HP Omen 16 (2024) vs Microsoft Surface Go 4
The Verdict
HP Omen 16 (2024) and Microsoft Surface Go 4 serve fundamentally different purposes. HP's 16-inch powerhouse features a cutting-edge Intel Core i7-14700HX processor with 20 cores, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a stunning 240Hz QHD+ display ideal for gaming and demanding creative work. Microsoft's Surface Go 4 prioritizes portability with its featherlight 0.55kg magnesium chassis and exceptional 12.5-hour battery life, though the Intel N200 processor and 8GB RAM limit it to productivity tasks and casual use. Omen 16's 512GB SSD vastly outmatches Go 4's 128GB storage. Brightness (300 vs 400 nits) favors Surface Go slightly, but Omen's 240Hz refresh rate dominates for gaming. At $1399 versus $579, these are different categories entirely. Choose Omen 16 for serious gaming, video editing, and high-performance computing. Select Surface Go 4 if you need an ultraportable Windows tablet for lightweight productivity and note-taking. For most gamers and power users, Omen 16 delivers significantly more capability.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Microsoft Surface Go 4 if…
- →Ultra-portable at 1.22 lbs — lightest Windows tablet/laptop
- →Windows 11 Pro included — enterprise-ready out of the box
- →Surface Pen and Type Cover support for versatile use
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Microsoft Surface Go 4
Pros
- Ultra-portable at 1.22 lbs — lightest Windows tablet/laptop
- Windows 11 Pro included — enterprise-ready out of the box
- Surface Pen and Type Cover support for versatile use
- PixelSense touchscreen with excellent touch and pen accuracy
- microSD slot for expandable storage
Cons
- Intel N200 is slow for anything beyond basic web browsing
- 128 GB storage fills up quickly with Windows updates
- Type Cover keyboard sold separately at $99-$129
- Only one USB-C port — no USB-A, no HDMI
Full Specifications
| Spec | HP Omen 16 (2024) | Microsoft Surface Go 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.36 kg | 1.22 lbs (0.55 kg) |
| Material | Aluminum lid with plastic chassis | Magnesium alloy |
| Dimensions | 361.5 x 262.7 x 23.5 mm | 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | — |
| USB-A ports | 3 | — |
| USB-C ports | 1 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 1 | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 7 hours mixed use | Up to 12.5 hours |
| Capacity | 83 Wh | 28 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.1 inches | 10.5 inches |
| Type | QHD+ IPS 240Hz | PixelSense IPS touchscreen |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 1920 x 1280 |
| Refresh rate | 240Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 300 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 128 GB UFS |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5 | 8 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 20-core (8P+12E) | 4 cores |
| Chipset | Intel Core i7-14700HX | Intel N200 |
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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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