At CES 2026, HP made a significant strategic move by announcing the unification of its gaming hardware brands. The well-known OMEN line of PCs is being merged into the HyperX brand, creating a single, powerful identity for HP's gaming ecosystem. This rebranding was accompanied by the launch of several flagship products designed to push the boundaries of performance and immersion for gamers.
HP Consolidates Gaming Brands Under the HyperX Banner
The headline from HP's CES 2026 presentation wasn't just a new product, but a new strategy. The company announced it is formally merging its OMEN gaming PC brand into the HyperX peripheral brand it acquired several years prior. This move aims to create a unified "HyperX" master brand that will encompass everything from high-performance laptops and desktops to keyboards, mice, headsets, and now, even monitors and specialized controllers. The goal is to offer gamers a seamless, cross-product experience under one recognizable name, simplifying marketing and strengthening brand loyalty in a highly competitive market.
The HyperX OMEN MAX 16: A New Benchmark for Gaming Laptops
Leading the charge is the HyperX OMEN MAX 16, a laptop that HP is positioning as a new flagship for raw power. The centerpiece of its performance is the option for NVIDIA's next-generation GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU, paired with either Intel's Core Ultra 200HX or AMD's Ryzen AI 400 series processors. To handle this immense thermal load, HP has completely redesigned its cooling system, introducing a triple-fan "Tempest Cooling Pro" design with an automatic fan-cleaning function. The company claims this enables a total platform power of 300W, a substantial 20% increase over its predecessor, promising sustained performance during the most demanding gaming sessions.
HyperX OMEN MAX 16 Key Specifications:
- Processors: Intel Core Ultra 200HX series or AMD Ryzen AI 400 series
- GPU: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU
- Cooling: Triple-fan Tempest Cooling Pro system
- Platform Power: 300W Total Platform Power (claimed)
- Display (Optional): 16-inch OLED, 2560x1600 (WQXGA), 240Hz, 500 nits
- Keyboard: High polling rate, full-size arrow keys, per-key RGB
- Feature: OMEN AI one-click performance optimizer
- Availability: Spring 2026
Display and Input Innovations for Competitive Edge
Beyond the core components, the OMEN MAX 16 focuses on the elements that directly affect player performance and experience. The top-tier display option is a 16-inch, 2560x1600 OLED panel with a blistering 240Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 500 nits, offering exceptional contrast and motion clarity. For input, HP is emphasizing a new keyboard with a 4x faster polling rate than previous models, full-sized arrow keys, and per-key RGB lighting customizable through the OMEN Light Studio software. The company is also integrating an "OMEN AI" feature, a one-click optimizer designed to automatically adjust system, hardware, and in-game settings to maximize frame rates.
Expanding the Ecosystem: A 360Hz OLED Monitor and Xbox Controller
HP's new unified vision extends beyond the laptop. The HyperX OMEN OLED 34 is a 34-inch ultrawide monitor targeting both gamers and creators. It utilizes Samsung's latest V-Stripe QD-OLED panel technology, which promises improved text clarity and color accuracy. Its standout spec is a 360Hz refresh rate at a 3440x1440 resolution, coupled with a near-instant 0.03ms GtG response time. It also includes practical features like 100W USB-C Power Delivery for single-cable laptop connectivity and a built-in KVM switch. In a more niche but notable announcement, HP revealed the HyperX Clutch Tachi, its first officially licensed Xbox arcade (leverless) controller, featuring magnetic switches and support for 3D-printed custom keycaps and top plates.
HyperX OMEN OLED 34 Monitor Key Specifications:
- Panel: 34-inch Samsung V-Stripe QD-OLED
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440 (UWQHD)
- Refresh Rate: 360Hz
- Response Time: 0.03ms GtG
- Features: 100W USB-C PD, built-in KVM, HyperX ProLuma color precision
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty including burn-in protection
- Availability: Spring 2026
A Glimpse into the Future: Neurotechnology for Gaming
Perhaps the most forward-looking tease from HP was a partnership announcement with neurotechnology company Neurable. The two are collaborating on a gaming headset that can interpret brain activity in real-time. The proposed goal is to help players improve focus and in-game accuracy by providing biofeedback, potentially representing a leap into a new dimension of gaming peripherals. However, HP was clear that this product is still in development, with no imminent release date announced.
Brand Consolidation & Other Announcements:
- Brand Change: OMEN gaming PC brand is being merged into the HyperX master brand.
- New Product: HyperX Clutch Tachi – HP's first Xbox-licensed arcade (leverless) controller with magnetic switches and 3D-printing support.
- Future Tech: Partnership with Neurable to develop a brain-sensing gaming headset (in development, no release date).
Availability and Final Thoughts
The newly announced hardware—the HyperX OMEN MAX 16 laptop, the OMEN OLED 34 monitor, and the Clutch Tachi controller—are all slated for release in the Spring of 2026. Specific pricing details were not disclosed at the time of the announcement. HP's CES 2026 showcase marks a pivotal moment, consolidating its brands and launching products that directly challenge the highest tiers of gaming hardware. The success of this strategy will depend on the real-world performance of these new HyperX-branded powerhouses and how well the unified brand resonates with the gaming community.