HP Essential 17t Laptop 17.3in Touchscreen - Powerful Everyday

In this review of the HP Essential 17t Laptop, the bottom line is simple: this is a roomy, performance-focused 17.3in notebook built for multitaskers who want a large touch display and substantial memory and storage. With a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 mobile processor, 32GB high-bandwidth RAM, and a 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD, it delivers the responsiveness needed for large spreadsheets, multiple browser tabs, light content creation, and fast file transfers. The Pale Rose Gold finish and touchscreen add a consumer-friendly polish, though battery life and the HD+ resolution are tradeoffs to consider.

Key Features

• Processor: 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U provides multi-core performance for everyday productivity and moderate multitasking.
• Memory: 32GB high-bandwidth RAM keeps many apps and browser tabs open without slowdowns for smoother workflows.
• Storage: 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD enables fast bootups and large local storage for media and projects.
• Display: 17.3in HD+ (1600 x 900) touchscreen gives a large, touch-enabled canvas for spreadsheets, streaming, and casual touch interactions.
• Connectivity: Includes USB-C 5Gbps, two USB-A 5Gbps ports, HDMI 1.4b, and Wi-Fi 6 for modern wired and wireless connections.
• Security and usability: Backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader simplify sign-in and low-light typing.

Who It's For

The HP Essential 17t is aimed at students, remote workers, and home office users who prioritize screen real estate, snappy responsiveness, and large local storage for files and media. The combination of an i7 U-series processor, 32GB RAM, and a 2TB SSD makes it especially well suited for heavy multitasking, large spreadsheets, and storing extensive media libraries without relying on external drives.

People who need long all-day unplugged runtime, a high-resolution display for photo editing, or the lightest travel laptop should look elsewhere. The HD+ 1600 x 900 panel and reported mixed battery performance mean this model favors desktop replacement use at a desk rather than a long-haul mobile workstation.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Generous 32GB RAM allows fluid multitasking across many apps and browser tabs.
• Large 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD delivers rapid boot and ample space for files and media.
• Spacious 17.3in touchscreen and narrow bezels make it comfortable for productivity and media viewing.
• Modern connectivity with USB-C, multiple USB-A ports, HDMI, and Wi-Fi 6.

Cons

• 17.3in HD+ (1600 x 900) display is lower resolution than Full HD and may appear soft to some users.
• Customer feedback mentions mixed battery life, so expect shorter unplugged use compared with ultrabooks.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The HP Essential 17t is a strong desktop-replacement choice for users who want a large touchscreen, fast responsiveness, and massive local storage. It represents good value for those who prioritize speed and capacity over the highest display resolution or all-day battery life, making it a sensible pick for home office and student setups that stay mostly plugged in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this laptop support modern wireless speeds?
Yes. The model includes Wi-Fi 6 for faster, more reliable wireless connections on compatible networks.

Is the display good for photo editing?
The 17.3in touchscreen offers a roomy workspace, but the HD+ 1600 x 900 resolution is not ideal for color-critical photo editing compared with Full HD or higher panels.

Can it handle heavy multitasking?
Absolutely. With 32GB of RAM and a 13th Gen i7 processor, it easily runs multiple apps and browser tabs simultaneously.