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Find Your Perfect Gaming Laptop with HP UK
Harry Stewart
|
February 1, 2023
Seeking the best gaming laptop to suit your specific needs?
Then this article is for you. The top gaming laptops pack plenty of power to handle even the most demanding Triple-A (AAA) titles. But high-end tech is expensive - and not every gamer needs to play the latest blockbusters on a 4K display.
Therefore, the ideal option depends on your budget and personal needs. HP offers a broad range of sleek gaming machines, from beefy top-of-the-line rigs to affordable yet fully functional devices.
In this post, we’re covering the key factors to consider when choosing a device and the top laptops for gaming in the HP UK store.
Key factors to consider when choosing a gaming laptop
It’s crucial to assess the key specs when shopping around for a gaming laptop.
Go too low, and you’ll experience lacklustre performance and jarring tears. Spend too much, and you’ll waste your hard-earned dough on tech that you don’t need. It’s about finding the right balance.
Processor speed
Also known as the Central Processing Unit (CPU), the processor sends instructions to other components so the system can complete computational tasks. The faster your processor, the quicker your laptop will think and work. That’s essential when it comes to running high-end games.
Consider the following processor options:
- An Intel® Core™ i3 or AMD Ryzen™ 3 is suitable for simple, non-demanding games, including web-browser-based titles.
- An Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 will handle older titles on high resolution or some newer games on modest settings.
- An Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 can process modern Triple-A games on high settings.
- An Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 will breeze through the latest AAA titles on max settings.
Another factor to consider is the processor's generation. The modern 12th Generation (and soon-to-be-released 13th) Intel processors pump out much more power than their predecessors.
It’s also worth researching processor cores and threads. Two cores only let you play basic web-based games on low settings, while the pricier eight-core processors are ideal for pro gamers.
Graphics card
The graphics card outputs a visual display by processing complex graphical data using in-built features, functions, and techniques. As it’s one of the priciest internal components, take the time to consider what you actually need.
The best gaming laptops come with a dedicated graphics card, providing ample grunt to render detailed images on the fly. Integrated graphics cards offer limited performance, making them suitable for less-sophisticated games. Intel's Iris® Xe is the best integrated graphics card available.
All HP gaming laptops in the OMEN or Victus range come with a dedicated NVIDIA® GeForce or AMD Radeon™ card. Both series provide impressive performance for a reasonable price.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX series is more powerful than its predecessor, the GTX. Generally speaking, the higher the model number, the better it will perform. An NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080Ti, for example, is vastly superior to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650. The same concept applies to AMD cards.
Also consider VRAM, a type of RAM exclusively designed for processing graphics-related tasks. VRAM temporarily stores graphical data for display, facilitating a smoother, more seamless gaming experience.
- 2GB to 4GB of VRAM is suitable for light, less-demanding gaming.
- 8GB of VRAM will be enough for most modern titles on moderate to high settings.
- 16GB of VRAM offers a buttery smooth experience on any AAA game with max settings.
RAM
Random Access Memory (RAM) stores short-term, non-graphical data so the system can operate efficiently. Unlike regular storage, RAM resets every time you reboot your device.
In gaming, extra RAM enhances performance as your computer needn’t pull memory from storage.
- 4GB of RAM will suffice for basic, non-intensive games.
- 8GB will play games on high settings, including modern titles.
- 16GB to 32GB is ideal for avid gamers yearning to achieve smooth performance with maximum settings on the most demanding games.
Storage
Storage refers to how much data your computer can retain indefinitely.
Most games use between 50GB and 150GB. If you like to play several titles simultaneously, it’s worth forking out for a sizeable storage drive. Top-end PC gaming machines typically feature a 1TB SSD.
Storage type is equally important. These days, the older hard disk drive (HDD) has fallen out of favour for the faster solid state drive (SSD). A speedy SSD will load your saved games faster and enhance the overall experience.
Display size and resolution
Display size refers to the dimensions of your screen (or screen size), which we measure diagonally in inches. The top laptops for gaming typically come with 15-inch, 16-inch, or 17-inch screens. Any smaller, and you’d struggle to see the finer details.
Plan on gaming on the go? Opt for a portable 15-inch screen. Or, if you expect to do almost all your gaming at home, larger gaming laptops with a bulky 17-inch screen provide a more immersive experience.
Resolution refers to the number of pixels the screen can display. As you’d expect, a higher pixel count leads to better clarity. You’ll need a solid graphics card to produce smooth imagery on a high-resolution display. But you can always turn down the resolution if need be.
Keyboard
While it’s not the most crucial component, it’s worth having a quick think about the keyboard.
High-end rigs, such as those in the HP OMEN range, come with gaming-orientated rollover anti-ghosting keys to enhance the playing experience. Plus, you’ll get RGB backlit keys for non-stop gaming in low-light situations.
If you invest in a more modest gaming laptop, you can always add on a Bluetooth gaming keyboard. The same applies to specially designed gaming mice and headsets.
Top Gaming Laptops from HP UK
Now we’re up to speed on the specs, let’s check out the top gaming laptops from HP.
Victus by HP
Victus is HP’s budget-friendly yet powerful gaming laptop range. While they won’t run recent AAA titles on max settings, these versatile machines provide plenty of power for passionate gamers on the go.
Prices range from £700 to £1,000; keep an eye out for specials. For this reasonable rate, expect to get 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, an AMD Ryzen 5 (or even a 7), and a 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GPU.
The best Victus model currently available is the HP 15-fb0003na, a great gaming laptop with a slick 15-inch Full High Definition (FHD) display.
HP OMEN
The OMEN is HP’s flagship gaming laptop range. Although more expensive than the Victus, the OMEN is a worthy splurge for avid gamers yearning to churn through AAA titles on a high-resolution display.
A wide range of OMEN laptops caters to uses of varying financial means. Price tags span £1300 up to £3,000.
At the lower end, you’ll see a modest but noticeable improvement from any given Victus laptop. But a high-end OMEN, such as the OMEN by HP 17-ck1011na, comes with state-of-the-art hardware under the hood: an Intel Core i9, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (16GB).
HP Pavilion
The HP Pavilion is primarily intended for work and multi-media use. But choose wisely, and this versatile machine can moonlight as a tricked-out gaming rig.
Most Pavilions come with an integrated graphics card, typically an AMD Radeon or Intel UHD. While these modest GPUS aren’t meant for high-spec gaming performance, they can run older titles on medium settings - think GTA V, Counter-Strike: GO, or DOTA 2.
Opt for the HP Pavilion Laptop 15-eg2022na with integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics for better performance. Or better yet, the HP Pavilion Plus 14-eh0000na has a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 (4GB) and a crisp 2.8K OLED screen.
HP ENVY
Like the Pavillion, the HP ENVY isn’t explicitly intended for gaming. However, these design-orientated machines are a hit with creative professionals doing video editing and animating. That means many come with a respectable dedicated graphics card.
The HP ENVY 16-h0001na, for example, has a speedy NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (6GB) to handle demanding modern games. A more affordable gaming laptop, such as the HP ENVY 13-ba1014na, has a toned-down dedicated GPU for casual use.
Whichever you get, expect a polished product with a slick, streamlined design. Almost all the ENVY range also comes with a convertible or touchscreen display.
Other Good Gaming Laptops from HP UK
Another powerful gaming laptop option is the HP Spectre range, a premium convertible-only series famed for its high-tech specs. Some devices, such as the HP Spectre x360 16-f0051na, have a gamer-friendly GPU. In this case, it’s got a 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050.
Alternatively, take a look at the HP Elitebook range. These ultrathin devices weigh far less than most other mobile machines, making them an attractive choice when portability is a priority.
However, the Elitebook won’t handle hard-core gaming, as the best GPU you’ll get is Intel Iris Xe graphics. If that works for you, check out the high-powered yet ultra-light HP EliteBook 850 G8 15.6-inch FHD.
Finding the best laptop for gaming for your needs
Although we’d all love a top-of-the-line OMEN laptop, our household budget is crucial when shopping for tech.
Think about the kind of games you like to play and determine what specs you really need. With that information, you can browse HP’s eclectic range to pinpoint the right gaming laptop for you.
Whether a budget-friendly Victus, a top-end OMEN, or a sleek convertible Spectre, an HP gaming laptop will deliver the performance you need.
