HP Pavilion Gaming 15 Laptop: Being a gamer on a tight budget has always been challenging. Especially so when portability is a part of the equation. Historically, enthusiasts have always advised against reaching for the cheapest options on the shelf.
However, an increasing number of reputable manufacturers have been offering surprisingly compelling and affordable options. When it comes to immersive virtual experiences, HP is mostly known for its Omen line-up.
But the Pavilion Gaming 15 has recently become a popular alternative. What makes thousands of consumers choose it over numerous competitors? To answer this question, let’s take a closer look and highlight the most noteworthy features.
What’s In the Box
- The laptop itself
- 150W power supply
- Product documentation
HP Pavilion Gaming 15 ec AMD Ryzen 5 4600H, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Laptop Specs
HP Pavilion Gaming 15 — General Overview
HP Pavilion Gaming 15 is a medium-tier gaming laptop with an appealing price tag. The best price for this HP Pavilion Gaming 15 Laptop starts at $723 on Amazon. It doesn’t blow its more expensive competitors out of the water. However, the configuration meets system requirements for relatively demanding titles without breaking the bank.
Despite the somewhat gamey exterior, it’s also suitable for content creation and productivity tasks. The AMD Ryzen and Nvidia GTX1650 combo can handle a variety of resource-intensive workloads. The design and presentation fall somewhere in between a battlestation and an understated office machine.
There are no crazy RGB waves or LED strips to attract unwanted attention. That isn’t to say that the aesthetics are boring by any means. In fact, they call for a thorough description.
Style and Ergonomics
To reiterate, the device has an inconspicuous look to it, especially with the lid closed. The color spectrum is limited to the dominant dark gray with slender but vibrant green accents.
The top is rather elegant thanks to a visually pleasing shade of gray. While not a fingerprint magnet per se, the plastic surface is not impervious to smudging. Fortunately, cleaning said smudges off is not an ordeal. The only prominent element is the reflective HP logo in the center.
The Pavilion branding is engraved at the bottom in a clean minimalistic font. The lid itself is reassuringly sturdy and isn’t particularly prone to bending. In terms of mobility, the chassis is not the lightest. It weighs a little over 2 kilograms. The power brick, on the other hand, is surprisingly thin and lightweight.
On the back, there are no ports whatsoever. The corners cover the hinges and are slightly angled, which is unusual but esthetically interesting. The power jack resides on the left side at the very back. This positioning is quite comfortable since the cord doesn’t get in the way.
Next to it, there is a single USB type-A. Most people will likely use it for charging their phones or inserting external drives. But some may prefer it for connecting their mouse or other peripherals. The remaining I/O is situated on the right. It includes an HDMI, another USB-A, an Ethernet socket, a type-C, and a headphone-mic jack.
Additionally, there is an SD card reader. Next to each port, there is a green-colored icon indicating its purpose. Someone has clearly put careful thought into the layout. And while it isn’t all-encompassing, the essentials are all there.
The hinge is a common structural weakness of many notebooks. Thankfully, the HP Pavilion Gaming 15 is built to last. When the screen is closed, it doesn’t hang loose or open under its own weight. However, it is possible to lift the cover with one hand. Doing so reveals an impressive-looking set of keys with black tops and green sides.
The area above accommodates hundreds of ventilation holes that strongly hint at the intended application. They form a cool bracket-like pattern that evokes rather fitting associations with coding. The power-on button is located above the Esc key to avoid unintentional actuation.
In combination, the functional and cosmetic elements create a distinctive vibe. At first glance, It doesn’t scream gamer due to the lack of flashy embellishments. Even the unconventional palette could be attributed to a purely stylistic choice. But upon closer inspection, the rig’s true nature becomes apparent.
The W, A, S, and D keys immediately stand out due to additional outlines. Not that modern players need any special cues to find the traditional first-person shooter controls. But it’s a nice touch that adds a bit of flair without being too noticeable.
The somewhat toned-down appearance will not be much of an eyesore in a professional environment. But in the context of a casual LAN party, it will also fit right in.
Read more: https://best.kevin.games/gaming-laptops/hp-pavilion-gaming-15-laptop-review