The best HP computers you can buy

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Deciding on a new laptop or computer can be a monumental task. There are many places to start your search, but some good old-fashioned brand research can go a long way. HP started its journey as Hewlett Packard more than 80 years ago, so it’s probably learned a thing or two along the way. Whether you’re thinking about a laptop or desktop, this is the place to be. Here are all of the best HP computers to buy.

See also: The best laptops you can buy in 2021

We’re sticking exclusively with HP for this roundup, so get ready to hear a few familiar names. Before we get into the list, here’s a quick way to keep all of the product lines in order:

HP branding explained

The Spectre brand represents HP’s high-end performance line of mainstream laptops. The Envy family is a step-down in both laptops and desktops, though it seems to get closer to the Spectre each year. From there, you move into the Pavilion line for HP’s everyday computing. It is followed by the unbranded HP Laptop series, Stream devices for younger users, and Chromebooks.

The EliteBook 1000 series sits atop HP’s list on the business side, followed by the EliteBook 800 and EliteBook 700 models. The ProBook 600 series is the next step down for “pros” without sacrificing enterprise-grade security. Next are the ProBook 400 family, 200 Series, and Chromebooks for businesses on a budget. They also have Mobile Thin Client for cloud computing and virtual desktop infrastructure.

The ZBook brand is HP’s workstation-class laptop line, while the Omen range is dedicated to powerful gaming that doesn’t break the bank.

Now then, ready to learn about the best HP has to offer?

The best HP Computers:

The best HP laptops

The HP family of laptops is tough to challenge. It includes nearly half a dozen product lines, and that’s before you even add Chromebooks to the mix. We’re sticking with Windows-based machines in this first section. Yet, that doesn’t make it any easier to choose. Here are the laptops that made the cut:

Spectre x360 13

HP’s Spectre x360 is the premium model amongst its laptop family. It’s available in a few sizes, but the 13-inch version is definitely the best around. It’s much more portable and convenient. Every detail has been polished, from the gem-cut aluminum body to the carefully angled USB-C charging port. On the inside of this premium machine, you’ll find brand new 11th-generation Intel Core processors and Iris Xe graphics to match. The Spectre starts with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB PCle NVMe SSD, both of which are plenty for most users’ needs.

As for the display, HP added a base 1080p IPS screen, but it can be upgraded to a 4K OLED panel. It’s a touchscreen as well, so you can unleash your creativity to the fullest.

Omen 15

If you’re more interested in gaming, Omen laptops are definitely among the best HP computers. The Omen 15 is probably right up your alley. The company gave its gaming flagship a complete facelift in 2020, dropping the gaming aesthetic for an everyday powerhouse look. Don’t worry, though; the facelift didn’t include a shift away from the performance. This is still the powerful Omen you expect. You can choose either an Intel or an AMD Ryzen version, and both come equipped with Nvidia’s GeForce GPUs.

See also: The best gaming laptops you can buy right now

As a gamer, you’ll be pleased with the 15.6-inch 300Hz display. It comes in with a Full HD resolution, though it’s not a touchscreen. HP’s Omen even manages an impressive 12.5 hours of battery life to keep you in the game all day long.

It’s important to note the Omen 15 will have some internal competition soon. The Omen 16 and 17 are coming soon, and they are expected to be pretty awesome as well.

Envy 14

The Envy line may not be HP’s top offering, but it gets closer to becoming HP’s best computer every year. It comes with pretty good specs, including an 11th generation Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM. These can be upgraded, of course, as well as the storage.

HP found a way to slim the bezels even further on the new Envy line, and a 16:10 aspect ratio makes your overall experience just a bit more comfortable. You can also use physical buttons to toggle your microphone and webcam — perfect for a new semester of Zoom classes.

Want to dig even deeper into the best laptops that HP has to offer? Check out this list for even more options.

The best HP Chromebooks

If you couldn’t decide on a Windows laptop, you might have better luck with Chrome OS. Luckily, HP offers almost as many Chromebooks for you to choose from. We’ve chosen a two-in-one, an everyday device, as well as a business powerhouse to give you the full range of options. Here are the HP Chromebooks that top the list:

Chromebook x360

Our first Chrome OS pick among the best HP computers is an everyday option with 2-in-1 flexibility. The x360 name notes that you can flip your Chromebook in seconds for a full-speed tablet experience. It runs on a 14-inch Full HD display with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, both of which should be plenty for the lightweight Chrome OS. HP’s flexible Chromebook even promises 13 hours of battery life with a smooth performance from the 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor.

Chromebook 14a

Another HP Chromebook worth considering is the unbranded Chromebook 14a. It’s a simple, no-frills machine that makes a perfect first laptop for students of all ages. Like most options on the list, you’re looking at Intel hardware for both the CPU and GPU, though this affordable laptop relies on a Pentium Silver chip rather than a Core processor. HP’s 14-inch display is touch optional, though the Chromebook itself is not a 2-in-1.

Pro c640 Chromebook

We’ve slightly overlooked HP’s business offerings up to this point, but no longer. The Pro c640 Chromebook is a powerful example of what you can really do with Chrome OS. It’s an affordable 14-inch option that looks right at home in the board room, and it packs a punch with 10th-generation Intel power inside. Similar to the last option, the Pro c640 is touch optional, and you can go up to a Full HD IPS display if you so choose.

If you know you need serious power from your Chromebook, the Pro c640 is just right. You can configure yours with a whopping 16GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is more than you’ll ever need for Chrome OS. You’ll also find Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, an HD webcam, and a 60Wh battery.

If you’ve decided the best HP computer is a Chromebook, but you aren’t sold on one of these three, check out our list of the best HP Chromebooks right here.

The best HP All-in-One computers

HP offers several desktops to complement its laptop lines, and you may find more permanent options make for the best HP computers. Up first, we’ll dig into a few of the best all-in-one PCs that keep your entire setup close at hand. You’ll notice a few familiar names, but the all-in-ones top out with the Envy line rather than the Spectre. Here are our top choices:

All-in-One 24

The first all-in-one on our list may not fall into one of HP’s fancy brand names, but it’s not to be overlooked. This 24-inch desktop comes loaded with everything you need — an AMD Ryzen 5 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD backed up by a 1TB HDD. Even better, it’s truly a one-stop shopping option because HP includes a keyboard and a mouse with your purchase. The 23.8-inch Full HD display features three micro-edge bezels, though the chin is a bit larger to house the bulk of your components.

Envy All-in-One 32

If you want the most powerful all-in-one that HP has to offer, the buck stops here. The new 32-inch Envy is both huge and built to handle your greatest creative pursuits. It starts with a large display, but you’re also looking at a 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, a speedy Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 GPU, and more than 1TB of combined storage space. Your Envy all-in-one comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM onboard, but you can always upgrade it to 32GB if you want to.

See also: Here are the best all-in-one computers

HP’s Envy all-in-one is more than just a powerful spec sheet. It oozes premium design choices, with a powerful soundbar tuned by B&O and a pop-up webcam for a truly minimalist look. The Envy all-in-one is easily one of the best HP computers you can buy for power, performance, and style.

Pavilion All-in-One

Our last all-in-one pick falls right between the last two, and we have to show a little love to the Pavilion line. You can grab a Pavilion all-in-one with either Intel or AMD hardware, but we’ve chosen to highlight the Intel Core i7 version here. You’ll get an NVIDIA GeForce GTC 1650 to match and a vibrant 27-inch QHD touchscreen to go along with it. This version of HP’s midrange desktop also comes with a 256GB SSD and 1TB HDD built-in, as well as 16GB of RAM.

The bottom bezel once again doubles as a soundbar, and it sports a sleek geometric design that blends perfectly with the rest of HP’s design choices. It’s open of the best HP computers in terms of looks.

The best HP desktops

Last but certainly not least, are the best HP computers for desktop lovers. They tend to offer more power than their standalone cousins, though you’ll have to grab a monitor, mouse, and keyboard on your own. If you have dreams of gaming the day away, an HP desktop might be the way to go. Check out these options:

Omen 25L

We’ve touched on the Omen line as HP’s best gaming computer option, and it might be even better as a desktop. The Omen 30L was better, but HP has started to phase it out. You can grab a slightly smaller 25L version. HP offers its powerful gaming flagship in either Intel or AMD configurations, and we’ve chosen the AMD model because we believe it offers the best bang for your buck. The base configuration comes with an AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super. These can be upgraded to an AMD Ryzen 9, 32GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA RTC 3070.

See also: The best gaming PC desktops

Envy desktop

The Envy desktop offers an impressive blend of modern design and components. Better yet, it won’t even break the bank, making it one of the best HP computers to get on a budget. You’ll immediately notice the vertical slat design on the case. One slat is split in half to double as a well-hidden disc tray. Let’s be honest, though; you’re probably not using a disc drive as your deciding factor. Powering the Envy desktop, you’ll find 11th-gen Intel hardware and integrated Intel UHD graphics that you can always upgrade or swap out later. It’s not the most powerful desktop in HP’s arsenal, but 8GB of RAM and 256GB to start isn’t half bad.

Pavilion Gaming desktop

Our last pick of the best HP computers you can buy brings us right back to the gaming realm. However, HP’s Pavilion Gaming line lets you tap into high-end power without the high price. You can easily stay under $1,000 as you configure your PC with either Intel or AMD components. However, we’ve chosen the 11th-gen Core i5 version this time around. You can also snag up to 32GB of RAM and 3TB of total storage space, which is a great value for the money.

You can also upgrade with your choice of an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super, 1660 Super, RTX 3060, or 3060 Ti.

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