HP 17 Laptop Review: Mixed Display, Strong Performance
The 17.3-inch display was supposed to make things easier, but some buyers were caught off guard by its shortcomings. The HP 17 Laptop (13th Gen Intel i5) earns a cautious 7.9/10, praised for its smooth performance and ample workspace but dented by inconsistent display quality and build compromises.
Quick Verdict: Conditional
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large 17.3" screen for multitasking | Display can be lower resolution (1600x900) on some models |
| Solid performance with 13th Gen Intel i5 & Iris Xe Graphics | Keyboard flex and occasional heat around keys |
| Upgradable RAM and storage | Battery life under heavy loads drops to ~4 hours (some report less) |
| Comfortable full-size keyboard with numeric pad | Some models lack backlighting, difficult in low light |
| Decent port selection including USB-C & HDMI | No SD card reader, no optical drive |
| Thin and reasonably light for size | Plastic chassis feels less durable |
| Reliable Wi-Fi 6 connectivity | Touchpad quality underwhelms, might require mouse |
Claims vs Reality
HP markets this model’s Full HD IPS display as crisp and comfortable. While many units do ship with 1920x1080 anti-glare panels, multiple sources like LibraSpecs and Trustpilot note that “resolution is only 1600x900 pixels, which is not full HD” on certain configurations. Reddit user feedback also confirms these variances, meaning prospective buyers need to check specs carefully before purchase.
Battery life is another claim worth dissecting. HP’s site promotes Wi-Fi 6 efficiency and lasting power, but while Consumer Reports measured 8 hours in light browsing, Reddit user u/[name withheld] warned: “Maybe 4 hours of use” in real-world conditions. This suggests that while light tasks (streaming or browsing) deliver respectable endurance, heavier multitasking can cut run time almost in half.
Build quality is pitched as “sleek and professional” with thin bezels and lift-hinge design. Several Best Buy reviewers enjoyed the spacious keyboard and screen—one noted it was “nice large touch screen with good graphics and large icons for lower vision.” Yet Trustpilot’s sector analysis shows consistent mention of “plastic used may not be as durable as expected” and keyboards that bend under pressure.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Performance stands as the most consistent highlight. Across Best Buy, Newegg, and Reddit, users emphasize the smooth operation of the 13th Gen i5 with Iris Xe Graphics. A verified Best Buy buyer noted, “I did more RAM so if I wanted to watch a movie it wouldn't freeze or give me any lag.” Reddit user experience with statistical programming in R and hundreds of Chrome tabs was positive, with only keyboard warmth noted as a drawback.
For professionals working in spreadsheets, coding, and casual gaming, Iris Xe Graphics paired with upgradable RAM (up to 32GB) means room for future-proofing. Newegg's listing confirms “up to 2TB SSD” potential, making it appealing for video editors or large dataset analysts.
The typing experience gets praise when considering layout and size. Consumer Reports calls the keyboard “comfortably sized” with a dedicated number pad, aiding data entry tasks. For teaching and office work, one Best Buy reviewer summed it up: “Excellent functionality. Great value! Use for work and teaching classes. Recommend!”
Port selection also earns broad approval. USB-C, dual USB-A, full-size HDMI, and audio combo jacks cover most casual and business connectivity needs. HP True Vision webcams with noise reduction, combined with dual-array mics, provide decent conferencing support.
Common Complaints
Display quality divides opinion sharply. While anti-glare helps in bright environments, reports from LibraSpecs and Trustpilot stress the 1600x900 TN panel variant's lower sharpness and ~60% sRGB color accuracy. For creatives expecting consistent color reproduction, this is a limitation. Consumer Reports noted colors were “in the ballpark, though not completely accurate,” warning photo editors to expect compromises.
Battery inconsistency appears frequently. Reddit mentions “minimal… maybe 4 hours,” contrasting with Consumer Reports’ optimistic 8 hours under light loads. Gaming or processor-heavy tasks, per LibraSpecs, drop to just over 3 hours. This affects students in long lectures, mobile professionals, and travelers without easy access to outlets.
Build durability concerns surface in multiple platforms. Keyboard flex, as detailed in Trustpilot and Reddit, is common. One Reddit user mentioned “how warm the keyboard gets… overnight,” hinting at possible cooling inefficiencies when plugged in continuously. Plastic chassis materials, while lightweight, contribute to these impressions of fragility.
Absence of certain features is another sticking point. No SD card slot frustrates photographers. Consumer Reports confirms lack of optical drive, removing options for DVD playback or disc backups without external hardware. For some users, the touchpad feels “cheap,” leading to recommendations for using an external mouse.
Divisive Features
The large form factor appeals to multitaskers and teachers but deters frequent travelers. Best Buy reviews show appreciation for the big screen, but also acknowledge “not a model I would travel with, due to less durability compared to high-end models.” It’s thin for a 17-incher (~0.81-0.9 inches) and at ~4.6 lbs, lighter than some rivals, but still a bulkier carry compared to ultrabooks.
The backlit keyboard availability varies. Some configurations ship without it, as LibraSpecs points out, making nighttime work harder. Others, like the Newegg configurations, boast “full-size backlit soft gray keyboard,” showing this is a matter of selecting the right SKU.
Trust & Reliability
On the reliability front, HP’s reputation within Consumer Reports surveys sits mid-pack among laptop brands. While performance has held steady over initial months for most buyers, long-term durability remains in question—especially concerning keyboard integrity and chassis wear.
From Reddit’s anecdotal perspective, some users remain apprehensive due to “HP doesn’t have a great reputation,” though actual performance feedback on this generation’s 17-inch model is overwhelmingly positive. No widespread reports of catastrophic failure surfaced in short-term use cases.
Alternatives
Two alternatives consistently mentioned include the Dell Inspiron 15 3510 and Asus Chromebook Flip CM5 in price-comparable ranges, each scoring higher in global LibraSpecs rankings. For better build quality, reviewers point toward the HP 470 G9 or ProBook 455 G7—both offering more durable materials and often superior displays.
Creative professionals or gamers might consider the HP Envy 17, which offers 4K options, stronger GPU choices like Nvidia RTX, and Bang & Olufsen audio, sacrificing some battery efficiency for richer visuals and sound.
Price & Value
On Amazon, configurations with 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD list around $599, while HP’s own store shows variable builds climbing toward $686-$759 for touch and higher storage versions. eBay’s refurbished range spans $431-$525, suggesting healthy resale potential if well-maintained. Buyers capitalize most when selecting upgraded RAM and FHD IPS over the lower-resolution SKU, preventing future display dissatisfaction.
Community tips stress verifying exact specs—resolution, keyboard backlighting, and storage type—before purchase. Refurbished units, like those from eBay certified sellers, offer warranty coverage up to two years at significantly reduced prices.
FAQ
Q: Does the HP 17 Laptop always come with a Full HD display?
A: No. Some configurations use 1600x900 TN panels, which are not Full HD. Buyers should confirm resolution in the spec sheet to avoid surprises.
Q: How long does the battery last on average?
A: Under light browsing, around 8 hours per Consumer Reports. Heavy multitasking or gaming can reduce endurance to 3-4 hours.
Q: Can I upgrade the RAM and SSD?
A: Yes, up to 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD according to Newegg. This makes it suitable for high-demand workloads and large file libraries.
Q: Is the HP 17 suitable for creative work like photo or video editing?
A: It handles such tasks at a functional level, but color accuracy (~60% sRGB) and possible lower resolution limit professional-grade editing quality.
Q: Does it have a backlit keyboard?
A: Some versions do, but others lack it entirely. Verify before purchase if nighttime usability is important.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a home or office user needing a large screen, solid multitasking, and upgrade options. Avoid if portability, precise color reproduction, or guaranteed long battery life are priorities. Pro tip from the community: always double-check your specific model’s resolution and keyboard features before clicking “Add to Cart.”
