HP Laptop - Review and Buying Guide - 2023
Although Hewlett-Packard is perhaps best known for its printers and ink, they also offer impressive PC hardware, including desktops, monitors, and even laptops. In fact, HP laptops are some of the best bargains in the business: They're rugged, powerful, and in many cases even feature touch screens, all at an impressively low price.
If you're looking for a Windows laptop, or even a Chromebook, that can keep up with you, it's worth checking out the latest from HP. If you're not sure which specs to compare, you're in luck - we've got everything you need to know to find the perfect HP laptop.
HP Laptop Battery Life
One of the biggest differentiators between different HP laptop models is battery life. Battery life is arguably the most important feature of a laptop, so as you compare the available options to your needs, consider the following.
Carefully compare “standby” time versus usage time. Most HP laptop product descriptions provide two numbers: how long the laptop will last in “standby mode” and how long the laptop will last in use. If you often go a long time without plugging in, buy an HP laptop with as much usage time as you can afford. (And don't forget that all published battery specs are estimates, so your usage may vary from those numbers.)
Keep in mind that laptops with larger screens consume battery power more quickly. We love a big, beautiful laptop screen as much as anyone, but bigger screens consume more power. If you're making the jump from a 13-inch to a 15-inch laptop, expect battery life to take a modest hit.
Please note that not all HP notebooks have user-replaceable batteries. Most HP laptops make battery replacement a simple procedure – a welcome feature that is fast disappearing in the laptop market. If you expect to keep your laptop for more than three years, be sure to purchase one that allows you to replace the battery. Models without user-replaceable batteries are typically thinner, lighter, and less expensive, but become extremely problematic once the battery stops holding a full charge.
HP Laptops Vs. HP 2 in 1
Hewlett Packard makes two different types of laptops: traditional and 2-in-1s. Each caters to specific uses, so think about the type that best suits your needs before you start shopping.
HP laptops are traditional laptops for which the only input methods are a mouse and keyboard. These laptops are generally more affordable, but you won't be able to take advantage of touch features like pinch-to-zoom.
HP 2-in-1s are laptops with touch screens. These machines use Windows 10 "tablet mode," where the entire interface is optimized for touch input. These laptops are ideal for anyone who needs both the "lean forward" experience of a laptop and the "lean back" experience of a tablet.
Windows vs. Chrome OS
HP makes laptops running Microsoft Windows and Google's Chrome operating system. If you're not sure which one is right for you, consider the strengths and weaknesses of each before you buy.
Microsoft Windows is the most widely used operating system on earth – and is the operating system of choice for most businesses. The current iteration – Windows 10 – is incredibly powerful and even includes a built-in voice assistant, Cortana. However, Microsoft's track record with software updates is slow, which is why it is often considered a less secure operating system.
Google's Chrome OS is based on its popular web browser and can run any web-based app or browser extension you can throw at it. (Don't worry if that sounds limiting; it doesn't– it just means you'll have to get used to working in a browser.) Chrome OS is less expensive to license and therefore often comes on budget laptops. If you're looking for a competent laptop and are comfortable in a web browser, using Chrome OS is a solid option.
Tips
If you plan to connect multiple devices to your HP notebook, determine which USB ports are compatible with USB 2.0 and which are compatible with USB 3.0. Both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 slots appear physically identical, but the latter represents a significant improvement in the amount of data and power that can be transferred to a peripheral device. Consider the devices you'll be connecting to your laptop: which ones are compatible with USB 3.0 and which aren't? By pairing each of your devices with the optimal slot, you ensure your PC gets the power and data it needs as quickly as possible. (Don't forget that USB 3.0 ports are backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 hardware.)
If you frequently use a digital camera, get an HP laptop with an SD card reader. Some HP notebooks include secure digital (SD) card readers, so you can insert an SD card directly into the machine to view files. SD card readers are a must for anyone interested in photography – it's the fastest way to transfer images from a digital camera to a laptop's hard drive.
If you're comparing different HP models, pay close attention to how much each one weighs. One thing that's easy to lose track of is how much each laptop weighs, but the differences between models can be dramatic. HP's thin and light ultraportables typically weigh around three pounds, while its DVD drive laptops are closer to six or seven pounds (and that's before adding any peripherals). If you're going to be carrying your HP laptop, save yourself some back pain and buy a model that's appropriately light.
FAQ
Que. Can I make my and Kriti's laptop battery last longer?
Ans. Yes. There are many simple ways to extend your laptop's battery life when you're on the go. Try some of the following:
Click the battery icon at the bottom of the screen and turn on battery saver mode. This dims the screen by 30% and prevents many universal apps from running in the background.
Type “see which apps are affecting your battery life” into the Windows search bar, hit enter, and close the apps you don't actively use to conserve your laptop's battery life.
Select a dark theme from your laptop's display options. You'd be surprised how much extra battery power it takes to continuously illuminate bright colors.
Que. How much memory (RAM) does my new laptop need?
Ans. It depends on how you are going to use it. If you plan to use your laptop to play games, edit videos, or run multiple programs at once, we recommend finding a laptop with a larger amount of memory — in the 16GB to 32GB range. On the other hand, if you buy a laptop solely for web browsing or word processing, less will suffice — 4GB to 8GB.
Bottom line, if you'd prefer a more versatile laptop, it's a good idea to buy a model with more memory.
Que. How can I compare laptop resolutions?
Ans. Unfortunately, many laptop listings don't make it easy to determine picture quality at a glance, like buying a TV, but here's a handy cheat sheet to help compare laptop resolutions :
3840 x 2560 = 4K ultra high definition. Beautiful, and great for playing high-end video games and movies released in this format.
1920 x 1080 = Full HD. Great for watching Blu-ray movies and playing video games.
1600x900=HD+. A good fit for streaming video, simple video games and DVDs.
1366x768=HD. Enough for Internet browsing, word processing programs, and simple laptop tasks.