What you need to know
- Omen X 2S is the "world's first dual-screen gaming laptop."
- The six-inch second screen can be used to watch videos, chat, or just monitor the PC's performance.
- Powerful internals, including 9th Gen Intel processors and GeForce RTX 2080 graphics, mean serious power.
- Launching later in May starting at $2,100.
HP's spring refresh for its gaming lineup is here, and the company is kicking things off with a bang: the dual-screen Omen X 2S laptop. Yeah, you read that right. There are two screens on this thing.
An evolution of HP's Omen X laptop, the 2S complements its main 15-inch display with a second, six-inch 1080p screen just above the keyboard. And while that's a little too small to game on, HP is positioning the smaller of the screens as a way to better multitask while you're gaming on the main display. Essentially, it's like taking your dual-monitor setup from home on the go.
The second screen can be used for everything from monitoring the laptop's performance in real time to watching YouTube and Twitch streams or instant messaging. You can open apps like Microsoft Edge separately on the second screen, or use it as a virtual number pad. Perhaps the coolest feature of all, the screen can mirror a portion of your main screen when playing a game, allowing you to keep a close eye on UI elements like maps and the like.
On the inside, HP has backed up the multi-screen goodness with plenty of power as well. You can equip the Omen X 2S with up to a 9th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, and up to 2TB of SSD storage. For graphics, you can slot in up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics chip with 8GB of VRAM.
For refresh rate fanatics, 1080p displays with 144Hz and 240Hz options are available, as well as a 60Hz 4K panel. NVIDIA G-Sync is also on board with every model so your framerates will remain smooth without any screen tearing.
All of that is packaged in a frame that feels aggressive without being over-the-top. There's full per-key RGB lighting here, along with a mousepad that's offset to the right of the keyboard. HP is also talking up the laptop's thermal performance, which sees a slight boost thanks to three-sided venting and the application of special Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut thermal paste on the processor.
Availability and price
If all of that sounds like an expensive endeavor, well, it is. The Omen X 2S will start at $2,100 when it debuts at the end of May, HP says.
It's an expensive investment, but the Omen X 2S does everything right and then some. The second screen is a dream for multi-taskers, and powerful internals ensure it will handle plenty of demanding games on the go when it goes on sale in late May.
Cheap PC accessories we love
Take a gander at these awesome PC accessories, all of which will enhance your Windows experience.
Anker 4 port USB 3.0 hub ($10 at Amazon)
Whether on a desktop or laptop PC, you always need more ports to connect things to. This hub gives you an additional four USB 3.0 Type A ports.
Ikea Fixa Cable Management System ($11 at Amazon)
This IKEA cable management kit is your ticket to a clean setup. It's simple and functional.
NZXT Puck ($20 at Amazon)
This clever little accessory has powerful magnets on the rear to make it stick to any of the metal panels on your PC case or anything else. It's great for hanging accessories like headsets.
