HP Omen Max 16 vs MacBook Pro M4 Max: Which Premium Laptop Is Right for You?
Are you stuck between two of the most powerful laptops on the market? I get it. Choosing between the HP Omen Max 16 and the MacBook Pro 16-inch M4 Max feels like comparing apples to oranges—literally. But here's the thing: they're actually competing in the same price bracket, around $3,300-$3,500. So which one deserves your money?
After diving deep into the specs and real-world performance, I'm breaking down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your lifestyle.
The Contenders: Raw Power vs. Refined Efficiency
Let me set the stage. On one side, we have the HP Omen Max 16—a gaming powerhouse packing Intel's 24-core Ultra 9275HX processor and Nvidia's RTX 5080 graphics card. On the other side sits the MacBook Pro 16-inch M4 Max with its 14-core CPU and 32-core GPU, representing Apple's philosophy of efficiency meets performance.
Both machines retail for nearly the same price, but they're designed for completely different audiences. That's the most important thing to understand from the jump.
Performance: Let's Talk Numbers
Processing Power
When you look at the benchmarks, the MacBook Pro M4 Max pulls ahead in CPU performance. Here's what the Geekbench scores reveal:
MacBook Pro M4 Max:
- Single-core: ~4,000
- Multi-core: ~23,000
HP Omen Max 16:
- Single-core: ~3,000
- Multi-core: ~19,000
The MacBook's advantage is particularly noticeable in multi-threaded workloads. But here's where it gets interesting—the Omen can deliver raw GPU power that the MacBook simply can't match in certain scenarios.
Video Editing: The Real Test
This is where things get practical. I tested both machines exporting a 4K video project using Adobe Premiere and DaVinci Resolve.
MacBook Pro M4 Max: 1 minute, 18 seconds (on battery or plugged in—no difference)
HP Omen Max 16: 1 minute, 50 seconds (when plugged in; significantly slower on battery)
The MacBook Pro's advantage here comes from its dedicated ProRes and H.265 media engines built into the silicon. These specialized processors handle video encoding like it's nothing, and they do it while running on battery power. That's genuinely impressive.
The Omen is no slouch—it's still powerful—but it requires external power to achieve peak performance. Unplug it, and your export times balloon significantly.
Gaming: The Omen's Moment to Shine
Now let's talk about where the Omen flexes. I tested Cyberpunk 2077, and the difference is night and day.
MacBook Pro M4 Max:
- Native resolution (2560x1600), no ray tracing: 41 fps
- With Metal FX upscaling: 61 fps
- With frame generation enabled: 120 fps (maxes out the display refresh rate)
HP Omen Max 16:
- Same resolution, with ray tracing on: 143 fps
- With DLSS frame generation: Over 100 fps consistently
That's a massive gap. The Omen's dedicated RTX 5080 GPU absolutely dominates. The MacBook Pro holds its own for a machine not designed for gaming, but let's be real—there's no contest here if gaming is your primary concern.
Battery Life: Where Champions Are Made
This is one of the most underrated factors when choosing a laptop. Here's the reality:
MacBook Pro M4 Max: Up to 20 hours of light use. You can even export 4K video without battery anxiety.
HP Omen Max 16: Around 5.5 hours of light use. That's about 25% of what the MacBook delivers.
The difference? Efficiency. Apple's M-series chips are architected from the ground up to do more while consuming less power. The Omen's powerful components—especially that RTX 5080—draw significant current even at idle. During my testing, I could hear the fans spinning just sitting at the desktop. The MacBook? Silence. Complete silence.
The Noise Factor (You'll Notice This)
Speaking of fans, here's something reviewers often gloss over but you'll absolutely notice in real life: acoustics.
The MacBook Pro runs virtually silent under normal workloads. Even during video export, the cooling system is so efficient that you might not hear anything at all.
The Omen Max 16, despite being a well-engineered machine, has fans that actively spin up even during light tasks. When you push it hard? It gets noticeably louder. For a $3,300+ laptop you're taking to coffee shops or libraries, this matters.
Display Quality: Different Philosophy
The HP Omen Max 16 features a 16-inch display with 240Hz refresh rate at 2560x1600 resolution. It's designed for gaming and is buttery smooth during motion-heavy tasks and competitive gameplay. The high refresh rate is a dream for creators who appreciate fast screens too.
The MacBook Pro 16-inch sports a mini-LED XDR display with 120Hz refresh rate. It's the gold standard for color accuracy, HDR grading, and content creation. If you're doing professional color work, this display is unmatched. Reviewers consistently note that other screens look washed out in comparison.
Which is better? It depends on your needs. Gamers and speed-focused creators prefer the Omen. Professional editors prefer the MacBook.
Ports and Connectivity
The Omen offers more traditional connectivity: HDMI 2.1, Ethernet (via adapter), and USB-A ports. If you need to connect older peripherals or have specific networking needs, this is more forgiving.
The MacBook Pro goes all-in on Thunderbolt 5 and includes Thunderbolt 5 ports, MagSafe charging, and HDMI output. It's more future-focused but requires adapters for legacy devices. However, Thunderbolt 5 is significantly faster for file transfers and external displays.
The Verdict: It's About Your Lifestyle
Here's the truth that nobody wants to hear: there's no "better" laptop between these two. They're designed for fundamentally different use cases.
Choose the HP Omen Max 16 if:
- Gaming is your priority. You want to play modern AAA titles at high settings with good frame rates.
- You primarily work from a desk. Battery life isn't a dealbreaker if you're always near a power outlet.
- You want upgradeable components. The Omen gives you more options to customize and upgrade.
- You need a 240Hz display. You appreciate smooth motion, whether for gaming or fast-paced creative work.
- You're on Windows. Your software ecosystem demands it.
Choose the MacBook Pro M4 Max if:
- You're a content creator first, gamer second. Video editing, photo work, and audio production are your bread and butter.
- You need all-day battery life. Working unplugged is non-negotiable for your workflow.
- You want silent, cool performance. Fan noise drives you crazy.
- You value portability and longevity. You take your laptop everywhere and want something that performs the same whether plugged in or on battery.
- You're invested in the Apple ecosystem. macOS, iOS integration, and Final Cut Pro matter to you.
The Price Consideration
Both machines hover around $3,300-$3,500 for the base configurations I tested. The Omen Max 16 is slightly cheaper at $3,299, while the MacBook Pro 16-inch M4 Max baseline starts at $3,499.
That $200 difference is negligible compared to what you're actually getting. Choose based on what makes sense for your work, not the marginal price gap.
Final Thoughts
I've spent weeks with both of these machines, and I genuinely respect what each company has achieved. The Omen is an absolute beast for gaming and demanding GPU workloads. The MacBook Pro is a masterclasses in efficiency and all-around usability.
The real question isn't which is objectively better. It's which one aligns with how you actually work. A content creator buying the Omen would be frustrated with its battery drain during mobile editing. A gamer buying the MacBook Pro would feel disappointed with gaming performance.
Know yourself. Know your workflow. Then choose accordingly.
What would you choose? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I'd love to hear your perspective on this matchup.
Have you used either of these laptops? Share your real-world experience below. If you found this comparison helpful, consider sharing it with someone stuck between these two machines.