9.0 Score
Pros
- Upgrade‑friendly dual RAM & SSD slots
- Cool palm‑rest temperatures & self‑cleaning fans
- RTX 5080 equals 4090‑class speed in many games
- Energy‑efficient Core Ultra CPU = best‑in‑class battery life
Cons
- Only one USB‑A on each side
- OLED option costs a premium
- Fans get loud in “Unleash” mode
- 16‑inch chassis still weighs 2.4 kg
Final Verdict
HP finally delivers a gaming laptop that is every bit as practical as it is powerful. If you want RTX 5090‑rivaling frame rates without hauling a brick of a charger, the HP Omen Max 16 is the 16‑inch to beat in 2025.
The HP Omen Max 16 is HP’s first gaming laptop built around Nvidia’s new GeForce RTX 5080 laptop GPU and Intel’s energy‑efficient Core Ultra 275HX processor. That combination promises desktop‑class frame rates, cooler surfaces, and longer unplugged sessions—all inside a 16‑inch chassis that finally looks as premium as it performs. In this hands‑on review, we stress‑test the Max 16 across benchmarks, real‑world games, battery loops and thermals to see whether it’s worthy of its flagship billing.
“It is by far the best‑performing laptop I’ve seen from HP.” — Dave2D
HP Omen Max 16 Key Specs & Price
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (16 GB GDDR7)
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 275HX, up to 5.4 GHz, 24 cores
- Memory: Up to 64 GB DDR5‑5600 (dual SODIMM)
- Storage: Dual PCIe Gen 5 M.2 slots (up to 1 TB each)
- Display: 16‑inch 2560 × 1600 IPS / OLED, 240 Hz, 3 ms, G‑SYNC
- Battery: 83 Wh, 240 W adapter
- Starting price: from $1,899 (RTX 5070 Ti) / $2,199 (RTX 5080)
Design & Build Quality
HP finally moves to an all‑aluminium lid and base, trimming flex while keeping weight under 2.4 kg. Air vents line the rear edge so desk clutter and heat are pushed away from your mouse hand. The lid opens to 160 degrees—handy for couch co‑op sessions—and a subtle under‑glow light strip adds RGB flair without blinding the room.
HP Omen Max 16 Display & Audio Experience
The 16‑inch 240 Hz WQXGA panel marries 100 % DCI‑P3 colour with sub‑3 ms grey‑to‑grey times, so competitive shooters look razor‑sharp and colour‑critical workloads aren’t washed out. OLED is optional, but even the IPS sample we tested peaked near 500 nits. Dual front‑firing speakers tuned by HyperX push satisfying volume—though bass still benefits from a headset.
Performance: RTX 5080 & Core Ultra 275HX Benchmarks
Synthetic Benchmarks
Cinebench 2024 shows the new Intel chip edging past last year’s Core i9‑14900HX by 11 % in single‑core and 11 % in multi‑core while sipping 40 % less power.
3DMark TimeSpy
A graphics score of 22,768 places the Max 16’s RTX 5080 right between average RTX 5090 laptop specs and 4090 machines… roughly 26 % faster than the outgoing RTX 4080 mobile.
RTX 5080 Gaming FPS on the Omen Max 16 (1600p, Ultra, No DLSS)
| Game | Omen 16 (4080) | Omen Max 16 (5080) | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | 117 fps | 141 fps | +21 % |
| Hogwarts Legacy | 68 fps | 77 fps | +13 % |
| Horizon Forbidden West | 69 fps | 89 fps | +29 % |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 75 fps | 92 fps | +23 % |
“DLSS 4 takes those numbers even higher thanks to multi‑frame generation.” — Dave2D
Thermals & Acoustics
HP’s new vapor‑chamber plus custom high‑viscosity liquid metal keeps surface temperatures below 45 °C even in 250 W “Unleash” mode, and under 28 °C on the palm rest in balanced mode. Fan noise stays under 42 dB during esports titles—until you push Unleash, where it peaks at 53 dB.
Battery Life
Despite an 83 Wh pack, Intel’s new architecture squeezes 7 h 48 m in a Wi‑Fi browsing loop and nearly 1 h 45 m in Valheim at 60 fps cap—about 25 % longer than last year’s Omen 16 (4080).
Upgradeability & Ports
Two DDR5 SODIMM slots and dual Gen5 M.2 bays under a single‑screw bottom panel make memory and storage upgrades painless. Port layout is rear‑heavy—HDMI 2.1, 2×USB‑C/Thunderbolt 4, 2.5 GbE, barrel‑charge—while one USB‑A each flanks the chassis for peripherals.
Software Highlights
Omen Gaming Hub adds first‑party CPU & GPU overclock sliders, a 250 W “Unleash” toggle, and a clever auto‑fan‑cleaning routine that briefly reverses airflow to eject dust—no can of compressed air required.
Pricing & Availability
HP lists the Max 16 from $2,199 for the RTX 5080 configuration, with white and black colourways shipping worldwide from April 2025. Stock is tight during the RTX 50‑series launch window, so check retailers like Best Buy or HP’s own store for pre‑order bundles. You can see the full configurations and regional pricing on the HP Omen Max 16 product page
Watch the full video review on YouTube for gameplay footage and overclock demos.
Conclusion — Should You Buy the HP Omen Max 16?
If you’re hunting for a 16‑inch gaming laptop that pairs desktop‑class frame rates with genuinely usable battery life, the HP Omen Max 16 is one of the few machines that hits both marks in 2025. Intel’s ultra‑efficient 275HX finally tames heat and fan noise, while Nvidia’s RTX 5080 closes the gap to last‑gen 4090 rigs without the weight or wattage penalty. Add the upgrade‑friendly internal layout and self‑cleaning fans, and you have a performance notebook that should stay relevant for years. The price premium is real, but so is the polish; for gamers, creators, or students who demand power on the go, the Omen Max 16 is easy to recommend.
