Say goodbye to dust — HP’s latest gaming laptop boasts self-cleaning fans

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For quite some time, HP’s gaming selection has been anchored by the OMEN series, catering to various user types across multiple PC tiers. Last year, the top-tier OMEN Transcend laptops were introduced with premium additions and a refined aesthetics compared to their regular counterparts. However, this design choice came at the expense of raw power, maintaining a slimmer and lighter form factor.

It appears that HP recognized the flaw in the OMEN Transcend and devised a solution, leading to the unveiling of the OMEN MAX 16 at CES 2025, which HP claims as their “most powerful gaming laptop.” Given its shipment with NVIDIA’s upcoming laptop GPUs and the newest Intel or AMD processors, this claim isn’t surprising. However, it will also be the priciest gaming laptop from HP, with a projected starting price of around $2,699 upon release in the near future.

This laptop adheres to HP’s high-end aesthetic, featuring rounded edges, a keyboard devoid of lattice patterns, and an abundance of RGB illumination. However, the key improvements are hidden within its interior. HP has combined their Cryo Compound with a novel Vapor Chamber to minimize heat production, thereby enabling increased power flow throughout the system, enhancing performance. Additionally, it boasts an advanced self-cleaning fan mechanism, though this feature is exclusive to Intel-based models.

The OMEN MAX 16 is HP’s new flagship gaming laptop

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As NVIDIA unveils its upcoming RTX 5000 series GPUs for gaming, manufacturers are releasing top-tier PC laptops capable of handling their power and heat. Enter the OMEN MAX 16, a contender expected to go head-to-head with updated versions of Dell’s Area-51 laptops in the market.

Boasting an enhanced power capability, a revamped cooling system, and a robust all-metal frame, HP aims for the OMEN MAX 16 to perform optimally under pressure – quite the contrary strategy compared to the Transcend. As noted by Zachary Boddy of Windows Central in their OMEN Transcend 14 review: “The Transcend seems to excel when given a break.

It appears that HP has followed a similar path as ASUS’s latest Zephyrus G14 by prioritizing portability over high-end performance. However, HP seems to have pushed this trade-off too far without reaping significant benefits in return.

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The OMEN MAX 16 computer comes equipped with two cooling fans at its base, and for Intel-compatible models, HP has collaborated with Intel to develop an automatic self-cleaning fan mechanism. This system periodically reverses the direction of the fans’ spin every four hours to remove accumulated dust and debris.

In simple terms, this concept seems fantastic, and from what I understand, it isn’t found in other gaming laptops currently available. I’m excited to try out the self-cleaning feature since my electronics tend to accumulate dust quickly, especially with two cats around. However, I have concerns that the self-cleaning fans might produce a steeper noise curve.

HP primarily opts for Intel processors in their OMEN MAX line, while AMD-based systems max out at 32GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM (presumably upgradeable due to not being LPDDR). On the other hand, Intel models come with up to 64GB of RAM preinstalled. Regarding storage, only HP’s Intel models offer a PCIe 5.0 SSD, while settling for PCIe 4.0 in AMD systems.

The display choices vary, featuring a top-tier QHD+ OLED screen that boasts a rapid 240Hz refresh rate and swift 0.2ms response time alongside Intel processors. If you prefer AMD CPUs, you’ll still get a QHD+ IPS display, but with a slightly slower 3ms response time and the same 240Hz refresh rate; there’s also an FHD+ option with a 165Hz refresh rate that’s compatible for both CPU types.

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As a tech enthusiast, I’m thrilled about the impressive features this device boasts! For starters, it offers customizable per-key RGB keyboard lighting, adding a personal touch to my gaming setup. Plus, there’s an RGB lightbar along the front of the chassis that amplifies the visual appeal.

In terms of connectivity, you can expect top-tier performance with upgrades like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, not to mention a robust 2.5GbE LAN. The OMEN MAX will come in two sleek colors: Shadow black or Ceramic white.

Behind-the-scenes improvements have been made to the newly enhanced HP OMEN Gaming Hub, which now incorporates artificial intelligence (AI). Although it’s currently undergoing beta testing, HP claims that it will initially be compatible only with Counter-Strike 2. This integration provides user-friendly performance optimizations that adapt to your gaming habits and make adjustments automatically.

Moreover, the HP OMEN MAX 16 benefits from Intel and AMD’s processors equipped with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), making it a PC with advanced AI capabilities within Windows 11, often referred to as a Copilot+ PC.

More new OMEN gaming PCs are on the way

HP’s latest OMEN MAX 16 could be the most captivating new gadget for gaming enthusiasts; however, HP is also introducing the new OMEN 16 and Victus 15 laptops, along with a fresh OMEN 16L desktop.

The revamped HP OMEN 16 now boasts enhanced power capabilities and an innovative “Unleashed” power setting that streamlines thermal management. This feature is particularly useful for the newest AMD, Intel processors, and upcoming NVIDIA laptop graphics cards.

HP claims this is the quietest version of the OMEN 16 they have ever produced, with noise levels peaking at 46dBa. This is largely due to a 1.49 times improvement in airflow compared to its previous generation. As for now, you can choose between Shadow black and Ceramic white color options; no details have been provided regarding availability or pricing as of yet.

In simpler terms, it is confirmed that Victus 15 gaming laptops with budget-friendly prices will debut in January 2025, starting at $1,199.99. These laptops may not feature the most recent AMD, Intel, or NVIDIA hardware, but they will offer a cost-effective option for playing current games.

In conclusion, the trend of miniature gaming desktop computers has made its way to HP with the new OMEN 16L. Although I appreciate the power and size of the OMEN 45L we previously reviewed, the more compact OMEN 16L is a more suitable choice for many PC gamers. HP provides options for both AMD and Intel processors, as well as AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards, to cater to various preferences. I’ll keep this article updated once HP announces pricing and availability.

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2025-01-07 07:17