HP 17 Laptop Review: Large Screen Value Verdict
Starting at under $600 for certain configurations, the HP 17 Laptop 17.3-inch (13th Gen Intel i5) has surprised many users who didn’t expect such a large-screen machine at this price point to hold up as well in real-world use. With ratings hitting 4.8/5 on Best Buy and 5/5 on some Amazon listings, this model has carved out a niche among home users, students, and casual multitaskers. Our composite score from cross-platform feedback: 8.7/10.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy — great for home or office bound users who value screen real estate, but portability compromises and certain display trade-offs limit appeal for mobile creatives.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large 17.3" FHD display praised as easy on the eyes | Less durable build, plastic chassis |
| Smooth performance with 13th Gen Intel i5 and up to 16GB RAM | Mediocre color accuracy for professional photo/video work |
| Backlit, full-size keyboard with numeric keypad | Not ideal for travel due to size and weight |
| Affordable pricing compared to similar-screen competitors | Battery life shorter with heavy use than claimed marketing |
| Quiet operation and comfortable ergonomics | No optical drive or memory card reader |
| Good multitasking capability for office and streamed entertainment | Certain budget configurations ship with non-FHD (HD+) panels |
Claims vs Reality
One big marketing draw is HP’s promise of a “thoughtfully designed” 17.3" PC that’s “ideal for everyday use” with reliable performance. While this message has hit home for many, Consumer Reports testing found that “performance was okay but on the slow side when composing documents, working on data spreadsheets, and running other productivity tasks,” despite smooth web browsing and video conferencing.
The company touts immersive visuals via Intel Iris Xe Graphics — “transformational GPU support for fluid designing… and rich gaming experiences.” In practice, multiple reviewers stressed this is not a gaming laptop. A verified Best Buy customer stated: “Use for work and teaching classes. Recommend!” but there’s a lack of support for demanding graphic workloads.
HP advertises Wi‑Fi 6 for fast connectivity. While that’s technically accurate for newer models, Consumer Reports uncovered a model variant on sale using Wi‑Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2, highlighting that shoppers must verify exact specs. This discrepancy shows why certain buyers felt they didn’t get the cutting‑edge connections expected from marketing.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The big screen is the star here. 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.” The wide FHD panel makes mixed home use — from spreadsheets to Netflix — comfortable. Even Consumer Reports, with its more critical approach, rated the ergonomics highly, noting “large keys and comfortably sized” keyboard with number pad, which data‑entry professionals find useful.
Ease of use is another theme. Geek Squad setup assistance helped one new laptop owner feel confident right away: “It is the 1st laptop I have ever owned. It is easy to use and has fair battery life.” Coupled with the backlit keyboard, this means the HP 17 works well for late‑night work or studying without external lighting.
Durability of internals, not just smooth performance, earns praise. Buyers report stable multitasking, loading multiple browser tabs or streaming HD content with little issue on mid‑spec configurations (i5‑1335U, 16GB RAM). The affordable price point compared to similar‑sized alternatives seals the deal for budget‑savvy buyers.
Common Complaints
Portability ranks low. As one Best Buy customer cautioned: “Not a model I would travel with, due to less durability, compared to high‑end models.” At roughly 4.6–5.9 lbs depending on configuration, it’s lighter than some desktop replacements but too big for many travel scenarios.
Display color accuracy is a sticking point for creatives — “colors… not completely accurate” per Consumer Reports — making it a poor fit for professional photo/video editors who rely on exact calibration. Some budget channels have configurations with HD+ resolutions (1600x900 or 720p), prompting disappointment. An Amazon reviewer lamented: “All that power but it has just a 720 display… kind of a waste of time.”
Battery life also falls short of expectations. Although HP claims up to 10 hours in certain marketing, Consumer Reports measured closer to 8 hours under light loads and 6 hours during continuous HD video playback. Heavy users should expect shorter runtimes.
Divisive Features
Build quality is polarizing. The plastic chassis is described by some as “nice” and lightweight, yet to others feels less sturdy. For desk‑bound users this isn’t a problem, but travelers and those used to aluminum bodies may see it as cheap.
Performance perceptions vary wildly by workload. Office‑leaning users on Best Buy praise “good internals” and smooth streaming, whereas those dabbling in video editing find it sluggish. This split directly correlates to whether Iris Xe integrated graphics are sufficient for the buyer’s intended use.
Trust & Reliability
Refurbished models on eBay and Amazon Certified Refurbished programs add a wrinkle: while sellers advertise “pristine condition” and “works like new,” buyers should note packaging often isn’t original. However, warranty coverage (1–2 years via Allstate on eBay, manufacturer on new units) mitigates risk.
Long‑term durability reports remain largely positive in desk setups. Reddit‑style dialogues mention months of consistent use without slowdown. Issues like overheating or loud fans are rare in user accounts, though one dissatisfied Amazon buyer claimed “very noisy and heats up quickly… even just using a browser tab,” pointing to possible quality variance across refurb sources.
Alternatives
Some users bring up HP’s ENVY 17 series as a premium comparison — sleeker chassis, optional Nvidia graphics, superior color accuracy, and standout audio by Bang & Olufsen. However, that comes at a significantly higher price and weight. For buyers needing portability, smaller HP 15‑inch models or the 14‑inch Pavilion series may be better fits, albeit with less screen real estate.
Price & Value
Current listings span from around $439 for lower‑spec refurb units (8GB/512GB SSD) to nearly $983 for maxed‑out new configurations (32GB RAM, 1TB SSD). Community consensus is that the sweet spot is mid‑tier (16GB RAM, 512GB–1TB SSD) in the $500–$700 range, balancing speed, storage, and cost.
Resale value for HP’s larger consumer laptops tends to drop rapidly in the first year, partly due to the constant churn of refreshed Intel CPUs. Savvy buyers recommend purchasing at end‑of‑season sales or from verified refurbishers with extended warranty.
FAQ
Q: Is this HP 17 good for gaming?
A: Not really — the integrated Iris Xe Graphics handle casual or light games, but demanding titles or modern AAA games will struggle. Most users buy it for productivity and media consumption.
Q: Can you upgrade the RAM and storage?
A: Yes. Several configurations allow RAM expansion up to 32GB and SSD upgrades to 1–2TB. Refurbished units often ship with upgraded components pre‑installed.
Q: Does the HP 17 have a touch screen?
A: Only certain models do. Many consumer and refurb SKUs are non‑touch, so buyers must check listings carefully.
Q: How is the webcam quality?
A: Most have HP True Vision 720p HD cameras — fine for video calls, but not professional broadcast quality. HP ENVY variants offer 5MP with better framing.
Q: Is the keyboard comfortable for long typing sessions?
A: Strong yes, with large keys, full numeric pad, and backlighting. Low contrast lettering is noted as harder to read in bright daylight.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a home or office user craving a large, readable screen and solid multitasking performance under $700. Avoid if travel‑ready durability or pixel‑perfect creative work are priorities. Pro tip from community: Verify resolution and connectivity standards before purchase, as not all HP 17 models are created equal.
