HP is one of our favorite brands here at Tech Gearoid. Their laptops come with a myriad of different features and use a range of innovative tech. HP laptops are great for students and professionals. This has allowed them to become one of the most popular laptop brands on the planet, used by people all around the world.
Today, we will look at one of their most versatile performance laptops. In our HP Laptop 15T review, you'll find everything you need to know about this model.
If you are on the hunt for a laptop, you should find the information in this article helpful for researching any laptop on the market, and maybe, we will help you make your mind up. We do the research, so you don't have to!
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Pros & Cons Of The HP Laptop 15T
Here are some of the things we really like about the HP 15T, and some of the things we aren’t so fond of.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Unique Features Of The HP Laptop 15T
Next, we will look at some of the features that help set the HP 15T apart from the competition. These will be the features that make this laptop unique.
8th-Generation Intel Core i7
While it is of a slightly older generation of Central Processing Units (CPUs), the Intel i7 is still top of the pack, even since it's release, and for good reason. This is an exceptionally strong CPU, capable of calculating vast numbers of calculations every single second to allow your computer to perform to the highest level possible.
Choosing an older generation means you will save an absolute packet on the pricing without sacrificing much computing power over the marginally better current generations.
Integrated Intel 620 Graphics
Intel’s integrated graphics cards have come a long, long way. While in the past they were a little bit lackluster and suffered from low frame rates and power, the newer age of Intel GPUs is surprisingly capable. While they may not be as strong as a dedicated GPU from the likes of Nvidia, they make up for it in other ways.
Firstly, they require a tiny percentage of the energy that a dedicated card will cost you, which means a lower draw on the battery. They also run a lot cooler under strain, meaning you no longer have to burn your thighs when doing complex tasks on your lap.
After all, it is a laptop. Finally, they take up a lot less space meaning that your laptop profile will be a lot smaller.
Full-Size Island-Style Backlit Keyboard
One of the best features of the HP 15T is the full-sized keyboard with backlighting.
This keyboard is simply phenomenal.
It is full-sized, with excellent throw and spacing that makes it ridiculously comfortable to use over long periods of time at a high degree of accuracy.
You also get a full-sized number keypad which may be a major selling point for those that like to use a keypad for number input.
The last thing that sets this keyboard apart is the bright backlighting behind the keys. If you find yourself working late into the night when the sun goes down, it can be nice to see the keyboard.
BrightView WLED-Backlit IPS Touchscreen
Powered by the Intel card on board, the touchscreen WLED IPS display is a thing of beauty. It looks great in all lighting, it has crisp, vibrant colors and deep dark blacks, and it is incredibly accurate as a touchscreen. The backlighting helps ward against glare too, which is a godsend on sunny days in the office.
The IPS panel makes it perfect for gaming, too, with extremely quick refresh rates that keep your frame rates low, enabling you to make those last-minute plays and stay in the game longer.
HP TrueVision HD Camera
We have already described the HP 15T as versatile. It has strong performance, decent graphics, and a great screen, but it doesn’t stop there.
You also have the HP TrueVision HD camera, an exceptionally clear and crisp webcam that will allow you to take center stage in any meeting or team hangout. It does a great job of keeping you in the frame and looking at the camera, so you don't look like you are looking down or up.
Dual Speakers
HP has always been good at speakers and audio, and the HP 15T is no exception. The two dual speakers produce a lot of sounds at a high level of clarity and with deep and surprising bass. You can fill a room with ease with this laptop, and it sounds awesome. You won't have any trouble streaming your favorite movies on this laptop.
HP Laptop 15T Review
Specifications
Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
Standing Screen Display Size | 15.6 inches |
Max Screen Resolution | 1080p |
RAM | 12 GB |
Hard Drive Capacity | 1TB |
Battery Life | 6 hours |
Now we have looked at how this laptop stands out. We are now going to look at how it performs in more traditional fields. Combined with the unique features, you should be able to use the information from these two sections to decide if this is the right laptop for your specific needs.
Design & Display/Screen
Let’s start with the design and display. We already touched upon the high-quality touchscreen panel that HP has used here. It looks incredible, and it's highly accurate. It deals with glare and low lighting situations well too.
In terms of design, you aren't going to win any awards here. The HP 15T is very standard HP in its build.
That isn't to say it doesn't look great, though, because it does. The brushed aluminum design with striking HP metal branding gives the case a high-end executive and professional look, which is ideal for office workers.
Performance Features For Gaming
Firstly, you have a really strong i7 processor. This is always going to be a massive benefit in terms of gaming performance. It supports the other parts and prevents any bottleneck with its turbo-boost and high clock speed.
Supporting that i7, you have a whopping 12GB DDR4 RAM, which is the best kind. This is more than enough to provide a seamless, lag-free experience. Furthermore, this RAM is enough to ensure that all your other parts have the cheat sheets necessary to perform to the highest level.
In terms of storage, you get ample amounts of it via a 1TB HDD. We do wish they had included an SSD, though, even a small one to allow for quicker loading times of games. But if you have an extensive collection, at least you have lots of storage for them.
The Intel integrated graphics card onboard will allow you to play games to a decent level. On more recent and high-end AAA+ games, you might have to lower the graphics settings quite a lot, but with the strong RAM and CPU, you will still be able to enjoy them. If you're looking for a top of the range gaming laptop, you can check out our favorites here.
Keyboard & Touchpad
The keyboard on this laptop is amazing. Great resistance, great-sized keys with a nice throw, and a full-size number keypad elevate the laptop into productivity greatness. It would be perfect for accountants who work with numbers all day.
If you need a work laptop that is comfortable to type on for the whole day, we couldn’t recommend a better keyboard.
The touchpad is also really snappy and accurate, which is nice for those that prefer to use a touchpad over the touchscreen or a mouse. It isn't too large either, which some of the competition can be guilty of.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, you have a really great selection of ports. You have 2 USB 3.1 and a USB-C port too. On top of that, you get a LAN port for hooking up to hardwired high-speed internet, and you get an HDMI which allows you to plug into a monitor or TV. To top things off, you get a multi-format card reader and a headphone jack with in-out capabilities.
Battery Life & Energy Consumption
Every laptop needs its bad points, and this is the HP 15T’s. It has an awful battery life unplugged. If you are doing intensive tasks or gaming on it, don't expect more than 4 hours away from the power outlet. You might get around 6 hours if you're just doing simpler tasks.
Audio
HP knows how to pack their laptops with speakers that surprise you, and the dual speaker setup on the HP 15T is no different. They fill the room with sound with ease and have great bass and clarity. It also has great sound drivers, which allow for excellent studio-quality sound through headsets too.
Maintenance
Maintaining your HP 15T is pretty simple. The back pops off with ease and without the need for any tools, allowing you access to the components for a quick dust down.
One great thing about the HP 15T is the low temperatures that it runs at. This means the fans have an easy time and do not become clogged with dust as easily as other laptops do. This is great for the longevity of your laptop.
Price & Warranty
HP has always provided laptops at an attractive price, and the 15T is no exception. Thanks to the older generational tech on board, they have managed to bring the price down to a figure that makes this an excellent purchase. If you want a laptop with an incredible performance at a price tag that will surprise you, you could do a lot worse.
HP also has a great customer support team and offers strong warranties. We always recommend you register your machines and extend the HP warranty wherever possible. If you do, HP will be extremely happy and speedy to replace your laptop or repair it for you.
Who is the HP Laptop 15T best suited for?
The HP 15T is best suited to those who want an incredible workstation with a good level of gaming capabilities onboard and enough power to multitask without worry. If you spend a lot of time writing or word processing, it is a perfect choice.
Who is it not suitable for?
If you need a laptop that has a lengthy battery life away from the power outlet, this isn't the laptop for you.
Comparing With Other Laptops (Is The HP Laptop 15T Good?)
Let’s have a look at how it compared with its closest competition. If you have been researching at this price bracket for a while, you will have probably considered the following: The Pavillion 15, the Acer Swift 5, and the HP Envy 15.
HP Laptop 15T Vs HP Pavillion 15
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Firstly, the HP Pavillion 15. This laptop comes with an SSD onboard, which is a benefit, but it is only half the size of the 15T's 1TB. It has more RAM at 16 GB, but it only utilizes an i5, albeit a newer-generation processor.
Overall it performs relatively similar to the 15T. Ultimately it will probably come down to storage size and processor power as both laptops are similarly priced.
HP Laptop 15T Vs Acer Swift 5
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8565u Processor...
- 15. 6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen...
- Back-lit keyboard, Intel Wireless-AC...
- 1 - USB Type-C ports USB 3. 1 Gen 2 (up to...
The Acer Swift comes with nearly identical specs to the Pavillion 15. The benefit to the swift is the thin display and portability. It also has an SSD onboard and utilizes the same i7 processor as the HP 15T. It costs a little bit more, though.
HP Laptop 15T Vs HP Envy 15
- 15.6" Full HD multitouch screen The 1920 x...
- AMD Ryzen 4000 Series Mobile Processor
- 8GB system memory for advanced multitasking
- 512 GB Solid State Drive (PCI-e)
The HP Envy 360x comes with a 360-degree hinge and the AMD equivalent to the newest generation i7 processor. However, it only has 8 GB DDR4 RAM and a tiny 256 GB SSD onboard.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
When did the HP laptop 15T come out?
The HP Laptop 15T came out in 2018.
Can you play games on the HP 15T laptop?
You can do a decent amount of gaming, but for the high-end games, you will have to drastically lower the video settings to get a seamless experience.
Can I upgrade the graphics card of this laptop?
Not without voiding any warranty and a lot of complicated work. In our opinion, it simply isn’t worth it.
Does the HP 15T laptop have an SSD?
The HP 15T does not have an SSD on board; it has a 1TB HDD.
Conclusion
There we have it. The HP 15T is a really strong, capable laptop perfect for light-mid gaming and work tasks. Overall, this is a powerful and versatile laptop that will suit most people who don't need high-end gaming potential and want a large spacious keyboard that makes working a joy.
- Intel Core 8th generation(Newest) i7-8550U...
- 15.6" Touchscreen WLED-backlit FHD IPS...
- Full-size island-style backlit keyboard with...
- 1x USB 3.1 Type C, 2x USB 3.1, 1x HDMI, 1x...
Jake Redman is a UK-born-digital nomad & founder of Ultimate Quality Content, a collective of high-end copywriters formed to provide detailed insight into everything technology-related. Jake is the definition of a man-nerd. He gets excited over things like processor architecture, ray-tracing, & is an avid E-Sports fan, specifically League of Legends. When he isn’t writing detailed tech-related articles, Jake can be found performing fire-breathing shows & wields a dragon staff, or on the sofa playing Mario Kart.