HP Omen Transcend 14 review

Trade in HP Omen Transcend 14

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The HP Omen Transcend 14 stands out as a gaming laptop that defies the traditional gaming aesthetics, featuring a design that resembles an ultraportable. Despite incorporating RGB lighting on its keyboard, HP markets it as “the world’s lightest 14-inch gaming laptop,” making it a visually appealing device suitable for various environments.

What sets the HP Omen Transcend 14 apart is its utilization of the new Intel Core Ultra “Meteor Lake” chip. The processor’s Neural Processing Unit (NPU) is dedicated to handling the processing demands of streaming applications like OBS, allowing the laptop’s CPU and GPU to focus exclusively on gaming. This feature is particularly appealing for users who engage in live streaming on platforms such as Twitch.

During a hands-on experience at a recent Dell event, the HP Omen Transcend 14 showcased its promising capabilities. While the concept of AI in laptops might still raise some skepticism, the brief interaction with HP’s notebook highlighted the potential advantages, especially in the gaming realm. Even if the AI features don’t fully meet expectations, the device still impresses with its sleek and elegant design.

These are my initial impressions of the HP Omen Transcend 14.

HP OMEN TRANSCEND 14 HANDS-ON REVIEW: SPECS

HP OMEN TRANSCEND 14 HANDS-ON REVIEW: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The HP Omen Transcend 14 is currently available for preorder at a price of $1,599 through HP’s website and Best Buy.

The base configuration of this laptop includes a 14-inch 2.8K (2,880 x 1,800) OLED display with a 0.2ms response time and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. It is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage.

For users requiring higher performance and increased storage capacity, customization options allow for upgrades to an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, an RTX 4070 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of SSD storage. Naturally, opting for higher-end configurations will result in a higher cost compared to the entry-level model.

HP OMEN TRANSCEND 14 HANDS-ON REVIEW: DESIGN AND DISPLAY

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The HP Omen Transcend 14 stands out as one of the more discreet gaming laptops, lacking the usual RGB lighting and flashy logos commonly associated with gaming devices. Its thin and robust chassis, measuring 12.3 x 9.1 x 0.7 inches and weighing 3.6 pounds, categorizes it as an ultraportable. This design choice allows for easy portability, making it suitable for users who prefer a sleek and lightweight option, especially streamers who often travel.

Despite its slim profile, the laptop provides a decent selection of ports, including two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack. While the port variety may not be extensive, it should be sufficient for most users. Additionally, users can opt for wireless peripherals like gaming mice, keyboards, and headsets to further enhance their experience without occupying additional ports.

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The HP Omen Transcend 14 boasts an innovative thermal technology aimed at maintaining optimal operating temperatures. HP utilizes inbound airflow to establish a pressurized zone, incorporating a vapor chamber for direct heat dissipation through the rear vents. According to HP, these advancements contribute to making it the world’s coolest 14-inch gaming laptop. While the laptop didn’t exhibit noticeable heat during initial use, a comprehensive assessment in a testing lab will be essential to validate HP’s claims.

Regarding the display, the 14-inch 2.8K OLED screen received positive feedback for its visual quality. HP asserts that the panel can achieve 400 nits of standard brightness, 500 nits of HDR brightness, and cover 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. To verify these specifications, further testing in a controlled environment is necessary.

In terms of performance, the combination of a 120Hz refresh rate, 0.2ms response time, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support is expected to deliver a seamless and responsive gaming experience. Rigorous testing will provide a more accurate assessment of the laptop’s gaming capabilities.

HP OMEN TRANSCEND 14 HANDS-ON REVIEW: KEYBOARD AND TOUCHPAD

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The distinctive gaming feature on the HP Omen Transcend 14 is its 4-zone RGB keyboard, signifying its gaming identity. Illumination primarily emanates from around the keys, creating a visually appealing effect, particularly on the Ceramic White variant of the laptop.

Typing on the keyboard felt comfortable, with responsive and springy keys that offer a satisfactory travel distance. Despite having larger hands, the keyboard deck didn’t feel overly cramped. The touchpad, smooth and responsive, was also relatively spacious for a gaming laptop. Anticipating a comfortable typing experience, the Transcend 14, despite its gaming focus, seems poised to cater to general computing needs.

At present, the Transcend 14 features 4-zone RGB lighting, with HP planning to introduce a Per Key lighting version in Spring 2024.

HP OMEN TRANSCEND 14 HANDS-ON REVIEW: AI FEATURES

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Similar to the MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO and Dell XPS 16, the Omen Transcend 14 leverages AI Model acceleration, courtesy of the Intel Core Ultra’s dedicated AI NPU. Intel has collaborated with over 100 AI-ready applications to “further accelerate workflow by transitioning workload to NPU.” This collaboration aims to enhance productivity by offloading non-gaming tasks to the NPU, leaving the CPU and GPU free to focus on gaming-related processes.

During a demo of the Omen Transcend 14, I played Cyberpunk 2077 with OBS and a webcam running simultaneously. With the Meteor Lake chip’s NPU managing these applications, Cyberpunk 2077 maintained an almost consistent 60 frames per second. Given the graphical demands of Cyberpunk 2077 and the potential strain OBS can put on the CPU, the NPU’s role in handling non-gaming tasks demonstrates how games can fully utilize the CPU and GPU.

The prospect of streaming games on the Transcend 14 outside of a controlled event demo is intriguing. If the system functions as intended, it could prove to be an excellent laptop for individuals looking to stream games with the flexibility of doing so from any location with a robust Wi-Fi connection.

HP OMEN TRANSCEND 14 HANDS-ON REVIEW: OUTLOOK

I’ll have a clearer understanding of the capabilities of the HP Omen Transcend 14 once I’ve conducted a comprehensive review of the laptop. At this point, it appears to be a promising device for gaming, streaming/broadcasting, and daily productivity tasks, all wrapped in an understated design. Could this potentially be the ultimate AI gaming laptop? Only time and a thorough evaluation will provide the answers. Stay tuned for the full review.

Source: Tom’s Guide