HP has been synonymous with value for decades now. The company prides itself on designing high-performing, dependable computers that are much more affordable than its rivals. Today, the family encompasses laptops that cater to everyday business needs, multimedia pursuits, gaming, and working on the run.
Lately, HP has invested in premium machines as part of its Spectre and Elite Dragonfly lines. The Envy range is another vibrant, premium collection that especially appeals to the sensibilities of creative folk. The brand has a flagship gaming range – Omen laptops with good graphics performance and effective heat management. Nonetheless, the legacy of trustworthy, pro-budget devices continues for HP, with series like the good-old Pavilion. You can find the ideal balance of performance, price, security, and trust.
What makes an HP Laptop special?
The neat way in which HP merges performance with a bargain price is the highlight of its promise. Most of its offerings are feature-rich, letting you enjoy the latest display technology, webcams, and internet connectivity. Its laptops are renowned for their dynamic cameras. You can find options like noise reduction and auto frame.
HP computers also excel at battery backup. You should be able to get upwards of eight hours quickly, and many devices offer rapid charging to let you power up between meetings. HP’s adaptability to business is also rooted in security solutions and privacy features like integrated privacy screens and mechanical shutters for the camera.
The company has a knack for keeping up with the trends. Its recent forages in premium and luxurious ranges like the Elite Dragonfly have been successful. HP has also integrated contemporary features like Bang & Olufsen audio and ergonomic design in some of its newest models. Siding with an HP laptop can be an intelligent and safe investment when you want a true-blue performer without breaking the bank.
Best HP Laptops 2022 to Meet all your Computing Needs
The HP laptop that works for you will depend on your priority usage – business, gaming, travel, etc. It will also depend on the kind of display you need. The screen resolution, graphics performance, refresh rate, and brightness are important. The number of available connections – ports, Wi-Fi 6/6E – and the battery backup is critical if you need to travel extensively and work remotely. Finally, the budget remains a perpetual factor, especially in times like these when new launches keep upping the price point at every tech event. We have collected the best picks for you, divided by category and pricing.
Best Overall: HP Spectre x360 13.5 2-in-1 Laptop
Processor: 12th Generation Intel Core i7-1255U (up to 4.7 GHz, 12 MB L3 cache, 10 cores, 12 threads) | Graphics Card: Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Display: 13.5" diagonal, WUXGA+ (1920 x 1280), multitouch-enabled, IPS, Low Blue Light, 400 nits | Memory: 16GB (OB) | Hard Drive: 512GB PCIe NVMe TLC M.2 SSD (4x4 SSD) | Weight: 3 — 4 lbs
- Flexible 360° design for versatile uses
- Special image and sound features for video calls
- Dependable battery backup
- Several display options for creative purposes
- Heat dissipation can be a little noisy
- The touchpad could have been smoother
- Lacks HDMI port
The Spectre series is one of the finest all-purpose laptops that combine processing strength, flexible design, and beautiful audio visuals. The HP Spectre x360 13.5 2-in-1 laptop works brilliantly for business users, travelers, and even students due to its unique 360° design and reliable Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. You can choose up to an Intel Core i7-1255U processor, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage. The starting price is a reasonable $1,249.99.
The 13.5″ WUXGA+ display panel is bright and vibrant. The brightness stands at 400 nits – more than many alternatives in this space. HP strives to reduce blue light emissions. It effectively limits eye strain as you work through the day (or night).
The camera is a stand-out feature of this model. It includes a shutter and temporal noise reduction technology to keep your experience private and efficient. The digital microphones (dual array) facilitate good-quality sound output.
For Creators: HP ENVY Laptop 16t
We like the sheer volume of goodies in this one: a WQXGA monitor, an Intel Core i7 processor, and an intuitive camera with noise reduction. The savings are gratifying – $250 off the listing.
- Powerful configuration
- Beautiful 4K display
- Well-built webcam
- Good audio output
- Rather heavy to use as a hybrid laptop
- Expensive
The Envy lineup holds a lot of promise for creative endeavors like content editing, 3D modeling, and architectural drawing. A powerful choice is the HP ENVY laptop 16t, available at $1,399.99. You can enjoy the speeds of an Intel Core i5-12500H processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The strength is there if you need to upgrade: an i9-12900H CPU, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of memory.
This 5.12lbs HP Envy has a superb 5MP camera. If you frequently make video calls, you will appreciate the Auto Frame feature that always keeps you in focus. It also employs noise reduction to keep your attention focused on the conversation.
The display front lives up to the expectations you will have from a creator-friendly computer. You can choose up to 4K resolution and immerse yourself in the content with a screen-to-body ratio of 88.7%. The audio by Bang & Olufsen is the perfect accompaniment, delivering fine and distortion-free sound.
Best Lightweight: HP Pavilion Aero Laptop
- Very lightweight and sleek
- Budget-friendly
- Fast charging
- High brightness
- It lacks a camera shutter
- Battery backup is not great
The sleek, new-age HP Pavilion Aero laptop weighs less than 2.2lbs and measures just 0.67”. This device works beautifully for travelers, ready to conquer with an AMD Ryzen 5 5625U processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. The audio by B&O is pleasant and realistic. What is best is that HP prices it at only $679.99, which makes it a worthwhile alternative for casual users and students.
This super-light 13.3″ computer has a vivid WUXGA screen with support for AMD Radeon Graphics. It also offers an anti-glare panel and a pretty good brightness of 400 nits. The color spectrum of 100% sRGB ensures realistically rendered content. Watching your favorite content on the move can become more enjoyable.
One of HP’s claims to fame remains the battery life advantage. Here you can get up to 11.5 hours of unplugged usage and 13.5 hours of video playback time. It is more than you find with most contemporaries in this price bucket.
For Streaming & Entertainment: HP Pavilion Laptop 15
The Intel Core i7 version of your favorite Pavilion is a little more expensive, and you still save around $200. You get an engaging screen-to-body ratio as well.
- Several usage modes
- Portable form factor
- Decent battery backup
- Affordable pricing
- Low brightness
- Not a wide color gamut
Battery life over 10 hours. The price point is the most satisfactory aspect here: a budget-friendly $899.99.
The FHD display has a low brightness of 250 nits and a color gamut of 45% NTSC. But it is a flicker-free display and supports IPS to give you a comfortable viewing experience from any position. The screen is micro-edge to limit interference from outside as you dive into the latest binge-worthy TV series.
This 3.86lbs device works well as a tablet, but the tent and reverse modes are the best for creative endeavors and A/V streaming.
Best Cheap: HP Laptop 17z
Look no further if you are on a tight budget and want a reliable computer for day-to-day needs. This one also charges up fast – up to 50% in less than an hour.
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life and quick charging
- Light and portable build
- Immersive display
- Average performance
- Low brightness
- Low screen resolution
The good news first: the HP Laptop 17z costs just $319.99. It is a nifty little AMD device on a budget with a lightweight build and decent unplugged usage. The specs are rather basic: an AMD Athlon Gold 3150U processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. But they will serve you well for daily computing activities at work or college.
The HD+ panel has an average brightness of 250 nits. So, no great shakes here, but the screen-to-body ratio is a pleasant 84%. That is a helpful scenario for distraction-free work!
Plus, this 17.3″ laptop lasts for 9.25 hours on one charge. It even gets powered up to 50% in only 45 minutes. So, you can comfortably carry this 4.58lbs computer without fretting about running out of battery.
HP uses an ergonomic lift-hinge design to enhance the user experience. You will find it beneficial if you need to type a lot during the workday.
For Gaming: HP OMEN 16 Gaming Laptop
- Top-notch gaming performance
- Brilliant cooling
- It has cool backlighting options for the keyboard
- Likely to be affordable
- Average brightness
- It does not offer a refresh rate higher than 165Hz
Gamers alert! The HP OMEN 16 gaming laptop promises to be the shiniest new thing in the arena this year. HP has fitted it with excellent heat management (Tempest Cooling) and powerful specs for lightning-fast performance. So, you get an Intel Core i9-12900H processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics and 32GB of RAM. You also get up to 2TB of space to keep all your paraphernalia without compromising system speeds.
The new OMEN also sports a gorgeous QHD display with a refresh rate of 165 Hz. You get numerous options to customize the viewing experience, such as choosing 100% sRGB and playing in a low-blue light environment. The response time of 3ms gives you an edge in competitive events that reward quick reflexes. The brightness is the only dampener at 300 nits.
The newest OMEN will also have Thunderbolt 4 ports and Wi-Fi 6E for consistent connectivity. Its keyboard, too, is unique for its spatially-aware lighting and other interactive effects. This purchase comes with the attractive bonus of a month’s access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Conclusion
HP has developed an enviable range of modern laptops that satisfy every computing need. You can find exceptional business laptops, gameplay machines, convertibles for travel, and the works.
We recommend the HP Spectre x360 as an all-rounder device that meets professional and casual needs. It is a smartly designed 2-in-1 computer with a fab camera and reliable performance. It has a flexible design, good connectivity, and a vivid display.
As far as portability is concerned, the HP Pavilion Aero Laptop is a find. It is super light but succeeds in being a decent performer with reasonable unplugged usage.
HP has many competent options for gamers and creators. The HP Pavilion Laptop 15 is a versatile performer on a budget, equipped with good audio and decent battery backup. You should also explore the Omen line for offerings like the HP OMEN 16 – it makes perfect sense for the gamer in you.
Delivering value has always been one of HP’s strengths. It continues to excel on this front amid steep price hikes by many competitors. The HP laptop 17z will serve you well if you are on a shoestring budget. It has an ergonomic design and permits rapid charging for consistent performance – without hurting your wallet.
