HP is one of the most popular consumer electronic brands to the extent and statistics show that it is also the second top-selling PC brand in the world. But is it worth the hype?
In this article, I’m going to share my experience with using the HP laptop and whether you should buy an HP laptop or not.
Contents
The History of HP
HP is short for Hewlett-Packard and it gets its name from its founders Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard who co-founded HP in 1939. HP didn’t directly enter the computer market. Their first product was an audio oscillator.
It was in 1966 that HP started its journey in the computer market and eventually started manufacturing computers and laptops. HP acquired Compaq in 2002, propelling the company into a new era.
What Makes HP So Popular?
For starters, HP has been in business for several decades now. Any brand that could go on for such a long time is bound to be popular. As a result, HP has developed a reputable name and trust for itself over the years.
Second, HP has laptops for almost every budget and price range. Anyone looking for a good laptop will be pleased with the options offered by HP.
Whether you are a student, a professional, or a business user, there is an HP laptop for you. The Spectre line is the most expensive, followed by Envy and Pavilion.
HP also offers a huge catalog of notebooks and Chromebooks. And, if you are looking for a 2-in-1 laptop (touchscreen), HP covers that domain as well.
The design comes next. While all laptops have a standard design, HP laptops are aesthetically pleasing, which makes them a preferred choice for many users.
Are HP Laptops Worth It?
The answer isn’t as simple as yes or no.
If you do a simple Google search, you will find mixed reviews about HP laptops. While some users have been using the same HP laptop for more than 5 years, others have experienced issues just within a year.
Personally, for me, my experience has been a little disappointing. I own an HP X360 laptop and within the first 12 months, I had to first replace the screen followed by the battery. Thankfully, the laptop was still in the warranty, so the expenses were all covered through that.
But that’s not where the story ends. Fast forward to 1.5 years later, the battery in my laptop again stopped working. I had purchased the extended warranty (care pack) when the initial warranty of 1 year expired but sadly, it didn’t cover the battery. So, I had to purchase a new battery by myself.
This did leave a bad impression on me as my family owns laptops from other brands such as Dell and Lenovo but they never experienced such an issue even after using them for years.
Having said that, this was just my personal experience. Some other users could experience the same with a different brand.
So the question should not be “Are HP laptops worth it?” but rather “Is a specific HP model worth buying?”
Well, that largely depends on the laptop’s specifications. If you are comparing an HDD laptop from HP with a Dell laptop using HDD, then definitely the Dell laptop is a better choice.
Now, you might be wondering what to look for in a laptop while buying it. That brings us to our next section.
What to Consider While Buying a Laptop
Take the following factors into account while shopping for your next laptop, whether it’s HP or not HP.
Budget
The first thing that you must consider while buying a laptop is your budget. You will find laptops starting from $250 up to $2000. Once you have a budget in mind, you can look for the right laptop in that range with the best specifications.
Processor
The processor is the main component of a laptop and it determines how fast the device can run. If your budget allows, try to purchase the latest-generation processor.
However, that doesn’t mean that the older generations are bad. If you plan on doing regular tasks like browsing the web, writing, etc., an older generation processor should also do the job.
Storage
Always try to buy a laptop having SSD storage over an HDD. Even though HDD laptops offer more storage, they are comparatively slower as compared to SSD.
If you want to enjoy both experiences, you can consider buying a hybrid laptop that offers both SSD and HDD.
RAM
Similarly, depending on your usage, you must consider the laptop’s RAM as well.
If you plan on doing high-end tasks such as gaming or running resource-rich programs, you must have at least 8 GM of RAM. However, if you plan on doing regular tasks like normal web browsing, 4GB should be sufficient.
Display Size
Then, we have the size of the laptop. It depends on your personal preference. If you want a laptop with a big screen, go for 15 inches or larger, but if you plan to travel with the laptop, consider smaller options like 11 or 13 inches.
Design
It’s also important to check the look of the laptop and buy one according to your preference. You can visit a physical store and experience the feel and the build quality.
Furthermore, if want to draw on your laptop using a pen, you can consider buying a laptop with a touchscreen interface. Those laptops can be used in tablet or tent modes.
Reviews
Don’t forget to research thoroughly about the particular model i.e., watch YouTube reviews, read comments on shopping sites, try it in a computer shop near you.
Other Factors
In addition to the above factors, you must consider the battery backup, number of ports, expandable storage, and warranty.
The Verdict
As explained above, the answer depends on the model that you are planning to buy. While HP is a good laptop brand overall, you must go for the laptop’s specifications rather than the brand.
What are your thoughts about HP laptops? Let us know in the comments below.
