In this article, we have reviewed the entire range of HP laptops and made an up-to-date guide for 2020 so that you can always choose the right model yourself. And taking this opportunity, we recommend that you look at similar guides on the range of Acer andAsus.

HP 11-xx / 14-xx / 15-xx / 17-xxP: inexpensive and unassuming laptops for study

Laptop reviewers have a clear image in their head of what a "laptop — workhorse" should look like. An unassuming plastic case, not the most powerful processor, end-to-end RAM and a minimum of bells and whistles. We need this option for basic work with texts and tables, surfing the web and watching videos on YouTube. And ideally, it should cost between $400 – 500 to minimally hit an empty pocket. As you probably guessed, all of the above fully applies to this digital line of laptops from HP.

These are ultra-low-cost solutions for studying, which take their unprecedented accessibility. For example, the model HP 15-ra000 (15-RA047UR 3QT61EA) with a dual-core Celeron N3060 chip, 4 GB of RAM and a simple screen, you can buy for a very limited $ 200. And the average price tag for these models rarely exceeds the $500 mark. Although, sometimes there are much more expensive exceptions like HP 15s-eq0000 , with multithreaded Ryzen 5, 16 GB of RAM and a fast NVMe SSD.

An important point: the number in the model name indicates the diagonal of the screen.

HP Laptops series 11-xx / 14-xx / 15-xx / 17-xx (low-cost)

HP 2xx: Working tools

Ideologically, this series has a noticeable echo with the previous letter series. These are the same inexpensive, not too powerful and highly specialized laptops. But if last time it was about studying, then in this case everything is focused on fruitful work. For example, an HDMI output is a mandatory attribute so that you can connect a projector for a presentation, an old RJ-45 switching port and additional security measures like a TPM module or a Kensington lock. Also, thanks to the modest hardware and not too complicated cooling systems, almost all models of the series turned out to be quite light and "tenacious".

To last 8-12 hours without recharging is not a feat for them, but an ordinary working Monday. Due to the combination of these factors, laptops of this line are suitable for frequent wear, travel, travel and business trips. In addition, they will be useful in their studies, can play the role of an ordinary home computer and a mobile multimedia entertainment centre. Fortunately, the hardware here does not have to be weak and ancient, and instead of Intel Celeron processors, older Core i3 and Core i5 are mainly used. The only downside is that the screens in most cases are either average or below average. They say, it will do for tablets anyway.

HP 2xx series laptops (for work)

HP EliteBook: Business Class

What should be an perfect and modern business laptop? In the depths of HP, apparently, they thought about this issue for a long time until in 2016 they released the first business laptop of the "new wave", in which the main ideas of the future EliteBook series were laid down. Its basis was a thin and stylish aluminium body, a powerful filling and "premium" chips like sixth-generation Wi-Fi modules, etc.

An equally important part was data security, which is usually responsible for the fingerprint scanner, Face ID, TPM module, Kensington lock and basic anti-phishing and antivirus software. Some modifications are additionally equipped with shutters for closing the webcam. Also, most laptops have a solid-state drive as storage. Considering the filling with energy-efficient components, the maximum operating time from a single battery charge is up to 18 hours in some models.

In terms of iron and form factors, full democracy is cultivated in the line. For example, HP EliteBook x360 1040 G6 is a top-end "transformer" with a touch screen, which aims to replace a couple in the face of the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro with a 12-inch display. It has a gorgeous display, a high-performance Core i7 base, a good supply of RAM and a bag of tricks like a Wi-Fi 6 module, an NFC chip, a full-fledged speaker system from Bang & Olufsen or fast charging. If you don't need all of the above, then there are options like the HP EliteBook 840 G6, where everything seems to be the same, but a little simpler and significantly cheaper.

HP EliteBook series laptops (business)

HP Envy: stylish and compact image ultrabooks

HP Envy is an excellent example of a modern ultrabook: stylish, compact, fast and long—playing. If other premium laptops of the company often seem either too strict (read EliteBook), or on the contrary pretentious (we are talking about HP Spectre), then the Envy style is more versatile. He is strict, but elegant, thanks to which he will complement the image of the owner equally appropriately, even if he is in a strict three-piece, even in a T-shirt and torn jeans.

Laptops in this series are divided into ultrabooks and transformers. The invariable attributes are a thin aluminium case, an excellent display, a fast SSD drive and a powerful but energy-efficient processor. Data protection is usually at a basic level and is limited to the fingerprint scanner and the TPM module. Some models are presented with discrete graphics, but options with a simple integrated video core are much more common. Thanks to this, laptops turn out to be long-playing and in some cases can work for about 18 hours without recharging.

HP Envy Series laptops (image)

HP OMEN: any toys at maximum speed

Laptops of the OMEN line were created for particularly demanding game lovers, enthusiasts and esports players. This is evidenced by their flashy appearance and uncompromising gaming hardware. Usually, the design of models stands out with sharp aggressive lines, bristling grilles of heat sinks that resemble the exhaust pipes of sports cars and not quite ordinary hinges that connect the body and the screen. Be sure to have a monochrome (mostly red) or full RGB keyboard backlight with WASD keys highlighted.

Otherwise, the typical Omen looks like an attempt to make the perfect gaming laptop. The cases are usually thick and bulky, so that a really powerful cooling system can be deployed inside. For displays, engineers often use fast gaming matrices with a high scan frequency of 144 Hz. In the role of built-in speakers, usually, there are quite good acoustics from brands of the Bang & Olufsen caliber. Well, the filling is either top-end or near-top, so that in modern toys you can get a comfortable 60 FPS at high and ultra graphics settings.

HP OMEN series laptops (gaming)

HP Pavilion Gaming: Undemanding gaming laptops

Steam statistics say that not all gamers need a gaming computer for the price of a car. On the contrary, many people still use video cards of the generations before last, such as Radeon 7770, which are just enough to play online in the evening in conditional Tanks, Dota 2, Battlefield 4 or Fortnite. The Pavilion Gaming line is focused on such undemanding gamers.

The final price here is often more important than performance, but the latter should not fall below a certain level. Therefore, you will practically not find here "conditionally gaming" options with MX 250 video cards unsuitable for modern games. Much more often there is an optimal bundle of still strong GTX 1050 Ti or GTX 1660 with a decent amount of video memory and a Core i5 9300H processor. That is, this is quite an optimal gaming bundle, capable of running a conditional Witcher or RDR2 at maximum speeds. But the quality of screens, built-in speakers and everything else is far from top-end and noticeably lags behind OMEN gaming laptops. But the price for any Pavilion Gaming is kept within the psychological mark of $ 1000.

HP Pavilion Gaming Series Laptops

HP Pavilion: laptops for everyone

The HP long-lived series, which has expanded as much as possible over the years in favor of changing trends. It includes laptop modifications for every taste, colour and smell: here you will find classic 15-inch laptops, stylish ultrabooks, and even inexpensive transformer devices with a touch screen.

In fact, this is such a collection of hodgepodge from other HP model ranges. Accordingly, the range of tasks that can be set before them is as wide as rapper pants in the 90s. This is suitable for home, work, and study. Fortunately, the average characteristics allow you to work with most routine tasks. Sometimes you can even play games.

HP Pavilion Series Laptops (middle class)

HP ProBook: working laptops of the middle class

Laptops of this series are designed for active use in work and business. In fact, this is something in between the low-cost HP 2xx and premium models of the EliteBook. The hardware here is average, but not really slow. You can work comfortably, and not be nervous because of the long download speed.

The emphasis is on data protection, often using a TPM chip, a fingerprint scanner and a Kensington lock. The case is usually strong and reliable: the keyboard is protected from accidentally spilled liquid, and the metal frame has passed military certification according to the MIL-STD-810G standard. Some laptops are equipped with a backlit keyboard. The presence of energy-efficient components allows the laptop to work up to 15 hours, depending on the modification.

HP ProBook Series laptops (for work)

HP Spectre: Stylish, powerful and miniature transformers

This series is represented more by transformer laptops, but there are also ultrabooks and 2 in 1. The characteristic features of this line are the premium design of a compact and lightweight aluminium case (thickness up to 15 mm with a weight of less than 1.33 kg) and excellent battery life, sometimes reaching 22 hours.

For protection, a fingerprint scanner, a face geometry scanner (Face ID) and also some laptops are equipped with a TPM module. Processors are usually either medium-level or near-standard, and the stock of RAM in the presence of a discrete graphics card allows you to work in complex demanding programs where you need maximum power. Of the other chips in many models, acoustics from famous manufacturers, fast charging, support for styluses (in models with a touch screen) and USB-C ports with Thunderbolt stand out.

At this point, many will have a fair question, how does all this differ from the premium Envy line? There are literally several differences: Spectre usually cost a little more, sometimes they have more USB ports (plus there are card readers), and the design is more pretentious. Plus, Spectre is more common in 12 and 13-inch format, which rather translates them into the field of tablets and netbooks.

HP Spectre Series Laptops (image)

HP ZBook: a NASA computer in a miniature case

Everything is simple here: if someone wanted to fit all the computing power into a three-kilogram case, then the ZBook would turn out. There are only 2 models in this line, but both fully justify the name "workstation" using server-level hardware.

HP ZBook Series laptops (workstations)

For example, in one of the modifications, you can find an Intel Xeon processor, which is rarely found in the environment of desktop PCs and, especially, laptops. The same can be said about the amount of RAM (from 16 to 32 GB) and video cards — how do you like the option with NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000 with 8 GB of video memory? Naturally, all this stuff is very expensive (from $2500 to $ 4500) and easily handles with difficult professional tasks such as rendering videos in high resolution or serious audio processing.