The HP Pavilion 16 is a laptop designed to cater to both office workers and multimedia enthusiasts. It combines an energy-efficient AMD processor with a sleek, stylish design. This review will cover all the important aspects of the laptop, including its performance, display, battery life, and more.
Design and Build Quality
The HP Pavilion 16 boasts a high-quality build. The chassis is made of metal, giving it a premium feel that’s rare in this price range (below €1,000). The laptop is lightweight at just 1.7 kg , making it one of the lightest 16-inch laptops available. Its slim profile (18.6 mm thick ) also adds to its portability.
The design is not only stylish but also sturdy. Even under pressure, the laptop doesn’t flex much, thanks to its metal lid and base. However, there are some minor drawbacks:
- Rattling noises can occur when typing.
- The maximum screen opening angle is limited to 130°, which might feel restrictive for some users.
Display
The Pavilion 16 features a 16-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920×1200 pixels. While the contrast ratio is decent (1600:1 ) and blacks appear deep, the color accuracy leaves room for improvement. Here’s a breakdown:
- Brightness: Around 295 cd/m², which is okay for indoor use but not ideal for outdoor environments.
- Color Space : Covers only 62% of the sRGB spectrum, which is below average for creative tasks like photo or video editing.
- Viewing Angles : Typical for an IPS panel—good but not exceptional.
For everyday tasks like browsing or watching videos, the display is satisfactory. However, professionals who need accurate colors may find it lacking.
Performance
Under the hood, the Pavilion 16 is powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 8540U , a six-core processor built on the efficient Zen 4 architecture . Paired with 16 GB of RAM and a speedy 1 TB NVMe SSD , the laptop handles multitasking and productivity apps with ease.
Here’s how it performs:
- Everyday Use: Smooth and responsive, whether you’re working on documents, browsing the web, or streaming videos.
- Gaming : The integrated AMD Radeon 740M GPU can handle older or less demanding games like Dota 2 but struggles with modern titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 . For serious gaming, consider laptops with dedicated GPUs.
- Benchmark Scores : In tests like Cinebench R15 and PCMark 10, the Pavilion 16 holds its own against competitors in its class.
One downside is that the RAM is soldered, meaning it cannot be upgraded later. Additionally, there’s only one M.2 slot , so storage expansion is limited.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Pavilion 16 is its impressive battery life . During our Wi-Fi browsing test (with brightness set to 150 cd/m²), the laptop lasted over 11 hours . This makes it perfect for long workdays or travel without needing frequent recharges.
Ports and Connectivity
The Pavilion 16 offers a decent selection of ports:
- Left Side : USB-A 3.0 and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
- Right Side : Two USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 ports (supporting DisplayPort 1.4), HDMI 2.1, and another USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 port.
While most users won’t miss anything, note that there’s no SD card reader—a common omission in budget laptops.
Wi-Fi performance is adequate but not top-tier. The Realtek RTL8852BE chip delivers average speeds compared to other devices in its class.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard is comfortable for typing, offering crisp feedback. However, occasional rattling sounds from the casing can be distracting. On the plus side:
- A numeric keypad is included, which is great for data entry.
- The touchpad is spacious (12.5 x 8 cm ) and supports smooth gestures.
Sound Quality
The speakers deliver above-average sound for a laptop. While the bass could be stronger, the overall balance across mids and highs is good. Whether you’re watching movies or attending video calls, the audio experience is pleasant.
Thermal Management
The Pavilion 16 stays cool during regular use, with surface temperatures rarely exceeding 30°C in idle mode. Under heavy loads, the laptop remains within safe limits:
- Top Surface : Up to 42°C .
- Bottom Surface : Up to 44°C .
Noise levels are commendable too. Even during intensive tasks, the fan noise peaks at around 39 dB(A) , which is noticeable but not overly loud.
Energy Efficiency
This laptop is highly energy-efficient. It consumes just 4-6 watts in idle mode and around 40-46 watts under load. The included 65-watt charger ensures fast charging without being bulky.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High-quality, durable build.
- Long battery life (over 11 hours).
- Comfortable keyboard with a numeric keypad.
- Good performance for everyday tasks.
- Includes a physical webcam shutter for privacy.
Cons:
- Limited color space (only 62% sRGB).
- RAM is soldered; no upgrade option.
- Occasional rattling noises during typing.
- No SD card reader.
Price and Availability
At the time of testing, the HP Pavilion 16 was priced at approximately €730 , making it a solid value for money. Competitors like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 6 and ThinkPad E16 offer similar specs but often cost more.
Who Should Buy It?
The HP Pavilion 16 is ideal for:
- Students and office workers looking for a reliable, portable laptop.
- Multimedia enthusiasts who want a stylish device for casual use.
- Budget-conscious buyers who prioritize battery life and build quality over raw power.
However, if you’re into gaming or professional content creation, you might want to explore options with better graphics capabilities and color accuracy.
Final Verdict
With a rating of 77% , the HP Pavilion 16 is a well-rounded laptop that excels in areas like build quality, battery life, and everyday usability. While it has some limitations (like the modest display and lack of upgradability), these are outweighed by its strengths. If you’re searching for a stylish, affordable laptop that gets the job done, the Pavilion 16 is definitely worth considering.
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