HP Omen Max 16 (2025) review in 2026: still worth it next to the new HyperX Omen Max? · Doxlore

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HP Omen Max 16 (2025) review in 2026: still worth it next to the new HyperX Omen Max?

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HP’s biggest gaming laptop of 2025 has a stunning OLED screen and top RTX 50 graphics. The 2026 HyperX version is out, and the older model is now the smarter buy.

Our score: 8 / 10

At a glance

Spec	Detail
Announced	January 2025 (CES)
Screen	16-inch 2560 x 1600, 240Hz, OLED or IPS
CPU	Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, AMD options in some regions
GPU	Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop (24GB)
Memory	DDR5, 2 upgradeable slots
Weight	About 2.7 kg (5.9 lb)
Ports	Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, headphone jack

Why this laptop is still in the conversation

In 2026, HP moved its gaming laptops to the HyperX brand and released the HyperX Omen Max 16 with Intel’s newer Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. The graphics options did not really change. It still tops out at an RTX 5090.

That makes the 2025 Omen Max 16 interesting. In games, the GPU does most of the work, so the older model gets you very close to the same frame rates. And it has been discounted a lot as stores clear stock.

The OLED screen is the star

Get the OLED version if you can. It is 16 inches, 2560 x 1600, and runs at 240Hz. Colours are rich and accurate, blacks are perfect, and motion is very clear.

Laptop Mag measured an average brightness of 363 nits and very accurate colour on its RTX 5090 unit. That is fine for indoor gaming and good enough for photo editing. It is not the brightest screen for use near a sunny window.

Performance

With the RTX 5080 or RTX 5090, it runs almost any game at the native 1600p resolution with high settings, especially with DLSS turned on. The RTX 5070 Ti models are the value pick and still very strong at this resolution.

The Core Ultra 9 275HX is a very fast CPU for games and for streaming at the same time. In HP’s most aggressive power mode, the CPU can hit its heat limit and back off a little during long heavy loads, but you will rarely notice that in games.

Cooling is good overall. The keyboard area stays usable, but the laptop gets loud when pushed. Use headphones.

Battery life is poor

This is a desktop replacement, not a laptop for class or travel. Laptop Mag’s battery test, which browses the web over Wi-Fi, got 3 hours 20 minutes. Its gaming battery test lasted 1 hour 24 minutes. Keep the big charger with you.

Keyboard, ports and upgrades

The keyboard feels solid and responsive, with per-key RGB lighting. The speakers are weak for a laptop at this price, so plan on a headset.

Ports are excellent. You get Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, two USB-C and two USB-A ports, so you do not need a dock. The RAM sits in two normal slots, which matters in 2026. With memory prices so high, you can buy a 16GB model now and add more later when prices come down.

Which version to buy

The RTX 5090 model is very expensive, and the jump over the RTX 5080 is not huge at 1600p. For most people, the RTX 5080 with the OLED screen is the sweet spot. On sale, an RTX 5070 Ti model gives the best value.

Only pay extra for the 2026 HyperX version if the price is close. The newer CPU helps in CPU-heavy tasks, but games will look and feel almost the same.

The good and the bad

What works

Beautiful 240Hz OLED screen
Up to RTX 5090 graphics
Great port selection with Ethernet and HDMI 2.1
Upgradeable RAM slots
Big discounts now the 2026 model is out

What doesn’t

Short battery life
Heavy at around 2.7 kg
Loud under heavy load
Weak speakers

Who it’s for

Buy it if you want a desk-based gaming laptop with a top OLED screen and can get the 2025 model on a good discount.

Skip it if you need to carry it every day or want real battery life. A thinner 14-inch gaming laptop will suit you better.

Alternatives worth a look

HyperX Omen Max 16 (2026), newer CPU, similar gaming speed, higher price.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i, a strong rival with a great keyboard and cooling.

The verdict: A great gaming laptop that got better value in 2026. Pick the OLED and an RTX 5080 or 5070 Ti, and skip the HyperX premium.

Sources

Laptop Mag, HP Omen Max 16 (RTX 5090) review

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Best Windows on Arm laptop in 2026: our picks and what still does not work

Snapdragon laptops are now fast, quiet and last all day. Here are the ones worth buying in 2026, how Arm laptop performance feels in real use, and which apps still cause trouble. The quick picks Best for most people: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 Lightest: Asus Zenbook A14 Best screen: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x Best premium design: Dell XPS 13 (9345) Best value: HP OmniBook X 14 Best 2-in-1: Microsoft Surface Pro 11 All of these use first generation Snapdragon X chips. Newer laptops with Snapdragon X2 are also out in 2026. They are faster, especially in graphics, but they cost a lot more. The older models are heavily discounted, and for most people they are the better deal. How Arm laptop performance feels Apps built for Arm, like Chrome, Edge, Office, Teams, Zoom, Spotify, Slack and most Adobe apps, feel fast. The laptop wakes instantly, stays cool, and the fans barely spin. Apps that are not built for Arm run through Microsoft’s Prism emulator. Most feel fine, but heavy ones run slower than on an Intel or AMD laptop. Since late 2025, Prism also supports AVX and AVX2, which fixed a lot of creative apps and games that used to refuse to start. The biggest win is battery life. A full work day with power to spare is normal, and that is the main reason to buy one. Graphics are the weak spot. Light and older games play fine, but these are not gaming laptops. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 The Surface Laptop 7 is the easiest recommendation. It comes in 13.8-inch and 15-inch sizes, both with a sharp 120Hz touchscreen. The keyboard and trackpad are some of the best on Windows, and the battery life is excellent. It launched at $999 in 2024 and is now often much cheaper. Get 16GB of RAM and the Snapdragon X Plus or X Elite. The 15-inch model is great if you want a bigger screen without much extra weight. Asus Zenbook A14 The Zenbook A14 weighs under 1 kg and still has a big battery. That makes it one of the longest lasting Windows laptops you can buy. It has an OLED screen option and a full set of ports, including USB-A and HDMI. The trade-off is a plainer design and a slower chip in the cheapest models. Pick a Snapdragon X Elite version if your budget allows. Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x The Yoga Slim 7x has a 14.5-inch 3K OLED screen that looks fantastic for films and photos. It is thin, well built and uses the Snapdragon X Elite. If you care most about how the screen looks, pick this one. Dell XPS 13 (9345) The XPS 13 is the most stylish laptop here, with an edge to edge keyboard, a glass trackpad with no visible edges and a touch function row. It is also the most divisive. The function row can be hard to use by feel, and there are only two USB-C ports with no headphone jack. If you love the look and get it on sale, it is a lovely machine. Otherwise the Surface Laptop 7 is easier to live with. HP OmniBook X 14 Photo: Booredatwork.com via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 The OmniBook X 14 is a simple, well made 14-inch laptop that often sells for less than its rivals. It does not stand out in any one area, but it does everything well, and it is a smart pick if you want Snapdragon battery life for less money. Microsoft Surface Pro 11 If you want a tablet that turns into a laptop, the Surface Pro 11 is the one. Get the OLED model and a Flex Keyboard bundle. It is light, the screen is great and battery life is strong. The newer 2026 Surface Pro with Snapdragon X2 is faster but starts at $1,499. What still does not work on Arm App support is much better than two years ago, but check this list before you buy: Games with kernel anti-cheat. Games like Valorant and some other online shooters still will not run. Fortnite now works, because Easy Anti-Cheat added Arm support. Some VPN and security software. Many work now, but some company VPNs and antivirus tools still do not. Ask your IT team first if it is a work laptop. Old printer and scanner drivers. Newer printers usually work. Old ones may not have Arm drivers. Some pro audio plugins and niche tools. Music producers should check every plugin they rely on. If everything you use is on the web or has an Arm version, you will not notice any difference, apart from the better battery. The verdict: For most people, a discounted Surface Laptop 7 is the best Windows on Arm laptop in 2026. Check your must-have apps first, then enjoy the battery life.

2h agoRead discussion

ReviewsAsus Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405)Asus Zenbook A14 (UX3407)Asus Intel+1

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405) review in 2026: still a smart laptop buy?

A light 14-inch laptop with a 120Hz OLED screen and a big battery. In 2026 it often sells for well under its launch price, and that makes it easy to recommend. Our score: 8 / 10 At a glance Spec Detail Model UX3405MA Released Early 2024 Screen 14-inch OLED, 2880 x 1800 at 120Hz or 1920 x 1200 at 60Hz CPU Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, Ultra 7 155H or Ultra 9 185H Memory 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5X (soldered) Battery 75 Wh Ports 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A, HDMI 2.1, headphone jack Weight About 1.2 to 1.28 kg Wireless Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 What makes it good The Zenbook 14 OLED gets the basics right. It is light, well built, has a great screen, and lasts a long time on a charge. It also has a full set of ports, which many thin laptops no longer do. The main thing that changed in 2026 is the price. It launched at around $1,000 to $1,100, and it has regularly sold for $700 to $800 since. At that price, very few laptops offer an OLED screen this good. The OLED screen The 3K OLED version is the one to get. It is sharp, runs at 120Hz so scrolling feels smooth, and has deep blacks and rich colours. Films and photos look far better than on the IPS screens most laptops in this price range use. The screen is glossy, so it reflects bright lights. Some people who are sensitive to flicker also find OLED screens tiring at low brightness. If that is you, try one in a store first. Performance The Core Ultra 7 155H is fast for office work, web browsing, coding and photo editing. The built-in Intel Arc graphics can run older and lighter games at low settings, but this is not a gaming laptop. The fans stay quiet during light work and get louder under heavy load. It does not get uncomfortably hot on your lap. Battery life The 75 Wh battery is large for a laptop this light. With normal work, like browsing, documents and video calls, it lasts a full day. Heavy tasks at full brightness drain it much faster. It is not as long lasting as a MacBook Air or a Snapdragon laptop, but it is one of the better Intel laptops of its generation. What it is missing in 2026 It is not a Copilot+ PC. Its NPU is too slow for Microsoft’s local AI features like Recall and some Studio Effects. Most people will not miss them, but know that before you buy. The RAM is soldered to the board, so you cannot add more later. Get 16GB at a minimum, and 32GB if you keep it for many years. Asus has since released the UX3405CA with newer Intel chips, and the Snapdragon based Zenbook A14. The newer models cost more, and the older UX3405MA is the better value if you do not need Copilot+ features. The good and the bad What works Beautiful 120Hz OLED screen Light and well built Good battery for an Intel laptop Thunderbolt 4, USB-A and HDMI all built in Frequently on sale well below launch price What doesn’t Not a Copilot+ PC Soldered RAM Glossy screen reflects light Battery trails Snapdragon and Apple laptops Who it’s for Buy it if you want a light Windows laptop with a great screen and full app compatibility for under $800. Skip it if you want the longest battery life or Copilot+ AI features. Look at the Zenbook A14 or a MacBook Air. Alternatives worth a look Asus Zenbook A14, lighter with longer battery life, runs Windows on Arm. MacBook Air M3, better battery and build, if you are open to macOS. The verdict: One of the best value Windows laptops you can still buy in 2026. Get the OLED model with 16GB on sale.

ExplainersDell XPS 13 (9345, Snapdragon)Microsoft Surface Pro (11th Edition)Dell Microsoft HP+1

Windows on ARM is finally good enough, here is what still breaks

For browser-and-Office life, Snapdragon laptops are excellent. For games, pro audio and some niche tools, check first. What works now Two years of Snapdragon X laptops have sanded down the rough edges. Chrome, Edge, Office, Slack, Zoom, Spotify, most creative apps, all run natively or emulate acceptably, and the battery life is genuinely a generation ahead of comparable Intel machines. What still trips people up Many games and their anti-cheat systems. Some VPN and endpoint-security clients. Older peripheral and printer drivers. Certain pro-audio plugins. A handful of enterprise line-of-business apps. If your work or hobby depends on one of those, either wait or buy an Intel/AMD machine. Otherwise the XPS 13, Surface Pro 11 and OmniBook X 14 are easy recommendations. The verdict: The default answer flipped: assume ARM is fine unless you have a specific reason it is not, then check that reason carefully.

Buying guidesMacBook Air (15-inch, M3, 2024)Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405)Apple Asus HP+3

The best laptop for students in 2026

Four picks across three budgets, from "if it stretches" to "on a tight one". If the budget stretches, MacBook Air 15 (M3) Silent, all-day battery, the best trackpad and one of the best screens, and heavily discounted now. The safe pick that will last a full degree and beyond. Best-value Windows, Asus Zenbook 14 OLED A gorgeous 120Hz OLED, solid build and strong battery for well under flagship money. The Windows pick for most students. Best battery life, HP OmniBook X 14 (Snapdragon) If you want to leave the charger at home, a Snapdragon ultraportable goes the longest. Check your coursework software runs on ARM first. On a tight budget, Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 14 Well-built, comfortable keyboard, dependable, and cheap. Nothing flashy, nothing wrong with it. The verdict: Air if you can, Zenbook if you want Windows value, OmniBook X for battery, IdeaPad if money is tight.

Sep 6, 2026

ComparisonsNvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Nvidia

RTX 5080 vs RTX 5090: is the flagship worth double?

For 1440p and most 4K gaming, the 5080 is the sensible card. The 5090 is for 4K-native, VR and creative workloads. The gaming reality The RTX 5080 ($999, 16GB) handles 4K gaming well, especially with DLSS. The RTX 5090 ($1,999, 32GB) is roughly 40 to 50% faster and has double the VRAM, but if you game at 1440p or 4K with upscaling, the 5080 leaves almost nothing on the table. When the 5090 makes sense 4K native with heavy ray tracing, high-refresh VR, or non-gaming work: large local models, 8K video, complex 3D scenes. Those workloads use the extra memory and horsepower; games mostly do not. The verdict: Buy the 5080 for gaming. Buy the 5090 only if you run 4K native, VR, or serious creative and AI workloads. Sources Nvidia

Sep 6, 2026Read discussion

ReviewsNvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Nvidia

Nvidia RTX 5090 review: the halo card nobody needs and everybody wants

The fastest consumer GPU by a wide margin, at $1,999, 575W, and diminishing raster returns without DLSS 4. Our score: 8.5 / 10 At a glance Spec Detail Memory 32GB GDDR7 Power 575W TGP, 12V-2x6 connector Key feature DLSS 4 multi-frame generation MSRP $1,999 Untouchable at the top For 4K gaming, local AI inference and heavy 3D work, the RTX 5090 has no competition. The 32GB of GDDR7 alone makes it the obvious choice for large local models and high-resolution creative workloads. The value depends entirely on DLSS 4 With DLSS 4 multi-frame generation in a supported game, the frame-rate leap over a 4090 is huge. Without it, pure rasterisation, the uplift is more modest than the price jump implies. And street prices have ignored the $1,999 MSRP since launch. The good and the bad What works Fastest GPU available, comfortably 32GB for 4K and AI work DLSS 4 multi-frame generation is transformative where supported What doesn’t $1,999 MSRP that retail ignores 575W and a demanding power connector Raster gains over the 4090 are smaller than the price suggests Who it’s for Buy it if money is not the constraint and you want the fastest card for 4K, VR or local AI. Skip it if you game at 1440p or 4K-with-upscaling, where the 5080 leaves little on the table for far less. Alternatives worth a look RTX 5080, half the price, handles 4K gaming well. RX 9070 XT, the value option two tiers down. The verdict: The best, and priced like it. Justified for 4K-max and creative pros; overkill for everyone else. Sources Nvidia

Sep 6, 2026Read discussion

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HP Omen Max 16 (2025) review in 2026: still worth it next to the new HyperX Omen Max?

At a glance

Why this laptop is still in the conversation

The OLED screen is the star

Performance

Battery life is poor

Keyboard, ports and upgrades

Which version to buy

The good and the bad

Who it’s for

Alternatives worth a look

Sources

0 comments

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RTX 5080 vs RTX 5090: is the flagship worth double?

Nvidia RTX 5090 review: the halo card nobody needs and everybody wants

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