HP Pavilion 15 Review - The Good Choice Laptop

Laptops nowadays are already considered essential. Not only it is more portable than desktops, but it is also very powerful when it comes to performance than most devices. Amongst hundreds of available laptops in the market right now, which one should you choose?

Pro-Tip In Choosing The Best Laptop

You have to smartly think about where will you be investing your savings when it comes to buying a laptop. Below are the top 5 of the best tips we've gathered before you buy a new laptop.

1. Know Your Purpose

Keep in mind why you need a laptop in the first place. Why not consider some alternatives that will not break the bank? Know how it will help you in the long run. Do you need a new laptop because you need to do some photo and video editing? Do you need a new laptop because you are a gamer and need high specs? Do you need a new laptop because you will need to do some light browsing and need to run basic productivity tools? Whatever your purpose is, there is a laptop specifically tailored to your need.

2. Do Not Buy A Low-Memory Laptop

When you’re intending to install a software on your laptop, it usually requires the minimum memory that your laptop should have for the software to run smoothly. Nowadays, the minimum requirement should be at least 8GB of RAM. If you go lower than that, expect that your laptop will lag. Go for an upgradable laptop so if you need extra memory juice in the future, you can always upgrade it.

3. Do Not Buy An Hdd Laptop

There is a constant battle between HDD (hard disk drive) and SSD (solid state drive) disk drives in the technology field. If you’re buying a new laptop, you have to know the difference between the two. HDD is a fixed disk data storage device that stores data with spinning platters. SSD on the other hand uses modern technology to store your data on instantly accessible memory chips. Aside from the fact that SSDs are newer, they are also quieter, faster, smaller, durable, and consume less energy. Go for an upgradable SSD so you’ll have the choice to expand the storage should you need it.

4. Do Not Buy A Windows 7 Laptop

Windows 7 are already considered obsolete. Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 7, meaning Microsoft is no longer providing security updates and technical support, as of January 2020. If you’re considering buying a new laptop, go for Windows 10 as it's upgradable to the latest operating system of Windows – the Windows 11.

5. Do Not Buy Old-Generation Laptops

Every year, manufacturers of processors are releasing new models. Whether you will go for Intel or with AMD, watch out for the models that they are releasing. For instance, with Intel, you will need to watch out for the core generation model it was released. 5th generation processors were released on 2014, 6th generation on 2015, and at the moment, we are already on the 12th model. Don’t buy laptops that are below the 10th generation as they might have problems running applications that are demanding high specifications. Remember, the higher the generation, the faster your processor will be.

Now that you have an idea of the best specifications of a laptop, let’s review and explore one of HP’s flagship entry-level laptops – the HP Pavilion 15.

HP Pavilion 15 Laptop PC Review

If you’re a student or a young professional and you are considering to buy a laptop that will fit your budget, this might be the deal for you. Not only HP Pavilion 15 is the best for your budget, but it will also meet your needs whether you’re taking some notes, binge-watching your favorite online shows, or taking productivity to the next level. Here are the high-level specs of HP Pavilion 15. Note that this laptop has lots of variations and will depend on the availability in your country.

HP Pavilion 15 Specifications

• Display Size: 15.6 inches diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS with 250 nits
• Display Resolution: 1366x768 pixels
• Screen-to-body ratio: 86%
• Dimensions: 360.1 x 233.9 x 17.8 mm (14.18 x 9.21 x 0.7 inches)
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe / Nvidia GeForce MX250 or 940MX (some variations)
• Processor: Intel Core i7-1195G7 (11th Generation with up to 5.0 GHz, 12MB L3 cache, 4 cores, 8 threads) or AMD Ryzen 5 5500U (up to 4.0 GHz, 8 MB L3 cache, 6 cores, 12 thread)
• Memory: 8GB
• Storage: 256 GB to 512 GB PCIe NVMe SSD (also comes with 1 TB SSD)
• Operating System: Windows 10 (some variants also come with Windows 11 Home)
• Color: Natural Silver, Ceramic White, Fog Blue, Forest Teal, Warm Gold
• WiFi: 802.11 ac
• Bluetooth version: 4.2
• Ethernet: 10/100 Base T
• Camera: 0.3 megapixel HP Wide Vision 720p HD camera with integrated dual array microphones

PROCESSOR

This laptop has 2 available variations of processor. The Intel variation comes with an 11th generation chip that can run up to 5.0 GHz. The AMD variation comes with the AMD Ryzen 5 that can run up to 4 GHz speeds. Both processors can provide 4 cores of power. This means that even though it is considered an entry-level laptop, HP will provide you with a good processor that will be able to handle your day-to-day work.

GRAPHICS AND DISPLAY

HP Pavilion laptops can handle light to moderate photo and video. With its given graphics specs, it is designed to perform. With Nvidia GeForce MX250 or 940MX graphics cards, it will be able to deliver 3.5 times faster than integrated graphics cards. The display is also available in HD (High Definition) or FHD (Full High Definition) at 1920 x 1080 pixels. The screen resolution is at the standard of 60Hz and 100 pixels per inch (ppi). There is a touchscreen variant of the HP Pavilion 15 but that price is much higher.

MEMORY

Coming with an extra slot for memory, you can upgrade your laptop’s RAM for an extra 8 GB. This will give your laptop a breather should you encounter lags when you’re opening lots of applications. The base variant comes with 8 GB but you can upgrade to a maximum memory of 32 GB capacity.

STORAGE

The storage of this laptop comes with a 256 GB variant up to 1 TB which clocks up to 100 times faster than HDD. If that is not enough storage, you can expand your storage by inserting removable devices such as USBs or external hard disk drives as this laptop has fast USB 3.1 ports.

WEIGHT AND BUILT

This laptop looks premium but it is predominantly plastic and it weighs 1.75 kg (3.86 lbs). It has a thin build at only 0.7 inches that you can easily carry in your bag. Just for comparison, its premium siblings such as the HP Spectre Folio is at 0.6 inches.

KEYBOARD AND TRACKPAD

The laptop’s full-sized chiclet-style keyboard makes it easier to type. Since this is a 15.6 inch laptop, it comes with a snappy number pad, ideal for numeric data entry.

The trackpad is measured at 115mm x 60mm.

BATTERY PERFORMANCE

HP Pavilion 15 comes with a 41 Wh Li-Ion battery capacity with a full charging time of 1 hour and 30 minutes. The battery is not removable, but it supports fast charging and can last you about 8 hours of battery life for HD and FHD displays.

AUDIO AND SOUND

HP Pavilion 15 comes with audio developed by HP Audio by Bang and Olufsen. It comes with a dual speaker setup that creates an immersive experience when you’re watching movies or online content.

PORTS AND LED INDICATORS

The left side of the laptop has an HDMI port, a Gigabit Ethernet port with LED status, a USB Type-C port, and the status LED for the SSD drive and headphones. On the right side has a memory card reader, a Kensington lock slot, 2 standard USB type A ports, and the charging port with its LED. All ports are supporting USB 3.1 Gen 1.

FURTHER REVIEW

The laptop opens at 140 The base of the laptop is rigid with an air vent and rubber feet. The whole body of the laptop is built entirely of plastic so the top cover feels a little bit flimsy but very premium when looked at.

The laptop has a built-in McAfee LiveSafe security trial version for 30 days. You can extend the support by purchasing a license for 12, 24 to 36 months which comes with up to 70% savings.

PRICE

In HP’s official store on Amazon, HP Pavilion 15 price is $849. Prices may vary depending on the specs or variations you will choose. Some stores on Amazon offer lower prices but you’re trading the warranty compared to one offered by the official HP store.

PROS AND CONS OF HP PAVILION 15

Laptops are not perfect. Though there are different variations that the manufacturers usually provide, there are things that you can find somewhere else. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of the HP Pavilion 15.

HP Pavilion 15 Pros And Cons

• Affordable price range. Since this is an entry-level laptop, expect that the price range is very affordable. Recommended for students, professionals, and business owners. As you prefer higher specs, the price will go a little bit higher, but still acceptable.
• Thin-looking laptop. The laptop has a 0.7 inches height when the lid is closed.
• Premium specs. HP did a remarkable job of putting together the latest processor, storage capacity, and memory that can withstand any software that you run with it.
• Comes with Windows 11 out of the box. Not like some laptops which still come with Windows 10, this one will not require you to upgrade. It’s fully optimized with Microsoft’s latest operating system.
• Premium-looking laptop. HP Pavilion 15 is one classy laptop. It is well built and it looks sleek.

• Subpar battery life. The battery is underwhelming and could be better as the promised 8 hours of battery life will not take you too much further. You’ll end up charging the laptop before your workday ends.
• Displays can be a little bit dimmer in some situations. HP can improve the display on this laptop. Even though this is an entry-level laptop, there are other laptops available out there that have a higher display resolution and higher nits.
• Non-backlit keyboards. The lower variants of this laptop don’t come with backlit keyboards which can be a burden for some people. Others might not mind it but when you’re in a dark room, sometimes, you’ll find yourself groping for some keys.

BUY THE HP PAVILION 15 IF:

• You need a business laptop that will deliver the power of some high-end laptops
• You are on a budget and you’re looking for an affordable laptop that will not break the bank.

DON’T BUY THE HP PAVILION 15 IF:

• You care about the battery life. It can last you through one business day but you’ll end up charging it.
• You’re a person looking for intense graphic activity such as heavy photo editing, video editing, and 3D. Even though this laptop has a graphics card included in some variants, it will still struggle to keep up. Consider buying mid-range laptops with specs higher than the HP Pavilion 15
• You want a laptop that’s light to carry. It looks thin but when you’re used to it, you will feel its weight.

HP PAVILION 15 ALTERNATIVES

We’ve also listed some alternatives in case HP Pavilion 15 will not work for you.

DELL XPS 13

If you want a thin-looking and lightweight laptop, this is an excellent choice. They have the same style with fantastic specs.

Dell XPS Pros and Cons:

• Gorgeous-looking design
• Excellent battery life
• Good display

• A little bit pricey
• Sound quality is not at its best

ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS G15

If you’re looking for a laptop that screams power, this might be the choice for you. This gaming laptop has high specs that are also capable of handling heavy photo, video, and 3D rendering software.

ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS G15 Pros and Cons:

• Excellent performance
• Outstanding battery life
• Competitive price

• No webcam is present in this laptop

APPLE MACBOOK PRO 14 INCH

If you will consider an Apple laptop, this M1-enabled laptop is a good contender. It is a great choice for artists and creative professionals.

APPLE MACBOOK PRO 14 Pros and Cons:

• Excellent performance
• Good battery life
• Great screen

• A lot more expensive than HP Pavilion 15

DELL INSPIRON 15 5505

This is another Dell alternative laptop that will deliver the same quality performance but with a little bit of advantage.

DELL INSPIRON 15 Pros and Cons:

• Sharper screen due to its higher 141 ppi (about 41% sharper)
• Higher max screen brightness of about 300 nits

• Battery life is significantly underwhelming

ACER ASPIRE 5

If you would like to consider Acer laptops, this model is a good choice compared head to head with HP Pavilion 15

ACER ASPIRE 5 Pros and Cons:

• Much lighter as it weighs 100 grams less
• Provides a higher screen brightness

• Slightly lower performance
• Battery life is also subpar

LENOVO IDEAPAD 5

Lenovo is best known for its durability and performance. This laptop is in the same price range as the HP Pavilion 15.

LENOVO IDEAPAD 5 Pros and Cons:

• About 2x better CPU performance
• Much durable-looking laptop

• Slightly lower performance

FINAL VERDICT

Before starting HP Pavilion 15 Notebook PC review, it is necessary to find out, in general, the importance of a powerful laptop for every user.

Today, a laptop is an incredibly useful device for every person. Even if your work is not related to technology, then you will definitely want to turn on your laptop and start watching your favorite series when you come home after a hard day's work. And transport companies, business, medicine and other industries important for a comfortable life of a person cannot be imagined without a laptop for every employee.

With all the specs that we have reviewed and comparisons to other laptops within the same price range, we can say that HP Pavilion 15 is not too far behind and is a strong contender. After all, what you’re after is the premium specs and the sleek looking build that comes with it. After all considerations, we are rating the HP Pavilion 15 4 out of 5. There are shortcomings but that shouldn’t stop you from considering this as it is still an excellent performing computing device.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the HP Pavilion 15 a good choice for general users?

The HP Pavilion 15 is a good choice due to its balanced combination of performance, design, and value. It typically offers a solid processor (Intel i5 or Ryzen 5), adequate RAM and storage, a comfortable keyboard and touchpad, and a decent display, all at a reasonable price point, making it suitable for everyday use.