HP Omen Max 16 laptop review: Super fast but a little bit too hot

The Omen Max 16 squeezes a ton of performance considering the size. It comes with the same Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU and 175 W GeForce RTX 5090 GPU as the competing Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16 Gen 10 while being both heavier and smaller. The processor in particular allows the HP to outperform popular 16-inch gaming laptops like the Razer Blade 16 2025 or Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 which are limited to the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and Core Ultra 9 285H, respectively. Users who can exploit the super-fast Core HX processor for their workloads may find the Omen Max 16 worthwhile especially since it comes with similar OLED panels as the competition and an arguably more comfortable keyboard.

As fast as the Arrow Lake HX CPU may be, it may be too fast for the Omen Max 16 to handle. Core temperature under load or when gaming is well over 90 C while clock rates are consistently slower than the same processor running on the aforementioned Legion Pro 7i 16. The deficit may be small, but enthusiasts who want every last drop of performance may prefer the Lenovo as a result or another model with cooler but slower CPU options. 

HP is now shipping the Omen Max 16 starting at $2500 for the base RTX 5070 Ti configuration up to $4000 for our RTX 5090 configuration as reviewed.

The Omen Max 16 is designed to the larger, heavier, and faster version of the "regular" Omen 16. It subsequently carries some of the fastest processors in the market including the Arrow Lake Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU and 175 W Blackwell GeForce RTX 5090 GPU whereas many thinner competitors offer "only" H-series processors alongside lower TGP GPUs. The Omen Max 16 aims to cut as few corners as possible when it comes to performance — at least in theory.

Lesser SKUs of this model start with the Core Ultra 7 255HX CPU and RTX 5070 Ti GPU with a 2K IPS display for $2500 USD up to our fully configured review unit with a 1600p OLED panel for over $4000 USD.

Alternatives in the 16-inch gaming space include the MSI Vector 16 HX, Lenovo Legion 9 16, or Razer Blade 16.

More HP reviews:

• ZBook Ultra G1a 14
• EliteBook X Flip G1i
• Envy x360 15
• OmniStudio X 32
• Pavilion 16

Although their dimensions are different, the Omen Max 16 is visually very similar to the outgoing 2024 Omen 16 down to the matte black color scheme, rear design and hinges, and smooth aluminum surfaces. Main differences include the revised keyboard and new LED bar along the front edge much like on the latest Legion Pro 7i 16 G10 design.

Build quality remains excellent around the base while the lid and hinges could have been stiffer for a better sense of longevity. For example, the lid tends to teeter when adjusting angles and pressing down on the center behind the screen flexes the surface more than on the Blade 16 or aforementioned Lenovo.

Port options remain the same as on the Omen 16 despite the external and internal changes. This isn't necessarily a bad thing as the model integrates a healthy selection to be competitive against alternatives, but content creators may lament the lack of an integrated SD card reader.

A 2 MP webcam comes standard with IR and a physical shutter.

The outer lid and bottom covers consists of 100 percent recycled aluminum while the palm rests and bezel around the screen consist of 30 to 45 percent post-consumer recycled plastics.

There are no extras in the box beyond the AC adapter and paperwork. The usual one-year limited manufacturer warranty applies if purchased in the US.

HP has changed up the keyboard to be more like the "zero lattice" keyboard of the recent Omen Transcend 14. The RGB backlighting is more vibrant as a result while the typing experience remains decent if not shallower and with lighter feedback than on the Legion Pro 7i 16 G10. The arrow keys are unfortunately smaller this time around while a proper numpad replaces the awkward PgUp, PgDn, Home, and End keys on the 2024 design.

We set Windows and Omen Gaming Hub to Performance mode prior to running the benchmarks below. Users are encouraged to become familiar with Omen Gaming Hub for adjusting system profiles and settings. The software is nonetheless far from perfect as it tucks away important settings behind several submenus and even a storefront.

The Core Ultra 9 275HX in the Omen Max 16 is a mixed bag. On one hand, it's a lot faster than the underperforming Core i9-14900HX in the 2024 Omen 16. On the other, the CPU runs slower than most other laptops with the exact same processor including the recent Legion Pro 7i 16 Gen 10 by up to 10 percent. This may be due to tighter thermal limitations of the HP design as our Stress Test section below suggests.

Running Prime95 shows why the Omen Max 16 consistently falls behind the Legion Pro 7i 16 G10 even though they both ship with the same Core Ultra 9 275HX processor. The CPU in our HP would stabilize at 2.5 GHz, 98 C, and 108 W on Unleashed mode compared to 3.8 GHz, 95 C, and 156 W on the Lenovo. The latter is able to squeeze more consistent Turbo Boost performance from the CPU than on the Omen Max 16.

Owners should note that there are performance differences between the three power profiles: Balanced, Performance, and Unleashed as shown by the Cyberpunk 2077 screenshots below. The GPU power ceiling tops out at 145 W on Unleashed mode followed by 128 W on Performance mode and 81 W on Balanced mode. In other words, gamers must endure HP's maximum fan mode (i.e., Unleashed mode) to get the full power of the GPU.

CPU temperatures when gaming are warmer than we would like at almost 95 C while the GPU runs much cooler at 70 C or lower.