HP Laptop 17 (2022) review: a large laptop for a small budget (2023)

7.5

HP-laptops 17 (2022)

650$ for HP

How

• Good performance, battery life
• Many configuration options
• Starts under $500

I just don't like it

• The USB-C port cannot be used for power or display output
• No option to add a backlit keyboard

HP has four lines of consumer laptops: Spectre, Envy, Pavilion, and the simply HP Laptop. HP's entry-level laptop range, available in 14, 15 and 17-inch sizes, focuses on delivering the best possible performance for less money. The housing is plastic, they have few ports and when it comes to extra functions and features, there are really none. That's totally understandable (to some extent, anyway); PricesStart just under $500 and can drop to halfwhen it is on sale.

The low prices also extend to the 17.3-inch size, which gives you a larger screen in a portable, reasonably slim body with good performance for home office tasks, entertainment and general computing. The battery life was also fine in our tests at almost 9 hours. Plus,HP offers many configuration optionsThis allows you to balance price and performance based on your requirements. (If you need help determining your needs,Check out our complete guide to buying a budget laptop.)

HP sells several customizable versions of the Laptop 17met IntelofAMD-processors. I recommend that17z-cp100if your budget allows. Although the model I tested waspreconfigured for $650Built to order, the 17z-cp100 gives you the option to customize it with the same high-quality components to better suit your budget. However, if you want access to all of the components HP offers for the Laptop 17, check it outthe 17z-cp000 for AMD processorsof17t-cn000 for Intel chips. HP also offers a customizable laptop 17in the UK from £480. HP Australia does not sell the 17-inch size, but the 14- and 15-inch models are availablefrom AU$649.

Here too, HP offers numerous component combinations. Along with Intel or AMD processors, it can be configured with 8, 12, or 16 gigabytes of memory; up to 1TB Solid State Drive or a combination of 1TB HDD and SSD; a 1,920 x 1,080 pixel display or a 1,600 x 900 pixel display with or without touch; and a choice of Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or faster Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). HP also offers a choice of body colors, including white, silver, blue and gold, with options varying by configuration.

It is disappointing that HP does not offer an option to upgrade the keyboard to a backlit keyboard. The HP Laptop 17's keyboard feels good, with a tactile key click, and the large white key labels contrast with the black keys on my review device. The keyboards are color matched to the case (the white case has white keys), lighter colors have black legends. However, neither configuration has a backlit keyboard. This is not unusual given the low entry price. But it's also not uncommon to offer backlighting as an upgrade.

With that in mind, while the HP Laptop 17 has a good port selection for its price, it lacks a few ports that you might be looking for. There is no SD or microSD card slot. There is no Ethernet connection. And while there's an HDMI output for an external display, the laptop's USB-C port doesn't support a second display. The USB-C port also cannot be used to power or charge the laptop; Instead, a power supply with a cylinder connector is used.

If a backlit keyboard and better port selection are important to you, consider switchingthe Pavilion Line. Unfortunately, HP currently does not sell a 17-inch Pavilion notebook. The Laptop 17's large screen is certainly a plus for the price.

Thanks to the good computing power and battery life, the HP Laptop 17 is a good deal. The size isn't ideal for frequent travel, but it's also not overly heavy like old 17-inch models. Plus, because HP used thinner bezels around the screen, I was able to fit the Laptop 17 into a 16-inch laptop backpack.

The beauty of the 17 inch format is that it offers enough space to work comfortably with several windows next to each other. The HDMI output can be used with an external monitor if you need more space, but may not need it. Its size and price also make it a good choice for a family computer. It takes up less space than a full desktop setup, may be less expensive and can be easily transported around the house. Again, the HP Laptop 17 gives you the best possible performance for less money. However, you still want to wait for a sale.