Review of the HP Omen Transcend 14 Gaming Laptop

HP has entered the 14-inch gaming laptop market with the new Omen Transcend 14, a compact and lightweight device designed for gamers on the go. This review will dive into its features, build quality, performance, and how it stacks up against other 14-inch gaming laptops.

Design and Build Quality

The HP Omen Transcend 14 comes in two finishes: Shadow Black and Ceramic White. The laptop boasts an all-aluminum design, giving it a premium feel with minimal flex. However, opening the lid can be a bit awkward due to the small front gap, and the screen tends to wobble when bumped.

Despite its compact size, the Omen Transcend 14 is quite portable, weighing under 1.7kg (3.7lbs) with a small 140-watt Type-C charger. This makes it one of the lightest gaming laptops, although the ASUS G14 is still lighter.

Specifications and Performance

The reviewed configuration includes:

• Intel Core Ultra 9 185H Meteor Lake processor
• NVIDIA RTX 4070 graphics
• 32GB RAM
• 14-inch 120Hz OLED screen

Lower spec versions are available for less money. The laptop features a per-key RGB backlit keyboard from HyperX, with an option for a 4-zone keyboard. The unique pudding keycap design allows lighting to shine through the translucent edges.

The Omen 14 comes bundled with the HyperX Cloud III wireless headset, pre-paired for an easy setup. The keyboard’s brightness can be adjusted, and there are multiple built-in lighting effects accessible via the Omen Gaming Hub software.

Ports

• Left side: Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, 3.5mm audio combo jack
• Right side: Two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (closely spaced)
• Back: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, HDMI 2.1 output

Both Type-C ports support DisplayPort 1.4 and charging, but the rear port is recommended for optimal performance.

Internal Components and Upgradeability

Inside, the Omen Transcend 14 features a battery and a single PCIe Gen 4 M.2 slot for storage. Unfortunately, the RAM and Wi-Fi are soldered to the motherboard, limiting upgradeability. The PCIe Gen 4 SSD offers excellent performance, but Wi-Fi 7 is not supported, with drivers possibly coming later.

Battery Life and Thermals

The 6-cell 71Wh battery performs admirably, lasting 8 hours and 48 minutes in YouTube playback tests. The Omen Gaming Hub software allows for performance mode adjustments and automatic switching to eco mode when unplugged.

Thermals

The laptop has two fans and exhausts air out the back, avoiding hot air on your mouse hand. Performance mode settings allow for higher CPU and GPU power budgets, though maximum fan speed doesn’t significantly alter temperatures.

Gaming and Performance

Despite its specs, the Omen 14’s gaming performance is underwhelming. The RTX 4070 GPU runs at a lower power limit (60 watts) compared to competitors like the ASUS G14, which significantly impacts FPS in games.

Game Benchmarks

• Cyberpunk 2077: Similar performance to lower-tier RTX 4050 laptops.
• Red Dead Redemption 2: Matches HP’s Victus series with lower-tier RTX 4050.
• Control: Comparable to RTX 4050 laptops.

Using DLSS or lowering resolution can improve gaming experience, but the Omen 14 generally lags behind similarly specced laptops.

Display and Audio

The 14-inch OLED screen offers a high color gamut and fast response time, ideal for content creation and gaming. However, the glossy screen can reflect light annoyingly. The speakers, positioned underneath, provide clear sound with some bass but cause noticeable wrist rest vibration.

Conclusion

The HP Omen Transcend 14 stands out for its lightweight design, good battery life, and quality OLED screen. However, its gaming performance falls short due to lower GPU power limits. For gamers prioritizing performance, the ASUS Zephyrus G14 is a better option, often available at a similar price. Despite its quiet operation and decent CPU performance, the Omen 14’s compromises in GPU power make it less appealing compared to its competitors.

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