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Head-to-head · Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500

HP Omen 16 vs Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (3.7 vs 3.9). The gap is mostly about portable gamers seeking balanced performance — read the strengths below before deciding.

HP Omen 16
Ranked #4 in Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500
HP Omen 16
$1,449as of Jun 7

The HP Omen 16 offers solid 1080p gaming performance at a midrange price point, according to CNET's review, with good build quality and effective cooling. PCMag's Matthew Buzzi noted its decent battery life and overall design, though he emphasized that upgradeability is limited. While reviewers appreciated its performance and aesthetics, some found the weight and upgrade options less than ideal for power users seeking maximum customization.

Strengths
  • — Solid 1080p gaming performance in a midrange price point
  • — Good build quality and aesthetic design for a gaming laptop
  • — Decent battery life for a gaming machine
Watch-outs
  • — Limited upgradeability in key components
  • — Slightly heavy for a laptop in this category
$1,449 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500
Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9
$2,859as of Jun 7

The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9 offers a compelling mix of performance and portability for gamers and professionals. PCMag editors praised its 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 15.6-inch Full HD display, noting effective cooling for sustained gaming. While reviewers appreciated the responsive keyboard and overall build quality, some noted the laptop's weight at 4.3 pounds and limited port selection. This model is best suited for users seeking a powerful yet portable gaming laptop, though those needing extensive connectivity might look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Solid performance with 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor
  • — Good display quality with 15.6-inch Full HD screen
  • — Effective cooling system for sustained gaming performance
Watch-outs
  • — Slightly heavy at 4.3 pounds
  • — Limited port selection on the right side
$2,859 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

HP Omen 16

The HP Omen 16 offers solid 1080p gaming performance and decent battery life, but its limited upgradeability and weight make it less appealing than the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9, which provides better portability and cooling. Unlike the Dell G16 7630, it lacks the powerful i9 processor and Cherry MX keyboard, though it does offer a more affordable price point.

Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9

The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9 stands out with its 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and effective cooling system, making it a strong contender against the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 FA507, which has a mushy keyboard and wobbly hinge. Unlike the ASUS ROG Strix G16, it offers a more balanced performance profile without the high internal temperatures and lacks the premium port selection and upgradeability of the ROG Strix G16.

Specs side-by-side

SpecHP Omen 16Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9
ProcessorIntel Core i7-12700H12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H
Display Size16-inch15.6-inch Full HD
ResolutionWQXGA (2560 x 1600)2560 x 1600
Refresh Rate60-240 Hz165Hz
GPUNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
RAM16GB DDR416GB DDR4
Storage512GB NVMe SSD512GB NVMe SSD
Weight2.39 kg4.3 pounds
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