There has been a surge of mid- to high-end gaming laptops with incredibly powerful technology due to the nearly simultaneous release of new Intel Core Ultra 9 processors and Nvidia RTX 5080 mobile GPUs. Among these is the HP Omen Max 16, which performs on par with its counterparts but also finds it difficult to differentiate itself in terms of price and design.

Specs and features

The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and Nvidia RTX 5080 mobile graphics form the basis of the HP Omen Max 16. Both chips are brand-new and offer superior overall performance in their respective markets.

Number of model: 16-ah0043dx

CPU: 275HX Intel Core Ultra 9
Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 5080 (Max 175W with Dynamic Boost); Memory: 32GB DDR5-5600
NPU: 13 TOPS of Intel AI Boost

Display: 16-inch OLED with HDR, 2560 x 1600, 240 Hz
2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD for storage
Webcam: 1080p, 30 frames per second webcam that supports Windows Hello

Connectivity: 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack, 2x Thunderbolt 4 with USB-C and Power Delivery, and 2x USB Type-A (10 Gbps).
Networking: Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 7.
Biometrics: Recognition of faces

Battery dimensions: 14.04 x 10.59 x 0.98; capacity: 83 watt-hours
6.1 pounds in weight
Windows 11 Home is the operating system.

Extra features: HyperX wireless access
The MSRP is $3,339.99.

Aside from CPU and GPU, the HP Omen Max 16’s specs are standard. The model I evaluated featured a 2TB PCIe 4.0 solid state drive, 32GB of memory, and a 16-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.

Since the Omen Max 16 includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports (some competitors have just one), connectivity is the only area where HP deviates from the standard. A HyperX wireless adapter is also included for rapid connection with HyperX gaming hardware. This is a specialized function, but it could be helpful because HyperX gaming peripherals are frequently of high quality.

Design and build quality

Alienware is blushing if imitation is the ultimate form of flattery. Over time, HP’s Omen line has evolved into a product that resembles previous Alienware laptops. The inspiration is evident in the Omen Max 16’s black and white color options, its straightforward lines with rounded corners, and—most importantly—the font selection that is identical to that of the laptop’s “O16” badging.

The Omen Max 16 isn’t as ostentatious as a standard Alienware computer, though. The Omen Max 16 has a customisable RGB-LED lightbar across the front and an RGB-LED keyboard, although the outside badging is pretty subdued. Because HP’s use of matte black materials is seen as boring, the Shadow Black coloring is especially covert. Many rivals have their unique features. For instance, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 features a white LED display on its lid.

This puts the design of the Omen Max 16 in a difficult position. Although it’s not ugly, it’s the least appealing of the new gaming laptops with RTX 5080 that PC World has examined so far.

Positively, HP hasn’t compromised on build quality. When lifted from a corner, the laptop chassis doesn’t flex much, and the materials don’t creak or moan. Only a small amount of flex is visible in the display when the laptop is opened and closed, and the keyboard likewise resists flex until it is misused. In this price range, competitors such as Alienware, Lenovo, and Asus also provide good build quality, but the Omen Max 16 is at least on par with them.

Connectivity

A wide variety of ports may be found on the sides of the HP Omen Max 16. The 3.5mm combo headphone/microphone jack connects two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the left side, both of which support USB-C. There is a single USB-A port on the right flank. On the back are HDMI 2.1, 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, and another USB-A port. Additionally, the laptop includes a barrel plug power adaptor on the back that attaches to the 330-watt power brick that comes with it.

For a contemporary gaming laptop, this is a decent port variety. Additionally, I appreciate that some connectors are located on the back of the laptop, which simplifies cable management. Fortunately, if you use the laptop a lot on a desk, two of the three ports—Ethernet and HDMI—are the ones you’ll use the most.

USB-C power delivery is also supported by the Thunderbolt 4 connectors. Although HP doesn’t specify how much power is available, it doesn’t matter because the laptop’s maximum power consumption probably surpasses what USB-C can supply. Nevertheless, having USB-C as a backup means of charging the laptop in case you forget the brick is convenient.

Like the majority of new laptops released in 2025, the HP Omen Max 16 has Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 7. The surprise is that the laptop can pair wirelessly with HyperX devices instantly. However, I was unable to test this capability because I was not in possession of a compatible HyperX device.

Performance

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16, and the MSI Raider 18 HX AI are among the rival laptops that PC World has recently tested that have hardware identical to the HP Omen Max 16 that I reviewed. It combines an Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor. In addition, the Omen Max 16 had 2TB of PCIe solid state storage and 32GB of DDR5 RAM.

First up is PCMark 10, a comprehensive system benchmark. The Omen Max 16 achieved a strong score of 8,321 in this instance. The difference is so little that it’s practically a tie, even though it is nearer the lower end of the competitive Intel Core Ultra 9 / Nvidia RTX 5080 laptops that we have previously reviewed.
Handbrake is a benchmark that uses a lot of threads and usually lasts longer. But the most recent Intel Core Ultra 9 CPUs, like the HP Omen Max 16, really eat it up. It is comparable to the majority of its rivals. The only one that stands out from the competition is the MSI Raider 18 HX A2XW, which boasts a bigger chassis and a little more powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processor.

Battery life & portability

For a high-end gaming laptop, the HP Omen Max 16’s 83-watt-hour battery is on the tiny side. Nvidia Optimus graphics, which helps extend battery life by disabling the separate GPU when performance isn’t needed, is another feature of the laptop.

There are several advantages to this. Our battery test, which repeats a 1080p clip of the short film Tears of Steel, lasted almost five and a half hours on the HP Omen Max 16. Though not as long as the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16, it is longer than the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 and MSI Raider 18 AI HX.

Five to six hours of battery life isn’t much, however. The Omen Max 16 weighs 6.1 pounds and is over an inch thick at its thickest point, making it a little challenging to pack. You will be carrying about eight pounds when you include the 330-watt power brick.

Conclusion

In the fiercely competitive market for mid- to high-end gaming laptops with Nvidia RTX 50-series hardware, the HP Omen Max 16 is a competent, if fairly boring, choice. Although it lacks features that could set it apart from the competition, it offers performance that is generally comparable to the alternatives. It lacks the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16’s performance and the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16’s style.

However, the cost of the HP Omen Max 16 is one of its most alluring features. The Omen Max 16 is a 16-inch gaming laptop featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 and RTX 5080 that is priced toward the low end of the spectrum. It was listed at an MSRP of $3,339.99 and is presently available for $3,139.99 on Best Buy. As previously stated, it performs on par with its more costly counterparts. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16, which is more aesthetically pleasing and includes a few frills I like, including a cozy touchpad and a top-notch sound system, is what I would choose if I could get it. However, the HP Omen Max 16 is an excellent choice if you don’t care about the specifics and just want good value for your money.