HP Omen Max 16
Summary
If you're shopping for a gaming laptop in 2025, the Omen Max 16 stands out. But, with recently fluctuating prices, is it still the best option?
Table of contents:
Core Specs and Configurations
The Omen Max 16 is available with Intel’s new Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and your choice of either an RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 GPU, both running at up to 175 watts. While both GPUs offer strong performance, testing showed that the 5090's gains are minimal in this chassis—making the 5080 the more sensible choice for most gamers.
Why the 5080 Might Be the Sweet Spot
- The 5090 was only 9–15% faster than the 5080 across synthetic and gaming benchmarks.
- The 5080 performed similarly to last gen’s 4090, with some clear efficiency gains thanks to Arrow Lake HX chips.
- You still get 16GB of VRAM on the 5080—enough for most gaming and creative workloads.
Gaming Performance
Across games like Cyberpunk 2077, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Forza Horizon 5, the Omen Max 16 posted excellent results, especially in 1% lows—a crucial metric for smooth gameplay. DLSS frame generation worked well, but the gains were generally consistent across both 40- and 50-series GPUs. Although they both performed well, the 5080 version of the Omen did not outperform its competition the Legion Pro 7i.
- Cyberpunk 2077: Up to 24% better FPS over last-gen 4080 with the 5080.
- Forza Horizon 5: The 50-series showed a big boost in 1% lows, but only modest gains in average FPS.
- Final Fantasy XIV: Strangely, older 40-series models outperformed here as they seemed to feed their GPUs more power. This may be fixed with future optimization or drivers for the 50-series.
Efficiency & Thermals
One of the most impressive aspects of the Omen Max 16 with the 5080 is its power efficiency and thermals.
- The 275HX CPU sips power (~60W) during GPU-heavy loads, allowing both CPU and GPU to operate effectively within the laptop’s limited power envelope.
- Despite being bulky, the chassis of the 5080 stays cool to the touch during extended gaming sessions. The 5090 gets toasty.
- Fan noise is loud in performance mode, but “Balanced Mode” drops noise significantly with only a 16% performance hit.
Display Options
Three panels are available:
- FHD+ IPS (1920x1200) – Up to 400 nits (entry model)
- QHD+ IPS (2560x1600) – 580+ nits (great brightness, but limited color coverage)
- QHD+ OLED (2560x1600) – 420 nits, full DCI-P3, vivid colors with some reflectivity
The OLED version offers the most vibrant visuals and is ideal for creative work—just be aware of its glossy finish.
Build, Keyboard & I/O
- Design: Clean, black metal finish with a subtle gamer aesthetic. A bit prone to fingerprints.
- Keyboard: Comfortable, tactile with full RGB and numpad. Has 1.5mm key travel.
- Trackpad: Accurate but loud and mechanical.
- Ports: Excellent selection including dual Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, and two USB-A. No SD card reader or Thunderbolt 5, though.
Battery Life & Portability
This is not a road warrior's dream machine. Expect about an hour of battery during heavy tasks, and better (but still middling) results in lighter workloads. Around 3 hours for the 5090 and 7.5 for the 5080. If you're a creator looking for battery life, we generally recommend the MacBook Pro for that.
At over 6 pounds, it's not built for travel—but that’s par for the course in this category.
Final Verdict
The HP Omen Max 16 delivers a refined balance of power, thermals, and its price is okay (it has gone above $3k since we started writing this review). While the RTX 5090 model isn't worth the premium, the 5080 version stands out as one of the best gaming laptops in its class—offering performance on par with last gen’s flagships but with better efficiency and thermals.
For gamers or creators who need serious performance but don’t want to burn through their wallet—or their lap—this is a strong contender on sale. Stay tuned for our review of its main competitor, the Legion Pro 7i, coming soon. That one's price actually went down below $3k recently and it performs better, so it might be more a more compelling value.