The HP Victus series, a bargain line that has become one of Best Buy’s most popular products in two years, is a pleasant relief for people (like me) who get a pit in their stomachs when they see how much the year’s best gaming laptops cost.
HP made a lot of showy announcements at its Amplify Partner Conference today, but one I think could make a difference for many shoppers is the Victus 16, which has been revamped for 2023 and gone a bit crazy.
Victus 16 has an RTX 4070 graphics card. The 2021 Victus 16 only supported the $949 RTX 3050 Ti. Even the older Victus 15 has more chip possibilities and has an RTX 3060 as the top option. So naturally, the 4070 system will outperform the RTX 3050 Ti and 3060 versions.
The new Victus supports Intel Core i7-13700HX or AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS processors. These are costly laptop chips. However, as of this writing, the Victus may be one of the most economical methods to purchase any of these three chips in 2023.
Last year, I tested a $799 Victus 15 Core i5/GTX 1650 machine. It wasn’t as powerful as an RTX 4070 machine, but it had a lot of nice features.
A 4070 Victus should cost more than that GTX model. However, the former may still appeal to budget-conscious gamers who don’t need a fancy chassis or RGB lights but want powerful performance in demanding games.
HP also revealed a new Omen Transcend 16 with a 16:10 Micro LED display, a 4.6-pound (2.1 kg) magnesium frame, and a square vent design. HP’s thinnest gaming laptop. This versatile laptop may be used for business and study on the fly. HP calls it “games, work, and everything in between.”
Transcend 16 supports Core i9-13900HX and RTX 4070. (Unlike the Victus, it seems Intel-only.)
HP refreshed its regular Omen 16 laptop with 13th Gen Intel (up to a Core i9-13900HX) and Ryzen 7000 (up to a Ryzen 9 7940HS) options. In addition, this one will support an RTX 4080 and QHD 240Hz.
Victus 16, Omen Transcend 16, and Omen 16 are expected “early this spring.” They cost $1,049.99, $1,299.99, and $1,699.99.
