5 Best HP Laptops to Give as Gifts
The holidays are almost here, and it’s time to find the right gift for everyone on your shopping list. Laptops are an ideal choice, because almost everyone needs to stay connected and get more done, even when away from home. Picking the right laptop model doesn’t even require you to know how the person will use it; although, it’s helpful.
Whether you’re giving to a gamer, a professional who needs to telecommute, or the next YouTube star, these 5 best HP laptops can help you bring more joy to the season. Check out this list of top HP laptops to give as gifts.
Who are you buying for? Know your laptops
The biggest factor when buying a laptop is knowing who it’s for. Is your spouse a videographer who needs a mobile workstation? Or is your son a remote worker who needs a durable, light machine for balancing in-office tasks with at-home Zoom meetings? Whoever you’re shopping for, it’s important to think about how they’ll use their laptop before you make a purchase.
Consider the following specs as you shop:
- Processing speed
- Graphics
- Screen size and touchscreen capability
- Ports and accessory options
- Weight
- Battery life
- Durability
Some laptops also fold into a tablet mode so you can use them for tasks like drawing and note-taking in class. Others are more like traditional laptops with full-sized keyboards and sturdier cases, which allows for mobile productivity in airports and hotels.
If you are having a hard time choosing between them, you don’t have to worry. The laptops on this list fit multiple tech personalities.
HP laptop gift guide
HP laptops are trustworthy for a number of reasons. Known as the world’s most secure laptops, they’re built tough-to-crack with layers of protection. Then there are the jam-packed integrated features. You can choose 2-in-1 laptops that work as traditional work machines, as tablets, or in tent or stand modes for easy binge-watching or gaming. You can also pick from dozens of convertible or traditional HP laptops with powerful Intel® Core™ processors, Bang & Olufsen audio, and dedicated Intel HD Graphics cards.
1. HP Chromebook x360 - best laptop for students
Many schools use HP Chromebooks in their classrooms, so students of all ages may be familiar with the tech and operating system on these budget-friendly laptops. Priced much less than other models, these laptops feature all the Google tools and apps you already know, such as the Google Chrome browser, Google Drive to store your important files, and YouTube-friendly creator tools.
In terms of storage, HP Chromebooks play very well with the cloud, which you can access through your existing Google account. However, you still have plenty of local storage for your most important files and software. Our laptop pick for students, the HP Chromebook x360, boasts 8GB of RAM and a speedy 128GB solid-state drive (SSD).
Flexible, lightweight, and powerful
This HP Chromebook is a 2-in-1 convertible model that features a strong hinge so you can use it in multiple modes. This provides another level of flexibility that you often only get in more expensive convertible laptops. It also makes it easy to watch movies or video chat with just a flip of the screen. It features a powerful 11th Generation Intel® Core™ i3 processor, too.
This laptop weighs very little – just 3.35 lbs. Kids can easily toss it in a backpack and not worry about if it will make the trip to school and back. The Corning® Gorilla® Glass screen helps to avoid scratches and cracks, while the 10 hours of battery life ensures your student will get through the day on a single charge.
2. HP Pavilion x360 laptop - best laptop for young adults
Put a smile on your favorite college student’s face with the HP Pavilion x360 convertible laptop. This is a great laptop for college students because it’s a slim, light powerhouse that comes in at surprisingly low prices for a full-scale laptop and tablet combo. You can even customize how it looks with a variety of colors, including Spruce Blue, Natural Silver, or Warm Gold.
Serious work machine
Your kid will love this laptop’s power, compliments of the 11th Generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor. This is the same power offered in many of the top gaming and business laptops on the market, allowing them to really kick up their PC usage to maximum capacity. Pair it with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of SSD storage, and they’ll easily edit videos, enjoy video calls in high definition, and stream their latest online games on Twitch.
Convertible 2-in-1 flexibility
The HP Pavilion x360’s crowd-pleasing 2-in-1 form factor and sturdy 360-degree hinge lets your student work how they want in laptop mode or tablet mode. Add an optional digital pen for sketching, drawing, and note-taking with pen-on-paper feel. Flip the screen around for a cozy movie night on the couch, or prop it up in tent mode for sharing during collaborative project sessions.
Screens for all occasions
One of the most beautiful things about these laptops is the 3-sided micro-edge HD display, which wastes no space on the laptop case for the best viewing experience possible. Choose from 14-inch or 15-inch displays, both of which feature a stunning Full High Definition (FHD) screen.
3. HP Elite Dragonfly notebook PC - favorite laptop for office pros
Can business laptops really make great gifts? Absolutely. The HP Elite Dragonfly is changing the game with its amazingly slim and tight construction that comes in at just 2.2 lbs for the lightest model.
It comes in a bold dragonfly blue and offers numerous leading-edge security features, such as HP Sure Recover with Embedded Reimaging to easily recover files. It also has an incredibly fast charge that allows it to get up to 50% battery life within 30 minutes of charging. Plus, it boasts Intel Iris® Xᵉ graphics and the Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, which you can increase to 4.2 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology.
Stay connected, anywhere
Whether your recipient needs to work from home or while in the back of an Uber, the HP Elite Dragonfly stays connected thanks to 4G LTE or up to 5G wireless broadband technology. Fast speeds are everywhere your loved one goes with the modern and secure networking tools of this laptop.
The spill-resistant backlit keyboard handles the demands of the modern workforce, whether in the office or out. Plus, the 720p HD IR camera makes Microsoft Teams meetings or Zoom interviews easier and sharper than ever.
With a 3-year standard warranty, enhanced security features, and stellar specs, the HP Dragonfly is a strong pick for the business pro in your life.
4. HP OMEN 16z laptop - best laptop for gamers
If there’s a gamer on your list, you know their needs are different from the casual user. Your gamer is serious about specs like screen resolution, processor speed, dedicated graphics cards, room-filling audio, and super-quiet fan noise. Your gift laptop’s cooling power will be a factor, too.
The HP OMEN 16z laptop ticks every single one of those boxes and more, all while staying in a reasonable price range.
Run silent, run fast
The HP OMEN gaming laptop is famously quiet, which is a big consideration for serious gamers. Its AMD Ryzen™ 5 processor and NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 laptop GPU keep the action moving fast and smooth. It also comes with up to 1TB of SSD storage, which pairs zippy performance with plenty of room for their favorite games. These specs help make this HP OMEN a winning laptop gift idea for the gamer on your shopping list.
Command and control
With HP OMEN Command Center, they can easily control and customize their setup. Plus, with Network Booster to prioritize web traffic, your home-based hero won’t get iced because dad ordered laundry detergent on the voice assistant at a crucial moment.
Each HP OMEN laptop is available for customization, too. You can amp up the processing, graphics, memory, storage, keyboard, and other features to the level of play your loved one will appreciate most.
Not sure exactly what your gamer needs? No problem. When customizing your gift, you can choose between Casual Gamer, Campaign Hero, or eSports Pro. Each option comes with its own set of specs to match how your loved one will use the laptop, so you can feel confident you’re making the right choice.
5. HP ZBook Studio workstation - best laptop for creatives
Whether your loved one animates, edits film, or makes amazing 3D sculptures, you can give them a full studio experience with the HP ZBook Studio workstation. These machines spare no luxury for the maker on-the-go. They’re designed to handle CAD, 3D, photography, and film applications, so your loved one can create their best work ever.
The power to create
Creative software uses a lot of resources, so a laptop needs a full suite of powerful specs to back up the work. The HP ZBook Studio offers some of the best internal components you can fit inside a laptop, including 11th Generation Intel Core i7 and i9 processors. These are the same processors used by professionals in product development, architecture, and marketing.
This workstation comes with multiple ports, too, so it’s easy to connect additional monitors, color-control tools, and other accessories. Plus, it boasts incredible sound from the Bang and Olufsen speakers, which feature 150 Hz of bass and crisp treble.
The always-ready “modern standby” feature saves energy while the laptop remains ready to use at a moment’s notice. It’s not asleep, and it’s not powered off, either. It stays connected via WiFi and will load instantly with a single click.
HP laptop accessories gifts
While your loved one should have everything they need to use their laptop right out of the box, you can help them get the most from their tech with some additional gear. From sleek backpacks and gaming headsets to a comfortable wireless mouse, you’ll find just what you need in the HP accessory shop.
The best laptop gifts keep on giving
The best part of giving a laptop as a gift is that it keeps rolling out the joy and functionality for years to come. The best HP gift laptop to buy depends on who you’re buying for. Our list has the best choice for grandparents, high school or college students, moms, dads, and better halves. Anyone who wants to connect, create, or commute can enjoy a fresh start in the new year with HP’s cutting-edge tech.
