Earlier this week at gamescom 2019, HP unveiled new OMEN and Pavilion Gaming hardware, accessories and software updates. Highlights included an update to OMEN Command Center, a new 27″ QHD OMEN X 27 display, a new Pavilion Gaming Desktop and Pavilion Gaming 15 laptop, and a number of OMEN accessories and lifestyle products.
“OMEN is a community inclusive brand committed to building a world-class ecosystem of the best hardware, software, content, and services. With the latest software and hardware additions, including OMEN Command Center, OMEN X 27 and the Pavilion Gaming Desktop, HP is enriching gaming experiences while helping gamers advance their skills and never stop improving.”
Kevin Frost, vice president and general manager, Consumer Personal Systems, HP Inc.
OMEN Command Center
The OMEN Command Center is HP’s gaming hub and is available from the Windows Store for any Windows 10 PC. The software is receiving four big updates including rewards, coaching, a game library, and profiles support.
- With Rewards Beta (powered by Versus Systems) launching in the U.S., gamers can earn prizes playing the games they love, while improving their skills and competing with others.
- Coaching arrives for OMEN PCs with initial support for League of Legends and more games on the roadmap. This AI-based tool (powered by Mobalytics) analyzes gameplay and provides key insights into strengths and weaknesses to improve player performance.
- With My Games, gamers can manage their devices and access their game libraries from one central location, providing quick and easy access to their favorite games. Includes real time monitoring of gameplay to keep track of how many hours spent on specific titles along with weekly insights.
- The new Profiles feature allows the creation of mood, activity, or game-based profiles for OMEN PCs and accessories and includes support for the OMEN Sequencer Keyboard and OMEN Photon Mouse.
OMEN X 27 Gaming Display
The OMEN X 27 boasts a Quad HD (2560×1440) resolution and an industry leading 240Hz refresh rate. The display also features an ultra-low 1ms response time and AMD FreeSync 2 HDR certification for tear-free gaming, even at higher resolutions with HDR enabled. HP’s latest gaming monitor has a full adjustable metal stand, three micro-edge bezels, and ambient lighting to round out the look and feel of your gaming station.
The OMEN X 27 Display is expected to be available in September via HP.com and other retailers for a starting price of US$649.99.
OMEN Accessories
HP also introduced two new accessories: an update to the Mindframe headset and a new Encoder Keyboard with Cherry MX switches.
OMEN Mindframe Prime Headset
We reviewed the Mindframe when it was released last year and, while suitably impressed with its ear cooling technology, there was definitely room for some minor improvements. HP listened to consumer feedback and the Mindframe Prime Headset incorporates a number of enhancements.
The updated gaming headset keeps its FrostCap active cooling technology but adds a graphite heat spreader and larger earpads for more comfort. Another improvement to the headset is the addition of Xear Environmental Noise Cancellation with dual mics. HP claims that the new noise cancellation cancels up to 40dB of background noise, allowing for fewer distractions while gaming. Finally, the new OMEN Audio Lab allows you to better tweak the sound stage with the Mindframe Prime headsets.
The OMEN Mindframe Prime Headset is expected to be available this August in Europe for a starting price of €199.99 and in North America this January via HP.com and other retailers for a starting price of US$199.99.
OMEN Encoder Keyboard
HP is big into research and found that the two most popular Cherry MX switches for gaming are the Cherry MX Brown and Red switches. As a result, they are releasing the new Encoder Keyboard with your choice of Cherry MX Red or Cherry MX Brown switches. The keyboard also features 100% anti-ghosting and n-ky rollover with OMEN Command Center integration.
The OMEN Encoder Keyboard is expected to be available in October via HP.com and other retailers for a starting price of US$99.99.
Lifestyle accessories
HP is building on their lifestyle accessory lineup with the new OMEN Transceptor 17.3″ Duffle Bag, 15″ Rolltop Backpack, 15″ Backpack and the Transceptor Headset Case which not only holds the new Mindframe Prime Headset but also has room for your gaming mouse at the same time.
The OMEN Transceptor Bags are expected to be available this August in Europe for a starting price of €49.99 and in North America this September via HP.com and other retailers for a starting price of US$49.99.
Pavilion Gaming
While the OMEN lineup is HP’s main gaming line, they do also offer up another line for mainstream gaming: Pavilion Gaming. Not only does the Pavilion Gaming Desktop and Pavilion Gaming 15 laptop provide solid gaming performance, they’re also great for those who work on the same system they game with.
Some of the key features of the Pavilion Gaming Desktop include:
- Expansion slots for up to three storage drives
- DIY upgradability for memory, graphics, network cards, and more
- Up to 9th Gen Intel i7 8-core processors
- Up to 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ 7 8- core processors
- Graphics of up to NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2070 and latest RTX 2060 SUPER™
- Up to 32GB DDR4 memory
On the other hand, the versatile Pavilion Gaming 15 is the first AMD CPU gaming laptop from the company. Some of its key features include:
- Bold angular black chassis
- Up to NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1660Ti with Max-Q13 design graphics
- Micro-edge bezels with 144Hz or 60Hz1 1080p14 display options
- Dual fan, wide rear corner vent, and enlarged air inlets for better ventilation
The company also made mention of the Pavilion Gaming Keyboard 800 and the new HP 22x and HP 24X gaming displays. Both displays features 144Hz refresh rates and 1ms response time with AMD Radeon FreeSync technology.
Availability and pricing (in USD unless otherwise noted) of the Pavilion Gaming lineup is as follows:
- Pavilion Gaming Desktop is expected to be available late August via HP.com and other retailers for a starting price of $699.99.
- Pavilion Gaming 15 Laptop is expected to be available in September via HP.com and other retailers for a starting price of $799.99.
- Pavilion Gaming Keyboard 800 is available now via HP.com and other retailers for a starting price of $79.99.
- HP 22x is expected to be available in August starting in Europe via HP.com and other retailers for a starting price €169.99.
- HP 24x is expected to be available in August via HP.com and other retailers for a starting price of $279.99.
What do you think about the latest HP OMEN and Pavilion gaming hardware and accessories? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter, Facebook, or MeWe.
Last Updated on February 3, 2021.
