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What we think
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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) offers a lightweight design, silent operation due to a fanless system, and a high-resolution display which is ideal for general use and tasks that benefit from good color accuracy, like photo editing. Its performance is sufficient for everyday tasks and the MacOS ecosystem is ideal if you prefer or already use Apple products. On the other hand, the HP Omen 16 comes with a powerful Intel processor and Nvidia graphics, making it better suited for demanding tasks such as gaming, 3D rendering, or machine learning. It also features a higher refresh rate display, which is great for gaming but has a lower resolution than the MacBook Air. However, the Omen is heavier and may have a louder fan noise during intensive tasks. If portability and battery life are important to you, the MacBook Air stands out, but if you need higher performance for demanding applications, the HP Omen 16 would be the better choice. 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 15 (2023)
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Best in class overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the HP Omen 16
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.5
8.0
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
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 16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has an Apple M2 integrated graphics processor, which is less capable for 3D tasks compared to the HP Omen 16's dedicated Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card, delivering superior performance in gaming and 3D applications. Additionally, the HP Omen 16 offers a higher screen refresh rate suitable for smooth gaming experiences, while the MacBook Air's refresh rate is standard for non-gaming tasks and many popular games are not compatible with its macOS.
Engineering and Design
7.6
8.4
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Omen 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is good.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is equipped with an integrated Apple M2 GPU and excels in screen quality, which is important for design, but has lower RAM and CPU performance compared to the HP Omen 16, which sports a high-end Intel CPU and Nvidia RTX GPU, better suited for the demands of engineering software. While the MacBook Air boasts a silent, fanless operation and superior portability, the Omen 16 offers a larger capacity for RAM and storage expansion, making it very good for the intensive tasks common in engineering and design work.
Screen Quality
7.8
7.6
15.3in
SIZE
16.1in
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
501.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
338.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has a better screen than the HP Omen 16 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the HP Omen 16 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The MacBook Air's display provides crisp visuals and vibrant colors due to its high resolution and strong color gamuts, which are important for detailed engineering and design work, but its lower refresh rate doesn't suit fast-moving 3D content. The HP Omen’s display, while offering solid overall visual quality for day-to-day tasks and ample color accuracy for creative work, falls short for gaming and 3D applications due to a less optimal refresh rate. For general use, both laptops have the necessary brightness and resolution, ensuring clarity and readability in varied lighting conditions.
Battery
15.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has 15 hours of battery life. The HP Omen 16 has 6 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
Very Good
Fair
15.3in
SIZE
16.1in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
5.4 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has very good portability, while the HP Omen 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
7.4
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the HP Omen 16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,199
$1,100
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has a price of $1,199 and the HP Omen 16 costs $1,100.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.7
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
501.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
338.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.7/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and HP Omen 16 are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has a high-resolution screen, a very light and thin design enhancing portability, and excellent battery life, making it ideal for general use, especially when on the go. Conversely, the HP Omen 16, while heavier and with lower battery life, provides more RAM and a high-performance CPU suitable for demanding tasks, alongside better heat management and a higher-quality keyboard, which can be preferable for more intensive general use and multitasking.
Content Creation
8.0
7.8
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) to be very good for content creation, while the HP Omen 16 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
8.1
7.6
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) to be very good for software development, while the HP Omen 16 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 15 (2023) and the HP Omen 16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) | HP Omen 16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,199 | $1,100 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.4'' x 9.4'' x 0.45'' | 14.5'' x 10.2'' x 0.93'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.3 lbs | 5.4 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.4" | 14.53" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.35" | 10.21" | |
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 | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 66.6 Wh | 83 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.3" | 16.1" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2880 x 1864 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 501 nits | 338 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9/10 | 6.8/10 | |
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 | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 4 | |
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Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023)
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NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | June 2023
"The Apple MacBook Air 15 is boringly good. The new MacBook Air 15 is a very good, but also boring device, because apart from the larger screen and the higher price, there are no differences compared to the smaller MacBook Air M2 from last year. No new processor, no additional ports, just the usual basic hardware - but the overall package is extremely good and it simply works. Above all, the lack of fans is an aspect that should not be underestimated in everyday use. In our opinion, the Air could be a lot better, but Apple goes easy on itself here."
HP Omen 16
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | October 2021
"The Omen 16 has proven to be a fairly good mid-range gaming laptop with all-around improvements compared to the Omen 15. The high overall performance level across all use cases, the long battery life, and the good FHD display constitute the main advantages of this HP laptop. The main drawbacks are the faulty touchpad (one-off?) and the high latencies that can be observed even after just opening the browser. Furthermore, the useless, preinstalled 30-day trial versions of various software also fall under the category "unnecessary"."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) or the HP Omen 16
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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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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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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