The HP Omen Transcend 14 (2024) enters the mid-range OLED gaming laptop arena, joining competitors like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. With its attractive design, robust build quality, excellent display, and solid gaming capabilities for the price, the Transcend 14 offers good overall value. However, it’s not flawless, as there are some drawbacks worth noting.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sturdy, classy design | Atrocious battery life |
| Decent 1080p gaming performance | Few ports |
| Stunning OLED display | Power-limited GPU |
HP OMEN TRANSCEND 14 TWO MINUTE REVIEW
The HP Omen Transcend 14 (2024) checks almost all the boxes for what I look for in a top gaming laptop: sleek, stylish, portable, comfortable for typing, and delivering solid gaming performance at 1080p, all at a reasonable price point.
Its 120Hz OLED display is particularly impressive and made me realize the limitations of my usual IPS monitor. The Transcend 14’s elegant, portable design gave me confidence using it both for work and gaming. It provided ample gaming performance, allowing me to enjoy gaming from the comfort of my bed instead of being tethered to my gaming PC in the office.
However, there are a couple of drawbacks with the Transcend 14. Firstly, its battery life is disappointingly short. Secondly, and this may only concern those like me who prefer competitive gaming, its 16:10 aspect ratio screen reduces the horizontal field of view in first-person shooters. Fixing this issue, such as enabling 16:9 resolutions with GPU scaling, proved challenging.
Despite these issues, for casual gaming or non-FPS gaming, this laptop stands out as stylish, comfortable, and sufficiently capable to be a strong contender as my personal gaming laptop. While its GPU is slightly underpowered, even with a 15W boost available through Omen software, it doesn’t significantly diminish the overall value provided by the Transcend 14’s outstanding design, cooling system, and display quality.Therefore, if you can overlook the battery life, resolution, and GPU limitations mentioned, I confidently recommend considering the HP Omen Transcend 14. However, personally, I would find it challenging to decide between it and the 2024 edition of the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14—or perhaps even a larger laptop, considering the relatively small size of 14-inch displays.
HP OMEN TRANSCEND 14 PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Price: Starting at $1,689 / £1,449 (approximately AU$2,450)
Availability: Available now
Regions: Available in the US and UK (Australia release status unknown)
The HP Omen Transcend 14 occupies a significant position in the mid-range OLED laptop segment, although the term “mid-range” can feel a bit ironic once prices exceed $1,500.
Three standout features contribute to its excellent value proposition: solid mainstream gaming performance, a sleek and highly portable design, and a stunning OLED display. Priced at $1,819 for the 1TB RTX 4060 configuration, it offers compelling affordability.
Its primary competitor, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024), boasts similar attributes including a stylish design and a 120Hz OLED screen, often priced similarly at MSRP. However, the Transcend 14 frequently sells at a significantly lower price point.
Alternatively, the Razer Blade 14 (2024) presents another option, albeit at a higher cost for similar specifications. It offers superior build quality and enhanced performance due to higher GPU power limits, though lacks the OLED display that enhances visual experience significantly.
HP OMEN TRANSCEND 14 SPECS
The Omen Transcend 14 (2024) offers three primary configurations, with some customization options available beyond these. The key decision lies in choosing between models featuring a Core Ultra 7 155H with RTX 4050, a Core Ultra 7 155H with RTX 4060, or a Core Ultra 9 185H with RTX 4070. Each configuration varies in processing power and graphics capabilities, allowing users to select according to their performance needs and budget.
| Header Cell | HP Omen Transcend 14 (Base) | HP Omen Transcend 14 (Review) | HP Omen Transcend 14 (Best) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,689 / £1,449 | $1,819 / £1,549 | $2,399 / £1,799 |
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5X-7467 | 16GB LPDDR5X-7467 | 32GB LPDDR5X-7467 |
| Screen | 14-inch QHD+ (2880×1800), OLED, 120Hz, 0.2ms response, SDR 400 nits, HDR 500 nits, 100% DCI-P3, 1,000,000 contrast ratio | 14-inch QHD+ (2880×1800), OLED, 120Hz, 0.2ms response, SDR 400 nits, HDR 500 nits, 100% DCI-P3, 1,000,000 contrast ratio | 14-inch QHD+ (2880×1800), OLED, 120Hz, 0.2ms response, SDR 400 nits, HDR 500 nits, 100% DCI-P3, 1,000,000 contrast ratio |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
| Ports | 2x USB Type-A, 1x Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C, 1x USB Type-C, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm headphone/mic combo | 2x USB Type-A, 1x Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C, 1x USB Type-C, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm headphone/mic combo | 2x USB Type-A, 1x Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C, 1x USB Type-C, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm headphone/mic combo |
| Wireless | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.3 | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.3 | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Camera | HP True Vision 1080p FHD IR camera | HP True Vision 1080p FHD IR camera | HP True Vision 1080p FHD IR camera |
| Weight | 1.63kg / 3.59lb | 1.63kg / 3.59lb | 1.63kg / 3.59lb |
| Dimensions | 12.3 x 9.19 x 0.7 in / 31.3 x 23.35 x 1.79 cm | 12.3 x 9.19 x 0.7 in / 31.3 x 23.35 x 1.79 cm | 12.3 x 9.19 x 0.7 in / 31.3 x 23.35 x 1.79 cm |
In addition, there are several customization options available for the HP Omen Transcend 14 in the US. You have the flexibility to:
- Save $90 by opting for a 512GB SSD instead of the standard 1TB, reducing the base configuration price to $1,599.
- Pay an extra $140 for a 2TB SSD upgrade.
- Choose to upgrade to a Wi-Fi 7 card for an additional $40.
- Opt for single-zone RGB lighting or a white chassis for an extra cost.
- Include a HyperX Cloud III Wireless headset for $150, which seamlessly pairs with the laptop.
Additionally, there are various choices available for operating system, warranty, and software customization to tailor the laptop further to your preferences.
HP OMEN TRANSCEND 14 DESIGN
The Omen Transcend 14 boasts a stunning 120Hz OLED display with vivid colors and deep blacks, offering an exceptional visual experience. Its design is reminiscent of a MacBook with a sleek, portable form factor that leans more towards modern work laptops than flashy gaming rigs—a refreshing approach from HP.
Featuring “pudding-inspired” keycaps on a responsive keyboard, typing feels comfortable and satisfying. Weighing just 3.59 pounds and measuring 0.7 inches thick, it strikes a balance between portability and durability, fitting easily into a backpack without feeling fragile.
The laptop’s design, especially in “shadow black” or upgraded “ceramic white” options for a small additional cost, exudes elegance suitable for both work and play. The “ceramic white” variant, in particular, enhances its aesthetic appeal for a minimal investment, which I find worthwhile.
The standout feature of the Transcend 14 is undoubtedly its OLED display, which delivers breathtakingly deep blacks and vibrant colors—a treat for gaming and multimedia. Its 120Hz refresh rate further enhances the visual experience, although it lacks full GSync or FreeSync support, which is a bit disappointing.
In the keyboard department, despite my affinity for custom mechanical keyboards, the Transcend 14’s keyboard impressed me. The keys, adorned with “pudding-inspired” HyperX keycaps, offer a satisfyingly springy feel, making typing a joy during my extended daily use. The trackpad is equally commendable with its tactile responsiveness and ideal center placement.
For RGB enthusiasts, the laptop offers four-zone RGB lighting by default, with an option to upgrade to per-key RGB for an additional $80. Customization of colors and effects can be easily managed through the HP Omen software.
On the downside, the laptop’s port selection is somewhat limited, especially with the rear USB-C port primarily designated for charging. This configuration may necessitate the use of a USB hub for multiple peripherals, though it generally suffices for most typical usage scenarios, including connecting external mice and keyboards.
Gaming Performance and Display:
The HP Omen Transcend 14 excels in 1080p gaming with its vibrant OLED display, offering stunning colors and deep blacks. While it struggles at higher resolutions, gaming on medium settings at 1080p remains impressive on its 14-inch screen. Titles like Metro Exodus, Overwatch 2, Doom Eternal, and others perform admirably, often achieving over 60fps with DLSS or similar technologies enabled.
Benchmark Performance:
- 3DMark: Fire Strike scored 17,848 and Time Spy scored 8,010.
- GeekBench 6: Single-core performance reached 2,362, while multi-core hit 13,248.
- File Handling: Copying a 25GB file took 15.52 seconds, and encoding 4K to 1080p with Handbrake took 5 minutes and 4 seconds.
- CrossMark Scores: Overall scored 1,506, Productivity 1,404, Creativity 1,810, and Responsiveness 1,069.
- Gaming Benchmarks: Achieved 60.8 fps in Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra), 21.24 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra), and 50 fps in Dirt 5 (1920×1200, Ultra).
- Battery Life: Web surfing lasted 4 hours and 9 minutes on battery, while PCMark 10 Gaming Battery Life recorded 58 minutes.
Aspect Ratio Issue:
The laptop’s native 16:10 aspect ratio enhances casual gaming and general use but poses challenges for competitive gaming due to reduced horizontal space. Adjusting to 16:9 resulted in visual stretching, requiring a workaround involving resolution changes in Windows Settings or playing in borderless windowed mode.
Performance Enhancements and Limitations:
Enabling a 15W boost through Omen Gaming Hub software slightly improved GPU performance but didn’t match some similar-sized competitors. Despite this, the Transcend 14 prioritizes portability, cooler thermals, quieter fans, and affordability over peak gaming performance.
General Work Use:
The laptop excels in general productivity tasks but may exhibit lag when downloading files on battery power, which resolves upon switching to mains power or halting downloads.
In summary, the HP Omen Transcend 14 delivers reasonable gaming performance and exceptional display quality, making it suitable for casual gaming and everyday productivity tasks, albeit with some compromises in competitive gaming and high-resolution gameplay.
Performance: 3.5 / 5
HP OMEN TRANSCEND 14 BATTERY LIFE
Battery Performance:
The HP Omen Transcend 14 struggles with battery life, despite efforts to optimize power consumption. Equipped with a 71Wh battery, it falls short compared to many gaming laptops in our tests. During PCMark 10 Battery Life testing, it managed less than an hour of gaming on battery power, echoing my everyday usage experience.
For typical tasks like web browsing with multiple tabs in Chrome, it lasted approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes. This was achieved with Eco Mode enabled via Omen Hub, Windows power efficiency settings activated, moderate screen brightness (although still visible), and RGB lighting disabled.
Usage Scenarios:
Realistically, the laptop’s battery life is insufficient for extended periods of work or gaming without frequent recharging. It’s suitable for short sessions of on-the-go productivity or brief gaming sessions unplugged. Fortunately, the rear USB-C port supports fast charging, which helps mitigate some of the battery life limitations.
Overall Impression:
While the Transcend 14’s battery performance is disappointing, it does manage to provide a few hours of productivity on battery power and offers quick recharge capabilities via the rear port. However, for sustained usage, especially for gaming, relying on continuous access to power is advisable.
SHOULD YOU BUY THE HP OMEN TRANSCEND 14?
Here is the HP Omen Transcend 14 scorecard presented in markdown table format
| Category | Assessment | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Great value for a stunning design, OLED display, and solid gaming performance. Faces competition from the Zephyrus G14. | 4 / 5 |
| Design | Looks gorgeous and feels sturdy. Slim and portable. Fantastic keyboard and touchpad. Lacking some ports. | 5 / 5 |
| Performance | Plays games well at 1080p and GPU can be boosted by 15W, but worse than some competitors. Fine for productivity. | 3.5 / 5 |
| Battery Life | Awful battery life, but can get a few hours of day-to-day tasks out of it with power saving settings enabled. | 2 / 5 |
| Total | Overall, this is a great laptop for those who want a stunning OLED display for gaming and a sleek, understated, MacBook-esque design. Poor battery life and low GPU power limits keep it from a top rating. | 3.63 / 5 |
This table summarizes the HP Omen Transcend 14’s performance across various categories, reflecting its strengths and weaknesses.
Buy the HP Omen Transcend 14 if…
Looking for a Great Value OLED Gaming Laptop?
The Transcend 14 (2024) stands out with its stunning OLED display, offering comparable pricing to non-OLED models while delivering superior visual quality.
Seeking a Gaming Laptop with MacBook-Level Class?
While the Razer Blade is the epitome of MacBook-like elegance, the Transcend 14 (2024) comes close with its sleek design and OLED screen. Coupled with its reasonable pricing, it presents a compelling option.
Interested in an “AI PC” Gaming Laptop?
Equipped with an internal NPU (Neural Processing Unit), the Transcend 14 is poised for future applications in AI computing. Although current uses for the NPU are limited, it offers potential for future-proofing your investment.
These features make the HP Omen Transcend 14 (2024) a versatile choice for gamers and tech enthusiasts alike, blending aesthetics with advanced display technology and potential AI capabilities.
Don’t buy it if…
Considering Battery Life?
Using the Transcend 14 on battery power may leave you disappointed. Its battery life falls short compared to most modern laptops, limiting gaming and work sessions before requiring a recharge.
Seeking a Budget-Friendly Option?
Unfortunately, budget-friendly OLED gaming laptops are rare today. While reasonably priced for its class, the Transcend 14 (2024) offers a good-looking OLED display without compromising on quality.
Prioritizing Gaming Performance?
While the Transcend 14 (2024) delivers solid gaming performance, it makes concessions to maintain its slim, sturdy design and affordability. The GPU’s maximum power draw is slightly reduced, even with boost enabled, to manage thermals effectively.
These factors highlight the HP Omen Transcend 14 (2024) as a balanced choice for users valuing OLED display quality, sleek design, and reasonable pricing, albeit with trade-offs in battery life and maximum gaming performance.
ALSO CONSIDER
Razer Blade 14 (2024)
The 2024 iteration of the Razer Blade 14 shares many qualities with the Omen Transcend 14. It’s a slim, sleek, stylish, and portable 14-inch gaming laptop. It boasts greater power, yet suffers from poor battery life (even worse than the Transcend 14), necessitating frequent charging. Unlike the Transcend 14, it lacks the stunning OLED display, which is a notable omission.
This makes the Razer Blade 14 (2024) a compelling option for those seeking robust performance in a compact and stylish form factor, albeit with compromised battery longevity and without the visual allure of OLED technology.
HOW I TESTED THE HP OMEN TRANSCEND 14
- I tested the HP Omen Transcend 14 (2024) for several weeks
- I tested it using benchmark tests, video game benchmarks, and doing day-to-day gaming and office work
- I used Nvidia FrameView to capture in-game framerates
For the first week, I got used to the laptop. I treated it as if I’d just bought it for myself, unboxing it, downloading my favorite games, and making use of it day-to-day. I made notes of any positives and negatives that came to mind. Then, I got to testing.
I ran benchmarks for tons of different use cases, noting the results. Finally, I tested some specific things I was curious about. Namely, the 16:10 vs 16:9 issue, and office work battery life tests. I also took the laptop out with me to work, to test its portability.
The HP Omen Transcend 14 (2024) is a gaming laptop, and is ideal for gaming even in more demanding titles (provided it’s plugged in and not running on battery power), but it can also be used as a work laptop. I used it for my own work and found its portability and design to both look and play the part, and its keyboard was a delight to use. Unfortunately, its battery life wasn’t amazing.
I’ve spent the past few years testing and reviewing all kinds of PC components, peripherals, and devices, including gaming laptops. I know how to test them properly, be objective and make accurate inferences from test results, and, probably more importantly, I know how to treat my devices like an end-user would, cutting the wheat from the chaff and getting to what’s most important to average PC gamers.
