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Updated January 12, 2024·
The HP Omen 16, usually less expensive, is a better fit for gaming, complex graphics work, and more intensive engineering tasks due to its higher performance graphics card and processor. It's larger and heavier, lessening its portability, but offers advanced gaming features like a high refresh-rate screen. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is lighter and more portable, making it ideal for general use, especially if you're often on the move. It has a higher resolution display with a 3:2 aspect ratio good for productivity, but its integrated graphics and processor are less powerful for demanding software applications. 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 HP Omen 16
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Excellent portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.0
6.1
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The HP Omen 16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is only fair.
The HP Omen 16 excels in gaming and 3D due to its powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card and a high screen refresh rate of 165Hz, which contribute to smooth and visually rich gaming experiences. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is equipped with an Intel Iris Xe graphics solution and has a lower refresh rate of 60Hz, making it less capable for demanding gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.4
7.1
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Omen 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The HP Omen 16 stands out for engineering and design with its more powerful Intel i7-13700HX CPU and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, supporting intense graphics tasks and simulations, but it is heavier and less portable compared to the sleek Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13", which offers a higher resolution screen and a more compact form factor, making it a better choice for those prioritizing portability and screen clarity over top-tier performance.
Screen Quality
7.6
7.2
16.1in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
338.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The HP Omen 16 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for gaming and AI, software development, and content creation.
Both the HP Omen 16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" have displays with good resolution and brightness, making them suitable for general tasks where clear and vivid visuals are valued. Their panels cover a wide color gamut, essential for engineering and design professionals who require accurate color representation for their work. However, they lack the high refresh rates crucial for smooth visuals in gaming and 3D applications, where fast-paced imagery and animations are common.
Battery
6.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The HP Omen 16 has 6 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 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
Fair
Excellent
16.1in
SIZE
13.5in
5.4 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the HP Omen 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,100
$1,200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The HP Omen 16 has a price of $1,100 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.7
7.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
338.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The HP Omen 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for general use.
The HP Omen 16's powerful CPU and ample RAM make it adept at handling various tasks smoothly, and its large screen with high refresh rate and quality graphics card position it well for both work and entertainment, although its portability and battery life are moderate compared to lighter alternatives. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers a balance of solid performance with a capable CPU and sufficient RAM for general use, a high-resolution touchscreen that enhances screen quality, and excels in portability and battery life, making it an ideal companion for on-the-go users who prioritize ease of carrying and longer unplugged usage.
Content Creation
7.8
7.4
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The HP Omen 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for content creation.
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
7.6
7.2
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The HP Omen 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for software development.
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.
Build Quality
7.4
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and HP Omen 16 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the HP Omen 16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HP Omen 16 | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | October 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.5'' x 10.2'' x 0.93'' | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.4 lbs | 2.86 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.53" | 12.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.21" | 8.8" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Intel i7-1255U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 83 Wh | 47.4 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.1" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 338 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
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"."
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Lori Grunin | October 2022
"The Surface Laptop 5 remains afloat as a solid machine. It's just not one that stands out in any particular way. Just like the last one. The biggest upgrade were some new components, but they perform in the same range as other laptops with them, and frequently at the bottom of that range. I suspect Microsoft's settings are very conservative to help keep cooling and battery life within reason in the older chassis design."
Get a great deal on the HP Omen 16 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
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.
About Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
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