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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Air is better for general use due to its lighter weight, better battery life, and fanless operation that ensures silent usage. The HP Omen 17, with its more powerful Intel processor and Nvidia graphics, is suited for more intensive 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering tasks. The HP Omen also has better gaming capabilities thanks to its dedicated graphics card and higher refresh-rate screen. However, it's less portable because it's heavier and has a larger screen. The MacBook Air is less expensive compared to the HP Omen, which costs more but offers stronger performance for specialized tasks. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Air (2022)
- Very good for software development
- Best in class overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the HP Omen 17
- Very good for engineering and design
- Excellent for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.4
9.0
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The HP Omen 17 is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has a less powerful integrated GPU and a lower screen refresh rate which might limit performance for 3D tasks, while the HP Omen 17, designed for gaming, includes a powerful dedicated GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, enhancing 3D gaming experiences. Also, the HP Omen 17 runs Windows which supports a broader range of popular games, unlike the MacBook Air which operates on macOS with more limited gaming compatibility.
Engineering and Design
7.5
8.8
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Omen 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is good.
The HP Omen 17, with double the RAM, a high-performance Intel CPU, and powerful Nvidia GPU, is tailored for demanding engineering and design tasks, whereas the Apple MacBook Air, despite its high screen quality and efficient Apple M2 GPU, offers less processing power for intensive applications but is exceptionally portable and operates silently.
Screen Quality
7.6
7.9
13.6in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
486.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air has a better screen than the HP Omen 17 for engineering and design, and software development, while the HP Omen 17 has a better screen for gaming and AI, and software development.
The Apple MacBook Air delivers an exceptional display with vibrant colors and high resolution, making it ideal for general use and engineering tasks where color accuracy is key; however, it typically has a lower refresh rate, making it less suitable for 3D work where smooth motion is crucial. The HP Omen 17, designed with a balance of high resolution and decent color reproduction, caters well to general use and sufficient for engineering and design work, but its screen may lack the extremely high refresh rates preferred in gaming and 3D applications for fluid visuals. For the user focusing on day-to-day tasks and professional design work, the MacBook Air is a strong choice, while the HP Omen 17 leans towards users prioritizing versatility across a broader range of activities, including some occasional gaming.
Battery
15.0 Hours
3.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The HP Omen 17 has 3.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Excellent
Fair
13.6in
SIZE
17.3in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has excellent portability, while the HP Omen 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
7.4
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has best in class build quality, while the HP Omen 17 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$839
$2,099
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has a price of $839 and the HP Omen 17 costs $2,099.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.8
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
486.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.5 Hours
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
9.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and HP Omen 17 are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is valued for general use due to its excellent portability, long battery life, and high-quality display, making it suitable for everyday tasks, while the HP Omen 17, though larger and heavier thus less portable, offers more power with its advanced CPU and GPU, more RAM, and a larger high-resolution screen, targeting users with more intensive computing needs like gaming or heavy multitasking. Both laptops have quality keyboards and speakers, but the MacBook Air leads in quiet operation with its fanless design, while the HP Omen 17 excels in gaming with its superior performance but has a shorter battery life, making it less ideal for users who require mobility.
Content Creation
7.9
8.0
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HP Omen 17 to be very good for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.0
7.7
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Air (2022) to be very good for software development, while the HP Omen 17 is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
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How the Apple MacBook Air (2022) and the HP Omen 17 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air (2022) | HP Omen 17 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$839 | $2,099 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2022 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.5'' x 0.44'' | 15.6'' x 10.3'' x 1.06'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.7 lbs | 6.17 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 15.64" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.46" | 10.32" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 | Intel i7-13700HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 83 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.6" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 486 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Air (2022)
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NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | July 2022
"The Apple MacBook Air M2 Entry is a very good, but too expensive daily MacBook. The new MacBook Air M2 is undoubtedly once again a very good mobile companion, but we are still a little bit disappointed on a very high level, which is definitely connected with the increased price point. The new chassis is extremely slim and the front edge is no problem during typing, but the bezels are pretty wide for a modern device and in addition with the vertical space required for the notch, the new Air has larger footprint than some Windows rivals."
HP Omen 17
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NotebookCheck
Marc Herter | September 2022
"The HP Omen 17 (2022) gaming laptop has a stylish case and hardware with lots of potential. The HP Omen 17 is a fairly unobtrusive gaming laptop. A material combination of plastic and metal gives the case a high stability and a quality surface feel. The unspectacular design is pleasing and is hardly indicative of the laptop's high performance potential. The Intel Core i7-12700H in particular is able to perform well once again. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti is also strong in the gaming notebook. Demanding games run smoothly in Full HD resolution. The HP Omen 17 is a good gaming laptop that delivers partly excellent performance. But even at this performance level, cheaper alternatives are available."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2022) or the HP Omen 17
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
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