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HP Victus 16 Gaming Laptop: A Complete Review
Jamie Finch
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December 15, 2022
Gaming laptops are popular among gamers who want a gaming machine to carry. Laptops are typically relatively small, making them convenient to carry, and some laptops can still match the performance of larger PCs.
There are numerous models to choose from, created by some of the best-known tech brands in the world. Among the most popular gaming laptops is the HP 16-inch laptop, the Victus 16.
The Victus 16 Gaming Laptop from HP comes at a relatively affordable price, offering a more accessible alternative to HP's more costly OMEN range. Despite the lower price, the HP Victus 16 still provides all the power most gamers need.
With so many models to choose from, it can take time to decide which model is best. So, we've created this review of the HP Victus 16 to help you determine if it's the model for you.
Hardware
The HP Victus 16 comes with a 2.3 GHz 11th generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor1 CPU that provides all the processing power most gamers need. In addition, the 16GB RAM also helps ensure speedy performance that allows gamers to play the latest titles smoothly. For storage, the Victus 16 has a 512GB SSD card, which further helps ensure good speeds while offering enough space for numerous games.
The NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060 graphics card is perhaps the most important for gamers. This GPU lets gamers play the latest titles on high graphic settings and experience smooth gameplay. Such is the power that the CPU and GPU combo provide that HP had to upgrade the cooling system to prevent the machine from overheating.
Display
A good quality display is essential for most gamers, and the HP Victus 16 delivers just what you need with a 16.1-inch screen that's plenty big enough for a great gaming experience. This Full High Definition (FHD) display offers good quality images that help ensure gamers enjoy smooth gameplay, thanks partly to the 144 Hz refresh rate. An anti-glare coating also helps ensure the display is clearly visible at all times.
This HP laptop's 16-inch display also offers vibrant colours you won't often find in budget/mid-range laptops. The Victus 16's screen is also bright enough for most gamers at 300 nits, ensuring clear visibility even at night. If you prefer a larger screen, the HP Victus 16's HDMI port lets you easily plug a larger monitor into your laptop.
OMEN Gaming Hub
Users of this HP 16-inch laptop will also have access to the OMEN gaming hub. This hub offers a range of tools and features that can help enhance the gaming experience.
The hub gives players access to a community of other gamers with whom they can chat and share their ideas and experiences. Users get the opportunity to invite up to 15 friends and network with other gamers from around the world.
The OMEN Gaming Hub also offers other features that give gamers more control over their gaming experience, letting them customise settings to their personal preferences. For example, the light studio allows you to create your lighting effects, and you also have more control over the performance of your machine.
The hub also gives gamers more information on how well their system is running with an easy-to-read dashboard that tells you all you need to know at a glance. A network booster is also available that helps ensure your connection stays active during online sessions.
A sleek design
Another factor that helps make the Victus 16 appealing to some gamers is its sleek design. The sharp, angled style helps catch the eye and comes in stylish dark silver. The laptop is also available in blue at an additional cost. The screen has slim bezels on the side and top, helping to add to this machine's slick appearance. Despite the smooth design, the chassis is quite thick, helping to make this machine a bit bulkier than most other gaming laptops.
The HP Victus 16 also has 3 USB ports, an ethernet port, an HDMI out port, and a USB-C port, all of which help add functionality and value to this HP 16-inch laptop. This machine even has a full-sized SD card reader, which makes it a great choice for people who want to store photos and other media.
The HP Victus 16 also has two built-in fans that help keep the machine cool while gaming hard. Not only that, but the fans also usually stay relatively quiet, which can be particularly important for people trying to get work done. This laptop’s cooling is also helped by its design, which keeps heat away from the keyboard thanks to an exhaust that expels hot air from the rear.
Another positive aspect of this laptop's design is its suitability for professional environments. Some gaming laptops tend to be flashier, potentially making them inappropriate for the office. However, The HP Victus 16's sleek design is also quite reserved, meaning it won't stand out in the boardroom or any other professional setting.
Another feature that helps make this HP 16-inch laptop suitable for work is the built-in webcam for remote meetings, etc. The built-in microphone lets other people hear you clearly, adding to this laptop's suitability for conference calls and similar.
Comfortable gaming
The HP Victus 16 is a sturdily built machine, further adding to a positive gaming experience.
This laptop's design includes a large touchpad that offers excellent tracking and a smooth surface that’s a pleasure to use. The touchpad also supports gesture controls, while its large size provides a resting space for your hands even if you choose to use a mouse instead. This resting space can help you maintain your comfort and endurance through marathon gaming sessions.
The keyboard is another plus for many gamers, with keys that offer a crisp action that feels great to play and type on. This HP 16-inch laptop also has a number pad, and the keyboard is fully backlit with white light for those evening gaming sessions.
Overall, the Victus 16 offers a reasonably comfortable gaming experience, even for people who enjoy marathon sessions.
A sturdy platform
This laptop also has a sturdy design that many gamers will welcome, thanks to the improved gaming experience that a physically stable machine can offer.
The main body is made from a hard, durable plastic that comes in a smooth finish that helps give it a premium look and feel. The sturdiness of the design is also helped by the display hinge, which results in less flexing at the base of the monitor.
Solid performance
The HP Victus 16 has been made for gaming. This much is evidenced by the laptop's powerful graphics card and CPU that help it compete with some more expensive options.
Between them, the GPU and CPU can handle heavy workloads to an impressive extent for this machine's price range. Gamers can expect smooth gameplay on the latest titles on medium to high graphics settings, which is all that most gamers will ask for. These components can also work for long periods without experiencing a deterioration in performance, which is ideal for those who enjoy long sessions.
Although primarily a gaming machine, the HP Victus 16 is also a more than reasonable workstation when needed. The CPU will help make short work of calculating in spreadsheets and performing similar power-hungry tasks. In addition, the GPU will even help some designers use this machine effectively. This laptop's battery life is also more than adequate for most professional tasks, making it a suitable option for work while it will also offer several hours of non-stop gaming.
Quality speakers
Another positive feature of the Victus 16 is its good-quality speakers, which is important to many gamers who don't always want to use a headset. Not only are good-quality speakers great for gamers, but they are also beneficial when watching movies and making presentations, etc.
The quality of these speakers is helped by the fact they’ve been tuned by Bang & Olufsen, offering a clean, powerful sound, especially in the treble range. Overall, the speakers deliver excellent and well-balanced audio quality, while they are also loud enough for most peoples’ needs.
Level up with the Victus 16 gaming laptop
Overall, this HP 16-inch laptop makes a very good choice for gamers who can't afford the more powerful OMEN series but still want to play the latest gaming titles. Despite being less costly than the OMEN series, HP Victus 16 users still get a machine that offers all that most gamers could need.
The impressive performance is largely thanks to the processor and graphics card combo, which helps this machine compete with others in a higher price range. Users also have a good-quality screen and excellent sound quality, further helping to boost the gaming experience.
Overall, the Victus 16 makes for a great option for gamers on a limited budget, with smooth gameplay on a bright and vibrant FHD screen. You also have plenty of ports that even many desktops don’t offer, helping you get more from your machine.
