The best HP laptops you can buy: Expert tested

HP's OmniBook X 14 is our pick for the best HP laptop overall, but that doesn't mean it's best for everyone. A laptop's onboard memory, its size, and, of course, price are the three biggest factors consumers look at when comparing devices. With that in mind, I broke down HP's laptop lineup into these categories to see how they compare to each other.

As the competition to produce higher-performing laptops at ever-competitive price points heats up, different brands have embraced their reputations and specialized offerings to set themselves apart. We've tested machines from all of the top brands out there and can safely say there are certain things brands do better than others. So where does HP stand? Let's take a look. 

HP vs. Dell 

HP is known for its accessible, familiar design philosophy. Its laptops are versatile -- even nondescript -- and have a reputation for being practical machines, especially as home devices. By contrast, Dell is known for some rather innovative designs. The Dell XPS 14, for example, is a powerful laptop but visually daring with its flush keyboard, "InfinityEdge" display, and invisible trackpad. 

Also: This HP Copilot+ laptop is a remote worker's secret weapon, and I proved it

Many HP laptops are designed for home use, and as such exude a rather neutral look. Dell laptops are very versatile and marketed toward a broad range of consumers from creators to businesses to home use. 

HP vs. Apple

Apple needs no introduction when it comes to brand aesthetics. Its minimalist, sleek design is evident in all of its products, and users still see Apple at the forefront of innovation. Its MacBook line of laptops are some of the highest-performing laptops on the market, and they compete in processing power with even the highest-tier Windows machines. 

HP's reputation as a reliable brand is reinforced by its dependable line of laptops, and its approach to innovation is a bit more subtle. Nevertheless, some of HP's newest devices, like the sleek OmniBook X 14, feel like they could have borrowed from Apple's design book.

HP vs. Lenovo

HP's line of laptops reaches a broad range of consumers, from budget machines to high-end laptops like the new EliteBook x360. Lenovo laptops put an emphasis on innovation and durability -- particularly in a business context -- while HP laptops tend to target consumers seeking a balance between affordability and function, as well as apporoachable branding. 

Also: This versatile HP laptop will satisfy business professionals and creatives alike

HP vs. Microsoft 

Microsoft's latest Surface Pro attracted lots of attention this year for its innovative, 2-in-1 form factor, and HP has quite a few products with convertible form factors as well, like the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 and the Envy x360. If you're looking for a convertible laptop/tablet device, both brands offer solid choices, with Microsoft's machine at the cutting edge of design and form. 

Also: I bought the cheapest Surface Pro 11 laptop: 3 takeaways as a Windows expert

The Microsoft Surface Laptop is also a sleek, high-performing laptop for creators, business users, and home users alike, and one that was praised earlier this year for its versatility and AI readiness. 

We use a combination of methods to test laptops here at ZDNET. First, we acquire data from benchmarking software to analyze a system's metrics under the hood and compare those to advertised numbers. Then, we spend an extended amount of time with the laptop (usually a week or two) using it the same way a normal consumer would to analyze its portability, form factor, and how well the battery actually holds up, among others. For an extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive laptop testing methodology.

• Benchmarking: First, a series of tests are run to put the computer's hardware through the wringer in order to see what it's capable of. Cinebench is one of the most commonly used hardware testing suites, which tests the laptop's rendering performance on single and multiple CPU cores. PCMark 10 is another powerful program that covers a wide variety of tasks performed in the workplace. Others are also used in tandem to gather as much data as possible. Some components that are tested can be seen in the following entries.
• Processor: The "brain" of the laptop and one of the most important factors that determines performance. The four biggest manufacturers that make most of the CPUs found in laptops today are Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple (in their own machines only). This is tested in benchmarking software.
• The display: The size of the display (measured diagonally from corner to corner) also dictates the laptop's overall size and plays a big role in its cost. Brightness is measured in "nits," and color spectrums are tested in benchmarking software.
• The graphics processor (GPU): Whether it's integrated into the CPU or a dedicated graphics card, how well the machine handles graphics is a key factor when it comes to demanding visual tasks like video editing, rendering, and of course, gaming. GPUs are tested with a combination of benchmarking software, gaming, and media playback. 
• Physical form factor: Finally, the laptop's overall appearance and physical form factor encompasses its weight, thickness, how the keyboard and trackpad feel, and whether or not it has a display that can be folded back to form a tablet. We carry the laptop around for at least a week and note how well it commutes.
• Battery testing: Batteries are tested in several ways. A handful of benchmarking programs have their own battery testing components, but we also let the laptop run for as long as it can under a medium load. Screensavers and hibernation mode are turned off. The display's brightness and audio are set too 50%. A YouTube livestream is started, and we wait until the battery runs out.
• The human element:  As mentioned earlier, metrics and system data are important, but numbers alone don't give you the full picture. This is where we weave in our personal experience with the device and tap into the practical use cases that consumers actually care about. 

Ultimately, our goal is to break down the capabilities of each and every tested laptop into digestible terms that real people can find useful. There is a lot of noise and confusion when it comes to navigating the laptop and computer consumer market, so we hope to bring an intuitive element to the whole process by leveraging our team's decades of experience. 

There are multiple factors to consider when picking out the best HP laptop, including:

• Form factor: Laptops come in various form factors these days, be it a traditional clamshell or a 2-in-1 convertible design like the Envy x360. Convertible laptops generally give you greater flexibility and portability, but they can lack some features that are available on more traditional laptops. Other laptops fold completely flat but won't go all the way back into a tablet form. 
• Size: If you plan to take your HP laptop on the go, you'll want a smaller build for portability. It's important to be mindful of the display size as it directly affects the overall dimensions of a laptop. However, a smaller display doesn't necessarily mean lighter. 
• CPU: A laptop's processor gives you an idea of how fast a laptop will work. HP utilizes processors from all three of the big manufacturers: Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm. The OmniBook X 14 features Qualcomm's cutting-edge Snapdragon X Elite chip that runs Windows on ARM, making it an emerging technology. 
• Graphics: Consider the type of graphics card available with your laptop. If you are a gamer or video editor, a strong GPU is an important feature to consider. Be sure to look for a laptop with powerful integrated graphics or an advanced graphics card to suit your needs. 
• Battery: It's important to know the battery life of a new HP laptop. If you spend a lot of time traveling, you may need a laptop with a longer battery life so you don't constantly have to fumble for a charger. Luckily, the OmniBook X 14 excels in this category with multi-day battery life.