HP 17 17.3-inch Laptop Review: Strong but Flawed Buy
An overlooked contender in the 17-inch laptop market, the HP 17 Laptop 17.3-inch (13th Gen Intel i5) earns a solid 8.3/10 from aggregated user feedback. While marketed as a comfortable, big-screen productivity powerhouse, real-world experiences show a nuanced picture—particularly around battery life, build quality, and thermal behavior.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy — excellent for home office and light media work, less ideal for mobile professionals
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large 17.3" display with decent brightness and anti-glare coating | Varies between TN panels (lower res) and IPS—check before buying |
| Strong everyday performance from Intel i5-1334U/1335U and Iris Xe graphics | Keyboard flex and cheap touchpad feel noted by multiple buyers |
| Generous RAM and storage configurations (up to 16GB/1TB SSD) | Battery life ranges from 4h (Reddit) to 8h (Consumer Reports) |
| Comfortable full-size keyboard with dedicated numeric pad | Some models lack backlit keyboards despite marketing images |
| Good port selection including USB-C, HDMI, Wi-Fi 6 | No SD card reader or Ethernet port |
| Capable of light gaming in addition to productivity tasks | Warm keyboard surface after extended use |
Claims vs Reality
HP’s marketing highlights the 17.3-inch FHD screen, “thoughtfully designed” chassis, and the performance punch of 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processors. Spec sheets tout a crisp 1920x1080 IPS display with anti-glare and 250 nits of brightness.
Digging deeper into user reports reveals that not all HP 17 configurations share these specs. Trustpilot data shows some variants shipping with TN panels at 1600x900 resolution, leading to less-crisp visuals. One source bluntly noted, “the tn panel’s resolution is only 1600x900 pixels, not even full hd.” This is a significant discrepancy for buyers expecting uniformly high-resolution screens.
Battery marketing claims emphasize all-day use. Consumer Reports measured up to 8 hours in light browsing, but Reddit user feedback paints a shorter picture: “battery life is pretty minimal. maybe 4 hours of use.” This suggests power performance depends heavily on workload and configuration, with sustained heavy use draining faster than marketing implies.
HP also promotes the Iris Xe graphics as enabling “rich gaming experiences.” In practice, Reddit and LibraSpecs reviewers agree it’s good for light gaming and tasks like statistical programming or video streaming, but not for demanding AAA titles—though medium settings are achievable in older or optimized games.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon, Best Buy, and Newegg, the large screen size is a clear hit for productivity users. A Best Buy buyer explained, “I intentionally got a larger screen so I can see what I’m doing. I did more RAM so if I wanted to watch a movie it wouldn’t freeze or give me any lag.”
Consumer Reports highlighted wide viewing angles and anti-reflective coating as making it comfortable in bright rooms, useful for shared viewing like video presentations. Verified buyers praised the smooth multitasking enabled by up to 16GB RAM and SSD speeds—important for users juggling “large Excel spreadsheets, statistical programming in R, a million Chrome tabs” as described by one Reddit poster.
The integrated Iris Xe graphics earned approval from casual gamers and content creators alike. Quora feedback called them “fantastic during work multitasking, coding, and compiling” while still capable of light entertainment use.
Common Complaints
Keyboard flex emerges as a recurring critique. LibraSpecs observed, “the keyboard does bend a little when typing text,” echoed by Reddit user experiences. While most say this doesn’t ruin typing sessions, it contributes to a less-premium feel.
Temperature management is another issue for frequent typists. One Reddit user noted, “only thing I don’t love is how warm the keyboard gets and that it gets warm overnight,” hinting at heat retention even when idle.
Port omissions matter to some buyers. Absence of Ethernet and SD card readers means photographers and those in wired offices will need adapters. Consumer Reports confirmed no memory-card reader, a limit for rapid photo imports without extra gear.
Display inconsistency between TN and IPS panels is perhaps the biggest buyer trap—some models praise “stunning display” with FHD clarity, while TN owners note duller colors and lower resolution.
Divisive Features
Battery life perceptions split sharply. Consumer Reports’ 8-hour light-use measurement contrasts with Reddit’s 4-hour estimate under heavier workloads — suggesting that stationary use with access to chargers negates the concern. For mobility-focused buyers, expectations must be managed.
Build material perceptions range from “sleek and professional” (LibraSpecs) to “plastic shell… not a model I would travel with” (Best Buy reviewer). Those valuing lightweight portability might appreciate the 4.5-4.9 lb weight, but durability advocates may see the plastic construction as a compromise.
Trust & Reliability
Long-term reliability data is limited, but HP’s broader reputation is discussed cautiously. The Reddit OP admitted nervousness given “HP doesn’t have a great reputation” though responses assured them of decent performance. Refurbished eBay offerings labeled “factory recertified” and “like-new” suggest an active second-hand market with warranty-backed purchases—minimizing some risk.
Consumer Reports confirmed that applications “start up almost instantly” and the laptop remained “among the fastest with common tasks” during testing. Minor ergonomic issues, like low-contrast key lettering, were partially offset by backlighting in certain models.
Alternatives
LibraSpecs repeatedly points toward the Dell Inspiron 15 3510 and Asus Chromebook Flip CM5 as higher-scoring alternatives in similar price brackets. For buyers seeking upgraded build and display for slightly more, HP’s own ProBook 455 G7 or HP 470 G9 are cited, with sharper screens and sturdier construction.
Price & Value
At the time of review, prices ranged from $499.99 (eBay refurbished) to $689.99 (Best Buy new), with Amazon listing certain configs around $599. Given the large screen and modern CPU, community consensus sees it as an “economical HP product option” for home and office use—especially when purchased under $600. Buyers aiming for resale should note that refurbished listings retain around 75% of original value within a year, aided by active warranty coverage.
FAQ
Q: What is the actual screen resolution on the HP 17?
A: It varies—some models have 1920x1080 FHD IPS panels, others ship with TN panels at 1600x900. Check seller specifications carefully before purchase.
Q: Can the HP 17 handle gaming?
A: Yes, for light or older titles. Iris Xe graphics perform well for casual gaming and multitasking but fall short in high-end modern games without lowered settings.
Q: Is the RAM upgradeable?
A: Yes. Users confirm two slots allow expansion beyond stock configurations, with some adding up to 32GB.
Q: How long does the battery last?
A: Reports range from 4 hours under heavy multitasking to 8 hours in light browsing. Streaming-heavy use can cut this further.
Q: Does it have a backlit keyboard?
A: Not on all models. Some configurations include it, others do not—a source of frustration for night workers.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a home office user, student, or casual gamer who values a large display and can work near a charger. Avoid if mobility, premium build, or color-accurate display are top priorities. Pro tip from the community: verify panel type and keyboard backlight before buying, as these vary widely between HP 17 configurations.
