HP has unleashed an updated portfolio of Omen-branded gaming hardware with the launch of the cube-shaped Omen X desktop,a new Omen gaming laptop, an Omen X curved display, and a batch of new Omen-branded peripherals provided by SteelSeries. Customers seeking the desktop solution will be able to configure and purchase the rig starting Wednesday, or wait until pre-configured setups land on retail shelves this October.
As of this article, the Omen X desktop is not listed on HP’s website. However, a press kit provided by the company shows three models: the 900-010, the 900-030, and the empty 900-011 chassis. All three sport an insane cube-shaped galvanized steel form factor that relies on two “legs” so that the desktop rests on a single corner. On the front there are three vents that are joined by two additional vents on the back. There also appears to be four expansion slots on one side along with a handful of USB ports, audio jacks, and an SD card reader.
The specifications for the 900-010 consist of a sixth-generation Intel Core i7-6700K processor, 8GB of DDR4 system memory clocked at 2,133MHz, AMD’s Radeon RX 480 graphics card with 4GB of on-board memory, and a 2TB 7,200RPM hard drive. This model also sports Wireless AC and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, a 256GB M.2 SSD, eight USB 3.0 ports, and two USB 3.0 Type-C ports. This cubed rig is optimized for VR gaming, relies on liquid cooling, and is powered by a meaty 1,300-watt power supply.
If that’s not enough gaming meat for you, check out the specs of the 900-030 model. This version packs an Intel Core i7-6700K processor too, but it also sports 16GB of DDR4 system memory at 2,133MHz, a DVD burner, and Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card with 8GB of on-board memory. Storage is provided by a 2TB 7,200RPM hard drive and a 256GB M.2 SSD along with all the other features included in the previous AMD-based model.
So there you have it: one model roots for team AMD and the other is dedicated to team Nvidia. Other notable features seen across both models include tool-less access to easily swap out components, the capability to overclock the processor, four hard drive bays, and a tri-chamber design that separates the graphics card, the hard drives, and the power supply into their own little cooling chambers. That said, the stand-alone chassis (900-011) would be great for system builders wanting to start from scratch.
As for the new Omen notebook, there’s only one, the 17-w151nr. This portable gaming solution packs a 15.6-inch WLED-backlit screen with a massive 3,840 x 2,160 resolution and support for Nvidia’s G-Sync technology. Powering this screen is a sixth-generation Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor, 16GB of DDR4 system memory, and Nvidia’s just-announced discreet GeForce GTX 1070 graphics chip with 8GB of dedicated video memory. All this is backed by a battery promising up to five hours and 30 minutes on a single charge.
Additionally, this laptop includes a 512GB M.2 SSD, an HP Wide Vision HD webcam complete with dual array digital microphones, Wireless AC and Bluetooth connectivity, four Bang & Olufsen speakers, and a full-size island-style backlit keyboard packing a numeric keypad. Port-wise there are three USB 3.1 ports, one USB 2.0 port, HDMI output, an Ethernet port, and headphone and microphone jacks.
The Omen X desktop will have a price of $1,800 on HP’s website starting Wednesday, whereas the empty Omen X chassis will have a starting price of $600. As for the full-blown retail configurations of the Omen X, expect a starting price of $2,100. However, please note that HP lists a starting price for the Omen laptop with a 17.3-inch screen as $1,600 even though the press kit only revealed the 15.6-inch model. The launch date for the 15-inch laptop is currently unknown.
Finally, HP’s Omen-branded peripheral portfolio from SteelSeries includes a $80 headset, a $100 mechanical keyboard, a $60 mouse, and a $20 mouse pad. The keyboard will feature five zones capable of 16.8 million colors, 88 built-in programmable macro keys, anti-ghosting support, and two built-in USB ports. The mouse will have RGB illumination too, along with switches with a lifespan of 30 million clicks and true 1:1 tracking. The headset will be compatible with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. All four of these items will be available to PC gamers on HP’s website in mid-September.
Unfortunately, HP really doesn’t disclose any details about the upcoming Omen X curved display. It will be the company’s first curved model sporting Nvidia G-Sync technology, making it a good companion for the new Omen X 900-030 gaming desktop. However, it’s not scheduled to appear on the market until early 2017, so expect more details about this curved solution sometime before then.
