HP 17.3" HD+ Review

This HP laptop is a spec monster in all the wrong places. It has a killer 64GB RAM and 2TB SSD, but saddles them with a terrible low-res screen, a mediocre CPU, and a heavy body. Only worth it if you need max RAM above all else and hate DIY upgrades. For everyone else, look elsewhere.

This HP 17.3-inch laptop is a bit of a puzzle. It's packing an enormous 64GB of RAM and a huge 2TB SSD, specs that scream high-end workstation. But then you look at the rest of the package: a low-resolution 1600x900 screen, a mid-range AMD Ryzen 5 7430U CPU, and a chassis that weighs over 8 pounds. It's a classic case of specs in the wrong places.

The goal seems to be a big-screen, touch-enabled machine for multitasking and media, but the execution is lopsided. For $1139, you're paying a premium for that RAM and storage, while making serious compromises on portability, display quality, and processing power. It's a niche machine, and that niche is very specific.

Performance is a mixed bag, heavily dependent on what you're doing. That 64GB RAM and 2TB SSD are fantastic for having dozens of browser tabs and applications open without a hiccup—boot and load times are snappy thanks to the SSD. However, the AMD Ryzen 5 7430U is a mid-tier mobile chip. Our database puts its CPU performance in the 38th percentile, meaning it's fine for everyday tasks but will struggle with sustained heavy workloads like video editing or complex simulations. The integrated AMD Radeon graphics are serviceable for light photo editing or very casual gaming, but don't expect to play modern titles smoothly.

At $1139, the value proposition is shaky. You are undeniably paying for that massive RAM and storage upgrade. If you bought a similar spec laptop from a major brand and upgraded it yourself to 64GB/2TB, you'd likely spend a similar amount. The problem is everything else you're stuck with at this price point: the poor screen, the mediocre CPU, and the boat anchor weight. For the same money, you could get a laptop with a far better screen and CPU, even if it has less RAM and storage—which, for most people, is the smarter trade-off.

Compared to others, it's an odd duck. The ASUS Zenbook Duo offers revolutionary dual-screen flexibility in a lighter package. The Lenovo ThinkPad P14s provides legendary business-grade build quality and better performance options. Even gaming laptops like the MSI Vector offer vastly superior screens and GPUs for similar cash. This HP's only real advantage is its sheer amount of RAM and storage. If you need 64GB of RAM for virtual machines or massive datasets and absolutely must have it pre-configured in a big, touchscreen body, this is one of the few ready-to-ship options. For everyone else, the competitors offer a more balanced experience.

Skip this if you care about screen quality, portability, or raw CPU power. If you're a video editor, you need a better screen and GPU. If you're a student carrying it around, the weight is a dealbreaker. If you're a developer needing compile speed, the CPU will hold you back. In all those cases, you can find a better-focused laptop for the price.

Buy this only if your workflow is defined by needing an absurd amount of RAM and storage above all else, and you refuse to upgrade a laptop yourself. Think someone running multiple local servers, virtual machines, or working with enormous files where screen quality and portability are afterthoughts. For that very specific user, it's a convenient, if expensive, solution. For literally any other use case—students, general professionals, creators, developers, or gamers—there are better, more balanced laptops for your money.