Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE vs HP Omen 16 (2024)
The Verdict
Acer's Chromebook Plus 516 GE targets productivity users seeking a lightweight, long-lasting machine, while HP's Omen 16 is a gaming-focused powerhouse demanding significantly more investment. The Acer weighs just 1.88 kg with a 16-inch 2560x1600 display at 120Hz and delivers impressive 9-hour battery life thanks to its efficient Core i5-1340P processor paired with 8GB LPDDR5 RAM. Its $649 price point makes it exceptional value for students and remote workers. Conversely, the HP Omen 16 brings serious performance credentials: a beefier Core i7-14700HX with 20 cores, 16GB DDR5 memory, and double the storage at 512GB. Its QHD+ 240Hz display crushes the Acer's 120Hz panel for gaming, though it's heavier at 2.36 kg and delivers only 7 hours of battery life. Port connectivity favors HP with three USB-A slots and SD card reader versus Acer's single USB-A. Choose the Acer if you prioritize portability, battery endurance, and value for everyday computing. Pick the HP if gaming, video editing, or CPU-intensive work justifies the $750 premium and weight penalty. They serve different audiences entirely.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE if…
- →120Hz QHD+ display is best-in-class for any Chromebook
- →Cloud gaming optimized with NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Xbox Cloud Gaming
- →i5-1340P delivers strong performance for ChromeOS
Buy the HP Omen 16 (2024) if…
- →RTX 4070 delivers strong 1440p gaming performance
- →240Hz QHD+ display ideal for competitive gaming
- →OMEN Command Center software for easy tuning
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE
Pros
- 120Hz QHD+ display is best-in-class for any Chromebook
- Cloud gaming optimized with NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Xbox Cloud Gaming
- i5-1340P delivers strong performance for ChromeOS
- Ethernet port is rare and valuable for cloud gaming stability
- ChromeOS is fast, secure, and low-maintenance
Cons
- ChromeOS cannot run native Windows games or Steam natively
- 256 GB storage fills quickly for offline content
- 8 GB RAM is not upgradeable
- 1.88 kg is heavy for a Chromebook
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Windows
HP Omen 16 (2024)
Pros
- RTX 4070 delivers strong 1440p gaming performance
- 240Hz QHD+ display ideal for competitive gaming
- OMEN Command Center software for easy tuning
- Good port selection with three USB-A and SD card
- Upgradeable storage and memory
Cons
- Display brightness of 300 nits is underwhelming
- Thermal management runs fans loud under load
- Heavy and bulky for a 16-inch gaming laptop
- Battery life short at around 7 hours
- Plastic chassis lacks premium feel
Full Specifications
| Spec | Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE | HP Omen 16 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | ChromeOS | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.88 kg | 2.36 kg |
| Material | Aluminum lid, plastic body | Aluminum lid with plastic chassis |
| Dimensions | 357 x 254 x 20.4 mm | 361.5 x 262.7 x 23.5 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 1 |
| USB-A ports | 1 | 3 |
| USB-C ports | 2 | 1 |
| Ethernet | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| SD card | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 9 hours | Up to 7 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 65 Wh | 83 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16 inches | 16.1 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | QHD+ IPS 240Hz |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2560 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 240Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 350 | 300 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB LPDDR5 | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 12-core (4P + 8E) | 20-core (8P+12E) |
| Chipset | 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1340P | Intel Core i7-14700HX |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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