HP is a well-known name in the computer and laptop world and their Omen line prides itself on providing a top-tier gaming experience. Their newest laptop, the Omen 15 feels very much like a new sports car, as it’s flashy, impressive and held back a little by a few strange shortcomings.
Right off the bat, the Omen 15 by HP makes a great first impression based on its looks alone. Its got a sleek-red aesthetic and even before you flip it open, the Omen symbol and the dual cross textured design makes it stand out. That being said, while the outward logo is rather striking, it is also a rather flimsy textured sticker that ended up coming un-stuck out of the box. It didn’t affect any of the actual functionalities of the device, but it did give it a bit of a cheap feel. Thankfully, that feeling of cheapness very much melts away when you actually open up the laptop.
Starting with the shape, the Omen 15 by HP features a striking design that has space in between the screen and base on both sides. In that space rests the cooling vents and they make give the laptop a very futuristic look. As for the keyboard, it has a great texture and a satisfying click-ability, that has some weight to it. It’s also still easy to push and is easily one of the best keyboards that I’ve ever used. While all of the keys do feature the red theme and look good in their own right, it seems like a missed opportunity that they don’t actually light up. If this were a lightweight portable device, then I wouldn’t count that as a fault but for a gaming laptop, it feels like a strange omission. As for the trackpad, it’s really something that you should only use as a last resort, as its cumbersome movement tracking makes actions as simple as streaming some highlights on youtube into a frustrating experience. It’s kind of a given with any gaming laptop, but please do yourself a favour and get yourself a quality mouse to use when gaming with this device.
OMEN 15 by HP (15-ce020ca) Specs
| OMEN 15 by HP (15-ce020ca) | |
|---|---|
| Screen | 39.6 cm (15.6″) diagonal FHD IPS anti-glare WLED-backlit (1920 x 1080) |
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i7-7700HQ |
| Video | NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 (2 GB GDDR5 dedicated), Integrated |
| Memory | 8 GB DDR4-2400 SDRAM (1 x 8 GB) |
| Storage | 2 TB 5400 rpm SATA SSHD |
| Connectivity | Intel® 802.11b/g/n/ac (2×2) Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® 4.2 Combo |
| Ports | 1 HDMI; 1 headphone/microphone combo; 1 Mini DisplayPort™; 1 RJ-45; 1 Thunderbolt™ 3 (Data Transfer up to 40 Gb/s, DP1.2, HP Sleep and Charge); 3 USB 3.1 Gen 1 (1 HP Sleep and Charge) |
| Battery | 4-cell, 70 Wh Li-ion |
| Operating system | Windows 10 |
| Size | 38.85 x 27.55 x 2.48 cm |
| Weight | 2.6 kg |
| Extras | HP Wide Vision FHD Camera with integrated dual array digital microphone |
Price wise, the Omen by HP costs $1,599.99 CDN and is definitely in the upper echelon of gaming laptops in that regard. While the price is high, the laptop features some top-notch performance as it utilizes Intel’s I7 7th gen core as well as Nvidia’s Geoforce GTX graphics card. It also has a rather large 15.6-inch screen that further adds to its visual impact. As a result, the display is sharp and I was able to play PUBG, Fortnite and Overwatch without any technical hiccups. Also, as far as media streaming goes, the Omen by HP also shines. I was able to view the Overwatch League at the highest possible settings, and the display was noticeably more crisp than that of my Mac Book Pro.
Speaking of media streaming capabilities, the Omen by HP really rounds into form with its top-tier sound quality courtesy of Danish speaker maker Bang and Olufsen. Whether it was streaming an Overwatch League match between the Dallas Fuel and Houston Outlaws, or watching a movie on Netflix I found myself genuinely enthralled by the sound quality.
The Omen by HP is a great package and manages to impress with its attractive aesthetic, top-tier performance and great speakers. And while its lack of a light up keyboard and the flimsy cover sticker is a little disappointing, when the overall package is this complete, those complaints very much fade into the background. If you’re looking to jumpstart your PC gaming experience with a device that also provides great media capabilities then the Omen by HP is definitely a great choice.
