HP 2023 Latest Essential Laptop Review: A Capable 17.3″ Productivity Machine

The HP 2023 Latest Essential Laptop is a freshly updated big-screen productivity notebook that pairs a roomy 17.3-inch HD+ touchscreen with one of Intel’s newest mobile processors. Marketed as an “Essential” system, it nevertheless ships with premium-class internals: a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U, a generous 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and a fast 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD. Add in a backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, Wi-Fi 6, and Windows 11 Home, and this is a laptop clearly built for users who want desktop-grade multitasking in a portable (if large) form factor.

Below, we take a detailed look at what this 2023 HP Essential model brings to the table based entirely on its official product title and description.

Performance: 13th Gen Intel Core i7 and 32GB RAM

At the heart of the laptop is the 13th Generation Intel Core i7-1355U processor. This CPU features 10 cores and 12 threads, with a 12MB L3 Smart Cache, a base frequency of 1.2 GHz, and a maximum turbo frequency of up to 5.0 GHz. The inclusion of Intel Iris Xe Graphics means the system is capable of handling everyday visual workloads, light content creation, and HD video playback without the need for a discrete GPU.

Complementing the processor is 32GB of high-bandwidth DDR4 RAM. According to the product description, this amount of memory allows users to smoothly run multiple applications and many browser tabs simultaneously. For professionals working with large spreadsheets, virtual meetings, research tabs, and background utilities, the 32GB allocation helps prevent slowdowns and stepping.

Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD

Storage is handled by a 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive. This provides both substantial capacity for documents, media, and software, and the high-speed data transfer rates expected from PCIe NVMe technology. The description notes that the SSD allows for fast boot-up and quick file transfers, which contributes to a responsive overall experience from power-on to daily use.

It is worth noting that the product has been professionally upgraded: the original seal was opened solely for upgrading the RAM and SSD. Per the description, PCOnline US provides a 1-year warranty on the upgraded RAM and SSD, while the remaining components retain the original 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Display: 17.3″ HD+ Touchscreen

The laptop features a 17.3-inch diagonal HD+ display with a resolution of 1600 x 900. It is a touchscreen panel with BrightView technology, rated at 250 nits brightness and 60% NTSC color coverage. The large screen size makes it well suited for split-window workflows, streaming, and casual creative tasks, while touch input adds a layer of convenience for navigation.

Because the resolution is HD+ rather than Full HD or higher, the pixel density is moderate; however, the size and touch functionality reinforce its role as a productivity-first device rather than a high-end visual editing station.

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Out of the box, the machine runs Windows 11 Home. The product description highlights the operating system’s beautiful and more consistent new design, improved window layout options, better multi-monitor functionality, enhanced performance features, and an expanded selection of videogame capabilities. For users already within the Microsoft ecosystem, Windows 11 Home provides a modern interface and native support for current productivity and entertainment software.

Keyboard, Security, and Connectivity

The HP 2023 Essential Laptop includes a backlit keyboard, useful for typing in low-light environments, and a fingerprint reader for secure and convenient authentication via Windows Hello.

Wireless connectivity comes through Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5, delivering faster, more stable wireless performance and improved efficiency in congested networks.

In terms of physical ports, the tech specs list:

• 1 x SuperSpeed USB Type-C (5Gbps signaling rate)
• 2 x SuperSpeed USB Type-A (5Gbps signaling rate)
• 1 x HDMI 1.4b
• 1 x AC Smart Pin
• 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack

This selection covers the essentials for external displays, peripherals, and charging, though HDMI 1.4b limits external output to older HDMI bandwidth standards.

Webcam and Daily Use

A webcam is included, supporting video conferencing and virtual collaboration. Combined with the backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6, and large RAM capacity, the laptop is positioned as a practical tool for remote work, online education, and general home computing.

Summary

Based solely on its title and product description, the HP 2023 Latest Essential Laptop offers a compelling package for users who prioritize screen space, multitasking headroom, and modern connectivity. The 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U, 32GB RAM, and 1TB PCIe SSD form a strong productivity foundation, while the 17.3″ HD+ touchscreen, backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and Windows 11 Home round out a well-equipped everyday machine.

With a professionally upgraded memory and storage configuration and a split warranty covering both upgraded and original components, this HP Essential model stands as a large-format laptop built for efficient, high-volume daily computing in 2023.