At CES 2026, HP announced a significant consolidation of its gaming portfolio, merging its HyperX and Omen brands under a single "HyperX Omen" banner. This strategic move aims to unify its ecosystem of PCs, peripherals, and accessories. The flagship product heralding this new era is the HyperX Omen Max 16, a powerful refresh of last year's model that pushes the boundaries of performance for a 16-inch form factor with a substantial power increase and internal redesign.
HyperX Omen Max 16 Key Specifications:
- Display: 16-inch, 2.5K (2560x1600) OLED, 240Hz
- Max Platform Power: 300W Total
- GPU Options: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti to RTX 5090 Laptop GPU (up to 175W TGP)
- CPU Options: AMD Ryzen AI 400-Series (e.g., Ryzen AI 9 HX 475) or "Next-Gen Intel Processor"
- Max RAM: 64GB
- Keyboard: 1,000Hz polling rate, anti-ghosting, full-size arrow keys
- Power Adapter: 460W GaN (Intel configs) / 420W GaN or 330W AC (AMD configs)
- Cooling: Redesigned system with three fans
A Unified Gaming Front from HP
The tech landscape at CES 2026 is witnessing a major branding shift from a PC giant. HP has decided to combine its two primary gaming brands, HyperX (known for peripherals) and Omen (known for systems), into one cohesive identity: HyperX Omen. This isn't merely a cosmetic change; it represents HP's intent to present a unified front to gamers, offering a seamless experience from keyboard and headset to the laptop itself. The first and most prominent device to carry this new branding is the HyperX Omen Max 16, signaling that the fusion is starting at the high-performance end of the spectrum.
Pushing the Power Envelope to 300 Watts
The most striking technical specification of the new HyperX Omen Max 16 is its total platform power, which has been increased to 300W. This represents a 50W jump over its 2025 predecessor and even surpasses the power draw of many larger 18-inch gaming laptops currently on the market, such as the MSI Titan 18HX (270W). This extra power headroom is primarily targeted at configurations featuring the top-tier NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU, which has a 175W TGP (Total Graphics Power). To manage this increased thermal load, HP has completely redesigned the laptop's cooling system, adding a third fan to improve airflow and, hopefully, mitigate the thermal and noise issues noted in previous models.
Comparative Power Draw:
| Laptop Model | Size | Max Total Platform Power |
|---|---|---|
| HyperX Omen Max 16 (2026) | 16-inch | 300W |
| HP Omen Max 16 (2025) | 16-inch | 250W |
| MSI Titan 18HX (Example) | 18-inch | 270W |
Next-Gen Components and Condensed Power
Under the hood, the HyperX Omen Max 16 offers a choice between the newly announced AMD Ryzen AI 400-series processors (like the Ryzen AI 9 HX 475) or an unspecified "next-gen Intel processor," likely pointing to an upcoming mobile CPU lineup. It supports up to 64GB of RAM, though potential supply constraints are noted. A critical quality-of-life improvement comes in the form of its new Gallium Nitride (GaN) power adapter. While still a substantial 460W unit for Intel configurations, HP emphasizes that its condensed design makes it far more portable and less of a "backpack dominator" compared to traditional power bricks of similar capacity.
Refined Display and Responsive Inputs
The laptop retains the premium 16-inch, 2.5K OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate from the previous model, ensuring vibrant visuals and smooth motion. Addressing feedback from earlier reviews, HP has upgraded the keyboard to feature a 1,000Hz polling rate. This enhancement promises ultra-responsive input detection, a key feature for competitive esports titles, and is paired with anti-ghosting technology and full-sized arrow keys for a more versatile gaming and typing experience.
A Strategic Refresh in a Mature Market
The launch of the HyperX Omen Max 16 and the broader brand merger occur at an interesting time in the hardware cycle. With current-generation GPUs and CPUs reaching maturity, this update is less about a component revolution and more about strategic refinement, branding cohesion, and pushing engineering limits within a known chassis. The success of this approach hinges on whether the new cooling solution effectively harnesses the extra 50W of power to deliver noticeably better and quieter performance, justifying the evolution of the Max 16 name. For now, HP has firmly planted its flag in the high-power, portable gaming segment, challenging what users can expect from a 16-inch laptop.