The HP Pavilion 15 Gaming Laptop: A Gaming Enthusiast's Review
With its impressive specifications, the HP Pavilion 15 Gaming stands out as a powerful gaming machine. Here's my detailed review, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses, to help you make an informed decision.
Overview and Specifications
The HP Pavilion 15 Gaming comes with a range of powerful components, delivering top-notch performance. My model features an EC variant with the Ryzen 5 4600H processor, a GTX 1650Ti graphics card, 16GB of RAM, 1.2TB of SSD HDD storage, and a 144Hz screen. For gamers seeking a robust and high-performing machine, this setup is truly commendable.
Performance
The performance of the HP Pavilion 15 Gaming is nothing short of impressive. Equipped with a Ryzen 5 4600H, it outshines many of its Intel counterparts, providing smooth gameplay. Running modern games like Cyberpunk 2077 without any hitches is a testament to its capability. The processor effortlessly breezes past the 60FPS mark in almost every game, further showcasing its superior performance.
Not only is the graphics card powerful, but the thermal management is equally impressive. Despite the lack of visible cooling vents, the laptop maintains a stable temperature. During benchmarks and gaming sessions, the CPU rarely spikes above 90 degrees, while the GPU stays well below 70 degrees. This robust thermal performance ensures a smooth and consistent gaming experience for extended periods.
Screens and Display
The 144Hz anti-glare screen with 400 nits brightness is simply delightful. It offers excellent color accuracy, with 100 sRGB at 1080p resolution. This display is not only superior to many built-in gaming laptops but even competes with high-end displays like my MacBook Pro 13-inch. The IPS panel provides great clarity, and the fast refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay, making it a pleasure to use for extended periods.
Input and Output
The input and output connectivity of the HP Pavilion 15 Gaming are quite good. It has two Full-Size USB ports, one USB Type-C, HDMI, Ethernet, and an SD Card reader. While it would be ideal to have three Full-Size USB ports, what it offers is still sufficient for most users' needs. Additionally, the lack of a third Full-Size USB port is a minor inconvenience but not a deal-breaker.
Keyboard and Build Quality
The keyboard is another standout feature, though it could use some improvement. It provides excellent feedback and a satisfying tactile experience, making it one of the bestever keyboards for gaming laptops. However, the key travel is slightly shorter compared to my old Nitro 5, which might be a downside for some users. Nevertheless, it remains one of the best keyboards for its category.
Upgradeability
The Pavilion 15 Gaming is relatively upgradeable with options for SSD, HDD, and RAM. However, one minor downside is that the RAM is capped at 16GB, which limits future-proofing for those who want to add more memory. For hardcore gamers, this might be a consideration, but for the majority of users, the current setup should suffice.
The Bad: BIOS and User Experience
While the performance and features of the HP Pavilion 15 Gaming are impressive, the BIOS and HP Control software leave much to be desired. The BIOS lacks options and frequently throws random error messages, causing false restarts and Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) issues. HP has restricted user access to certain diagnostic data, which means users cannot easily monitor performance in games. As a tinkerer, I don't mind occasional BSODs for the sake of performance, but the average user might find this aspect intimidating.
Conclusion
The HP Pavilion 15 Gaming is an excellent choice for gaming enthusiasts looking for a powerful and capable laptop. It delivers top-tier performance, an impressive display, and good connectivity options. However, the limitations with the BIOS and overall user experience might deter average users. For those willing to accept occasional hiccups for superior gaming performance, the HP Pavilion 15 Gaming is a solid investment.
As for my Go Power Pavilion 15 Gaming, which has a different configuration (i7–7700HQ with a GTX 1050, 4GB, 12GB DDR4 RAM, and a 500GB SSD), I still believe in its performance but acknowledge that laptops tend to become outdated quickly compared to their desktop counterparts. Despite its age, it remains a powerful machine for casual gaming and everyday use, but it won't meet the evolving needs of power users in the long run.