Welcome to my in-depth review of the HP OMEN MAX 16, HP’s flagship gaming laptop for 2025. Partnered with HP and NVIDIA, I’ve had the privilege of testing this beast early, and I’m here to break it all down for you. With the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, Intel’s Core Ultra 275 HX CPU, and a slew of innovative features, this laptop promises to redefine high-performance gaming on the go. After spending quality time with it—gaming, testing thermals, and pushing its limits—I can confidently say it’s the best HP gaming laptop I’ve ever reviewed.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Straight out of the box, the HP OMEN MAX 16 exudes premium vibes. The sleek, shadow black aluminum chassis feels sturdy yet refined, with a redesigned top and bottom panel that screams 2025. HP sent this unit at my request, and I was immediately struck by its heft—well-built without being unwieldy. Inside, you get the laptop, a power adapter, and minimal paperwork—no extras like headsets here, keeping it focused on the core experience. The underglow RGB light strip at the front bottom caught my eye right away—a subtle yet stylish touch.

Design and Build: A Step Up for HP

HP has revamped the OMEN MAX 16’s design, and it’s a noticeable upgrade from past models. The aluminum top and bottom panels lend a premium feel, while the dimensions (slightly larger than its predecessor at 10.59 x 14.04 x 1.08 inches) accommodate a beefier cooling system and a full-sized keyboard. Weighing around 2.68kg, it’s portable for a 16-inch gaming laptop, though not ultralight.

Port Layout

The port selection is thoughtfully laid out:

• Right Side: 1 USB-A (perfect for a mouse).
• Left Side: 2 USB-C ports, 1 headphone jack.
• Rear: HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, additional USB-A, and power input.

This rear-facing design keeps cables tidy—a boon for gamers who hate workspace clutter. The build quality feels rock-solid, and the single-hand hinge opening is smooth and satisfying.

Display: A 240Hz Stunner

The 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) display is a highlight. With a 240Hz refresh rate, it’s buttery smooth for fast-paced games like Valorant or Cyberpunk 2077. Brightness hits a solid 400+ nits (my estimate based on testing), and colors pop right out of the box—vibrant yet accurate, likely covering close to 100% sRGB. Response times are lightning-fast, minimizing ghosting in intense firefights. I played Apex Legends at max settings, and the visuals were crisp and immersive—games look phenomenal on this panel.

Performance: RTX 5080 and Core Ultra 275 HX Unleashed

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU

The star of the show is the GeForce RTX 5080, NVIDIA’s latest mobile GPU. Built on the Blackwell architecture, it’s a powerhouse that rivals last-gen’s top-tier RTX 4090 in traditionally rendered games. I tested it across multiple titles:

• Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, no DLSS): 70-80 FPS.
• Apex Legends (Max settings): 140-160 FPS.
• Starfield (High): 90-100 FPS.

Where it shines is with DLSS 4. In supported games (over 100 titles already, with 750+ supporting DLSS overall), I saw massive boosts:

• Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, DLSS 4): 110-120 FPS with ray tracing on.
• Forza Horizon 5 (Ultra, DLSS 4): 130-150 FPS.

DLSS 4 offers better upscaling, lower latency, enhanced ray reconstruction, and multi-frame generation (up to 4x)—smoother visuals with jaw-dropping fidelity. It’s a game-changer for demanding AAA titles.

Intel Core Ultra 275 HX CPU

Paired with the GPU is Intel’s Core Ultra 275 HX, a 24-core (8P + 16E) chip that’s a revelation. It outpaces last year’s Core i9-14900HX in multi-core performance—think 20-25% faster in Cinebench R24 (my retests hit around 15,000 multicore)—while sipping 40% less power. I had to rerun benchmarks because the efficiency blew me away. For gamers and creators, this means top-tier performance without the usual power guzzling.

Overclocking and Unleash Mode

HP’s software introduces manual overclocking—unlocking the CPU to 75W and GPU to 175W in Unleash Mode (total system wattage: 250W). I pushed Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing and saw a 10-15 FPS bump—proof this mode delivers. It’s a nod to enthusiasts who crave control.

Thermals: Cool Under Pressure

HP’s new thermal system is a triumph. The Omen Cryo Compound—a custom, viscous liquid metal—prevents leaks while efficiently transferring heat. Paired with a vapor chamber and shorter heat pipe runs, it dumps heat fast. During a 2-hour Starfield session, surface temps stayed impressively cool—around 40-45°C on the keyboard deck (one of the lowest I’ve seen on a gaming laptop). Fan noise is minimal in Balanced and Performance modes—barely audible for casual use—but Unleash Mode ramps it up to a noticeable roar.

Self-Cleaning Fans

A standout feature (developed with Intel) is the self-cleaning fans. They intermittently reverse airflow to blow out dust—automatically, no user input needed. I didn’t notice dust buildup after a week, and you can disable it in software if you prefer. It’s a first for laptops and a maintenance game-changer.

Keyboard and Trackpad: RGB Bliss

The latticeless RGB keyboard is a joy. With no framing between keys, the per-key RGB lighting spills out in a pudding-like glow—bright, customizable, and gorgeous. Typing feels fast and responsive, with good travel and tactile feedback—great for gaming and long essays alike. The underglow light strip at the front bottom adds a diffused ambiance, fully tweakable via the OMEN Gaming Hub.

The trackpad is large and smooth, supporting Windows gestures flawlessly. It’s not the star here (gamers will use a mouse), but it’s more than adequate for productivity.

Battery Life: A Full Day Surprise

With an 83Wh battery, the OMEN MAX 16 defies gaming laptop norms. On light tasks (web browsing, document editing, 50% brightness), I got 8-10 hours—a full school day for students without needing the charger. Gaming drains it faster (2-3 hours on Unleash Mode), but compared to last-gen chips, it’s a significant leap. Efficiency from the Core Ultra 275 HX shines here.

Upgradeability: Future-Proof Inside

Popping the bottom panel reveals:

• 2 RAM slots: Up to 64GB DDR5-5600MHz (32GB standard).
• 2 NVMe slots: 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD preinstalled, expandable.
• Battery and WLAN access.

This level of upgradeability ensures longevity—swap in more storage or RAM as needed. It’s a thoughtful touch for a flagship.

Audio: Decent, Not Stellar

The dual bottom-firing speakers (tuned by Bang & Olufsen) are loud and clear for gaming—explosions in DOOM Eternal had punch, but lack deep bass. For casual use, they’re fine; for immersion, grab a headset. The headphone jack delivers crisp audio with my HyperX Cloud II.

Software: OMEN Gaming Hub

The OMEN Gaming Hub ties it all together. Customize RGB, tweak fan curves, enable Unleash Mode, or overclock with ease. It’s intuitive and bloat-free—HP’s kept it streamlined compared to past iterations. The self-cleaning fan toggle lives here too.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Stellar RTX 5080 performance with DLSS 4.
• Efficient Core Ultra 275 HX CPU.
• Exceptional thermals with self-cleaning fans.
• Vibrant 240Hz display.
• Long battery life for light use.
• Upgradeable internals.

Cons

• Unleash Mode fans get loud.
• Speakers lack bass depth.
• Premium price (est. $2,699+).

Who’s It For?

The HP OMEN MAX 16 is for:

• Gamers: High frame rates and DLSS 4 make it a dream for AAA titles.
• Students: Battery life and productivity chops handle schoolwork.
• Enthusiasts: Overclocking and upgradeability cater to tinkerers.

Not ideal for budget buyers or those needing ultraportability—it’s a performance-first machine.

Final Verdict: HP’s Best Gaming Laptop Yet

The HP OMEN MAX 16 is a triumph—HP’s finest gaming laptop to date. The RTX 5080 delivers next-gen power, the Core Ultra 275 HX rewrites efficiency rules, and the thermal design keeps it cool under pressure. Add a stunning display, a killer keyboard, and surprising battery life, and you’ve got a flagship that rivals the best from Razer or ASUS. At an estimated $2,699 (based on similar configs), it’s not cheap, but the performance justifies it. Whether you’re fragging in Apex or studying all day, this laptop excels. What do you think—worth the splurge? Let me know below!

Author Section

Dave Lee
Tech Reviewer & Content Creator
Hey everyone! I’m Dave Lee, and I craft quality videos about useful tech. With a passion for breaking down gadgets like the HP OMEN MAX 16, I bring you hands-on insights to help you choose the best gear. Subscribe if you’re into that kinda stuff—thanks for the support!