whether gunning down opponents in a heated gaming session or editing high-resolution videos for your next big project. For me, this was essential in testing out a range of my favourite games (Fortnite, The Sims, and Immortals Fenyx Rising to name a few). 

The typical UK weather decided to give us a taste of winter a little earlier this year, but on the one day of sunshine we were blessed with, I actually found working in my brightest room of the house a lot easier than usual with its anti-glare finish.

OMEN 16 2023 Intel - Performance:

Under the hood, the OMEN 16 2023 Intel is nothing short of a powerhouse. With options going up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 and Nvidia RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, the laptop doesn't shy away from heavy-lifting, running the latest game titles at high frame rates with ease. 

The cooling system has seen a revamp, ensuring the internals remain chilled even during a performance onslaught, which is crucial for maintaining the laptop's prowess in the long run. As someone who has struggled with previous models and their heat retention I've burned my poor legs countless times in the past after getting stuck in on a serious video edit. I was happy to find the modern cooling system is definitely a step in the right direction for those of us who actually use our laptops in our laps, and not just as a 'portable desktop.'

OMEN 16 2023 Intel - Battery Health

The HP OMEN 16 2023 Intel comes equipped with an 83Wh battery, a capacity that, on paper, promises substantial working hours. However, when put to the test, the battery's endurance seems to sway towards the modest side.

The battery depletion depended on the complexity of the task I was giving it, and the scale of my projects. I was able to edit various, less than 10-minute-long videos, using just the battery life. However, when including rendering and general exporting of projects, I found myself plugging the hardware back in just to keep the PC from going into overdrive from the whirring fan.

It also became difficult to manage multiple jobs at once when exporting specifically, but it was a huge improvement from the OMEN laptops we currently use in the GGRecon office for productivity (we still occasionally use the OMEN 17 2019). It did struggle to keep battery during intense gaming sessions, so I still ensured to keep the laptop plugged in at all times to avoid losing progress from an unpredictable shutdown, but I did receive plenty of warning time from the PC to charge before it did shut me out of my games.

During standard usage, with the brightness and performance settings dialled down a notch, the battery holds up reasonably well, making it through a typical work or school day. It's certainly a trade-off, a balancing act between performance and longevity that the user needs to be cognizant of. So, while the OMEN 16 2023 Intel stands as a formidable companion for both gaming and professional endeavours, it's wise to have its power adaptor at hand for those longer, more demanding sessions.

The Verdict

The HP OMEN 16 2023 Intel beautifully strides the line between a gaming laptop and a daily workhorse. Its modern design, robust performance, and appealing display make it a worthy consideration for anyone looking to game, create, or simply get work done efficiently.

While it has a few drawbacks, the OMEN 16 2023 provides an excellent value proposition, especially when snagged on a sale, making it a strong contender in today's portable PC market. 

After my time with the OMEN 16 2023 Intel, I have to admit that I was open to the idea of one day looking into heading back to the PC dark side full-time, but we’ll save that for when I can save up and treat myself to the stunning, newly-refreshed white version of the OMEN 16 2023.

4/5

Unit provided by the manufacturer.