HP Omen 16 (2024) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
The Verdict
HP Omen 16 (2024) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 target fundamentally different user needs. HP's gaming-focused machine delivers a 16.1-inch QHD+ 240Hz display paired with an Intel Core i7-14700HX processor, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and robust connectivity including Thunderbolt and SD card reader, making it ideal for creative professionals and gamers demanding high performance. Microsoft's ultraportable Surface Laptop 5 prioritizes mobility with its 1.27kg aluminum-Alcantara chassis, 13.5-inch PixelSense display at 400 nits brightness, and exceptional 18-hour battery life, though its 12th-gen Core i5/i7U processors and 8GB base RAM limit demanding workloads. Price favors Surface at $999 versus Omen's $1399. For gaming, content creation, or performance-intensive work, the HP Omen 16 justifies its premium. For all-day portability and everyday computing, Surface Laptop 5 excels. Choose based on workload priority: gaming and performance wins with Omen, ultraportability and battery life with Surface.
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 Laptop 5 if…
- →Excellent 3:2 aspect ratio PixelSense touchscreen for productivity
- →Alcantara keyboard deck is comfortable and distinctive
- →Lightweight at 1.27 kg for easy portability
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 Laptop 5
Pros
- Excellent 3:2 aspect ratio PixelSense touchscreen for productivity
- Alcantara keyboard deck is comfortable and distinctive
- Lightweight at 1.27 kg for easy portability
- Up to 18 hours claimed battery life
- Removable SSD for easier data recovery
Cons
- Only one USB-C port and one USB-A port — very limited
- 60Hz display lacks the smoothness of 120Hz competitors
- No Thunderbolt 4 — USB-C is USB 4.0 with limited bandwidth
- Surface Connect charger is proprietary
- 8 GB base RAM is restrictive for multitasking
Full Specifications
| Spec | HP Omen 16 (2024) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.36 kg | 1.27 kg |
| Material | Aluminum lid with plastic chassis | Aluminum and Alcantara |
| Dimensions | 361.5 x 262.7 x 23.5 mm | 308 x 223 x 14.5 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | — |
| USB-A ports | 3 | 1 |
| USB-C ports | 1 | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 1 | — |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Surface Connect | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 7 hours mixed use | Up to 18 hours |
| Capacity | 83 Wh | 47.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.1 inches | 13.5 inches |
| Type | QHD+ IPS 240Hz | PixelSense IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2256 x 1504 |
| Refresh rate | 240Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 300 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 256 GB / 512 GB (removable SSD) |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5 | 8 GB / 16 GB |
| Cores | 20-core (8P+12E) | 10-core (2P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core i7-14700HX | 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U / i7-1255U |
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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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