The HP Omen Max 16 (2025) is a powerful gaming laptop built to deliver top-tier performance, but its strengths come with notable compromises. At 5.4 pounds and priced around $2,500, this machine isn’t cheap or lightweight. The inclusion of an Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series GPU justifies the premium cost for those seeking uncompromising gaming power, but it’s essential to understand where this laptop excels and where it falls short.
Design and Build Quality
The Omen Max 16 embraces a typical “gamer” aesthetic, featuring customizable RGB lighting and a vibrant keyboard. While the design is visually striking, it won’t appeal to all users. The build quality is solid but not flawless; the screen exhibits some flex, and the matte black finish attracts fingerprints. The keyboard layout has been improved with a number pad, though the touchpad placement feels slightly awkward. Despite these minor flaws, the overall design strikes a balance between functionality and aesthetics.
Display Performance
The 16-inch display offers a solid visual experience with 400-nit brightness and 97.4% sRGB coverage. However, professional color accuracy is lacking, with only 71.8% and 76.7% coverage of the Adobe and DCI P3 spectra, respectively. The contrast ratio of 797:1:1 is also disappointing compared to modern standards. The standout feature is the 250Hz refresh rate, which provides incredibly smooth motion for gaming.
Performance and Capabilities
The Omen Max 16 excels in raw performance. Equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 CPU, and 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, it handles the latest AAA titles with ease. Benchmark tests show exceptional results; the GPU scored a staggering 181,959 in OpenCL with Geekbench 6, significantly outperforming competitors. The CPU also delivers impressive performance, with 2,967 single-core and 15,420 multi-core scores.
However, this power comes at a cost: the cooling fans run loudly under heavy load. Battery life is also subpar, lasting only 7 hours and 31 minutes in looped video playback. This laptop is designed for plugged-in gaming and demanding tasks, not for extended use on the go.
Ports and Connectivity
The Omen Max 16 offers a comprehensive selection of ports, including two USB-A, one HDMI 2.1, a headphone jack, an Ethernet port, and two USB-C ports. It also features Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, along with a 1080p webcam. HP’s Omen Gaming Hub software allows for performance monitoring and customization.
Final Verdict
The HP Omen Max 16 (2025) is a high-performance gaming laptop that delivers exceptional power but makes compromises in build quality, battery life, and portability. It excels at graphics-intensive tasks and gaming, making it ideal for enthusiasts willing to overlook its drawbacks. If you need a machine for professional color-critical work or require long battery life, this is not the laptop for you. The Omen Max 16 is a gaming powerhouse first and foremost, and that is where its value lies.
