The Ultimate Gaming Laptop
Ultimate. That word gets thrown around. The HP OMEN MAX 16 (2025) earns it. With Intel Core Ultra 9, NVIDIA RTX 5090, 64GB DDR5, 2TB storage, and one of the nicest displays on a laptop, wrapped in premium materials at $4,299 - this might be the ultimate gaming laptop.
Not the cheapest. Not the lightest. But potentially the best all-around flagship gaming laptop of 2025.
Performance: RTX 5090 + Core Ultra 9
The Intel Core Ultra 9 and RTX 5090 combination is as good as laptop gaming gets.
CPU Performance
The Core Ultra 9 delivers:
- Exceptional single-core: Best-in-class gaming performance
- Monster multi-core: Crushes content creation workloads
- Good efficiency: Better battery life than expected
This is Intel's flagship, and it shows.
RTX 5090: Desktop-Replacement Power
The NVIDIA RTX 5090 is the absolute top mobile GPU:
Gaming Performance (1440p/4K):
- Cyberpunk 2077 (4K Ultra): 85-105 FPS
- Baldur's Gate 3 (4K Ultra): 95-125 FPS
- Call of Duty (1440p Ultra): 190+ FPS
- Fortnite (1440p Epic): 280+ FPS
- Starfield (4K Ultra): 75-95 FPS
The RTX 5090 handles 4K gaming at max settings smoothly. This is desktop-class performance.
Ray Tracing Performance:
- Cyberpunk RT Overdrive (4K): 65-85 FPS with DLSS Quality
- Portal RTX (4K): 85-110 FPS
- Control (4K Max RT): 100-130 FPS
Ray tracing at 4K is finally practical on a laptop. DLSS 3 makes even the most demanding RT modes playable.
Content Creation Powerhouse:
- Premiere Pro: 8K timeline editing smooth, exports incredibly fast
- Blender: RTX cores demolish render times
- Unreal Engine 5: Lumen and Nanite run smoothly
- After Effects: Real-time preview with complex compositions
The 64GB DDR5 RAM handles absolutely anything. Running VMs, massive files, dozens of applications simultaneously - no slowdowns. The 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD provides ample storage for large game libraries and project files.
Display: One of the Nicest Ever
The 16-inch Mini LED display with 2.5K (2560x1600) resolution and 240Hz refresh is stunning:
- Resolution: 2.5K (2560x1600) balances sharpness with performance
- Mini LED: 1,000+ local dimming zones deliver incredible contrast
- Brightness: 500 nits typical, 700+ nits peak (HDR)
- Refresh rate: 240Hz for ultra-smooth gaming
- Color coverage: 100% DCI-P3 (professional-grade)
- Response time: 3ms - minimal ghosting
- HDR: DisplayHDR 1000 certified - Light productivity: 7-9 hours
- Video playback: 9-10 hours
- Gaming unplugged: 2.5-3.5 hours
- Mixed usage: 7-8 hours - Under light load: Cool and quiet
- Under gaming: Warm but comfortable, fans audible but controlled
- Under maximum load: Hot spots on bottom, fans loud but not excessive
Visual Experience
This Mini LED panel is extraordinary:
- Deep blacks approaching OLED quality
- Incredible peak brightness exceeding OLED
- Stunning HDR with proper highlight detail
- Vibrant colors for gaming and content creation
Watching HDR content or playing HDR games reveals what this panel can do. The brightness and contrast create an immersive experience.
Mini LED Advantages
vs OLED:
- Much brighter peak brightness (700+ vs 400-500 nits)
- No burn-in risk
- Better for bright environments
- Excellent HDR performance
vs Standard IPS:
- Massively better contrast (local dimming)
- Higher peak brightness
- Better HDR
- Deeper blacks
For a gaming laptop used in varied environments, this Mini LED panel is perfect.
Build Quality: Premium Materials
At 5.8 lbs (2.63 kg), the OMEN MAX 16 is heavy. But the build quality justifies the weight.
Design Language
HP's design is mature and premium:
- Aluminum chassis with excellent finish
- Minimal gaming aesthetics (no excessive RGB)
- Clean, professional lines
- Shadow Black color looks sophisticated
This is a laptop you can take to work without screaming "gamer."
Build Impressions
The build quality is exceptional:
- Rigid aluminum construction (zero flex)
- Premium materials throughout
- Tight tolerances and quality assembly
- Robust hinges
This feels like a $4,000+ laptop should. The attention to detail rivals premium productivity laptops.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The keyboard is excellent:
- 1.5mm key travel (comfortable for extended use)
- Per-key RGB lighting (subtle and customizable)
- Excellent tactile feedback
- Number pad included
The large trackpad features Windows Precision drivers with outstanding tracking and gestures.
Port Selection
Comprehensive connectivity:
- 3× USB-C (2× Thunderbolt 4, 1× USB 3.2)
- 3× USB-A 3.2
- 1× HDMI 2.1
- 1× SD card reader (full-size!)
- 1× 3.5mm audio jack
- 1× Ethernet (2.5Gb)
The full-size SD card reader is rare and appreciated. Thunderbolt 4 provides expandability. The 2.5Gb Ethernet ensures lag-free online gaming.
Battery Life: Excellent for RTX 5090
The 99.9Wh battery (maximum allowed on flights) delivers impressive endurance:
For a laptop with RTX 5090 and Mini LED display, these numbers are excellent. The large battery capacity makes a difference.
Charging
The 330W power brick is massive but necessary for RTX 5090. USB-C PD charging (100W) works for light tasks.
Thermal Management: Effective Cooling
HP's cooling system handles RTX 5090 and Core Ultra 9 well:
The vapor chamber cooling with multiple heat pipes keeps thermals in check. Performance remains consistent during extended gaming.
Better Than Expected: For RTX 5090 in a 16-inch chassis, the cooling is impressive. HP engineered this well.
Gaming Experience
4K Gaming Reality
The RTX 5090 makes 4K gaming practical:
- Native 4K Ultra: Most AAA games run smoothly
- DLSS Quality Mode: Looks nearly native, higher FPS
- Ray Tracing: Finally playable at 4K
Competitive Gaming
The 240Hz display and RTX 5090 make competitive gaming excel:
- CS:GO, Valorant: 240+ FPS smooth
- Apex Legends: 200+ FPS
- Warzone: 180+ FPS High settings
Input latency is minimal, display response is fast.
AAA Single Player
Cyberpunk 2077 (4K RT Ultra): Absolutely stunning, 80+ FPS
Baldur's Gate 3 (4K Ultra): 110+ FPS
Elden Ring (4K Max): 60 FPS locked
AAA gaming at 4K max settings is what this laptop was built for.
HP OMEN Hub Software
HP's control software provides:
- Performance modes (multiple presets)
- RGB lighting control (tasteful customization)
- System monitoring
- Network prioritization
- Display calibration
OMEN Hub is one of the better gaming laptop software suites - functional without excessive bloat.
Who Should Buy This?
The OMEN MAX 16 is perfect for:
- Enthusiast gamers who want the best
- Content creators who need desktop power portably
- Streamers requiring maximum performance
- Anyone who wants flagship gaming with premium build
Skip it if you:
- Need ultra-portability (this is heavy)
- Have budget constraints (RTX 5070 offers better value)
- Prefer OLED (Mini LED is different)
- Want longest battery life
Comparison to Competitors
vs Razer Blade 18:
- OMEN: Better value, similar performance, lighter
- Blade 18: Larger display, CNC aluminum
vs MSI Titan 18 HX:
- OMEN: More portable, better battery life
- Titan 18: More RAM (128GB), even more power
vs ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16:
- OMEN: Better build, better display
- Scar 16: Lower price, similar performance
The OMEN MAX 16 offers the best balance of performance, build quality, and portability for RTX 5090 laptops.
Value Proposition
At $4,299, is this good value?
Compared to $5,000+ laptops: Yes, competitive pricing for RTX 5090
Compared to $3,000 RTX 5080 laptops: No, you pay premium for top GPU
The Reality: RTX 5090 laptops cost $4,000-5,500. At $4,299, the OMEN MAX 16 is competitively priced with exceptional build quality and display.
Verdict
The HP OMEN MAX 16 (2025) might be the ultimate gaming laptop. The NVIDIA RTX 5090 delivers desktop-class gaming performance, the Mini LED 2.5K 240Hz display is one of the nicest on any laptop, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 crushes productivity workloads.
The premium aluminum build feels exceptional, the 99.9Wh battery provides surprising endurance, and the 64GB RAM with 2TB storage handle anything. The 5.8 lbs weight is heavy but manageable for a flagship gaming laptop.
Is it the best gaming laptop of 2025? It's certainly in contention. The combination of RTX 5090 performance, stunning Mini LED display, premium build quality, and comprehensive features make this a complete package.
At $4,299, it's expensive. But for enthusiast gamers and professional creators who demand the best, the OMEN MAX 16 delivers. This is what a flagship gaming laptop should be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the display compare to OLED?
A: Mini LED is brighter and no burn-in risk. OLED has infinite contrast. For gaming, Mini LED is excellent.
Q: Can I upgrade RAM or storage?
A: Yes! Both RAM (two SO-DIMM slots) and storage (two M.2 slots) are user-upgradeable.
Q: How loud are the fans?
A: Under gaming, audible but controlled. Under maximum load, loud. Better than most RTX 5090 laptops.
Q: Does it thermal throttle?
A: Minimal throttling. HP's cooling is effective for sustained performance.
Q: Is it worth $4,299?
A: For those who need maximum performance and premium build, yes. For value seekers, RTX 5070/5080 laptops offer better bang-per-buck.
