HP 17 Laptop Review: Big Screen, Mixed Display Verdict
A Best Buy buyer summed it up in six words: “Very nice computer, love the size.” The HP 17 Laptop 17.3-inch (13th Gen Intel i5) earns a solid 8.2/10 from aggregated feedback — praised for its spacious screen, competent performance, and value pricing, but held back by middling display quality, limited portability, and occasional heat.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — excellent for stationary work or light gaming, less ideal for on-the-go creatives.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large 17.3" screen improves visibility for work and streaming | TN panel or HD+ resolution on some models lacks crispness |
| Strong multitasking with i5-1335U and up to 32GB RAM upgrade potential | Keyboard can bend slightly during typing |
| Good battery life for size — 7 to 8 hours mixed use reported | No memory card slot |
| Comfortable full-size keyboard with numeric keypad | Backlit keyboard missing on certain SKUs |
| Upgrade-friendly (RAM and storage) | Touchpad feels cheap, many recommend using a mouse |
| Quiet fan noise | Some users report warmth on the keyboard |
| Solid port selection including USB-C and HDMI | Lacks Ethernet port |
Claims vs Reality
HP markets the 17 series as delivering “reliable performance with an Intel processor, fast Wi-Fi, and plenty of storage.” On paper, this is backed by 13th Gen Core i5 CPUs, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and FHD IPS panels on higher-end configurations. However, digging deeper into user reports reveals compromises, especially in display quality.
Marketing touts “Full HD” visuals, yet several buyers learned after purchase that some models use HD+ (1600x900) TN panels. A verified Amazon buyer complained: “All that power but it has just a 720 display… kind of a waste of time.” This lower resolution was particularly disappointing for users expecting crisp image editing or high-definition streaming. Others, however, found these panels acceptably bright (250 nits) and appreciated their anti-glare finish, especially for gaming where lower resolution can yield higher frame rates.
Battery life claims vary from HP's stated long hours to real-world mixed use. Reddit user feedback shows one owner achieving about four hours under heavier loads, while Trustpilot’s LibraSpecs review recorded “up to 7.5 hours from a single charge in mixed usage.” The disparity appears tied to workload intensity—heavy file processing and statistical programming drain faster than light browsing or streaming.
HP’s highlight of “quiet operation” largely holds true. Reddit commenters described fan noise as “quite quiet,” contrasting with rare negative reviews noting overheating. One Amazon Mexico buyer warned, “La computadora es muy ruidosa y se calienta demasiado rápido,” suggesting that some configurations or environments may trigger heat and noise issues.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, and Consumer Reports, the large display is repeatedly cited as a life-improver for work tasks. One Best Buy owner with lower vision said, “Nice large touch screen with good graphics and large icons.” For spreadsheet-heavy workloads, the full-size numeric keypad is a productivity booster; several reviewers in both English and Spanish highlight this.
Performance gets steady praise. The combo of a 13th Gen i5-1335U and Iris Xe graphics handles daily productivity, coding, and light gaming. Consumer Reports found it “among the fastest with common tasks such as web browsing and video conferencing,” while a Reddit user noted it tamed “a million Chrome tabs” without freezing.
Battery life, while variable, impressed many for a 17-inch machine. One Trustpilot reviewer stretched it to almost 10 hours when streaming Netflix, while Consumer Reports clocked 8 hours in light workloads. For home office workers, this means fewer interruptions for charging.
Upgrade potential is a quiet win. Reddit users and Newegg specs confirm dual RAM slots and the ability to add a 2.5-inch HDD, allowing budget buyers to expand later rather than overspend upfront.
Common Complaints
Display quality takes the brunt of criticism. Resolutions of 1600x900 or even 1336x768 on budget configurations leave text and images less sharp. Color accuracy (~60% sRGB) means it is “suitable for photo and video editing occasionally,” but not for professionals.
Build materials divide opinion. While HP claims it’s “thoughtfully designed,” multiple owners mention a “plastic shell” and slight keyboard flex. Best Buy’s 5-star review tempered praise with: “Not a model I would travel with, due to less durability.”
Port omissions are another irritant. No SD card slot or Ethernet port means external adapters are required for photographers or those without strong Wi-Fi.
Heat is a recurring minor issue. One Reddit buyer noticed “how warm the keyboard gets… it gets warm overnight,” and an international Amazon reviewer warned of quick heat build-up. Though not universal, this could affect long typing sessions in warm environments.
Divisive Features
The backlit keyboard appears on some models but not others, frustrating buyers who assumed it was standard. Trustpilot’s LibraSpecs notes “there is no backlit keyboard” in their test unit, a dealbreaker for night-time work.
Touchpad quality splits opinions. Some ignore it entirely, opting for an external mouse; others tolerate it for casual use.
Battery readings diverge greatly between light and heavy users. Consumer Reports’ positive 8-hour rating clashes with Reddit’s 4-hour under load, underlining the importance of matching expectations to typical use.
Trust & Reliability
While HP’s long-term brand reliability is acceptable, Reddit’s “what’s the catch?” thread hints at buyer hesitation due to past HP reputation. These laptops tend to hold up fine for desk-bound use, but concerns over heat and keyboard durability remain.
No widespread scam claims emerged, but international buyers on Amazon warned about partial refunds when returning imported units. Certified-refurbished listings on eBay from authorized resellers with Allstate 2-year warranties provided extra confidence.
Durability over months seems reasonable for light-to-moderate use, with no major performance degradation reported. Still, plastic-heavy builds and bending keyboards could be vulnerabilities under heavy travel.
Alternatives
Trustpilot and LibraSpecs point towards the Dell Inspiron 15 3510 and Asus Chromebook Flip CM5 as alternatives with better display scores in similar price ranges. Another suggestion is HP’s own ProBook 455 G7 for sturdier build quality and potentially superior thermals.
For those willing to spend more, HP Envy 17 stands out with 4K options, Bang & Olufsen audio, and touch screen availability — features missing from this base 17 series.
Price & Value
Community-sourced prices range from $358 for certified refurbishments on eBay to $686–$759 new at major retailers. Given the upgradability and competent performance, even mid-tier configurations offer fair value compared to rivals.
Resale value will hinge on display spec — FHD IPS versions command more than HD+ TN panels. Buying tips from Reddit and Amazon reviewers emphasize checking resolution before purchasing and leveraging sales on refurbished “like new” units to save $200 or more.
## FAQ
Q: Does the HP 17 Laptop come with a backlit keyboard?
A: Some configurations include it, others do not. Buyers should verify specs before purchase to avoid disappointment, as several users reported expecting it but receiving non-backlit versions.
Q: How is the battery life in real-world use?
A: Light workloads can reach 7–8 hours, streaming approaches 10 in some cases, but heavy programming or gaming may cut this to 3–4 hours.
Q: Is the display Full HD on all models?
A: No. While some higher-end models offer 1920x1080 IPS panels, many value versions use 1600x900 TN screens, which are less sharp and color-accurate.
Q: Can the RAM and storage be upgraded?
A: Yes. The laptop supports up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM and can add a 2.5-inch HDD or larger SSD.
Q: Is this laptop good for gaming?
A: Suitable for light gaming and older titles. Higher-end games may run at reduced settings, especially on HD+ panels.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a home office worker, student, or casual gamer who values a large screen, comfortable keyboard, and affordable power. Avoid if you need high color accuracy, ultra-portability, or professional-grade video editing. Pro tip from the community: always double-check panel resolution and seek refurbished FHD IPS models for the best deal-to-quality ratio.
