hp | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Sun, 24 Dec 2023 11:29:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.11 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png hp | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 HP Omen OLED monitor set to launch at CES https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/joao-silva/hp-omen-oled-monitor-set-to-launch-at-ces/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/joao-silva/hp-omen-oled-monitor-set-to-launch-at-ces/#respond Sun, 24 Dec 2023 12:00:11 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=641784 HP's HyperX and Omen brands plan to expand their lineups with a few new gaming products at CES 2024. Besides gaming peripherals such as keyboards, headsets, mice and controllers, HP's gaming brands are also launching a new 4K OLED gaming monitor and new laptops. According to Windows Report, there's a lot to expect from HP's …

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HP's HyperX and Omen brands plan to expand their lineups with a few new gaming products at CES 2024. Besides gaming peripherals such as keyboards, headsets, mice and controllers, HP's gaming brands are also launching a new 4K OLED gaming monitor and new laptops.

According to Windows Report, there's a lot to expect from HP's gaming brands at CES in January. Starting with the laptops, HP's Omen will reveal the Transcend 14 and a new version of the Transcend 16 upgraded with new Intel Core Ultra CPUs, up to Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics, a new 240Hz OLED screen and AI features.

Image credit: Windows Report

Moving on to the new monitor, the Omen Transcend 32  features a 32-inch 4K display, 240Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 1000 nits (HDR). The new display supports AMD FreeSync as well as Dolby Vision. It's also the first gaming monitor with separate switchable USB ports and features a built-in KVM switch. Moreover, it employs the Omen Tempest Monitor cooling technology to minimise burn-in. Its connectivity options include a DisplayPort 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.1 ports, 1x USB-C port (DP Alt mode and 140 W PD), 3x USB-A 3.2 ports, a USB-C 3.2, and 1x USB-C (15W) for communication.

As for peripherals, HyperX is releasing three new HX3D collections: Valkyrie, Werewolf and Nature. Each of these includes themed keycaps, headset toppers and earcups. There's also a new lineup geared towards younger customers. This new series of gaming gear consists of the HyperX Cloud Mini, HyperX Cloud Mini Wireless, and the HyperX Clutch Tanto game controller. These accessories come in various colours and have audio protection below 85dB. While the Xbox-certified controller is only available in black, it's multiplatform compatible.

Lastly, HyperX is also set to launch new Alloy and Rise keyboards, Pulsefire mice and a new Haste 2 Mini.

The Rise is a 75% gasket-mounted keyboard with customisable RGB illumination and a clever ambient light sensor. In addition, they have a variety of top plates (blue, black, white), badge packs, media dial, and hot-swappable switches. As for the Haste 2 Mini, this wireless mouse is designed specifically for on-the-go gaming. Available in black and white, it's 16% smaller than the Haste 2 and weighs only 59g.

KitGuru says: Of all of the new HyperX and Omen products to be revealed at CES 2024, are there any that you would like to test?

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Upcoming HP Omen 17 gaming laptop can be configured with an RTX 4090 16GB GPU https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/joao-silva/upcoming-hp-omen-17-gaming-laptop-can-be-configured-with-an-rtx-4090-16gb-gpu/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/joao-silva/upcoming-hp-omen-17-gaming-laptop-can-be-configured-with-an-rtx-4090-16gb-gpu/#respond Tue, 13 Dec 2022 13:00:18 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=586301 It looks like Nvidia will soon be launching the first RTX 40 mobile GPUs for laptops. It seems the upcoming HP Omen 17 gaming laptop will be one of the first to feature a new-gen Nvidia laptop GPU, as it has been spotted with the RTX 4090 listed as a configuration option.  The HP Omen …

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It looks like Nvidia will soon be launching the first RTX 40 mobile GPUs for laptops. It seems the upcoming HP Omen 17 gaming laptop will be one of the first to feature a new-gen Nvidia laptop GPU, as it has been spotted with the RTX 4090 listed as a configuration option. 

The HP Omen 17 laptop listings found by @momomo_us shows HP is at least preparing six different models with four CPU+GPU configurations. All listed laptops come with the currently unreleased Core i7-13700HX laptop CPU paired with either an RTX 4060, RTX 4070, RTX 4080 or RTX 4090 laptop GPU.

As per the listings, the RTX 4060 and RTX 4070 will feature 8GB of memory, while the RTX 4080 comes with 12GB. The flagship RTX 4090 for laptops will pack 16GB of VRAM.

Nvidia is expected to share more information on the RTX 40 series laptop GPUs at CES 2023, where it will hold a keynote on January 3rd.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: We'll be seeing new laptop GPUs and CPUs launching in Q1 2023, so if you are currently looking to buy a new gaming laptop, it might be worth waiting a while longer to see new models announced sporting new-gen hardware. 

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HP launches X27q – combining understated design with gaming-grade specs https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/monitors/joao-silva/hp-launches-x27q-combining-understated-design-with-gaming-grade-specs/ https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/monitors/joao-silva/hp-launches-x27q-combining-understated-design-with-gaming-grade-specs/#respond Thu, 05 Aug 2021 15:16:13 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=525969 HP has been revamping its line-up of gaming monitors recently, with the new understated HP X34 and HP X32 displays. Now, following the game theme, HP is also launching the X27q, using the same simple design, while packing gaming-oriented features, like QHD resolution and 165Hz refresh rate.  Ignoring the display size, the X27q specifications are …

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HP has been revamping its line-up of gaming monitors recently, with the new understated HP X34 and HP X32 displays. Now, following the game theme, HP is also launching the X27q, using the same simple design, while packing gaming-oriented features, like QHD resolution and 165Hz refresh rate. 

Ignoring the display size, the X27q specifications are pretty much the same as the X32. Both feature an IPS panel with a 10-bit colour depth (8-bit + FRC), 2560×1440 resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, and 1ms G2G response time. Moreover, it has a 1000:1 contrast ratio and 400nits of peak brightness, providing 99% coverage of the sRGB colour gamut.

Also similar to the X32, the X27q is certified by TÜV Rheinland for meeting the Eyesafe standards and offers support for AMD FreeSync Premium for tear-free gaming sessions. Users may configure the monitor settings using the Omen Gaming Hub or the OSD.

For connectivity, you get a 3.5mm audio jack, a DisplayPort 1.4, and an HDMI 2.0 port. As for the stand, it's slightly better than the X32's, allowing users to tilt, pivot, and adjust the screen's height. The monitor is also compatible with third-party VESA 100x100mm arms and stands.

The HP X27q is now available for purchase, priced at £299.99. Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: HP's line-up of X-series monitors is starting to fill out a bit. Perhaps we'll see a smaller 24-inch 1080p option announced next. 

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HP X32 gaming monitor packs a 32-inch QHD IPS panel with a 165Hz refresh rate https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/monitors/joao-silva/hp-x32-gaming-monitor-packs-a-32-inch-qhd-ips-panel-with-a-165hz-refresh-rate/ https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/monitors/joao-silva/hp-x32-gaming-monitor-packs-a-32-inch-qhd-ips-panel-with-a-165hz-refresh-rate/#respond Tue, 03 Aug 2021 09:13:00 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=525644 HP is launching a new display to join the ranks of the 32-inch WQHD gaming monitors. Simply named X32, the new HP gaming monitor has an understated design without the characteristic gaming aesthetics. However, its specifications are pretty decent, offering a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time for a smooth gaming experience. Featuring a …

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HP is launching a new display to join the ranks of the 32-inch WQHD gaming monitors. Simply named X32, the new HP gaming monitor has an understated design without the characteristic gaming aesthetics. However, its specifications are pretty decent, offering a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time for a smooth gaming experience.

Featuring a 32-inch IPS panel with a 10-bit colour depth (8-bit + FRC), 2560×1440 resolution, and 1ms G2G response time, the X32 has a 1000:1 contrast ratio and a peak brightness of 400nits, covering 99% of the sRGB colour space. Additionally, it supports AMD FreeSync Premium in the 60–165Hz range for a smooth gaming experience.

The HP X32 was designed to meet the TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe standards, protecting the user's eyes from blue light without affecting colour accuracy when the low blue light mode is enabled. Moreover, it's compatible with the latest gaming consoles, allowing users to simply plug and play, and supports Omen Gaming Hub, allowing users to customise the monitor settings more conveniently. As an alternative, users can also adjust them through the OSD.

The included stand lets users tilt the monitor and adjust its height, but like most modern monitors, it supports VESA 100x100mm monitor arms if the user wishes to further adjust it. Available connectivity ports include a 3.5mm audio jack, a DisplayPort 1.4, and an HDMI 2.0 port.

The HP X32 is coming soon, priced at £349.99. Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are any of you looking to upgrade to a bigger 1440p display this year? Will the HP X32 be making your shortlist?

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HP launches X34 ultra-wide gaming monitor with 165Hz refresh rate https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/monitors/joao-silva/hp-launches-x34-ultra-wide-gaming-monitor-with-165hz-refresh-rate/ https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/monitors/joao-silva/hp-launches-x34-ultra-wide-gaming-monitor-with-165hz-refresh-rate/#respond Tue, 20 Jul 2021 12:34:25 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=523885 HP's gaming monitor line-up is getting a new entry this month, the HP X34, not to be confused with Acer's own ultra-wide X34 monitor. The HP X34 packs an ultra-wide IPS panel with 1ms response times and a 165Hz refresh rate.  The HP X34 comes with a 34-inch IPS panel with 3440×1440 resolution, 1ms G2G …

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HP's gaming monitor line-up is getting a new entry this month, the HP X34, not to be confused with Acer's own ultra-wide X34 monitor. The HP X34 packs an ultra-wide IPS panel with 1ms response times and a 165Hz refresh rate. 

The HP X34 comes with a 34-inch IPS panel with 3440×1440 resolution, 1ms G2G response time, and 165Hz refresh rate. The panel features a 1000:1 contrast ratio, up to 400 nits of brightness, and 8-bit colour depth, covering 99% of the sRGB colour space.

Thanks to AMD FreeSync Premium, the HP X34 can offer a tearless gaming experience. Additionally, it features HP Eye Ease with TÜV Eyesafe certification, offering flicker-free technology and low blue light emission, and Gaming Console compatibility, allowing PS5 and Xbox Series X|S owners to play at 1080p or 1440p and 120Hz in supported games.

On the back of the monitor, users can find an HDMI 2.0 port, a DisplayPort 1.4, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The included stand is quite limited, you can adjust height and tilt but there is no swivel functionality. Fortunately, VESA 100x100mm monitor arms are supported, so you can upgrade to a better stand or arm.

The HP X34 is compatible with Omen Gaming Hub, allowing users to configure the monitor from within Windows instead of using the OSD. The HP X34 is now available for purchase, priced at £400.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Compared to most gaming monitors, the HP X34 features an understated design. However, that might be one of its best selling points, offering a nice set of features and specifications, as well as clean aesthetics.

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HP Omen 16 revealed with Radeon RX 6000M graphics https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/joao-silva/hp-omen-16-revealed-with-radeon-rx-6000m-graphics/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/joao-silva/hp-omen-16-revealed-with-radeon-rx-6000m-graphics/#respond Fri, 21 May 2021 09:25:47 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=515917 HP has recently announced the first Radeon RX 6000M-powered laptop, the Omen 16 2021. Aside from being the first laptop with a Radeon RX 6000M GPU, it is also the first 16-inch Omen laptop. The HP Omen 16 laptop will come with up to an Intel Core i7-11800H processor or 8-core AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX. …

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HP has recently announced the first Radeon RX 6000M-powered laptop, the Omen 16 2021. Aside from being the first laptop with a Radeon RX 6000M GPU, it is also the first 16-inch Omen laptop.

The HP Omen 16 laptop will come with up to an Intel Core i7-11800H processor or 8-core AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX. As for memory and storage, it can feature up to 32GB of DDR4-3200 and up to 1TB PCIe Gen 4×4 SSD or up to two 1TB PCIe SSDs in Raid 0, respectively.

The other GPU options are from Nvidia and can go up to an RTX 3070. Taking the RTX 3070 laptop GPU performance into account, we expect to see a similar option from AMD, which would most likely be the RX 6700M.

 

Alongside the Omen 16, HP also announced a few other laptops. One of them is the new Omen 17, which has been revamped to feature up to an RTX 3080 16GB laptop GPU and up to an Intel Core i9-11900H CPU. The other one belongs to HP new sub-brand called Victus. Designed as an entry-level gaming laptop, it will come with up to an RTX 3060 6GB or Radeon RX 5500M and up to Core i7-11800H or Ryzen 7 5800H.

The announcement didn't include only laptops. HP introduced the new Omen 25i gaming monitor featuring an 8-bit FHD IPS panel with 165Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, VESA DisplayHDR 400, and DCI-P3 90% coverage. Moreover, it also revealed a new add-on for the Omen Gaming Hub called Omen Oasis, which allows up to 16-person calls and streams.

KitGuru says: If you're looking for a new gaming laptop, it might be worth waiting a little bit longer as Radeon RX 6000M laptop GPUs are finally starting to roll out. 

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HP acquiring HyperX from Kingston in $425 million deal https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/hp-acquiring-hyperx-from-kingston-in-425-million-deal/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/hp-acquiring-hyperx-from-kingston-in-425-million-deal/#respond Wed, 24 Feb 2021 14:32:23 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=505611 In an unexpected announcement today, HP has revealed that it has acquired HyperX from Kingston. Kingston will continue to operate its memory business, but the HyperX gaming peripherals brand will now be moving on to new ownership. HyperX will support “HP's strategy to drive growth in its Personal Systems business”. HP is particularly interested in …

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In an unexpected announcement today, HP has revealed that it has acquired HyperX from Kingston. Kingston will continue to operate its memory business, but the HyperX gaming peripherals brand will now be moving on to new ownership.

HyperX will support “HP's strategy to drive growth in its Personal Systems business”. HP is particularly interested in the peripherals market, where HyperX has several acclaimed products including headsets, keyboards and mice.

Speaking on the acquisition,  HP CEO, Enrique Lores, said: “HyperX is a leader in peripherals whose technology is trusted by gamers around the world and we're thrilled to welcome their outstanding team to the HP family. We continue to advance our leadership in Personal Systems by modernizing compute experiences and expanding into valuable adjacencies. We see significant opportunities in the large and growing peripherals market, and the addition of HyperX to our portfolio will drive new sources of innovation and growth for our business.”

The agreement will see HP pay $425 million to Kingston to acquire the HyperX brand and peripherals portfolio. The acquisition is expected to close before the second half of 2021.

KitGuru Says: Do any of you use HyperX peripherals as part of your setup? What do you think of the acquisition news?

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HP announces S750 SSD in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB form https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/christopher-nohall/hp-announces-s750-ssd-in-256gb-512gb-and-1tb-form/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/christopher-nohall/hp-announces-s750-ssd-in-256gb-512gb-and-1tb-form/#respond Wed, 15 Jul 2020 16:56:19 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=476974 HP is back in the SSD arena, this time with a new S750 2.5″ SATA model coming in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB options. All three models were announced this week, produced in a partnership with BiWin, the same company that has made other SSDs for HP in the past.  In terms of endurance, the 256 …

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HP is back in the SSD arena, this time with a new S750 2.5″ SATA model coming in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB options. All three models were announced this week, produced in a partnership with BiWin, the same company that has made other SSDs for HP in the past. 

In terms of endurance, the 256 GB model is rated at 160 Terabytes Written (TBW), the 512 GB is rated at 320 TBW, and the 1TB is rated at 650 TBW. All the SKUs weigh in at less than 50 grams and have a specified mean time between failure (MTBF) of about 2,000,000 hours.

 

 

The 512 GB model has the best random access performance – with read/write speeds up to 90,000/89,000 IOPS. The 256 GB model is capable of up to 55,000/79,000 IOPS (reads/writes) and the 1 TB model is said to be able to handle up to 74,000/80,000 IOPS. The SSD drives are outfitted with 96-layer NAND which enables read/write speeds up to 560/520 MB/s, which is about what you would expect from a SATA SSD. 

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Do you own an HP SSD? Is it something that you would recommend, or would you look elsewhere next time? 

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A new NVMe SSD from HP has appeared online https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/christopher-nohall/a-new-nvme-ssd-from-hp-has-appeared-online/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/christopher-nohall/a-new-nvme-ssd-from-hp-has-appeared-online/#respond Tue, 12 May 2020 11:45:07 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=466465 We don't typically think of HP as a storage manufacturer, but the company does have a pre-existing SSD product stack. Now, a new drive has appeared on the HP website known as the HP EX900 Pro M.2 SSD, sporting read and write speed of up to 2100MB/s and 1500MB/s respectively. HP's initial product sheet offers sparse …

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We don't typically think of HP as a storage manufacturer, but the company does have a pre-existing SSD product stack. Now, a new drive has appeared on the HP website known as the HP EX900 Pro M.2 SSD, sporting read and write speed of up to 2100MB/s and 1500MB/s respectively.

HP's initial product sheet offers sparse information with only a few key features being shown. HP EX900 M.2 will support the new NVMe 1.3 protocol over a PCIe Gen3 x 4 interface with a theoretical bandwidth of 32Gbps. The form factor will be M.2 2280 and the SSD will come in three different capacities – 120GB, 250GB and 500GB.

Image credit: SSDHP

HP EX900 Pro M.2 will be equipped with an independent cache, meaning small files can be temporarily stored in the cache, which saves the SSD from continuous writing, which in turn prolongs the service life of the SSD. With a rated MTBF of 2 million hours, HP is also offering a 3-year warranty with this drive.

The product sheet for the HP EX900 Pro M.2 SSD can be found HERE, but we are still waiting on pricing or a release date.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you have an SSD from HP? What are your thoughts on the HP EX900 Pro M.2 SSD?

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HP updates its Omen gaming desktops and launches new 27-inch gaming monitor https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/gaming-rig/joao-silva/hp-updates-its-omen-gaming-desktops-and-launches-new-27-inch-gaming-monitor/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/gaming-rig/joao-silva/hp-updates-its-omen-gaming-desktops-and-launches-new-27-inch-gaming-monitor/#respond Tue, 05 May 2020 08:22:29 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=465219 HP has just updated its Omen line of desktops, adding the new 25L and 30L gaming PCs, built with components from HyperX, Cooler Master and Western Digital. Additionally, the company has also launched the new HP Omen 27i gaming monitor that uses an LG Nano IPS panel. Over the last few months, gaming activity has …

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HP has just updated its Omen line of desktops, adding the new 25L and 30L gaming PCs, built with components from HyperX, Cooler Master and Western Digital. Additionally, the company has also launched the new HP Omen 27i gaming monitor that uses an LG Nano IPS panel.

Over the last few months, gaming activity has significantly increased as people are spending more time at home. With people using gaming as a “stress relief” and as a way to “find social connections”, HP says it designed the new Omen desktops to meet the needs of all types of gamers, whether they're newcomers or PC veterans.

The new Omen desktops come in two sizes – a 25 litre chassis and a 30 litre chassis, as the naming implies. The “refined thermals and tool-less design” are just some of the features of the updated Omen desktops.

For the GPU, gamers can choose up to Nvidia's RTX 2080 Ti or up to AMD's Radeon 5700 XT. As for the CPU, you can choose one of the new 10th Gen Intel Core processors, including the i9-10900K, or you can go for AMD with options up to the Ryzen 9 3900. As for the memory, you can equip the system with up to 64GB of DDR4 HyperX memory with RGB, clocked at 3200MHz.

Cooler Master is responsible for cooling the CPU and powering the system. You can either choose a 92mm air cooler or a 120mm liquid cooler to handle the CPU, and up to a 750W 80 Plus Platinum PSU to power the system. Western Digital is HP's choice for storage solutions, allowing customers to use up to 2x 2TB WD_Black PCIe M.2 SSDs.

The system's RGB lighting can be controlled through the revised Omen Command Center, which includes your games library and services, working as a central piece of software to manage your PC and Omen peripherals.

As for the monitor, the HP Omen 27i uses a 27-inch Nano IPS panel with QHD (2560x1440p) resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time with overdrive. Featuring 178º/178º viewing angles, 350 nits of brightness and a contrast ratio of 1000:1, this panel covers 98% of the DCI-P3 wide colour gamut.

This monitor is G-Sync compatible and comes equipped with 3x USB 3.0 ports, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x HDMI 2.0 port, and 1x 3.5mm audio jack. The monitor height can be adjusted from 0mm to 130mm, and you can tilt and swivel the monitor from -5º to 20º.

Both the HP Omen 25L and 30L, and the HP Omen 27i monitor are available now. The Omen 25L desktop starts at $899.99, while the Omen 30L starts at $1199.99. The Omen 27i is priced at $499.99. You can learn more about the HP Omen 25L and 30L HERE, and the HP Omen 27i HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Would you consider an HP Omen desktop over a DIY-PC? What about the HP Omen 27i gaming monitor?

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HP is working with Valve and Microsoft on a ‘next gen’ VR headset https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/hp-is-working-with-valve-and-microsoft-on-a-next-gen-vr-headset/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/hp-is-working-with-valve-and-microsoft-on-a-next-gen-vr-headset/#respond Tue, 24 Mar 2020 16:38:52 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=458349 It looks like Valve and Microsoft aren't done with third-party partnerships in the virtual reality space. This week, HP announced that it is developing a “next gen” VR headset in collaboration with Valve and Microsoft, presumably meaning it will support both Windows Mixed Reality and Steam VR. The announcement doesn't give much away, but the …

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It looks like Valve and Microsoft aren't done with third-party partnerships in the virtual reality space. This week, HP announced that it is developing a “next gen” VR headset in collaboration with Valve and Microsoft, presumably meaning it will support both Windows Mixed Reality and Steam VR.

The announcement doesn't give much away, but the following teaser image gives us a small look at it:

The announcement also comes with the following statement: “Developed in collaboration with Valve and Microsoft, the next gen HP VR headset delivers a more immersive, comfortable and compatible experience than the previous generation. It’s the new standard in VR.”

With Half-Life: Alyx now out, there is going to be increased interest in VR headsets, particularly those that support Steam VR tracking, as they will be compatible with the Valve Index controllers. We should get more details later in the year.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The teaser confirms Steam VR support but doesn't officially label Windows Mixed Reality, which is an interesting point. Perhaps Microsoft has some renewed interest in the VR space.

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HP rejects Xerox acquisition offer but remains open to exploring the possibility further https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/hp-rejects-xerox-acquisition-offer-but-remains-open-to-exploring-the-possibility-further/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/hp-rejects-xerox-acquisition-offer-but-remains-open-to-exploring-the-possibility-further/#respond Mon, 18 Nov 2019 16:55:10 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=436894 A couple of weeks ago, we first heard that Xerox was planning on making an acquisition offer to take over HP, as part of a deal backed by a major bank. While HP is looking to shake up its business by cutting down its work force by 16 percent, the company won't be accepting the …

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A couple of weeks ago, we first heard that Xerox was planning on making an acquisition offer to take over HP, as part of a deal backed by a major bank. While HP is looking to shake up its business by cutting down its work force by 16 percent, the company won't be accepting the acquisition offer from Xerox for now.

In a press release titled ‘HP Board of Directors unanimously rejects unsolicited Xerox proposal', the company says that the acquisition offer “significantly undervalues HP” and is not “in the best interests of HP shareholders”.

As part of a letter sent to John Visentin, Xerox CEO and vice chairman, HP's board also added that the company has “great confidence in our strategy and our ability to execute to continue driving sustainable long-term value at HP”. HP's upper-level executives are also taking actions to “enhance shareholder value”.

With all of that said, HP does recognise the “potential benefits of consolidation” and is “open to exploring whether there is value to be created for HP shareholders through a potential combination with Xerox”. So while HP isn't accepting the current acquisition offer, it is open to talking things out and exploring whether or not a better agreement can be arranged.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Xerox won't be buying up HP anytime soon but it looks like discussions could go on behind the scenes for a while. We'll keep an eye out for any further updates on this but for now, HP seems to be confident in its current strategy.

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Xerox considers HP takeover https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/joao-silva/xerox-considers-hp-takeover/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/joao-silva/xerox-considers-hp-takeover/#respond Thu, 07 Nov 2019 10:03:02 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=434813 Xerox, with a market value of $8.23 billion, is planning to make a cash-and-stock offer for HP, a $29.85 billion company. According to rumours, the company board analysed the possibility this Tuesday, and there's a major bank backing this offer. In October, HP had announced that it would cut up to 9000 jobs (16% of …

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Xerox, with a market value of $8.23 billion, is planning to make a cash-and-stock offer for HP, a $29.85 billion company. According to rumours, the company board analysed the possibility this Tuesday, and there's a major bank backing this offer.

In October, HP had announced that it would cut up to 9000 jobs (16% of the company's workforce) by the end of the fiscal year of 2022, as part of a company restructure. With this announcement, the company's shares fell by 13% in the span of a week. However, by the  5th November these recovered their lost value, and with the recent news of Xerox's possible takeover of the tech giant, stocks rose by8%.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the offer that Xerox is planning to give to HP is supported by an “informal funding commitment from a major bank, known as a highly confident letter”.

Another possible source of money for the offer is the recent deal Xerox made with Fujifilm, making Xerox sell $2.3 billion in stakes from the companies' joint ventures. This deal dismisses the $1 billion lawsuit filed by Fujifilm against Xerox, presented because of the termination of Fujifilm's takeover on Xerox.

If the deal between HP and Xerox advances, as “both companies are in cost-cutting mode”, it could save more than $2 billion in their pockets.

To clarify, HP is not a part of Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Co (HPE), as both companies parted ways in 2015.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: The possible merger of these two companies would be one of the biggest takeovers of this year. Unfortunately, both companies are not ageing as well as they could, based on their market cap and stock price. If the deal is agreed upon, what would you expect that both companies would produce? How would they revolutionise their respective markets?

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New AMD Navi GPU listed by HP https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/matthew-wilson/new-amd-navi-gpu-listed-by-hp/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/matthew-wilson/new-amd-navi-gpu-listed-by-hp/#respond Mon, 23 Sep 2019 18:02:48 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=427061 This has been quite the week for PC hardware leaks. We’ve been hearing a lot about Threadripper, Intel 10th Gen, Cascade Lake-X and various motherboards but now, we are also getting early news of upcoming graphics cards. Specifically, new GPUs based on AMD’s Navi architecture. Over the weekend, we began seeing evidence for new Navi …

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This has been quite the week for PC hardware leaks. We’ve been hearing a lot about Threadripper, Intel 10th Gen, Cascade Lake-X and various motherboards but now, we are also getting early news of upcoming graphics cards. Specifically, new GPUs based on AMD’s Navi architecture.

Over the weekend, we began seeing evidence for new Navi based graphics cards thanks to datamining driver updates. Notably, references to Navi 12 and Navi 14 were found, which are new GPUs as the RX 5700 series is based on Navi 10. Speculation pins these as the ‘high-end’ versions of Navi that Lisa Su previously confirmed to be in development. However, we now have some evidence of a lower-end Navi graphics card coming to market instead.

As spotted by German site, ComputerBase, HP’s website and a few retailers were updated with listings for new tower desktops featuring the RX 5300 XT, which has not been announced at this point in time. According to HP’s available documentation, this sport 4GB of GDDR5 memory too, making it one of the entry-level graphics cards.

Occasionally, hardware makers will make OEM-only products that are supposed to be sold in pre-built systems and not individually. With that in mind, we don’t know if the RX 5300 XT will be more widely available on the market for DIY PC builders. However, it is also worth noting that HP’s desktops were listed as being available in October and there is some evidence to indicate that AMD will have a new GPU around then.

KitGuru Says: AMD’s RX 5700 series has a great price to performance ratio, so it will be interesting to see how that scales, whether it is for higher or lower-end cards. Are any of you currently looking for a GPU upgrade?

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HP’s latest consumer VR headset has the highest resolution display to date https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/hps-latest-consumer-vr-headset-has-the-highest-resolution-display-to-date/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/hps-latest-consumer-vr-headset-has-the-highest-resolution-display-to-date/#respond Tue, 19 Mar 2019 13:51:58 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=407487 When the first wave of Windows Mixed Reality headsets were revealed, HP was among the few early supporters for the platform. Now a few years later, HP has had time to develop a new and improved headset, featuring the highest resolution VR display we've seen in a consumer headset to date. This week, HP lifted …

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When the first wave of Windows Mixed Reality headsets were revealed, HP was among the few early supporters for the platform. Now a few years later, HP has had time to develop a new and improved headset, featuring the highest resolution VR display we've seen in a consumer headset to date.

This week, HP lifted the curtain on the HP Reverb, a new PC-powered headset running on the Windows Mixed Reality platform. The design looks a bit like the Oculus Rift, with a similar Velcro head strap, fabric covering the front of the headset and clip-on headphones. Spec-wise though, it is a substantial improvement over the Rift, the HTC VIVE and even the VIVE Pro.

The HP Reverb headset delivers a resolution of 2160×2160 per eye, a huge step up over the 1080×1200 resolution found on the Rift and VIVE. It is also a step up over the VIVE Pro, Samsung Odyssey+ and even the upcoming Oculus Quest, each of which feature a 1440×1600 per eye resolution.

Another improvement is the field of view, which has been expanded to 114 degrees. As Tech Crunch points out, this is smaller than what you would find on the Pimax VR headset, but is still an improvement over the more common headsets available today.

We don't have an exact launch date yet for the Reverb, but HP has revealed that the consumer version will cost $599, while an ‘enterprise edition' will also be available for $649.

KitGuru Says: Screen resolution has been at the top of my wishlist of improvements for VR since I first cracked open my Rift at launch. It seems like it will only be a matter of time until we see more high-resolution headsets hit the market. Hopefully Oculus is taking notes for a Rift 2 in the future. 

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CES 2019: HP to launch the first Nvidia BFGD in February, complete with built-in Nvidia Shield https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/monitors/damien-cox/ces-hp-to-launch-the-first-nvidia-bfgd-in-february-complete-with-built-in-nvidia-shield/ https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/monitors/damien-cox/ces-hp-to-launch-the-first-nvidia-bfgd-in-february-complete-with-built-in-nvidia-shield/#respond Mon, 07 Jan 2019 10:24:35 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=400317 Update: Although HP’s Omen X Emperium is being marketed at 144Hz, PR representative Jen Andersson has confirmed to KitGuru all BFGD devices are set to ship at 120Hz. Owners will then have the option to manually overclock the display within the settings. Original Story: Nvidia’s effort to bring 4K, 144Hz & HDR to monitors as …

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Update: Although HP’s Omen X Emperium is being marketed at 144Hz, PR representative Jen Andersson has confirmed to KitGuru all BFGD devices are set to ship at 120Hz. Owners will then have the option to manually overclock the display within the settings.

Original Story: Nvidia’s effort to bring 4K, 144Hz & HDR to monitors as large as 65-inches came last year, with the announcement of its Big Format Gaming Displays. Although the ASUS ROG Swift PG65 was revealed as one of the first BFGDs before the technology’s subsequent delay, it seems as though HP is now leading the charge with its Omen X Emperium available to pre-order.

Qualifying as a BFGD is no small task, with Nvidia packing in 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR) at  1000-nit peak luminance, 384 zone matrix backlight and cinematic DCI-P3 color. Interestingly, the company has also opted to include a built-in Nvidia Shield, transforming BFGD monitors into a smart device that can control other linked smart devices with Google Assistant, act as a smart television and cast games from local PCs or Nvidia’s cloud.

During the initial BFGD unveiling last year, 120Hz was set to be the standard for these displays. However, it looks like Nvidia has found a way to increase this to 144Hz, as seen with HP's newly revealed Omen X Emperium. PR representative Jen Andersson has confirmed to KitGuru that all BFGD devices are shipped with a base refresh rate of 120Hz with the option to manually overclock to 144Hz.

HP’s Omen X Emperium is now available for pre-order, designed with three stereo amps and a variety of connectivity options including three HDMI ports, a single DisplayPort, two standard USB 3.0 ports and two USBs specifically built for the charging of other devices.

As expected, these new displays will be eye-wateringly expensive for the casual gamer, with the HP Omen X Emperium priced at $4,999 ahead of its February launch. It remains to be seen how this fares in comparison to competitors, as ASUS, Acer and potential other manufacturers have yet to lift the lid in time for their release later this quarter.

KitGuru Says: The value, while somewhat understandable, overshoots our previous £2,000 estimate by quite a margin, exchanging closer to £4,000 here in the UK. While this is sure to be out of reach for the majority of our readers, it’s an peak into an exciting new standard that you might very well be gaming on years down the line. What do you think of Nvidia’s Big Format Gaming Displays?

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Omen by HP 27 Gaming Monitor Review https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/monitors/edward-chester/omen-by-hp-27-gaming-monitor-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/monitors/edward-chester/omen-by-hp-27-gaming-monitor-review/#respond Wed, 17 Oct 2018 09:22:16 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=389688 It's a very stylish monitor from HP - but can it justify the £699 asking price?

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HP isn’t perhaps the first company that springs to mind when it comes to PC gaming but its Omen brand has been steadily making a name for itself thanks to some stylish PCs and laptops. Now it has branched out into desktop monitors too, and the Omen by HP 27 makes a striking impression.

With its narrow bezels, slim metal stand and moody all-black colour scheme, it’s arguably the best looking display of its type. You get a high-end, if fairly typical spec sheet too, with a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, a 144Hz (overclockable to 165Hz) TN-type LCD panel and G-Sync, so this is a serious gaming tool.

The big downside is price. Costing £699, this is the most expensive display of its kind. A chunk of that is down to the inclusion of G-Sync but this is still around £100 more than most direct rivals and double the price of more basic 144Hz gaming displays. Let’s find out if HP has done enough to justify that high price.

Specifications:

  • Screen size: 27-inch, 16:9 aspect
  • Native resolution: 2,560 x 1,440
  • Refresh rate: 144Hz (overclockable to 165Hz)
  • Panel type: TN
  • Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 native
  • Brightness: 400cd/m2
  • Response time: 1ms grey-to-grey
  • Display inputs: DisplayPort, HDMI
  • USB hub: USB 3.0, two ports
  • Tilt: Yes
  • Raise: Yes
  • Swivel: No
  • Pivot: No
  • VESA: Yes
  • Warranty: 3 years

Retail Price: £699 (inc. VAT)

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

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The first ARM-powered Windows 10 laptop is more expensive than expected https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/matthew-wilson/the-first-arm-powered-windows-10-laptop-is-more-expensive-than-expected/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/matthew-wilson/the-first-arm-powered-windows-10-laptop-is-more-expensive-than-expected/#respond Fri, 23 Feb 2018 15:21:34 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=365059 Microsoft has been working on bringing Windows 10 to ARM chipsets for a couple of years now, with the goal of launching affordable portable PCs. The full roll out is expected to kick off over the next few months, but today HP gave us a preview of what to expect, with a $999 laptop based …

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Microsoft has been working on bringing Windows 10 to ARM chipsets for a couple of years now, with the goal of launching affordable portable PCs. The full roll out is expected to kick off over the next few months, but today HP gave us a preview of what to expect, with a $999 laptop based on the ARM chipset with Windows 10.

Now $999 isn't exactly the price I had in mind when we first heard of ‘affordable' ARM Windows PCs coming to the market, but here we are. The HP Envy X2 packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB of RAM and an Adreno 540 GPU under the hood, powering the ARM version of Windows 10, which comes with its own set of unique limitations compared to the traditional desktop version.

In terms of design, the laptop from HP has a lot in common with the Microsoft Surface. It has a 12-inch 1080p IPS display with touch screen capabilities, and the system acts as a 2-in-1, with a detachable keyboard, for tablet or laptop use. It even comes with a pen/stylus, just like the Surface.

The big advantage to using an ARM-based Windows laptop is battery life rather than performance. HP claims that the Envy X2 can last up to 22 hours on a single charge, and can last up to 19 hours with video playback.

KitGuru Says: I feel like $999 for a Snapdragon 835 powered PC is a bit over the top on the pricing spectrum, particularly when you consider that there are many capable traditional Windows 10 laptops available at around that price. Still, this is just the first ARM-powered Windows 10 PC to be unveiled, so perhaps we'll see a broader spectrum over the next few weeks.

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Nvidia is bringing high refresh rates, G-Sync and HDR to 65-inch 4K displays https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/monitors/matthew-wilson/nvidia-is-bringing-high-refresh-rates-g-sync-and-hdr-to-65-inch-4k-displays/ https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/monitors/matthew-wilson/nvidia-is-bringing-high-refresh-rates-g-sync-and-hdr-to-65-inch-4k-displays/#comments Mon, 08 Jan 2018 08:18:22 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=359991 PC gaming is great but more often than not, if you want low latency, high refresh rates and G-Sync, then you are going to have to settle for a 27-inch monitor over something like a large living room TV. Nvidia is looking to change that this year with the announcement of Big Format Gaming Displays, …

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PC gaming is great but more often than not, if you want low latency, high refresh rates and G-Sync, then you are going to have to settle for a 27-inch monitor over something like a large living room TV. Nvidia is looking to change that this year with the announcement of Big Format Gaming Displays, bringing the best gaming monitor technology to displays as large as 65-inches.

Nvidia's new Big Format Gaming Display initiative aims to bring larger, proper gaming displays to the forefront. This has been created in conjunction with companies like Asus, Acer and HP, who will all be releasing the first BFGDs later this year. These displays will be 65-inches with a 4K resolution, HDR, a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1000 nit peak brightness.

These new displays will also come with an Nvidia Shield TV built in, bringing you instant access to apps like Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Video alongside various Android games/apps.

Nvidia has been working on this initiative for almost two years with the help of AU Optronics, the producer of these BFGD panels. The idea is to create large 4K and 3440×1440 displays that are perfect for PC gaming, with DCI-P3 color gamuts, PC-tuned HDR, high refresh rates and a full array of direct backlights to ensure an evenly lit image.

These new displays will use Quantum Dot panels, which is similar to what you'll find in Samsung's QLED and SUHD TV ranges from the last couple of years. Aside from being great for PC gaming, the low response time found on these displays should also help console gamers too, as there will be less input lag compared to a standard 4K TV.

There is no word on pricing or specific release dates just yet, but we can expect to see more at CES this week.

KitGuru Says: As impressive as these new BFG displays are, they are going to be very expensive due to all of the additional gaming-related tech inside. Still, this sounds like an exciting step for gamers going forward, finally unlocking high refresh rates at larger display sizes.

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Hundreds of HP laptops have been affected by a hidden keylogger https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/damien-cox/hundreds-of-hp-laptops-have-been-affected-by-a-hidden-keylogger/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/damien-cox/hundreds-of-hp-laptops-have-been-affected-by-a-hidden-keylogger/#respond Mon, 11 Dec 2017 19:20:08 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=357351 Back in May, HP was struck with the surprising revelation that some models of its laptops had been shipping with a keylogger preinstalled on the systems. It seems that history is repeating itself, as a security researcher has discovered a second keylogger that could have affected more than 460 models of HP laptops. This new …

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Back in May, HP was struck with the surprising revelation that some models of its laptops had been shipping with a keylogger preinstalled on the systems. It seems that history is repeating itself, as a security researcher has discovered a second keylogger that could have affected more than 460 models of HP laptops.

This new keylogger was found by security researcher Michael Myng, who explained that the code was embedded in the software drivers that enable the keyboard to function. This allows every keystroke from its first boot to be tracked and cause a “potential security vulnerability,” as stated by HP itself.

This issue is known to have affected the EliteBook, ProBook, Pavilion and its gaming-centric Envy line of devices, among others.

Users of any affected laptop need not worry, as HP has issued a software patch for customers to remove the keylogger themselves. It has been stated that the keylogger itself was disabled by default, and therefore hasn't tracked anyone's data unless purposefully activated. This is where the issue arises, as attackers can potentially exploit this as a vulnerability.

The keylogger was built into the Synaptics software, in which HP states it was intended to help debug errors. While the HP has since recognised that this could be a case of “loss of confidentiality,” it has stated that neither it nor Synaptics had access to any customer data as a result of the incident.

For anyone concerned that their device might have been affected, HP has released a comprehensive full list of laptops known to have shipped with keyloggers since 2012, each with a fix. Given the length of the list with slightly varying links to each solution, we'd advise using the good old search function (Ctrl+F) to find your model, just to make it easier.

KitGuru Says: It does seem like a strange risk for a company to take in order to simplify the debugging process, no matter how grueling of a task. Still, the company promptly issued a fix for what is a blatant security concern. 

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The first two Windows 10 ‘mixed reality’ headsets are now available https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/the-first-two-windows-10-mixed-reality-headsets-are-now-available/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/the-first-two-windows-10-mixed-reality-headsets-are-now-available/#respond Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:03:15 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=342468 Late last year, Microsoft announced that it would be launching mixed reality headsets built for Windows 10 at some point in 2017. We have already seen a few third-party companies show off their own Windows 10 mixed reality headsets and today, two of them are hitting retail, one from Acer and another from HP, hitting …

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Late last year, Microsoft announced that it would be launching mixed reality headsets built for Windows 10 at some point in 2017. We have already seen a few third-party companies show off their own Windows 10 mixed reality headsets and today, two of them are hitting retail, one from Acer and another from HP, hitting the $299 and $329 price points.

Both Acer and HP’s headsets feature similar specifications, with a 2.89-inch display running at a resolution of 1440×1440 for each eye. You get six degrees of freedom tracking, a 95 degree horizontal field of view, a 90Hz refresh rate and finally, a front facing camera to act as a window back into the real world.

In terms of looks, I happen to think HP’s design is nicer overall. In fact, the front almost looks as if it was inspired by the Hololens. Both headsets are wired though, so you won’t be walking around cable-free.

With Microsoft’s recent Creators Update already installed on millions of Windows 10 machines, this headset should be a simple plug and play affair. Unfortunately content-wise, we don’t know how much there is to do with this headset just yet. For developers though, it could be a very useful and fairly cheap way to get into AR and VR development.

KitGuru Says: Microsoft’s Windows VR/AR ambitions are starting to come to light this year. We should see more of these headsets as time goes on but for now, this seems like a fairly good starting point.

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HP breathes new life into its OMEN gaming line-up https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/gaming-rig/damien-cox/hp-breathes-new-life-into-its-omen-gaming-line-up/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/gaming-rig/damien-cox/hp-breathes-new-life-into-its-omen-gaming-line-up/#respond Wed, 07 Jun 2017 09:34:42 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=337298 HP’s push into the gaming market continues as the company has begun rolling out a new line of OMEN systems, including desktops, notebooks and an upcoming portable VR system. Interestingly, the OMEN X VR Backpack meant to launch this month seems to have also had a rework and a slight delay as a result. The OMEN …

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HP’s push into the gaming market continues as the company has begun rolling out a new line of OMEN systems, including desktops, notebooks and an upcoming portable VR system. Interestingly, the OMEN X VR Backpack meant to launch this month seems to have also had a rework and a slight delay as a result.

The OMEN X Compact Desktop takes what we knew of the original Backpack concept that debuted in 2016 and fixes one of the biggest limitations presented by portable VR systems. Not only has the chassis been updated to keep in line with the rest of the redesigned products, but it now comes with a dock as well as plug and play functionality, moving it from the exclusivity of VR into a standard working desktop. The Compact Desktop will boast a 7th generation Kaby Lake Intel Core i7 CPU with a factory-overclocked NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 making sure it is a go-to system for high-resolution and VR gaming. The OMEN X Compact Desktop will be available in August starting at £2,499, with the possibility of a standalone backpack release in Europe in the future.

The OMEN laptops have been refreshed with HP releasing the OMEN 15 and OMEN 17. Both will contain a 7th generation Intel Quad Core CPU, built for multitasking on the go as well as options up to a GTX 1060 for the OMEN 15 and a GTX 1070 for the larger OMEN 17. While we are unsure of the availability in Europe, North America also get a choice of AMD GPUs, with up to a Radeon RX 550 or 580 for the OMEN 15 and OMEN 17 respectively. All variants will come with a 4K/60Hz refresh display option but it might be wiser to go for the 1080p/120Hz option instead for anyone playing competitive games. The 120Hz display comes with Nvidia's G-Sync technology, meanwhile there is a 1080p/60Hz FreeSync option as well. Both laptops will be available in June starting at £899 for the OMEN 15 and £999 for the OMEN 17.

HP has also redesigned its line of desktops to offer a lot of hardware combinations including the latest of AMD’s Ryzen or Intel’s 7th generation i5/i7 CPUs. It includes dual functionality with up to two NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Tis in SLI or AMD Radeon™ RX 580s in Crossfire. The over-engineering doesn’t stop there, also offering optional PCIe SSD or an SSD+HDD combination for more storage space. The OMEN Tower is available in June starting at £999.

HP has been thorough with their OMEN redesign, making sure to try and expand their reach in the gaming market. Other products on the way include the OMEN Accelerator external graphics enclosure as well as a line of gaming monitors and peripherals arriving between June and August. More details about these will be coming at a later time.

KitGuru Says: There’s a lot of things going on at HP that it can be difficult to focus on just one aspect but I have to say that their push on VR is particularly interesting to me. What has you the most excited? Do you have any experience with HP's previous OMEN systems?

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HP has been unknowingly shipping a keylogger with its laptops but a fix is coming https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/hp-has-been-unknowingly-shipping-a-keylogger-with-its-laptops-but-a-fix-is-coming/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/hp-has-been-unknowingly-shipping-a-keylogger-with-its-laptops-but-a-fix-is-coming/#comments Fri, 12 May 2017 10:00:31 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=333816 Update:  Since publishing our initial story yesterday, HP has been in touch with us to provide a statement, confirming that HP did not develop the key logging driver itself. However, it has since been in touch with the developer and will be rolling out a fixed version later today. Here's the statement: “HP is committed …

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Update:  Since publishing our initial story yesterday, HP has been in touch with us to provide a statement, confirming that HP did not develop the key logging driver itself. However, it has since been in touch with the developer and will be rolling out a fixed version later today.

Here's the statement: “HP is committed to the security and privacy of its customers and we are aware of the keylogger issue on select HP PCs. HP has no access to customer data as a result of this issue. Our supplier partner developed software to test audio functionality prior to product launch and it should not have been included in the final shipped version. Fixes will be available shortly via HP.com.”

Further details are due to arrive later today. The fixed audio driver should also be up very soon.

Original story: It looks like HP is about to get an earful from the privacy conscious and security experts as this week, a firm discovered that HP has been shipping audio drivers with a built-in keylogger since at least 2015.

As discovered by security firm, ModZero, HP has been including an audio driver for its laptops developed by a company known as Conexant. The driver's main purpose appears to have been to detect when a certain key is pressed. However, a number of debugging features have ended up ensuring that all keystrokes are recorded and written to a log file. This file can be found in the C:/user/public area of the drive and while it is wiped each time you log in to Windows, those who make regular backups could have years of keystroke activity saved and stored on their system.

Here is how ModZero explains it: “The most recent version 1.0.0.46 implements the logging of all keystrokes into the publicly for any user readable file C:\Users\Public\MicTray.log. Although the file is overwritten after each login, the content is likely to be easily monitored by running processes or forensic tools. If you regularly make incremental backups of your hard-drive – whether in the cloud or on an external hard-drive – a history of all keystrokes of the last few years could probably be found in your backups.”

ModZero got in touch with both Conexant and HP and neither responded, which is why this information is now being published. The report ends by noting that there is no evidence to suggest that the keylogger was implemented intentionally but should still be considered dangerous nonetheless. All the developer would need to do is disable logging and reset to debug-logs in the development environment. By doing this, they would no longer be compromising the data of users.

KitGuru Says: While this may not have been an intentional inclusion, it is slightly alarming. Hopefully now that the information is public, HP will go back and do something about it.

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HP is finally launching its vaunted portable VR system, the Omen X VR Backpack https://www.kitguru.net/components/vr/paul-taylor/hp-is-finally-launching-its-vaunted-portable-vr-system-the-omen-x-vr-backpack/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/vr/paul-taylor/hp-is-finally-launching-its-vaunted-portable-vr-system-the-omen-x-vr-backpack/#respond Thu, 13 Apr 2017 20:08:30 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=330339 Almost a year after the initial news broke, HP's foray into VR technology will finally reach shops come June this year, reports PC World. Little is known of the device's specs, however. HP has disclosed it will weigh 4.5 Kgs (10 lbs), include dual batteries for hot-swapping without powering down the system. The batteries are …

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Almost a year after the initial news broke, HP's foray into VR technology will finally reach shops come June this year, reports PC World.

Little is known of the device's specs, however. HP has disclosed it will weigh 4.5 Kgs (10 lbs), include dual batteries for hot-swapping without powering down the system. The batteries are carried at waist-level as part of the backpack's harness. It will use a low-power Intel CPU but an as-of-yet unknown GPU. The shell includes two type-C USB 3.0 ports and one HDMI port for connectivity. It will also have audio out and a power plug for your VR headset of choice. The design was primarily created for the likes of the HTC Vive, but it should work with just about any VR headset.

With the Omen X VR Backpack, the headset is connected directly to the device strapped to your back, leaving you with freedom of movement for VR/AR funtage. Omen X Backpacks will come in two flavours, according to Ron Coughlin, president of the Personal Systems Business at HP – one for gamers and another for more commercial applications.

HP is actively pursuing VR development and inviting app developers and gamers to come up with new apps and uses for the device, but it is a safe bet the military-industrial complex will be happy to contribute. The military are particularly interested in the device for training purposes, according PC World.

The company has not yet announced any pricing, but according to the article it'll carry a hefty price tag due to the component requirements – a powerful CPU and GPU, together with other more robust components that can handle being strapped to your back.

Some competitors are already shipping competing products, such as the Zotac VR Go ($1,750) and MSI's VR One ($1,899), while Dell will be showing off its Alienware-branded model soon.

KitGuru Says: Expect an Omen-branded backpack PC/VR system to cost an arm and a leg, HP is making no fuss about it, but (apart from military applications) these devices still need a “killer app” to give them the boost they need.

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Updated: HP is recalling 100,000 laptop batteries, issues statement https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/matthew-wilson/updated-hp-is-recalling-100000-laptop-batteries-issues-statement/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/matthew-wilson/updated-hp-is-recalling-100000-laptop-batteries-issues-statement/#respond Thu, 26 Jan 2017 22:54:43 +0000 http://dev.kitguru.net/?p=319857 Updated: After publishing our initial story yesterday, HP got in touch with us to provide a statement on the recall: “On January 24, in cooperation with various government regulatory agencies, HP is announcing the expansion of a June 2016 worldwide voluntary safety recall and replacement program for certain notebook computer batteries. This recall involves HP …

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Updated: After publishing our initial story yesterday, HP got in touch with us to provide a statement on the recall: “On January 24, in cooperation with various government regulatory agencies, HP is announcing the expansion of a June 2016 worldwide voluntary safety recall and replacement program for certain notebook computer batteries. This recall involves HP lithium-ion battery packs for notebook computers sold worldwide from March 2013 through October 2016. Less than 1% of all HP notebook computers sold during this timeframe contained an affected battery. HP will provide a replacement battery for each verified, affected battery, at no cost. HP encourages customers to validate their batteries on the HP Battery Recall website”

Original Story:
It looks like Samsung isn't the only company to run into some bad luck with batteries lately as HP has announced that it is recalling thousands of laptop batteries due to risk of overheating and catching fire. The recall affects 101,000 laptop batteries in total, all sold between March 2013 and October 2016 in various parts of the world.

HP has 0nly received a handful of reports pertaining to battery fires but still, the company plans to try and recall batteries sold in the US, Canada and Mexico specifically. Fortunately, all of these batteries are removable, so laptops can still be used while plugged in via the power adapter while users wait for their replacement to come through.

c05080645_1750x1285

To check if your HP laptop is part of the recall program, you will need to check the underside of your battery for one of the following codes:

  • 6BZLU
  • 6CGFK
  • 6CGFQ
  • 6CZMB
  • 6DEMA
  • 6DEMH
  • 6DGAL
  • 6EBVA

HP is urging users to stop using affected batteries immediately to avoid potential hazards. A free battery replacement will then be provided after filling out the recall form, HERE. Fortunately though, laptops can still be used in the meantime, though it'll need to be connected to the wall.

KitGuru Says: HP received less than ten reports of battery fires before issuing this wide recall, so the company has kept on top of it relatively well and with this swift action, further accidents may end up being avoided entirely.

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HP is recalling 100,000 laptop batteries https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/matthew-wilson/hp-is-recalling-100000-laptop-batteries/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/matthew-wilson/hp-is-recalling-100000-laptop-batteries/#respond Wed, 25 Jan 2017 22:32:14 +0000 http://dev.kitguru.net/?p=319728 It looks like Samsung isn't the only company to run into some bad luck with batteries lately as HP has announced that it is recalling thousands of laptop batteries due to risk of overheating and catching fire. The recall affects 101,000 laptop batteries in total, all sold between March 2013 and October 2016 in various …

The post HP is recalling 100,000 laptop batteries first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
It looks like Samsung isn't the only company to run into some bad luck with batteries lately as HP has announced that it is recalling thousands of laptop batteries due to risk of overheating and catching fire. The recall affects 101,000 laptop batteries in total, all sold between March 2013 and October 2016 in various parts of the world.

HP has 0nly received a handful of reports pertaining to battery fires but still, the company plans to try and recall batteries sold in the US, Canada and Mexico specifically. Fortunately, all of these batteries are removable, so laptops can still be used while plugged in via the power adapter while users wait for their replacement to come through.

c05080645_1750x1285

To check if your HP laptop is part of the recall program, you will need to check the underside of your battery for one of the following codes:

  • 6BZLU
  • 6CGFK
  • 6CGFQ
  • 6CZMB
  • 6DEMA
  • 6DEMH
  • 6DGAL
  • 6EBVA

HP is urging users to stop using affected batteries immediately to avoid potential hazards. A free battery replacement will then be provided after filling out the recall form, HERE. Fortunately though, laptops can still be used in the meantime, though it'll need to be connected to the wall.

KitGuru Says: HP received less than ten reports of battery fires before issuing this wide recall, so the company has kept on top of it relatively well and with this swift action, further accidents may end up being avoided entirely.

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HTC and HP team up for ‘budget’ Vive VR system bundle https://www.kitguru.net/components/vr/jon-martindale/htc-and-hp-team-up-for-budget-vive-vr-system-bundle/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/vr/jon-martindale/htc-and-hp-team-up-for-budget-vive-vr-system-bundle/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2016 11:56:50 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=310489 Hopping on to the virtual reality bandwagon isn't cheap. Not only do you need to shell out around £800 for the headset and make sure your gaming PC is up to scratch, but the recent downturn in the pound's value against the dollar hasn't helped things. To ease that blow to your wallet, HTC is looking …

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Hopping on to the virtual reality bandwagon isn't cheap. Not only do you need to shell out around £800 for the headset and make sure your gaming PC is up to scratch, but the recent downturn in the pound's value against the dollar hasn't helped things. To ease that blow to your wallet, HTC is looking to make it easier to get Vive ready and has teamed up with HP to offer an entry level VR gaming system and headset bundle.

Known as the Vive Ready HP Computer Bundle, the system comes fully equipped for roomscale virtual reality. It combines the latest release of the HTC Vive headset (with three in one cable), trackers and controllers, along with an HP Envy 750, which has internal hardware capable of running high-end experiences. The price of £1,500 isn't even that bad – and you get free shipping too.

hptbundle

Inside the HP Envy you will get an Intel Core i5-6400, 8GB of DDR4 SDRAM, an AMD RX 480, 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD, a wired mouse and keyboard and a pre-installed copy of Windows 10 Home. It's a complete package and though not exactly top of the line, is more than ready for virtual reality. Indeed, considering the HTC Vive itself is close to £800 at most outlets, £700 for a pre built system with those specifications isn't half bad.

It even comes with a demo of TheBlu and a pre-installed copy of Valve's free VR experience simulator, The Lab.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Even with the Oculus Touch controllers coming out soon, I'd still suggest the Vive was the best value for money VR experience and ultimately the better one too, thanks to its stock-roomscale support. Does this bundle interest any of you guys?

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HP has launched the world’s thinnest laptop https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/matthew-wilson/hp-has-launched-the-worlds-thinnest-laptop/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/matthew-wilson/hp-has-launched-the-worlds-thinnest-laptop/#respond Wed, 06 Apr 2016 21:10:54 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=288890 It looks like HP is going to shake up the laptop market a little bit as the company launched the world's thinnest laptop this week. Known as the HP Spectre, the laptop measures in at just 10.4mm thick and is packed with Intel's Skylake tech as well as a PCIe SSD to ensure high speeds. …

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It looks like HP is going to shake up the laptop market a little bit as the company launched the world's thinnest laptop this week. Known as the HP Spectre, the laptop measures in at just 10.4mm thick and is packed with Intel's Skylake tech as well as a PCIe SSD to ensure high speeds.

One thing is instantly clear, HP is taking aim at the Macbook and in terms of design, it is certainly giving Apple a run for its money as the Spectre might be one of the best looking laptops around right now.

HP-Spectre-12.3_right-facing-profile-1024x575

The HP Spectre comes with a 13-inch touch screen display, along with an aluminium and carbon fibre chassis. The display itself is also bonded directly to Gorilla Glass 4, which should make for a brighter image overall.

While Intel designed the Core M for thin and light devices like this, HP instead decided to go with Skylake Core i5 and Core i7 chips to ensure users would have enough horsepower for a range of productivity tasks. The laptop comes with 8GB of RAM as standard, along with a 256GB SSD on the Core i5 model and a 512GB SSD on the Core i7 model.

For I/O, HP has included three USB Type-C connectors for all physical connections, so prepare to pack some adapters for certain devices on the go. Finally, the HP Spectre can make use of Thunderbolt to drive two 4K displays, meaning you could have quite the workstation with this machine. The HP Spectre Core i5 version will cost $1169.99 in the US, while the Core i7 version will cost $1249.99.

KitGuru Says: The HP Spectre is an excellent looking laptop but it still needs to be put to the test. Are any of you in the market for a new laptop this year? Do you tend to go for thin and light models?

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With Intel at Shoreditch Studios, London https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/with-intel-at-shoreditch-studios-london/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/with-intel-at-shoreditch-studios-london/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2015 14:07:56 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=272785 KitGuru were invited to spend some time with Intel on 21st October at Shoreditch Studios, London. Intel used a photographic studio in a converted railway arch in Shoreditch to display a show case of new laptops from a selection of its partners. KitGuru saw models from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo and MSI that were …

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KitGuru were invited to spend some time with Intel on 21st October at Shoreditch Studios, London. Intel used a photographic studio in a converted railway arch in Shoreditch to display a show case of new laptops from a selection of its partners. KitGuru saw models from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo and MSI that were all powered by 6th Gen Skylake chips.
Simon-Lambden-Intel
As you will see in our video KitGuru below spoke to Simon Lambden, Senior User Experience Engineer at Intel UK about the laptops.

Acer-Aspire-V-Nitro-VN7-792G-pic-1Acer-Aspire-V-Nitro-VN7-792G-pic-2Acer-Aspire-V-Nitro-VN7-792G-pic-3Acer-Aspire-V-Nitro-VN7-792G-pic-4Acer-Aspire-V-Nitro-VN7-792G-pic-5Acer-Aspire-V17-Nitro-pic-1Acer-Aspire-V17-Nitro-pic-2Acer-Aspire-V17-Nitro-pic-3Asus-X555UA-pic-1Asus-X555UA-pic-2
We talked about support for DDR3L and DDR4 and he explained the Dell XPS 13 laptop uses DDR3L-1867MHz as it has either a dual core Core i5 6200U or Core i7 6500U CPU. By contrast the XPS 15 is powered by a quad core HQ CPU and has a separate chipset and therefore runs on DDR4 memory.

We also had an in-depth chat about Intel's RealSense cameras.

The F200 user facing camera has been around for a year and consists of three devices – an optical 1080p camera, an infra-red camera and an infra-red projector. This allows the system to work out the shape of the hand or face and then measure eyes, mouth and other features within a range of 20cm to one metre.

R200 is brand new and is a world facing camera system with two infra red cameras for stereoscopic vision as well as the laser projector and optical camera. R200 can be used, for example, to scan and model objects in 3D.

Both cameras connect internally over a USB 3.0 interface to feed a combination of 3D data plus optical data to the CPU for processing.
Asus-X555UA-pic-3Asus-X555UA-pic-4HP-Envy-pic-1HP-Envy-pic-2HP-Envy-pic-3
HP-Envy-pic-4HP-Envy-pic-5HP-Pavilion-pic-1HP-Pavilion-pic-2HP-Pavilion-pic-3
HP-Pavilion-pic-4HP-Pavilion-pic-5HP-Pavilion-Star-Wars-special-edition-pic-1HP-Pavilion-Star-Wars-special-edition-pic-3HP-Pavilion-Star-Wars-special-edition-pic-4

The hardware and software in RealSense are proprietary Intel technology. Your newshound has heard rumours that Realsense adds about US$100 to the cost of a laptop.

The key points KitGuru took away from the event were that Intel isn't interested in talking about clock speeds or graphics capability but instead is focusing on power consumption and battery life. The flip side is that screens are moving from 1080p to 4K and more pixels requires more power. Panel quality is improving and the norm is either IPS or PLS technology with superb colours and wide viewing angles.

Intel's video decoder uses slightly more power than running at idle for video playback – the aim is to reduce power consumption until it is the same as idle. Clearly this refers to the Intel chip and excludes power for the screen.
HP-Pavilion-Star-Wars-special-edition-pic-5HP-Pavilion-Star-Wars-special-edition-pic-6HP-Pavilion-Star-Wars-special-edition-pic-7HP-Pavilion-Star-Wars-special-edition-pic-8Intel-RealSense-F200-pic-1
Intel-RealSense-F200-pic-3Lenovo-ideapad-500-pic-2Lenovo-ideapad-500Lenovo-MiiX-700-3D-mappingLenovo-Yoga-900-pic-1
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Convertible laptops are described as ‘laptop first' or ‘tablet first' to describe their primary function.

Lenovo Yoga 900 is an example of laptop first. Last year this 2-in-1 convertible used Core M but now it has a 15W Core i7 in the same form factor while HP Spectre X2 is tablet first, weighs under a kilo and is powered by Core M.

The Ultrabook term is well and truly deceased and it was interesting to see that Intel is far more discriminating about touch screen technology. A year or two back touch screen was essential. In this show case it was clear that tablets require a touch screen however conventional laptops such as the MSI GS60 gaming power house rely on mouse and keyboard. This makes perfect sense and is a welcome change in emphasis.
Lenovo-Yoga-900MSI-GS60P1040536P1040538P1040540
P1040543XPS-13-pic-3XPS-15-pic-1XPS-15-pic-2XPS-15-pic-4

The idea that some laptops benefit from Nvidia graphics didn't receive much of a mention.

Kitguru says: Our final thought from the show case is that every laptop was running Windows 10 (as far as we could see) however we haven't yet seen DirectX 12 in action. This is clearly something we hope to see in the very near future.

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HP unveils Pavilion Skylake gaming laptop for under $1000 https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/notebook/matthew-wilson/hp-unveils-pavilion-skylake-gaming-laptop-for-under-1000/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/notebook/matthew-wilson/hp-unveils-pavilion-skylake-gaming-laptop-for-under-1000/#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2015 19:30:22 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=271028 There are plenty of reasons one might want to grab a gaming laptop. However, not everyone has the budget for a monstrous desktop system and a capable gaming laptop, with many of the top 1080p performers sitting well over the $1000 threshold. If you don't demand top graphics performance while on the go, then HP …

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There are plenty of reasons one might want to grab a gaming laptop. However, not everyone has the budget for a monstrous desktop system and a capable gaming laptop, with many of the top 1080p performers sitting well over the $1000 threshold. If you don't demand top graphics performance while on the go, then HP may have a laptop in-line with your needs, as it just unveiled the Pavilion gaming laptop, sitting at $900.

The Pavilion is a step back from HP's Omen laptop, which used a 4K screen paired with a GTX 980m. This time around, HP is using a more budget friendly GTX 950m as a base option, along with a 720p display, though this can be upgraded to 1080p should you want the extra pixels.

HP-Pavilion-Gaming-Notebook_center-facing

For processing, the Pavilion runs one of Intel's latest Skylake chips, with a 1TB hybrid drive for storage and up to 16GB of RAM. The GTX 950m isn't the strongest GPU but it should power some less intensive titles, like League of Legends, or World of Warcraft.

The HP Pavilion will start at $900 in the US, with availability set for November. However, the laptop will face stiff competition from the new Alienware 13, which costs a similar amount but packs in a GTX 960m instead.

KitGuru Says: HP is trying to break back in to the gaming laptop market at the moment. What do you think of its latest offering? It's not going to set performance records but it should be capable of running less intensive games fairly well. 

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