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Updated March 21, 2024·
When deciding between the HP Omen 16 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, consider that the HP Omen is more budget-friendly and provides solid gaming performance and a pleasant everyday use experience. The MSI Stealth, on the other hand, typically offers superior processing power and better graphics handling, which might be especially valuable if you are into high-end gaming, video editing, or demanding engineering applications. However, the Stealth's increase in performance comes with a higher price tag and may be larger and less portable than the HP Omen. Additionally, the larger size can lead to better cooling, possibly better suited for extended intensive tasks. Consider your primary activities and whether the additional investment aligns with your performance needs and portability preferences. 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
- The HP Omen 16 has no clear advantages over the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio.
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
- Very good for general use
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
Key differences
General Use
7.7
8.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
338.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for general use, while the HP Omen 16 is good.
The HP Omen 16, with a capable CPU and ample RAM, delivers smooth everyday performance and decent screen quality, making it a solid choice for general use, but its bulk and shorter battery life may limit its portability. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, with a high-quality CPU and even more RAM, offers exceptional screen clarity and more efficient battery use, enhancing both performance and portability, though it may come at a higher price and be slightly less manageable in terms of size for constant movement.
Gaming and AI
8.0
8.9
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and HP Omen 16 are both very good for gaming and AI, though the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is somewhat better.
The HP Omen 16, with its robust GPU and high screen refresh rate, offers immersive gaming and smooth 3D rendering, making it a strong choice for enthusiasts. However, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, featuring an even more powerful GPU for graphics-intensive tasks and a similarly high-refresh screen, stands out for those seeking top-tier performance for advanced gaming and professional 3D work.
Engineering and Design
8.4
9.1
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is excellent for engineering and design, while the HP Omen 16 is very good.
The HP Omen 16, with its robust CPU, ample RAM, and high-quality GPU, offers strong performance for engineering applications, while its fine screen enhances visual tasks, but it is heavier and noisier, which might affect its portability and comfort in quiet environments. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, on the other hand, ups the ante with even superior CPU and GPU capabilities, coupled with a top-notch display for the most demanding engineering and design work, though this comes with a premium on price and may also sacrifice some portability due to increased weight.
Content Creation
7.8
8.5
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is 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
7.6
8.2
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is 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.
Screen Quality
7.6
8.4
16.1in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
338.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the HP Omen 16 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The HP Omen 16 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio feature panels with resolutions and brightness levels that are adequate for daily tasks and professional design work, providing clear and vibrant displays. For tasks involving precision in color-critical applications, such as engineering and design, both laptops offer wide color gamuts, ensuring accurate color reproduction. However, their screens lack the high refresh rates preferred for smooth visuals in gaming and 3D applications, which can detract from the overall experience in these scenarios.
Portability
Fair
Fair
16.1in
SIZE
18.0in
5.4 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The HP Omen 16 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio both have only fair portability, though the HP Omen 16 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
8.0
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has very good 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
$1,100
$2,900
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The HP Omen 16 has a price of $1,100 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The HP Omen 16 has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the HP Omen 16 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HP Omen 16 | MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $2,900 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.5'' x 10.2'' x 0.93'' | 15.8'' x 11.4'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.4 lbs | 6.15 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.53" | 15.75" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.21" | 11.4" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 83 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.1" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 338 nits | 305 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
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"."
Get a great deal on the HP Omen 16 or the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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