A good, dependable laptop is pretty much a must-have for anyone these days, especially with distance learning and work-from-home opportunities becoming more of the norm. The convenience of being able to set up and get down to business wherever there may be WiFi is completely unmatched. And sure, we all have smartphones that are basically tiny computers stashed in our pockets. But the power and precision of a laptop with a full keyboard, ample storage, and a dedicated processor just makes it so much easier to work, study, play games, stream entertainment, create art, and so much more.

So whether you’re shopping for a new laptop for work, school, or play (or, more likely, a combination of all of the above), we’ve got you covered with a wide range of stellar laptop options from HP. From your simple and affordable Chromebook laptops to high-end choices with more graphical and processing power than your most demanding video game could ever dream of, there’s sure to be the perfect pick for your wants and needs. But all the technical talk can get a little overwhelming and it can definitely make it difficult to figure out exactly what your wants and needs are. So before we jump into our top HP laptop picks below, let’s take an in-depth look at all the little things that add up to the perfect laptop for you.

What’s the difference between the top HP laptops?

One of the leading laptop brands on the market, HP offers a wide variety of laptops to fit a whole range of needs. Obviously, this is great, but it can also be super overwhelming. Like, what the heck is the difference between an HP Envy and an HP Pavillion laptop? Or what about the HP Elitebook versus the HP Probook? It’s just … a lot. But on the bright side, we’ve got your back with a quick rundown of what some of HP’s most popular laptops have to offer.

  • The Spectre line of laptops is quite premium, with good looks and great power in a lightweight and portable design. The line of Envy laptops is also made to be quite attractive with epic visual and audio capabilities. Gamers, however, will want to veer toward the HP Omen line thanks to their incredible graphics power and a relatively affordable price tag. 

  • When it’s time to get down to business, the EliteBook is a serious laptop built with portability in mind, while the Elite Dragonfly offers a series of premium business-minded laptops with top-of-the-line features. If you need to get straight to the point to get the job done, however, the ProBook line should have all you need for daily productivity without the heftier price tag. 

  • For the pros who need powerful performance in the form of a workstation-style laptop, the ZBook line is the ultimate choice. They’re secure, rugged, and powerful enough to run the programs needed for design, engineering, and other demanding lines of work.

  • The HP Pavilion line is perfectly mid-range, splitting the difference between performance and price. And when it comes to cheap laptops, HP offers a simple line of Notebooks and Chromebooks. The latter, of course, runs Google’s Chrome OS, but HP also has their Stream line of Chromebook-style laptops that run Windows OS, if that’s your preference.

What components need to be considered when choosing a laptop?

Beyond all the different types of HP laptops, you’ll also want to consider the inner components that make them (and any other laptop) what they are:

CPU: The central processing unit — also known as the processor — is basically the brains behind your laptop. It runs the whole show as it is in constant communication with every other working part of the machine, and it also determines how fast your computer can run. If you’re just planning to use your laptop for simple things like email, browsing the web, and writing papers, then you don’t necessarily need the latest and greatest processor. But if you plan to run heavy-duty software, such as that for games or video editing, then you’ll need something more powerful to ensure a smooth and speedy experience.

GPU: The graphics processing unit — also known as the graphics card — is sort of like the beauty to the CPU’s brains. The better the GPU, the better things will look on your laptop, especially when it comes to rendering high-quality video games.

RAM: Random-access memory (or simply, system memory) is another strong determinant of how well your laptop runs. It essentially provides short-term storage for applications that are currently running so that you can access the info you need quickly. If you tend to do a lot of multi-tasking, you won’t want to skimp too much here. And if you plan on running big programs for creative work or gaming, you probably won’t want to dip below 8GB of RAM.

Storage: Besides the amount of storage space, you’re also likely to be faced with a choice between a hard drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD storage). While HDDs can offer a larger storage capacity, they also tend to have poorer performances. If you want the best of both worlds — high storage and high performance — you could opt for a laptop with a dual-storage approach. Also, consider the abundance of cloud storage options when deciding how much storage space you actually need. Depending on your intended usage and the types of files you’ll need to save, you may or may not need to splurge on the highest-tier on-board storage option.

Display: Your GPU is only as good as your display, so make sure you’re opting for a screen with at least 1080p resolution to enjoy the best views. Depending on how often you may travel with your laptop, you may also want to consider the size of your laptop. While a typical gaming laptop is 15 inches or larger, you can find more portable options as small as 11 inches as long as you don’t need a whole lot of power. Finally, consider whether or not you want a laptop with a touchscreen surface. These can come in handy for artistic endeavors and note-taking, but may just be a cool but mostly unused feature for a lot of users.

Are HP laptops good for gaming?

HP offers a variety of high-quality gaming laptops that are powerful enough to handle the most popular (and most epic) games, including Fortnite, World of Warcraft, and The Witcher. In fact, they don’t just handle them; they deliver gameplay that’s so smooth on displays that are so vivid, that you’ll easily become immersed in your favorite fantasy worlds. HP has even dedicated an entire lineup — the Omen series of laptops — to gaming, and they’re available in different sizes to fit gamers’ needs. These impressive laptops have top-notch specs, like NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics cards, Intel Core i7 processors, and a minimum of 8GB RAM to keep everything running (as opposed to skipping). And not only are they powerful, but they’re impressively portable, too. 

HP also has a series of Pavilion laptops dedicated to gaming. Their specs are a little below top-notch, which makes their price point a little bit cheaper, but they’re definitely worth a look if you’re a gamer looking for budget laptop deals.

It’s also worth mentioning that HP’s line of ZBooks has the power necessary for gaming as well. The series is designed for creative professionals, such as designers, videographers, and engineers, so you know their specs are top of the line and, in many cases, beyond what a casual gamer would need. This makes these laptops much more expensive than HP gaming laptops. But, if you happen to be a gamer who needs one of those powerhouses for your own line of work, it should be noted that the ZBook can definitely help you play just as hard as you work, even though they’re not necessarily designed to be (or marketed as) gaming laptops, per se.

What about HP’s convertible laptops?

HP also offers a wide variety of 2-in-1 laptops, though they don’t all belong to one specific line. Rather, there are convertible versions of many of HP’s top laptop styles, such as the Spectre, Envy, EliteBook, Pavilion, and Chromebook. You’ll know the convertible styles when you see them because they all have “x360” in their name, a reference to the fact that their screen can flip a full 360 degrees backward to turn itself into a touch screen tablet. Because there are so many different models that offer convertibility, HP makes it easier than ever to enjoy the convenience and adaptability of a 2-in-1 laptop, regardless of your required specs. From $300 convertible Chromebooks all the way up to nearly $3,000 EliteBooks, they’ve got a 2-in-1 to fit both your needs and your budget.

Is an HP Chromebook enough to meet my laptop needs?

HP offers a vast array of affordable Chromebook laptops starting as low as $250, if all you really need is the bare bones. For those who just need to browse the internet, answer some emails, and do a little word processing, an entry-level Chromebook is the perfect fit. That said, HP does offer scaled-up Chromebooks up to the $700 range, as well as customizable Chromebooks well over $1,000. These have more powerful processors, more RAM for multitasking, and more storage, but you definitely don’t need to splurge on all that if you truly are just looking for a simple laptop.

One thing that all of HP’s Chromebooks have in common, however, is that they all run on Google’s Chrome operating system. The OS is centered around the Chrome browser app, web-based processes, and Google Play apps, so there isn’t a lot of junk inside to take up all your storage space. That’s a definite plus, but the system is very minimalistic, so if that’s not your thing, you might want to opt for a Windows-based HP notebook-style laptop instead. 

What are the most important things to look for in a laptop? 

So which components are the most important to consider when searching for the best HP laptop? Well, that all depends on how you intend to use it. 

Gaming: If you plan to do a lot of heavy-duty gaming or creative work, you’ll need an equally heavy-duty CPU and GPU to handle that software, and a good amount of RAM to run it all smoothly. However, if you just need something simple to get work done while on the road, then size, weight, and portability will certainly play a larger role in your choice.

Battery life: Another major component to consider is battery life. If you’ll mostly be using the laptop near an outlet at home, then the amount of time the battery lasts while unplugged isn’t a huge deal-breaker either way. But if you intend to use your laptop away from home, such as in the office or the classroom, you’ll probably want to consider how long you can go without having to plug it in, just for the sake of convenience.

Ports: Beyond what’s on the inside and how long it runs, you might also consider the available ports on your laptop of choice. For example, if you need to plug-in accessories, such as a microphone, mouse, or thumb drive, then you’ll want to make sure your laptop has enough USB ports to get the job done. You might also consider a laptop with a microSD card reader if you dabble in an audio-visual field like photography or videography, as well as a large amount of onboard storage for all those large files.

Now that you know pretty much everything about choosing a laptop, here our favorite HP laptops to fit just about every need, from gamers to business professionals to young students earning the privilege of having their very first Chromebook.


Powerful performance • Gorgeous display
A bit heavy • Fan can get loud
If you’re on the hunt for a powerful laptop that’ll help you slide seamlessly from workweek to weekend, this do-it-all powerhouse is the perfect pick.

HP Envy 15

An awesome all-around laptop that’s as attractive on the inside as it is on the outside.

  • CPU:
    Intel Core i7-10750H
  • GPU:
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
  • RAM:
    16GB
  • Storage:
    512GB SSD
  • Display:
    15.6-inch Full HD touch screen
  • Battery:
    Up to 18 hours

A solid competitor to the Macbook Pro, this sleek laptop offers impressive performance at a far more reasonable price. It boasts an incredible battery life of up to 18 hours, plus fast charging that will bring it from zero to 50-percent in just 45 minutes. (A huge lifesaver on those days when you need to hop back and forth from your desk to the boardroom to client calls all day long.) It also has a fingerprint reader so you can revel in the convenience of quick and easy access with just a simple touch. Though it can really get down to business, it’s also a pretty nice choice for gaming thanks to its sweet specs and 4K display.


Excellent performance • Superb graphics
Short battery life • Bulky
When it comes to gaming, this HP laptop is the surefire go-to for great performance and power at a relatively affordable price.

HP OMEN 17 Gaming Laptop

Desktop-worthy HP gaming performance without having to be tied down to one spot.

  • CPU:
    Intel Core i7-10750H
  • GPU:
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
  • RAM:
    8 GB DDR4
  • Storage:
    512 GB PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Display:
    17.3-inch Full HD
  • Battery:
    Up to 6 hours

With a super-fast processor and an anti-glare, backlit display that serves up smooth, realistic graphics, this laptop makes it really easy to get immersed in all your favorite video games and epic streaming content. And because it’s designed to handle heavy gaming, it also multitasks like a beast, so you can power through your work and get to the good stuff faster than ever. Its battery life is low compared to standard laptops, and it is a bit bulky, but those specs are actually quite decent when compared to other gaming laptops. Plus, it’s got a sweet RGB backlit keyboard, which isn’t necessary by any means, but those lights and colors sure are fun.


Incredible battery life • Fast performance
With an all-day battery, this 2-in-1 laptop is the perfect, portable companion to keep up with anyone who needs to compute from anywhere and at any time.

HP Elite Dragonfly 2-in-1 Laptop

Slim and lightweight with an all-day battery for the ultimate in portability and power.

  • CPU:
    Intel i5-8265U 4-Core
  • GPU:
    Intel UHD 620
  • RAM:
    8GB
  • Storage:
    256GB SSD
  • Display:
    13.3-inch Full HD touch screen
  • Battery:
    Up to 24 hours

This 2-in-1 convertible laptop not only transforms itself from laptop to tablet (and every configuration in between), but it also pulls double-duty for both business and leisure use. Its powerful performance specs are ideal for high-speed multitasking, and its slim, lightweight design makes it perfectly portable as well. All that combined with a truly all-day battery, it’s an ideal choice for traveling professionals, students, and anyone else who needs to get things done while on the go. It even boasts a fingerprint reader for the ultimate sign-in convenience, and a backlit keyboard for working in any environment without disturbing the peace with a bright, overhead light.


Vivid display • Attractive design • Slim and lightweight
Not the best audio • Awkward keyboard arrows
This 2-in-1 laptop’s best qualities converge precisely where form, function, and affordability meet.

HP Spectre x360 2-in-1

It may be called a 2-in-1, but this HP laptop is really more of an all-in-one thanks to its ability to both work hard and play hard — and at a pretty decent price to boot.

  • CPU:
    Intel Core i5- 1035G4
  • GPU:
    Intel Iris Plus Graphics
  • RAM:
    8GB
  • Storage:
    256GB SSD
  • Display:
    13.3-inch 4K Ultra-HD multitouch screen
  • Battery:
    Up to 10 hours

With a 360-degree flip-and-fold design, this 2-in-1 laptop can form itself to any configuration you need to work or be entertained. It has enough RAM to handle most games, run all your apps smoothly, and help you multitask with ease. But best of all, its incredible 4K ultra-HD screen serves up such vivid graphics, you’ll be easily immersed into all of your favorite streaming content when your work is done. The most surprising thing of all, however, is that you get all of this greatness for a comparatively affordable price. (And did we mention it’s quite portable, too?)


Quiet fan • Reliable performance
If you need a simple, yet relatively powerful solution for your work-from-home setup, this notebook is ready to get down to business.

HP ProBook 450 G8

It may be called a 2-in-1, but this HP laptop is really more of an all-in-one thanks to its ability to both work hard and play hard — and at a pretty decent price to boot.

  • CPU:
    Intel Core i5- 1035G4
  • GPU:
    Intel Iris Plus Graphics
  • RAM:
    8GB
  • Storage:
    256GB SSD
  • Display:
    13.3-inch 4K Ultra-HD multitouch screen
  • Battery:
    Up to 10 hours

This HP notebook looks unassuming, but it can handle a heavy workload thanks to a good amount of RAM and generous storage for all of your most important files. It also boasts an integrated webcam and microphone so you can Zoom to your heart’s content, and it’s got plenty of ports for all of your necessary plug-ins, including a USB-C, three USB 3.2, an HDMI port, and a microSD card slot. Lasting roughly the length of a typical workday, they could have spared a little extra battery power to get you through overtime. But, on the flip side, the laptop does benefit from HP’s Fast Charge technology so you can get it topped back up quickly.


Very affordable • Vivid display
Average battery life • Limited storage
If your daily computer tasks are quite simple (and you don’t mind using Google’s Chrome OS), this HP Chromebook is a fantastic, affordable match for your needs.

HP Chromebook 14

Simple, affordable, and portable, this HP Chromebook gets the job done without breaking the budget.

  • CPU:
    Type AMD A4-Series Processor
  • GPU:
    UMA Graphics
  • RAM:
    4GB
  • Storage:
    32GB
  • Display:
    14-inch HD touch screen
  • Battery:
    Up to 9 hours

With a stunningly vivid display, this simple, yet sophisticated HP Chromebook is able to deliver the ease of portability without sacrificing any of that spectacular screen space. It’s certainly not going to be able to handle much in the way of added software and definitely cannot handle gaming. But if you spend your computer time browsing the internet and using web-based applications, then this fine little Chromebook will serve you perfectly. Plus, it actually has quite an impressive keyboard and trackpad — especially for a laptop of this size — which makes it a great choice for students and anyone else who spends most of their days typing away in front of a screen.


Great battery life • Comparatively lightweight • Rugged
Noisy fan • Can run hot • Expensive
If you need a hard-working laptop that can handle demanding software, this ZBook is the pro choice.

HP ZBook Studio G7 Mobile Workstation

A true powerhouse for creative professionals who like to work hard and play hard, too.

  • CPU:
    Intel Core i7-10750H
  • GPU:
    NVIDIA Quadro
  • RAM:
    16GB
  • Storage:
    512GB
  • Display:
    15.6-inch Full HD
  • Battery:
    Up to 18 hours

Sleek, yet rugged, this powerful workstation boasts a pro-level graphics card that can deliver a billion (!) colors, making it the ideal choice for creatives in visual fields. (And though it’s not necessarily made for it, that epic graphics card paired with its powerhouse processor can also handle hardcore gaming with ease.) This ZBook is HP’s smallest laptop computer made with creators in mind, yet its practically borderless screen ensures that you don’t miss out on a single pixel. Best of all, its incredible battery life lets you work all day — wherever you need to be — without worrying about plugging in.


Very affordable • Long battery life • Lightweight
If you’re looking for a lightweight laptop that’s easy to tote around to work or school, this budget option is a really great choice as long as you don’t need to run any demanding programs.

HP Stream 14

A perfectly portable choice for streaming, surfing, note-taking, and light work tasks.

  • CPU:
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U Dual-Core Mobile Processor
  • GPU:
    AMD Radeon
  • RAM:
    4GB
  • Storage:
    64GB
  • Display:
    14-inch HD touch screen
  • Battery:
    Up to 10 hours

Running Windows 10 Home, this ultra-convenient laptop is designed precisely for portability. Its backlit HD display and ultra-narrow bezel make it an awesome choice for both browsing the web and streaming binge-worthy entertainment, no matter where you wind up. It even has a decent HP True Vision 720p HD camera, and it boasts HD audio with stereo speakers so you can stay connected from afar. It also includes a multi-format SD media card reader and two USB ports to ensure that you’re always able to plug in and power up with a variety of accessories.