Omen 15: Entry-Level Gaming's Pricey New Face

The HP HyperX Omen 15 emerges as a successor to the budget-friendly HP Victus 15. This new model features an RTX 5050 Laptop GPU, enabling it to run 2026's newest games, albeit on lower graphical settings. Enhancements include a brighter 16:10 aspect ratio display with a higher refresh rate and an integrated 1080p webcam for improved non-gaming utility.

The Omen 15's starting price is now $1,200, a considerable rise from the Victus 15's $800 mark, reflecting broader industry price increases for current-generation gaming hardware. The reviewed configuration, priced at $1,199, includes an Intel Core 5 210H chip, RTX 5050 GPU, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD.

Performance-wise, the RTX 5050 GPU handles games well at its native 1920 x 1200 resolution. For instance, older titles like Control achieve smooth frame rates with DLSS, while Cyberpunk 2077 can run on Ultra settings, reaching 60-70fps. Newer, graphically demanding games like Helldivers 2 run at a comfortable 60fps on Medium, though some titles struggle on lower presets.

While thermals are managed effectively, with the chassis remaining cool during gameplay, the laptop exhibits some compromises. The trackpad can suffer from accidental clicks due to chassis flex, and the keyboard, though tactile, feels cramped with its number pad. Speaker quality is described as muddy, and port selection is limited to one USB-C and two USB-A ports, all at 10Gbps speed.

Despite these drawbacks, the Omen 15's screen is a strong point, offering good brightness, contrast, and color for gaming and productivity. However, the 512GB storage can quickly become insufficient for modern game sizes. Upgradability exists with an additional M.2 slot and RAM slot, but current component prices make these upgrades costly.

Battery life is a notable limitation, offering no more than five and a half hours of use, necessitating the carry of its substantial power adapter. Ultimately, the HyperX Omen 15 is a functional gaming laptop, but it lacks the value proposition of its predecessor. Given current market conditions, it represents an acceptable entry point for those needing current-gen gaming hardware now, despite the elevated prices.