HP OMEN 2026, Core Ultra 9 275HX, 32GB, 1TB SSD, RTX 5080, Shadow black

The HP OMEN 16-ah0097nr is a high-end gaming laptop with an RTX 5080 and Core Ultra 9 that delivers top-tier performance and a gorgeous 240Hz display. It's heavy, expensive, and has mediocre reliability scores, but the raw power is undeniable. Buy it if you want a desktop replacement, skip it if you need portability.

The Core Ultra 9 275HX is a powerful processor. With 24 cores and a 5.4GHz boost clock, it ranks in the 97th percentile for laptop CPUs in our database. That kind of performance handles video exports, code compilation, and CPU-heavy games with ease. Paired with the RTX 5080 and its 16GB of GDDR7, this OMEN also lands in the 97th percentile for GPU performance. In practice, that means maxed-out settings at 1440p in most modern titles, often above 100fps, and the 240Hz display gets to show its full potential in esports titles.

The 32GB of DDR5 is ample for gaming and most creative work, and the 1TB SSD is fast enough that load times won't bother you. Storage capacity is solid but not exceptional for this price class, sitting in the upper-middle of our rankings. The screen is a genuine highlight. 500 nits brightness means you can use it near a window without squinting, and the 100% sRGB coverage makes it viable for photo and video editing. The 240Hz refresh rate is smooth enough for competitive play, and the 2560x1600 resolution gives you more vertical space than a typical 1440p panel.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 is the most natural rival here. Both are big 16 inch gaming laptops with top-tier GPUs, but the Legion typically has better build quality and a more refined keyboard. The OMEN counters with a brighter display and a slightly more aggressive CPU. The MSI Raider is another contender in this space, often with similar specs but a flashier design that some people love and others find tacky. The Alienware Aurora is worth a look if you want that distinctive sci-fi aesthetic, though it tends to run hotter and louder.

If you're cross-shopping with the Apple MacBook Pro M4 Max, you're probably not a hardcore gamer. The MacBook destroys this OMEN in battery life and portability, and it's better for video editing in Final Cut or Logic Pro. But for gaming, the RTX 5080 in the OMEN runs circles around Apple's GPU in most titles. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is the pick if you want something you can actually carry around. It's smaller, lighter, and still plenty powerful, though you give up the big screen and some GPU headroom.

At $2,599, this OMEN is firmly in premium territory. You're paying for the RTX 5080 and the Core Ultra 9, and those parts don't come cheap. The problem is that 1TB of storage feels stingy at this price, and the reliability score in our database is mediocre. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 offers a more portable package for less money, though with a smaller screen and less raw GPU power. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 is probably the closest direct competitor, and it tends to have better build quality and reliability scores. If you can find this OMEN on sale, it becomes a lot more interesting. At full price, you're paying a premium for the newest GPU generation.

The HP OMEN 16-ah0097nr sits in that upper tier of gaming laptops where you stop asking "can it run this?" and start asking "how fast do I want it?" It packs an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX with 24 cores and an RTX 5080 with 16GB of VRAM, which puts it near the top of our database for raw horsepower. At $2,599, it's not cheap, but it's also not pretending to be a budget machine. This is a desktop replacement that happens to fold shut.

People searching for a 16 inch gaming laptop with an RTX 5080 will find this OMEN checks a lot of boxes. The 2560x1600 IPS panel runs at 240Hz with 500 nits brightness and full sRGB coverage, so it's built for both fast-paced shooters and color-sensitive work. You get 32GB of DDR5 and a 1TB NVMe SSD, which is a sensible starting point for a machine this powerful. The port selection is generous too, with Thunderbolt, dual USB-C, dual USB-A, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 7.

But this thing is heavy. At 2.77kg, it's a chunky boy. And the compact score in our database is rough, sitting near the bottom of the pile. If you're looking for something to toss in a backpack every day, this probably isn't it. If you're looking for a gaming station that can move from desk to couch without much fuss, keep reading.

Skip this if you need a laptop you can carry every day. At 2.77kg, it's a backbreaker, and the compact score is near the bottom of our rankings. Students and commuters should look at the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 instead, which offers solid gaming performance in a much lighter package. Also skip it if you're on a budget. At $2,599, it's a big investment, and the reliability scores don't inspire confidence. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 is a safer bet if you want similar performance with better build quality. And if you're a Mac user who doesn't game much, the MacBook Pro M4 Max is the obvious choice for battery life and portability.

Should you buy the HP OMEN 16-ah0097nr? If you want a desktop replacement with an RTX 5080 and you don't plan to move it much, yes. The performance is outstanding, the display is excellent, and the port selection is better than most gaming laptops we've tested. It's a great machine for gaming at high refresh rates and for creative work that needs serious CPU and GPU muscle.

But if you need something portable, look elsewhere. This thing is heavy, and the compact score is one of the worst in our database. The reliability and social proof scores also give us pause, especially at this price. For $2,599, you deserve a machine that feels bulletproof. The OMEN is fast, but it doesn't feel as premium as the price tag suggests. If you can live with the weight and the price, it's a fantastic performer. If not, the Legion Pro 7i or Zephyrus G14 are better fits.