HP Laptop 17 (2024) Review
Table of Contents
HP Laptop 17 (2024) Review
In the vast landscape of laptops, HP has firmly established its presence at both ends of the spectrum, catering to the needs of high-performance workstations as well as budget-conscious consumers seeking everyday computing solutions. Enter the HP Laptop 17, a wallet-friendly option starting at $499.99 ($649.99 in the configuration we tested), designed to handle the demands of daily tasks encountered in school or home-office environments.
Powering this budget-friendly device is an AMD Ryzen 5 5625U CPU, capable of smoothly executing the routine activities of an average user. Its expansive 17-inch display provides an enjoyable movie-watching experience, though it doesn’t quite match up to the quality of a full-fledged HDTV. Nevertheless, its portability is a distinct advantage, being lighter than many other 17-inch laptops in its price range.
Combining its weight advantage with a well-rounded set of internal components, the HP Laptop 17 earns our Editors’ Choice accolade for budget laptops, surpassing last year’s Asus VivoBook 17 in performance and value.
A Design That Keeps It Simple:
Upon initial inspection, the HP Laptop 17 presents a minimalist design, characterized by its understated aesthetics, save for the glossy HP emblem adorning the lid. The logo stands out amidst a textured crosshatch pattern that spans both the top and bottom surfaces of the 0.81-by-15.78-by-10.15-inch chassis. Closing the lid exposes a sleek perimeter, featuring a raised lip facilitating easy screen lifting.
Tipping the scales at 4.58 pounds, the laptop carries a noticeable weight, yet it’s actually lighter compared to our top two recommended 17-inch budget systems. Upon unfolding, you’re met with a spacious 17-inch display boasting a resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels.
The availability of 17-inch laptops within this price bracket is relatively limited, especially when compared to other screen sizes. While some users might hesitate due to the size of such a device, others will find value in having a generously sized screen that can easily fit into their bag, even if it means accommodating the extra weight.
The keyboard on the laptop provides a delightful surprise. Each keystroke delivers satisfying feedback, ensuring you’re aware of pressing them.
While some keys, such as the function keys and the up and down arrows, are half-sized, typing remains comfortable. Sufficient space beneath the keyboard allows for palm resting, albeit resulting in a touchpad that feels slightly smaller than usual. Yet, on a 17-inch device, such proportions are relative.
Testing the HP Laptop 17:
Our test unit of the HP Laptop 17, priced at $649.99, boasts superior specifications compared to the base configuration of this line offered by HP. The entry-level model, priced at $499.99 (currently discounted to $299.99 just before Black Friday 2022), features an AMD Athlon Gold 3150U CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD, paired with a 1,600-by-900-pixel non-touch display. It’s worth noting that HP provides options for touch screens across the HP Laptop 17 range, as well as Intel CPUs. In contrast, our test model features an upgraded 1080p panel (still non-touch), alongside the Ryzen 5 processor and a 256GB SSD as mentioned earlier.
In our assessment, we compared the HP Laptop 17, in its tested configuration, against other systems we’ve previously reviewed, although not all of them were 17-inch models.
Among these contenders were the Acer Aspire 5 (A515-57) (starting at $369.99; $599.99 as tested), the Lenovo Ideapad 3 14 (MSRP $519), and the previously mentioned Asus VivoBook 17 m712 (MSRP $550), all of which received commendable ratings from us. Particularly, the 17-inch Asus VivoBook earned our Editors’ Choice accolade for its exceptional display and design, despite being the priciest option in this lineup.
Similarly, the Lenovo Ideapad 3 14 captured our Editors’ Choice award for its remarkable build quality and value-packed features at its price point. Completing our lineup were the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3511) (starting at $323) and the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3505) (starting at $293; $369 as tested), which received lower scores in our evaluations.
On the left side of the laptop, you’ll find a USB 3.0 Type-A port, a full-size HDMI port for connecting to an external display, a USB 3.0 Type-C port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Meanwhile, on the right side, there’s another USB 3.0 Type-A port and a barrel plug designated for the included 45-watt battery charger.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The HP Laptop 17 stands out as a superb budget-friendly option for everyday use, boasting a vibrant and crisp screen that enhances multi-window productivity, while also serving as a delightful tool for unwinding after a long day of work.
Test System Configurations:
Productivity Tests:
To evaluate the everyday performance of each device, we employ PCMark 10’s productivity benchmarking tool. This comprehensive test replicates common tasks such as word processing, spreadsheet management, video conferencing, and web browsing.
Additionally, we utilize Geekbench, another productivity benchmarking tool, to simulate performance-intensive activities like PDF rendering and speech recognition. Furthermore, we conduct a storage test using PCMark 10 to assess the efficiency of the SSD in each device in terms of loading stored files and booting programs.
Graphics Tests:
In our initial graphics assessment, we turn to 3DMark, a comprehensive tool offering various simulations to gauge DirectX 12 performance. Across all our systems, regardless of configuration, we conduct tests using both Time Spy and Night Raid. While Time Spy encountered compatibility issues on several devices, Night Raid generally performs better on systems equipped with integrated graphics. Additionally, we employ GFXBench for two further tests to evaluate GPU performance. It’s important to note that none of the systems under test feature dedicated GPUs, so we temper our expectations accordingly.
Battery and Display Tests:
In our battery performance evaluations, we adhere to a consistent methodology. After fully charging the device to 100%, we initiate a continuous 24-hour video loop of a short film. Following the start of the video, we disconnect the charger and allow the device to operate overnight until the battery is depleted. Throughout this process, we maintain standardized battery settings, including brightness and volume levels, across all tested devices.
In our display assessments, we utilize a Datacolor SpyderX Elite monitor calibration sensor. This device allows us to measure color gamut coverage and assess brightness levels, measured in nits, at both 50% and 100% settings.
In the GFXBench Car Chase test, the HP Laptop 17 secures the second position, narrowly trailing behind the Acer Aspire 5. This benchmark primarily favors mobile devices equipped with integrated graphics. Similarly, in the Aztec Ruins test, the HP Laptop 17 achieves a commendable third-place ranking, following closely behind the Acer Aspire 5 and the Lenovo Ideapad 3 14.
Despite encountering compatibility issues with the Time Spy benchmark on some test systems, they were able to compete in the Night Raid benchmark. Notably, the HP Laptop 17 nearly surpasses the Acer Aspire 5 for the top spot and significantly outperforms the third-place Lenovo.
Pross , cons and HP LAPTOP 17 SPECS:
Price : $570.95
