HyperX and Omen Join Forces
HP has officially merged its two gaming brands into one unified name: HyperX Omen. HyperX was originally known for gaming peripherals like headsets and keyboards, while Omen has been HP’s dedicated gaming PC and laptop line. Now they have been combined, and the first big product to carry the new branding is the HyperX Omen Max 16 gaming laptop.
On the outside, the HyperX Omen Max 16 looks very familiar. It closely resembles the previous HP Omen Max 16 chassis, with only subtle visual changes. The most noticeable differences are the HyperX logo on the back lid and fresh HyperX branding beneath the 16 inch display. If you were expecting a completely new design, this is more of a careful refresh than a total redesign.
Where things get more interesting is under the hood. HP has updated the core hardware, power delivery and cooling system to better match what modern PC gamers are looking for in a high end portable machine.
New CPUs, High End GPUs and Smarter Power
The HyperX Omen Max 16 continues to target serious gamers with high performance components. On the graphics side, HP is still offering options up to the GeForce RTX 5090 mobile, with lower tiers starting at the RTX 5070 Ti mobile. That puts this laptop squarely in enthusiast territory for anyone who wants to play demanding titles at high refresh rates and resolutions.
The processor lineup has been refreshed more significantly. Instead of the older generation CPUs, the new model offers a choice between:
- AMD Ryzen AI 400 series chips
- A next generation Intel processor platform
While the exact Intel CPUs are not named in the briefing, they are described as next gen, pointing to the latest mobile architecture rather than a minor refresh. On the AMD side, the Ryzen AI 400 series is designed to bring strong CPU performance along with built in AI acceleration, which could be useful for creators and future AI assisted gaming features.
To feed this powerful hardware, HP has introduced a new GaN power brick that can deliver up to 300 watts of total platform power. GaN or gallium nitride charging tech allows for more efficient and compact adapters compared to traditional silicon based chargers. The result is a powerful laptop power brick that does not feel like you are carrying a boat anchor in your backpack.
HP highlighted this power adapter specifically during its pre CES briefing, clearly aware that travelling gamers and tech reviewers often complain about huge, heavy chargers. For a machine that can run an RTX 5090 mobile GPU, keeping the charger footprint under control is an important quality of life improvement.
Cooling and Keyboard: Fixing Old Weak Spots
The previous HP Omen Max 16 was a capable gaming laptop but had some notable drawbacks. Reviewers criticized fan noise and some inconsistent gaming performance, likely tied to thermal limitations. HP seems to have taken this feedback seriously in the HyperX Omen Max 16.
The cooling system has been reworked with the addition of a third fan. More cooling capacity should help manage the heat output of high end GPUs and modern CPUs, which often boost aggressively until they hit thermal limits. While we will need hands on testing to know the full impact, the extra fan is a promising sign for more stable frame rates and potentially quieter operation under load.
Keyboard performance also gets attention in this refresh. The previous model already had a well liked keyboard, but the new HyperX Omen Max 16 steps things up with:
- 1000 Hz polling rate for faster input response
- Anti ghosting technology to prevent lost key presses
- Full size arrow keys for better control in games
A 1000 Hz polling rate is typically associated with esports grade gaming keyboards and mice. It means the keyboard is sending input updates to the system one thousand times per second, which can slightly reduce input latency. For competitive players, every millisecond counts, and this spec pushes the laptop keyboard closer to what you would expect from a dedicated gaming peripheral.
Anti ghosting is another practical feature. It ensures that when you press multiple keys at once, especially common in fast paced games, all the inputs are properly registered rather than some being ignored. Combined with full size arrow keys, the experience should feel more like a serious gaming board than a typical laptop layout.
A Rebrand and Refresh for the Whole Omen Line
The HyperX Omen Max 16 is positioned as the top model in the family, but it is not the only laptop getting the new unified branding. HP is also updating its non Max Omen laptops with HyperX touch points, cooling tweaks and slightly revised specs.
This generation is more about refinement than revolution. The core GPUs and CPUs across the industry are maturing, so manufacturers are focusing on tighter integration, better thermals, smarter power delivery and brand consistency. HyperX Omen is HP’s way of presenting a clearer identity to gamers, whether they are shopping for headsets, keyboards or high end gaming laptops.
For players looking at the HyperX Omen Max 16, the main takeaways are:
- High end Nvidia RTX 50 series mobile GPUs, up to RTX 5090
- New AMD Ryzen AI 400 series and next gen Intel CPU options
- A more compact 300 W GaN power brick
- Reworked cooling with a third fan to tackle noise and throttling
- A faster 1000 Hz gaming keyboard with anti ghosting
If HP has truly tamed the thermal and noise issues from the earlier model, the HyperX Omen Max 16 could be a strong contender for gamers who want desktop class power in a 16 inch laptop, wrapped in a more cohesive gaming brand.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/gaming-laptops/hp-has-smushed-together-the-hyperx-and-omen-brands-to-create-its-new-hyperx-omen-range-of-gaming-laptops-and-im-over-here-playing-spot-the-difference/
