If you’re hunting for the most powerful gaming laptop of the year, look no further than the HP Omen Max 16. This beastly machine comes in at a hefty $5,100 — yes, more than some used cars — but for hardcore gamers and creators, it’s worth every penny.
Inside, the Omen Max 16 boasts a shiny new Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU, running up to 175W, a QHD+ 240Hz OLED display, and 2TB of NVMe SSD storage. Combined with the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, this laptop crushes benchmarks and sets a new standard for portable gaming.
Design and Build Quality
The Omen Max 16 is arguably one of the best-looking 16-inch gaming laptops on the market. The all-metal chassis with its sleek Omen logo screams premium quality. Weighing 5.92 lbs, it’s lighter than many HX-based rivals. Sure, it picks up fingerprints, but it hides them better than most black-coated laptops. Don’t forget the massive 330W power brick, a reminder you’re packing serious hardware.
Performance and Benchmarks
Performance-wise, the Omen Max 16 is unmatched. The Intel Core Ultra 9 processor delivers blazing single-core speeds for snappy web browsing and apps, achieving a Speedometer score of 38, the highest among Windows laptops this year. Multi-core performance is even more impressive, with over 2,000 points — outperforming Ryzen HX 370 CPUs and beating last year’s i9-14900HX by 23%. Plus, it’s surprisingly power-efficient, offering slightly better battery life during heavy tasks like compiling Firefox projects.
For Creators and Gamers
Video creators will love this machine. In DaVinci Resolve, the RTX 5090 chews through layers, effects, and renders, thanks to its third encoder (up from two on the RTX 4090). Render times are significantly faster, and timeline scrubbing is smooth even with GPU-heavy workloads.
For gaming, the Omen Max 16 is a true monster. It handles QHD+ gaming with ease and even pushes some 4K titles without breaking a sweat. With DLSS and Frame Generation 2, you can boost frame rates dramatically — for example, jumping from 150 FPS to 230 FPS in Black Myth: Wukong. Just remember, for competitive FPS games like Marvel Rivals, you may want to skip Frame Gen to minimize latency.
Cooling and Noise
Thermals are impressively managed. Despite Intel CPUs capable of hitting 105°C, the Omen Max 16 stayed cool in the 80s Celsius under full load. However, the Unleashed performance profile cranks the fans, pushing noise levels above 60dB. For everyday use, the Performance profile balances power and noise beautifully.
A standout feature? HP and Intel’s auto fan cleaner — it reverses fan direction to blow dust out, or you can trigger it manually via the command center. Yes, you can literally say your laptop “farts” out dust!
Ports and Display
You get robust connectivity:
-
Left: 2x Thunderbolt 4, audio jack
-
Right: USB-A (10 Gbps)
-
Back: USB-A, HDMI 2.1 (8K60), 2.5Gb Ethernet, power port
The 16-inch OLED panel is jaw-dropping: 240Hz refresh, wide color gamut, ~500 nits peak brightness, and superb contrast. Reflections are noticeable, but the vibrancy more than makes up for it.
Webcam, Keyboard, and Build Details
The 1080p webcam delivers solid video quality, and Windows Hello provides quick face unlock. PWM flicker only kicks in below 25% brightness — no worries for most users.
The keyboard is a showstopper with translucent keys and customizable RGB synced to the bottom light bar — a first for Omen laptops. The rubberized deck, large numpad, and responsive non-glass touchpad (made from HP’s ocean-bound material) round out the premium feel.
Internals and Battery
Inside, you get upgradeable RAM (up to 64GB), dual SSD slots, and HP’s Omen Tempest Cooling Pro, using a vapor chamber cooler with a unique liquid metal design. The 83Wh battery gives you over 6 hours of real-world use, impressive for such a powerhouse.
Final Verdict
The HP Omen Max 16 is a no-compromise gaming laptop:
-
Unmatched RTX 5090 performance
-
Stunning OLED display
-
Sleek, premium design
-
Thoughtful cooling and upgrade options
Yes, it’s pricey and yes, the fans get loud. But if you want the ultimate gaming experience, the Omen Max 16 delivers in every way.
Unlock the World of Gadgets!
Subscribe to Gadget Explorer Pro for:
- The latest tech reviews & recommendations
- Exclusive deals & insider updates
Join us now and explore like a pro!
