The best HP laptops in 2023

Choosing an HP laptop computer will be like going to the grocery retailer hungry: The firm goals to have an possibility for each taste of computing, however its many choices can result in irritating indecision. The upside of HP’s selection is that there’s one thing on the menu to fulfill your tastes, whether or not you’re salivating for a pill/laptop computer hybrid, a very good gaming expertise, an executive-worthy enterprise machine, or a necessity to stay to a good finances. This roundup options a few of our favorites and recommendation that will help you discover the best HP laptop computer.

How we selected the best HP laptops

We are nerds with opinions—a redundant assertion—who pulled from firsthand expertise with varied laptop computer varieties and dove deep into our personal PopSci evaluations, peer strategies, vital evaluations, and consumer testimonials to cut the choices down for you.

The best HP laptops: Reviews & Recommendations

There’s one phrase to explain the HP laptop computer lineup: overwhelming. This well-regarded and established model has a couple of dozen completely different model names for laptops with further fashions inside them–and that’s with out contemplating the again catalog of older however nonetheless good choices. The sheer variety of potentialities could make you wish to hand over earlier than you really begin the search, so right here’s some assist navigating the current fashions.

HP’s premium lineups embrace the Spectre and Envy manufacturers, which deal with light-weight, enticing designs and have the worth tags to match. For strictly enterprise wants, think about the Elite Dragonfly and EliteGuide fashions’ robust efficiency and sturdy designs. The Omen and Victus strains deal with delivering worth gaming laptops. When trying to find good worth, think about budget-friendly strains, such because the Pavilion, Steam, Notebook, and Chromebooks. Despite the numerous names, the manufacturers overlap and share frequent options. Many laptops have speaker methods by Bang & Olufsen, backlit keyboards, and safety features like bodily digicam shutters and fingerprint readers. Many HP units—whether or not they’re laptops or a 2-in-1 machine—embrace touchscreens. Using fingers or a pen can severely increase productiveness, although it outcomes in a smudgy mess to take care of earlier than watching a bunch of movies. Maybe it’s simply my OCD speaking, however you could wish to refresh methods to clear a pc display.

Best total: HP Spectre x360 Luxury 14T

Specs

• Dimensions: 11.75 inches by 8.67 inches by 0.67 inches
• Weight: 2.95 kilos
• OS: Windows 11 Pro
• RAM:  16GB DDR4 SDRAM
• Storage: 512GB NVME SSD
• Processor: Intel Core i7-1165G7 (eleventh era)
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Screen dimension: 13.5 inches
• Resolution: 1920 x 1280

Pros

• Lightweight
• Can be used as laptop computer or pill
• Physical digicam shutter
• Backlit keyboard
• Includes pen

Cons

• Pricey
• Older era processor
• Low port selection with 2 Thunderbolt 4s, headphone jack, and microSD card slot

At beneath three kilos, the HP Spectre x360i ha Luxury 14T affords an ultraportable hybrid machine that may be a sublime laptop computer or a pill with an included rechargeable MPP2.0 Tilt Pen. With one of many best touchscreens of the bunch, its full high-definition display supplies a crisp, colourful image at 400 nits, whereas Bang & Olufsen quad audio system provide the sound. Though it doesn’t have a ton of ports, the HP Spectre x360 Luxury options two Thunderbolt 4 ports with seemingly hidden energy. The ports are suitable with USB-C 4, which helps energy supply and show protocols like DisplayPort and HDMI 2.0, so that you’re not sacrificing the flexibility to attach a display or monitor regardless of the dearth of devoted ports.

Best Chromebook: HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook

Specs

• Dimensions: 12.4 inches by 8.7 inches by 0.7 inches
• Weight: 3.33 kilos
• OS: Chrome OS
• RAM: 16GB LPDDR5-5200 MHz RAM
• Storage: 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
• Processor: Intel Core i5-1235U (twelfth Generation)
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
• Screen dimension: 14-inch touchscreen
• Resolution: 2560 x 1600

Pros

• Bright display
• Great audio system
• 8MP webcam
• Backlit keyboard
• Fingerprint reader
• Comes in white or black

Cons

• No headphone jack
• Few ports
• Pricey for a Chromebook

The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is for anybody in search of a higher-end Chromebook expertise, not a discount basement deal. For a couple of grand, this selection fits customers preferring the Chrome OS, reside in Google Suite and internet browsers, and embrace cloud storage. It’s filled with a four-speaker Bang & Olufsen speaker system and an 8MP webcam for higher video conferencing and media streaming. The shining star of the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is the 14-inch touchscreen with a 2560 x 1660 decision and as much as 1,200 nits of brightness. That’s about three to 4 occasions brighter than most common laptops, ensuing in a crisp, colourful viewing expertise. It’s the type of display you may learn in the sunshine, however conserving it on at full energy may also be a extreme battery drain. Though HP boasts greater than 11 hours of battery life, customers report falling wanting that.

Another factor to think about is that even the best Chromebooks have much less processing energy and storage than a middle-of-the-road laptop computer. The Dragonfly Pro Chromebook options respectable storage (256GB solid-state drive) and mid-level processing (an Intel i5) however solely has 4 Thunderbolt ports and no headphone jack. Plan on getting a USB-C hub for peripherals and one in every of our best Bluetooth headphones.

Best 2-in-1: HP Envy 2-in-1 14” Full HD Touch-Screen Laptop

Specs

• Dimensions: 12.68 inches by 8.3 inches by 0.77 inches
• Weight: 3.35 kilos
• OS: Windows 11 Home
• RAM: 8-16GB
• Storage: 512GB-1TB PCIe SSD
• Processor: Intel Core i5-1335U (thirteenth Generation) or Intel Core i7-1355U (thirteenth era)
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Screen dimension: 14-inch touchscreen
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Pros

• Configurable
• Can be used as laptop computer or pill
• Fingerprint reader
• Physical digicam shutter

Cons

• Heavier than a standard pill
• Compatible pen not included

Sometimes, the mix of elements is what makes a product. Would a Sprite be scrumptious with out lemon and lime? Doubtful. HP has lengthy made among the best 2-in-1 laptops, and the HP Envy 2-in-1 14” Full HD Touch-Screen Laptop is a very scrumptious model of a laptop computer that converts right into a pill for writing on it with a suitable pen or setting it up for a Netflix binge sesh. The 14-inch mannequin is bulkier than a standard pill however nonetheless, an simply transportable machine weighing simply over three kilos. The entry-level 8GB RAM, 512GB storage, and a thirteenth era Intel Core i5 processor is a decent machine for multitasking and even informal gaming, however you may double the RAM and storage and up the processing energy to the Intel Core i7 for about $200. That increase makes for higher media creation and extra demanding functions and is among the best for college students or folks who commute between typing on a keyboard and watching movies.

Best for gaming: HP Victus 16 Laptop

Specs

• Dimensions: 14.53 inches by 10.21 inches by 0.9 inches
• Weight: 5.07 kilos
• OS: Windows 11 Home
• RAM: 16GB DDR5-5200 MHz RAM
• Storage: 512GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe TLC M.2 SSD
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• Screen dimension: 16.1 inches
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Pros

• Higher display refresh price
• Good keyboard with full numeric pad
• Good ports with 1 USB-C, 2 USB-As, HDMI 2.1, RJ-45, headphone jack

Cons

• Heavy for a laptop computer
• Average battery life
• Could use extra sturdy audio system

Most gaming laptops scream what they’re with colourful glowing logos and extra vents than an HVAC system. The HP Victus 16 Laptop isn’t that. The understated black laptop computer affords a very good entry level for the budding gamer with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics unit. The display’s 144Hz refresh price helps clean out movement, resulting in a visually extra nice expertise than making an attempt to recreation on an ordinary laptop computer. The Victus 16 additionally sports activities a full numeric keypad and a good collection of ports, together with an HDMI 2.1 port for connecting a gaming monitor. At greater than 5 kilos, the Victus 16 is heavy, a standard gripe for gaming laptops and the substantial cooling methods they should offset the processing. If you’re aiming for e-sports domination, although, you may must spend extra on one thing from a devoted gaming model.

Best for enterprise: HP EliteGuide 845 G9 Business Laptop

Specs

• Dimensions: 12.42 inches by 8.72 inches by 0.76 inches
• Weight: 3.09 kilos
• OS: Windows 11 Pro
• RAM: 32-64GB DDR5 SDRAM
• Storage: 512GB-2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U Processor
• Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics
• Screen dimension: 14 inches
• Resolution: 1920 x 1200

Pros

• Customizable
• Bright display
• Backlit keyboard
• Fingerprint reader
• Excellent port choice with 2 SuperSpeed USB-As, 2 SuperSpeed USB-Cs, HDMI 2.1, sensible card reader, headphone jack

Cons

• Higher decision display possibility can be good

The HP EliteGuide 845 G9 Business Laptop consists of options like a fingerprint reader and a protracted battery life that make the workday a bit of friendlier, making it one of many best for working from house or a distant locale. We just like the 14-inch display and weight of shut to a few kilos for simple journey and sliding in and out of a laptop computer bag. The display options a formidable 400 nits—a vibrant display, however we’d like to see the next decision obtainable to assist keep away from spreadsheet bleariness. The EliteGuide’s guts will be personalized from 32GB to 64GB of RAM and storage starting from 512GB to 2TB, ample pace, and area for crunching and manipulating massive information. The best enterprise laptops have a formidable number of ports for no matter you want to plug in, whether or not it’s an HP monitor or a house workplace printer, and the EliteGuide 845 checks this field, too, with SuperSpeed variations of USBs for the quickest transfers doable.

Best with a folding display: HP Spectre 3-in-1 17″ 2.5K OLED Touch-Screen Foldable Laptop

Specs

• Dimensions: 10.91 inches by 7.53 inches by 0.84 inches
• Weight: 3.58 kilos
• OS: Windows 11
• RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5-5200 MHz RAM
• Storage: 1 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD
• Processor: Intel Core i7-1250U Evo Platform (twelfth era)
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Screen dimension: 17 inches
• Resolution: 2560 x 1920

Pros

• Allows for a number of display and keyboard configurations
• Includes wi-fi pen, USB-C hub, keyboard charging cable
• OLED show

Cons

• Expensive
• Webcam place modifications relying on the configuration
• How nicely folding screens age remains to be TBD

Some units wish to problem the very kind private computing takes, and the HP Spectre 3-in-1 17″ 2.5K OLED Touch-Screen Foldable Laptop is a type of puzzles. Is it a laptop computer? A pill? A transportable desktop? According to HP, it’s all three. If you like enjoying with Transformers or are a die-hard gadget geek, this is perhaps your laptop computer.

The Spectre Fold has a number of items: a foldable pill measuring 17 inches on the diagonal, a keyboard, and a wi-fi pen. You may use simply the large ol’ pill with the pen or open the built-in kickstand to make use of it as a big show for the keyboard (aka, a transportable desktop mode). But you may also fold the pill and display collectively to make a standard laptop computer with a 12.3-inch diagonal show. Feeling loopy? Slide the magnetic keyboard right down to have one other half-screen under the fold. New windows-snapping instruments assist prepare workspaces in nontraditional shapes. It’s versatile sufficient that you could be end up rearranging your pc to suit your work relatively than making an attempt to make your work match in your pc. And you get the advantage of an OLED display’s true blacks, wealthy colours, and spectacular distinction. However, one bizarre factor is that the webcam will be on the display’s prime or aspect, relying on the configuration.

At about $5,000, it’s a critical chunk of change to splash out for tech with some critical questions. How nicely will the folding display age? Will it crease with time and use? Folding screens are nonetheless a novelty in the true world, and their sturdiness remains to be being examined. 

Best finances beneath $500: HP 2023 15.6 inch HD Lightweight Laptop

Specs

• Dimensions: 14.11 inches by 9.53 inches by 0.71 inches
• Weight: 3.75 kilos
• OS: Windows 11 Home in S Mode
• RAM: 12GB DDR4 RAM
• Storage: 512GB PCle SSD
• Processor: Intel Core i3-1125G4 (eleventh era)
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
• Screen dimension: 15.6 inches
• Resolution: 1366 x 768

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Good storage for worth
• Backlit keyboard
• Good ports with 2 SuperSpeed USB-A, 1 USB-C, HDMI, SD card reader and headphone jack

Cons

• Entry-level graphics card
• Older processor

Navigating the sub-$500 laptop computer market will be difficult, however a savvy purchaser ought to deal with getting as a lot processing energy and storage as doable. The HP 2023 15.6 inch HD Lightweight Laptop affords rather a lot to love. The entry-level Intel i3 processor is a few generations behind, nevertheless it’s nonetheless appropriate for many on a regular basis duties and computing wants. For the worth vary, this laptop computer options respectable RAM and storage to help multitasking and a few picture and video modifying. It has a good anti-glare, high-definition display that’s massive sufficient for comfortably falling right into a YouTube rabbit gap, although gained’t be the crispest or brightest display available on the market. It’s a stable performer and a very good match for anybody who needs to keep away from overpaying for processing energy they don’t want.

What to think about when shopping for the best HP laptops

It’s tempting to max out specs and name your search over, however that’s like shopping for a luxurious automobile when all you’re making an attempt to do is have a dependable automobile to commute to work. Start with how you intend on utilizing your machine and discovering the best match inside your finances.

Price

If solely worth wasn’t an object—however it’s. It’s doable to get a laptop computer for beneath $500, however you’re making tradeoffs in energy, pace, and show high quality. Reliable laptops that may deal with fundamental computing duties like internet looking, faculty work, or house office-type duties will be purchased for $600 to $800. Expect to spend a minimum of $1,000 or extra for the type of processing energy and reminiscence wanted for artistic work like modifying pictures or movies, or entry-level gaming. The extra highly effective the laptop computer, the extra it’s going to value. Innovative options like new kind components or premium touches like aluminum as an alternative of plastic can even enhance the worth. HP ceaselessly rotates which laptops are on sale, so deal-watchers can possible discover a mannequin they’re coveting for a steal.

Processing energy, reminiscence, and storage

Once upon a time, you would purchase a pc that met your wants in the intervening time however could possibly be upgraded later. Manufacturers have moved away from upgrades after buy, so consider carefully about how a lot reminiscence and storage you could want.

Processors—normally Intel or AMD in Windows machines—are your laptop computer’s mind. To guarantee extra processing energy, search for extra cores, increased GHz, and the latest generations. Get as a lot as you may afford. RAM impacts multitasking efficiency. For fundamental computing, 8GB will do, however think about 16GB or extra for those who use many artistic apps, coding, or gaming. Solid-state drives have basically changed slower, mechanical laborious drives to profit content material creators and players who want pace. We like a minimum of 512GB of storage, although of all of the specs, this may be most simply addressed after buy with exterior drives.

Graphics processing models show the information the CPU processes, and higher-end GPUs can show higher-fidelity graphics, one thing to think about for those who’re gaming or modifying and processing video. The flip aspect is that GPUs use extra energy and might drink the battery juice.

Display

Displays do greater than look fairly, however trying fairly is an efficient begin. Size is a outstanding issue in figuring out what number of home windows you may match on a display, however you additionally wish to think about the next decision. The increased the decision, the sharper the display will look, and the extra particulars you’ll be capable to see. Brightness is one other issue to think about, particularly for those who work in a vibrant room or try and work exterior on sunny days. Screen brightness is measured in nits, and might vary from 200 as much as 1,200. However, utilizing a display at full brightness is one other battery drain.

Gamers may even wish to think about a display’s refresh charges, aka how briskly it may well replace what’s occurring per second. Refresh charges can vary from 30Hz to 300Hz, however you’ll mostly see 60Hz, 144Hz, and 240Hz. We suggest a minimum of 140Hz for AAA gaming.

Portability

Size + weight = how transportable a laptop computer is. We like a 13 to 15-inch display and a pc that’s three kilos or lighter machine for individuals who wish to lug laptops throughout city. Five kilos might not sound like a lot till it’s been in your again for eight hours, however that’s concerning the heaviest laptop computer to think about for carrying round frequently. Of course, loads of customers have laptops that at all times keep on their desks. Bigger laptops with 16- and 17-inch shows could also be heavier however grant essential inches of display area. Gaming laptops come filled with processing energy and cooling methods, making them bulkier than different choices.

Ports

Always test the ports built-in to a laptop computer so you may see how one can increase your computing setup. Consider the displays, cameras, mics, audio interfaces, and different tools you wish to join. USB-C ports are edging out USB-A because the default alternative for peripherals, however not all USB-C ports and cords are equal. Some switch solely energy and knowledge, whereas others help video protocols that change the necessity for an HDMI port. How will ? Read rigorously.

FAQs

Final ideas on the best HP laptops

When deciding on an HP laptop computer, the best one aligns along with your particular wants, finances, and the way you intend to make use of it. Regarding the best total HP laptop computer, the HP Spectre x360 Luxury 14T takes the highlight. Its elegant design, portability, and versatile 2-in-1 performance make it a standout alternative for customers in search of model and substance (peanut butter in your chocolate, chocolate in your peanut butter … both method is a winner). However, the HP lineup has one thing to go well with each consumer, from the budget-conscious to the early adopter.

Why belief us

Popular Science began writing about expertise greater than 150 years in the past. There was no such factor as “gadget writing” once we revealed our first difficulty in 1872, but when there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for on a regular basis readers means we’d have been throughout it. Here in the current, PopSci is absolutely dedicated to serving to readers navigate the more and more intimidating array of units available on the market proper now.

Our writers and editors have mixed many years of expertise protecting and reviewing client electronics. We every have our personal obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video video games to cameras and past—however once we’re reviewing units exterior of our fast wheelhouses, we do our best to hunt out reliable voices and opinions to assist information folks to the very best suggestions. We know we don’t know every little thing, however we’re excited to reside by the evaluation paralysis that web procuring can spur so readers don’t must.