HP Essential 17 (2025) 17.3" specifications and in-depth review

HP Essential 17 (2025) 17.3"

Manufacturer: HP

The HP Essential 17 (2025) 17.3″ is a productivity-focused laptop with a large 17.3-inch screen, perfect for users needing extra screen real estate. It comes with a backlit keyboard for easy typing in low light conditions, although it does not feature weather-sealing or a rugged build.

Powered by a 32GB RAM configuration and 2TB of internal storage, the laptop ensures solid performance for multitasking. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 and offers a 1600 x 900 px display with touch functionality, though the refresh rate is 60Hz. The integrated Iris Xe Graphics 80EU GPU and 12 CPU threads provide decent processing power, while the device supports up to 64GB of memory and has PCIe 4.0 for fast data transfer.

Pros
  • Supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for fast wireless connectivity.
  • Equipped with stereo speakers for improved audio quality.
  • Has a fingerprint scanner for added security and convenience.
  • Includes a front camera, making it suitable for video calls.
Cons
  • Does not support ray tracing or DLSS, limiting gaming and graphics performance.
  • Lacks a MagSafe power adapter for more convenient charging options.
  • No external memory slot for expanding storage through removable media.
  • Does not support ECC memory, which may affect reliability for certain professional tasks.
  • No Thunderbolt ports (3 or 4), limiting high-speed peripheral connectivity options.
Who is this for?

This product is well-suited for users who need a reliable device for general productivity and multimedia consumption. With features like stereo speakers and a front camera, it is a good choice for video calls, light entertainment, and everyday office tasks. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 also ensures fast and stable internet connectivity, making it ideal for remote work or casual browsing. Additionally, the fingerprint scanner provides added security for users concerned with privacy and data protection.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be suitable for users who require high-end gaming or graphics performance, as it does not support ray tracing or DLSS. Similarly, professionals who depend on ECC memory for critical work or need high-speed peripheral connectivity like Thunderbolt will find the product lacking in these areas. The absence of an external memory slot also limits storage expansion options, which could be a drawback for those who handle large files or need additional storage flexibility.

Design:

Type Productivity
Uses a fanless design
Has a backlit keyboard
is weather-sealed (splashproof)
has a rugged build

The HP Essential 17 (2025) is a productivity laptop featuring a backlit keyboard for convenience in low-light environments. While it does not use a fanless design, nor is it weather-sealed or rugged, it is designed to handle typical office and work tasks efficiently.

Display:

screen size 17.3"
resolution 1600 x 900 px
pixel density 106 ppi
has a touch screen
refresh rate 60Hz
has anti-reflection coating
supported displays 4

The HP Essential 17 (2025) features a large 17.3″ screen with a resolution of 1600 x 900 px, offering decent pixel clarity at 106 ppi. It also includes a touch screen, making it more interactive, though it does not have an anti-reflection coating. The display supports up to 4 external displays, and its refresh rate is capped at 60Hz.

Performance:

RAM 32GB
RAM speed 3200 MHz
Uses flash storage
internal storage 2048GB
CPU speed 2 x 1.3 & 8 x 0.9 GHz
CPU threads 12 threads
Is an NVMe SSD
DirectX version DirectX 12
GPU clock speed 300 MHz
uses multithreading
maximum memory amount 64GB
DDR memory version 5
turbo clock speed 4.6GHz
GPU turbo 1250 MHz
PCI Express (PCIe) version 4
semiconductor size 10 nm
has XeSS (XMX)
Supports 64-bit

The HP Essential 17 (2025) is equipped with 32GB of RAM running at 3200 MHz, providing solid performance for multitasking and demanding applications. Its 2048GB of internal NVMe flash storage ensures fast data access and storage. The CPU offers a total clock speed of 2 x 1.3 GHz and 8 x 0.9 GHz, with multithreading support and a turbo clock speed of up to 4.6GHz. It also supports up to 64GB of RAM and uses PCIe 4.0 for fast data transfer, making it a well-rounded choice for productivity tasks.

Benchmarks:

Geekbench 6 result (multi) 7605
Geekbench 6 result (single) 2183
PassMark result 13420
PassMark result (single) 3347

The HP Essential 17 (2025) has demonstrated strong performance in benchmark tests, achieving a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 7605 and a single-core score of 2183. In the PassMark benchmark, the device scored 13420 overall, with a single-threaded score of 3347, showcasing its ability to handle a variety of productivity tasks with ease.

Connectivity:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 2
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0
USB 4 40Gbps ports 0
Thunderbolt 4 ports 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 0
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0
has an HDMI output
Has USB Type-C
supports Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
has an external memory slot
RJ45 ports 0
HDMI ports 1
DisplayPort outputs 0
USB 2.0 ports 0
has AirPlay
mini DisplayPort outputs 0
has a VGA connector

The HP Essential 17 (2025) offers a range of connectivity options, including USB Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, with 2 USB-A ports and 1 USB-C port available. It also features an HDMI output for external display support and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for fast wireless connectivity. Additionally, AirPlay is supported for wireless streaming, though it does not include an external memory slot or RJ45 ports.

Battery:

Has sleep-and-charge USB ports
Has a MagSafe power adapter

The HP Essential 17 (2025) does not include features like sleep-and-charge USB ports or a MagSafe power adapter, meaning it lacks some of the convenient charging options found in other devices. These functionalities are not supported by this model.

Features:

release date August 2025
has stereo speakers
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
supports ray tracing
supports DLSS
has Dolby Atmos
Stylus included
Has a fingerprint scanner
number of microphones 1
Uses 3D facial recognition
has voice commands
has a front camera
Has S/PDIF Out port
has a gyroscope
has GPS
has an accelerometer
has a compass
Has an optical disc drive

The HP Essential 17 (2025) comes equipped with stereo speakers for audio output and a 3.5 mm audio jack for external headphones or audio devices. It also features a front camera for video calls and a fingerprint scanner for enhanced security. However, the laptop does not support advanced features like ray tracing, DLSS, or Dolby Atmos.

Miscellaneous:

clock multiplier 0
PassMark result (overclocked) 13427
GPU name Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
Type Laptop
CPU socket LGA 1700
Has an unlocked multiplier
L2 cache 9.5 MB
L3 cache 12 MB
Has NX bit
CPU temperature 100 °C
render output units (ROPs) 20
texture mapping units (TMUs) 40
shading units 640
OpenCL version 3
OpenGL version 4.6
GPU execution units 80
Has integrated graphics
Supports ECC memory
memory channels 2
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 15W
Uses big.LITTLE technology
instruction sets SSE 4.2, SSE 4.1, AVX, AES, FMA3, F16C, MMX
RAM speed (max) 5200 MHz

The HP Essential 17 (2025) features the Iris Xe Graphics 80EU for integrated graphics and a CPU socket of LGA 1700. It supports big.LITTLE technology and includes 9.5 MB of L2 cache and 12 MB of L3 cache. With a CPU TDP of 15W, it offers efficient power management, although it does not have an unlocked multiplier or support ECC memory. The laptop also supports OpenCL 3 and OpenGL 4.6, and its GPU execution units total 80.

Final Verdict

The product offers solid general productivity performance, featuring stereo speakers, a front camera, and Wi-Fi 6 for smooth connectivity. Its security features, including a fingerprint scanner, further enhance usability for everyday tasks. However, it falls short for users seeking advanced graphics capabilities, such as ray tracing or DLSS, and lacks flexibility with storage expansion. Overall, it is best suited for casual users or professionals who prioritize basic functionality, security, and connectivity, rather than high-end gaming or heavy multitasking.