HP has recently made an entry in the gaming industry again, this time with Omen X, cube-shaped, desktop and an Omen laptop. There have been PCs and laptops previously by Hewlett Packard, which were specifically designed for gamers. However, HP is commended more in the PC industry, and it seems that it wants to use this reputation and expertise to make a mark in the gaming market as well.
Alongside under-the-hood components, the form factor of Omen X also shows that it is made for gamers. The unique cube shape of this machine is surely a treat for gamers’ eyes; however, it is designed in this manner not just to appeal. HP explains that Omen X’s aesthetics “maximize thermal management”, which allows the unit to deliver unmatched performance even if the titles use up all the potential of the components packed inside.
The machine does thermal management with the help of three chambers, each equipped with its own cooling mechanism. For improved efficiency, Omen X has top-mounted exhausts and supports 120mm “liquid cooling radiators”. The stand under the body further cools the components, as it does not let the body touch the surface and block air from beneath.
These are not the only surprises Omen X desktop has up its sleeve. Its chassis with an exceptional design allows users to easily access the components and upgrade them at any point to match the industry standards. Most users should be able to access and replace the hardware without professional help, as no special tools are needed. In fact, the body even houses a hidden toolkit, which can be used for special components.
The hardware components in these laptops vary, so users can choose a model, which compliments their needs perfectly. However, if users want maximum level of performance, they can get NVIDIA’s latest GeForce GTX 1080. Moreover, users can have dual NVIDIA’s graphics card, or two Radeon R9 Fury X cards, if they are AMD enthusiasts. For the chipset, users can either get the sixth generation Intel Core i5 or i7, both of which are ready to deliver seamless performance for not just the usual games, but also Virtual Reality (VR) and 4K supporting titles.
In terms of price, the base model will start with $1,799, which might be a lot more than many gaming alternatives in the market. However, we believe the specs, features, and body rightly compensate the tag. Those impressed by the capacities of the chassis of Omen X’s desktop can get it separately for $599, and build a Do-it-Yourself machine with specs of their choice.
Omen X Desktop can rightly satisfy the needs of hardcore gamers who want to turn their rooms into monstrous gaming stations. However, if someone does not want to be confined in a room, and want to take gaming along them on the go; then they can opt for the new Omen 17.3-inch Diagonal Notebook.
The company claims that with NVIDIA’s latest graphic chip, it is one of “the highest performing gaming laptops”. Just like its desktop sibling, the inside-out of this new Omen Notebook is designed for diehard gamers. The large and thin 17.3-inch display supports 4K resolution, but delivers a crisp resolution even if the titles are not 4K optimized. The machine also has G-SYNC technology, which synchronizes the refresh rates of the display with the GPU. Moreover, the notebook even supports VR, Quad speakers by Bang & Olufsen, with HP Audio boost. It hosts NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 1060 or 1070 GPU and a 95W polymer battery, which allows users to play games for up to 7.5 hours.
Alongside these two major machines to further amplify gamers’ experience, HP has introduced Omen X Curved Display and Omen gaming peripherals in collaboration with SteelSeries. The monitor promises to offer the best wide viewing angles as it integrates the latest components, such as the aforementioned G-SYNC. However, the price or availability is not yet confirmed. The Omen gaming accessories range, includes a headset ($99), keyboard ($59), mouse and a mouse pad ($19), which will become available by September.
HP may not be gamers’ first preference, but the updated Omen lineup is extremely promising; especially the Omen X Cube and the 17.3-inch laptop. It has always been difficult for normal computer manufacturers to enter the gaming arena, and go up against leaders of PC gaming, such as Razer and Alienware, who have expertise of years. However, we believe Omen can really help HP take up a significant chunk of the user base of the existing giants.