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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is more expensive and offers high performance with good battery life, which is suited for professional creative work due to its powerful Apple M1 Pro processor and excellent display with high brightness and color accuracy. However, it's less portable because of its form factor and weight. The HP Omen 17, meanwhile, is a bit less expensive with a larger screen, more suited for gaming and engineering with its potent Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU, faster refresh rates, and hardware ray tracing support, but it has a lower battery life and is significantly heavier, reducing its portability. If you prioritize mobility and creative tasks, the MacBook Pro is better; if gaming and high-demand applications are your focus and you're less concerned about carrying the device, consider the HP Omen 17. 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 Pro 16 (2021)
- Excellent for general use
- Very good for software development
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Good portability
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the HP Omen 17
- Excellent for gaming and AI
Key differences
General Use
9.0
7.8
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
497.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is excellent for general use, while the HP Omen 17 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) offers excellent screen quality with a Mini LED display for vibrant color reproduction and high brightness, supported by a strong CPU and ample RAM, making it ideal for a variety of tasks, while its lighter weight and longer battery life enhance portability for general use. Conversely, the HP Omen 17, though more powerful with better suitability for gaming due to its dedicated high-performance graphics, is less portable due to its greater weight and shorter battery life, and its screen, though good, does not match the MacBook's in terms of color accuracy or brightness.
Gaming and AI
7.0
9.0
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The HP Omen 17 is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is designed with a focus on high-quality screen and graphics performance suitable for 3D content creation, utilizing its own GPU which harmonizes well with the Mini LED display, but it's not the prime choice for gaming because many popular games don't run on MacOS. Conversely, the HP Omen 17 is optimized for gaming and 3D with a more powerful Nvidia GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which makes it very appealing for gamers and 3D applications that can leverage these features on Windows.
Content Creation
8.8
8.0
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and HP Omen 17 are both very good for content creation, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is somewhat better.
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
8.9
7.7
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is 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.
Screen Quality
9.4
7.9
16.2in
SIZE
17.3in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the HP Omen 17 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16's high resolution and bright display make it ideal for general use as it enhances readability and viewing comfort, while its wide color gamut ensures accurate color representations for engineering and design tasks. The HP Omen 17, while also providing a crisp and bright screen suitable for general tasks, may not match the MacBook's color accuracy for professional design work. However, for 3D applications, neither of these laptops is optimal due to their lower refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth motion rendering in 3D environments.
Battery
17.5 Hours
3.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 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
Good
Fair
16.2in
SIZE
17.3in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has good 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 Pro 16 (2021) 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
$1,949
$2,099
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has a price of $1,949 and the HP Omen 17 costs $2,099.
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Key similarities
Engineering and Design
8.7
8.8
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Omen 17 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) are both very good for engineering and design.
The MacBook Pro 16 (2021) excels in engineering and design use due to its powerful Apple M1 Pro processor, substantial RAM, and high-quality Mini LED screen, which offers excellent color accuracy and brightness. In comparison, the HP Omen 17 is also well-suited for such tasks with its Intel processor, Nvidia RTX GPU for demanding graphics work, and an IPS screen, though it is less portable and has a lower color accuracy than the MacBook Pro.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and the HP Omen 17 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) | HP Omen 17 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,949 | $2,099 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | 15.6'' x 10.3'' x 1.06'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.7 lbs | 6.17 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 15.64" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.77" | 10.32" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M1 Pro (10C) | Intel i7-13700HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17.5 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.6 Wh | 83 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.2" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 497 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 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 | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | February 2023
"The Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023: M2 Max challenges GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. The new MacBook Pro 16 2023 with the M2 Max SoC is the most powerful laptop Apple has on sale right now. While we do not get the expected performance and efficiency improvements from completely new 3 nm chips, which we expected ahead of the launch, the 2023 model is still a solid update. The CPU of the M2 Max can be up to 20 % faster than the old model and we also see an advantage of 25-30 % for the GPU with 38 cores. However, both components also consume more power, so the efficiency did not change that much under maximum load."
HP Omen 17
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Dig into reviews and images
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 Pro 16 (2021) 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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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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CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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.
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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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