The HP Victus 15 is a gaming laptop designed to bridge the gap between high-performance gaming and affordability. With the increasing demand for budget-friendly gaming laptops that do not compromise too much on performance, HP has positioned the Victus 15 as a strong contender in this segment. This review will comprehensively cover the design, performance, display, keyboard, connectivity, battery life, and value for money to provide an unbiased perspective on the HP Victus 15.
Design and build quality
The HP Victus 15 sports a sleek and modern design that is both attractive and functional. The laptop is constructed primarily from plastic, which helps keep the weight down to a manageable 4.92 pounds. Despite the plastic construction, the laptop feels sturdy and well-built, with minimal flex in the keyboard and lid areas.
The aesthetic of the Victus 15 is understated compared to more flashy gaming laptops. It features a matte black finish with subtle blue accents, making it suitable for both gaming and professional environments. The laptop’s lid has a distinct V-shaped logo, which adds a touch of uniqueness without being overly aggressive.
The hinge mechanism is robust, allowing the screen to open smoothly to a maximum angle of about 135 degrees. The laptop’s dimensions are relatively compact for a 15-inch device, making it easy to carry around in a backpack. Overall, the design and build quality of the HP Victus 15 are commendable for its price range.
Display
The HP Victus 15 is equipped with a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display. The screen offers decent color accuracy and brightness levels, making it suitable for gaming and everyday tasks. However, the display’s brightness, measured at around 250 nits, may be inadequate for outdoor use or brightly lit environments.
The refresh rate of the display is 60Hz, which is standard for budget gaming laptops but may disappoint users looking for a smoother gaming experience. The response time is also average, leading to occasional motion blur during fast-paced gaming sessions. Nevertheless, for casual gamers and general use, the display performs adequately.
Viewing angles are wide thanks to the IPS technology, ensuring that colors and contrast remain consistent even when viewed from the sides. The anti-glare coating helps reduce reflections, enhancing visibility in various lighting conditions.
Performance
Performance is a critical aspect of any gaming laptop, and the HP Victus 15 delivers reasonably well in this department. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i5-11300H processor, paired with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD. For graphics, it relies on the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU.
The Intel Core i5-11300H is a quad-core processor with a base clock speed of 3.1 GHz, capable of boosting up to 4.4 GHz. This CPU handles multitasking and gaming quite well, offering smooth performance in most modern games at medium settings. The 8GB of RAM is sufficient for many tasks, but power users and gamers might find it limiting when running memory-intensive applications or multiple applications simultaneously. Fortunately, the RAM is upgradeable, providing an option for future-proofing.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is a mid-range GPU that performs admirably in 1080p gaming. It can run most AAA titles at medium to high settings, maintaining playable frame rates. However, demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2 may require lowering the graphics settings to achieve smooth gameplay.
The 512GB NVMe SSD ensures fast boot times and quick load times for games and applications. Storage capacity might become an issue for users with extensive game libraries, but the SSD can be upgraded, and the laptop also supports an additional 2.5-inch SATA drive.
Keyboard and trackpad
The keyboard on the HP Victus 15 is comfortable and responsive, making it suitable for both gaming and typing. The keys have a reasonable amount of travel and tactile feedback, ensuring a pleasant typing experience. The keyboard layout is standard, with a dedicated number pad on the right, which is a welcome addition for users who frequently work with numbers.
One downside is the lack of RGB lighting; instead, the keyboard features a single-color backlight (white), which is adjustable in terms of brightness. While this might be a drawback for gamers looking for a more customizable and visually appealing setup, it is understandable given the laptop’s budget-friendly nature.
The trackpad is large and responsive, with support for Windows Precision drivers. It accurately registers multi-finger gestures and provides a smooth navigation experience. The surface is smooth and the integrated buttons are tactile, although many gamers will likely prefer using an external mouse for more precise control during gaming sessions.
Connectivity
The HP Victus 15 offers a decent selection of ports, catering to most users’ connectivity needs. On the left side, you will find;
- 1 x USB Type-C (SuperSpeed) with a 5Gbps signaling rate
- 1 x USB Type-A (SuperSpeed) with a 5Gbps signaling rate
- 1 x HDMI 2.0
- 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet port
- 1 x headphone/microphone combo jack
On the right side, there are;
- 2 x USB Type-A (SuperSpeed) with a 5Gbps signaling rate
- 1 x SD card reader
The inclusion of an HDMI 2.0 port allows for easy connection to external monitors, while the RJ-45 Ethernet port provides a reliable wired internet connection, which is crucial for online gaming. The presence of multiple USB Type-A ports ensures compatibility with various peripherals, and the USB Type-C port offers additional flexibility for modern devices.
Wireless connectivity is handled by Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0, providing fast and stable connections for online gaming, streaming, and other tasks. The SD card reader is a handy addition for photographers and videographers who need to transfer files quickly from their cameras.
Battery life
Battery life is often a concern with gaming laptops, and the HP Victus 15 is no exception. The laptop is equipped with a 52.5Wh battery, which provides average battery life for a device in this category. During typical usage, which includes web browsing, video streaming, and light productivity tasks, the Victus 15 can last around 5 to 6 hours on a single charge.
However, gaming significantly reduces battery life, often bringing it down to around 1.5 to 2 hours. This is expected, as gaming laptops require substantial power to drive the CPU and GPU during intensive tasks. For extended gaming sessions, it is advisable to keep the laptop plugged into a power source.
Charging the battery from 0% to 100% takes approximately 2 hours using the included 150W AC adapter. The fast-charging capability is a welcome feature, allowing users to quickly top up the battery when needed.
Value for money
The HP Victus 15 is positioned as a budget gaming laptop, and it delivers good value for money. With a price point that is accessible to many users, it provides a balanced mix of performance, build quality, and features. While it may not compete with higher-end gaming laptops in terms of raw power and premium features, it offers a solid gaming experience for the price.
The ability to upgrade RAM and storage adds to its value, allowing users to extend the laptop’s lifespan and adapt to their evolving needs. Additionally, the inclusion of modern connectivity options and a comfortable keyboard enhances the overall user experience.
Positive points
Affordable price: The HP Victus 15 offers a competitive price point, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Decent performance: Equipped with an Intel Core i5-11300H processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, it can handle most games and everyday tasks effectively.
Upgradeable RAM and storage: Users can upgrade the RAM and storage, providing flexibility and future-proofing.
Solid build quality: Despite its plastic construction, the laptop feels sturdy and well-built.
Comfortable keyboard: The keyboard is responsive and comfortable for both gaming and typing, with a dedicated number pad.
Good connectivity options: Includes a variety of ports, including USB Type-C, HDMI 2.0, and an SD card reader.
Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0: Modern wireless connectivity options ensure fast and stable connections.
Negative points
Average display: The 60Hz refresh rate and 250-nit brightness may not satisfy users looking for a superior visual experience.
Limited RAM: The base model comes with 8GB of RAM, which may be insufficient for demanding tasks and multitasking.
Battery life: Average battery life, especially during gaming, may require frequent charging.
No RGB keyboard: The lack of RGB lighting might be a drawback for gamers who prefer a more customizable and vibrant keyboard.
Plastic construction: While sturdy, the plastic build may not feel as premium as metal alternatives.
Conclusion
The HP Victus 15 is a well-rounded budget gaming laptop that delivers solid performance and a good set of features for its price. It is an excellent choice for gamers and users looking for a reliable, affordable laptop that can handle everyday tasks and moderate gaming. While it has some limitations, such as its average display and battery life, its overall value for money makes it a compelling option in the budget gaming laptop market.