HP vs Lenovo – Which Brand is Best?

HP and Lenovo are the two biggest brands within the computing industry. For a few years back in 2013, Lenovo actually overtook HP as the industry leader with the most sales, though this only lasted for a few years.

Nowadays, if you’re in the market for a new laptop or computer, then it can be difficult to know what the best brand to get is. This is especially true if you’re trying to save some cash.

HP vs Lenovo – Brands Compared

So, what makes HP and Lenovo two of the biggest brands around? And how do they match up if you compare them against each other? Well, let’s take a look at the two brands, then break things down and looking at some of their best products individually, too.

Whilst HP laptops are generally considering as better, Lenovo is the choice for those looking for the best value for money. The Lenovo Thinkpad is proof that you can get an amazing laptop at a much lower price than you would pay for a HP laptop.

In all honesty, there isn’t a great deal between these two brands and they’re actually very similar to each other in terms of specifications.

If you go through their entire ranges and match up their models, then they usually range around the same prices if you’re looking at comparable quality.

Generally, you shouldn’t decide on the perfect laptop for you based around the brand only anyway – you should take a deeper look at the specifications of each laptop and then decide.

HP and Lenovo are two brands that are very popular among consumers who choose computer systems for their businesses or personal use. HP vs Lenovo is a comparison between the two brands that many have asked but few know the answer to.

Let’s settle this question once and for all so you can make an informed purchase decision when shopping for your next business or personal computer system.

To put it simply, I’ll compare the Pros of each brand (in a very general sense). Then, we’ll take a quick look at a model from each and compare them against each other.

HP and Lenovo – Why HP is Better

There are a couple of reasons why generally, you might want to opt for a HP laptop over a Lenovo.

• Design – The design of HP laptops is much better than Lenovo laptops, so aesthetically they are a much better option if you’re looking for something that’s good to look at. However, there are those that like the standard no nonsense Lenovo design, which is why the Thinkpad has become so popular not only in the US, but globally.
• Monitor Display – HP lead the field in terms of monitor display and resolution. Their screens look amazing and they’re crystal clear, which might make them a better option for those looking for a high resolution monitor screen.
• Easy to fix – Because of the abundance of HP computers around, there’s a ton of spare parts available should your old HP laptop ever kick the bucket. A lot of these parts are interchangeable between devices, which makes it easier to find something that suits you.
• Variety of Choice – With HP, you’ll get a wide variety of different options to choose from – more than most other brands that are out there. So if you need variety, HP is the better choice of the two.
• Graphics – Typically, if we’re looking at the graphics of the two brands across their entire range, then the HP laptops tend to have better graphics. Bear in mind that they’re often more expensive however, as Lenovo’s are generally just designed to try and fulfil business needs and are less focussed on graphics.

When it comes to convertible laptops, both brands actually have a pretty good selection – from the Yoga range of Lenovo’s laptops through to the Spectre and Pavilion laptops that HP have produced.

If you’re after a cheaper gaming laptop, then HP have some of the top options on the market. But there are definitely some areas where you may want to look at Lenovo instead – here’s a few of them.

Lenovo Laptops over HP – Why Lenovo is Better

In comparison to HP, there are some areas where Lenovo laptops are leaps and bounds ahead of HP. They are known for building a thin and light laptop, but there’s more to the brand than just that.

• Customer service – HP is quite well known nowadays for its poor customer service, so that’s one reasons that you might want to avoid their products. In contrast to this, Lenovo laptops actually have one of the better customer services in the computer industry, and if you have any issues, you should be able to find a resolution easily. So, they win hands down when considering their good customer service.
• Longevity – If you’ve ever owned a Lenovo, then you’ll know that their laptops can last a fair while. Not just because of the technical specifications, but because they’re physically designed to be able to take some punishment if you drop them.
• Strong Product Lines – Generally, Lenovo are best known for their Thinkpad range, which has become one of the most dominant models within both the business industry and within the education sector too. They offer great value for money. As well as their Thinkpad range, they’ve also launched their own Lenovo Legion range of gaming laptops which have been met with stellar reviews too.
• Long battery life – When it comes to getting a long battery life, many people

Of course, this will vary from model to model. A Legion laptop from Lenovo will likely have a better battery life than something from their business range, so it’s not always fair to compare the two. The global laptop market in general is actually pretty

HP 15 vs Lenovo V110

If we take two extremely similar priced models from both brands to try and make this fair, then for the most part, they’re going to have almost identical specs.

However, the ways that each brand are slightly better than each other are indicative of what the general pros and cons are of each company, so this comparison is a good way to explain how I’ve come to these conclusions.

For example, the HP 15-da0327tu has a better screen resolution, so the image that you’re going to get on your laptop will ultimately be better.

It’s a 1920 x 1080px, whereas the V110 is 1366 x 768 px, so there’s a big difference there. It has an anti glare backlit display, which makes it a better option also in terms of your screen.

In terms of the specs, the HP is a little better, but there’s not much in it and it’s unlikely to be noticeable. But what do the Lenovo laptops have going for it?

Well, it’s slightly cheaper for one, and it’s a lot easier to get a good 3 year warranty than with a HP, who often make you pay out of the nose to get any kind of warranty whatsoever.

So, it’s clear to see the benefits and flaws of each model here.

Lenovo – Yoga Series

Aside from the Thinkpad and the Legion series, another top range of laptops worth checking out from Lenovo are their Yoga series.

As you might have guess from the name, the Yoga is Lenovo’s most flexible series, consisting of 2-in-1 laptops.

If you aren’t aware of what a 2-in-1 is, it’s essentially a laptop and a tablet in the same device, with a detachable screen that you can use separately.

Though they’re not for everyone, generally 2-in-1 laptops can be a great idea if you’re interested in artistic things like design, as you can easily use the tablet to draw your own images.

As with all 2-in-1 laptops, this range has its benefits and its drawbacks. The main benefits being the design itself, which is much slimmer than your standard laptop. This makes it much easier for carrying around with you, which is why it’s so popular with students.

Another good thing about the Yoga Series (especially the 920) is that the sound is awesome, which makes a change from your typical laptop, which usually struggle with sound quality.

From the other end of the spectrum, these models do tend to lack in graphical abilities in comparison to bigger, more expensive laptops. So, it really depends on what exactly it is that you’re looking for.

HP Pavilion Series

Whilst HP has a wide array of different series that are respected in the computing world – the HP Omen and the Spectre Folio immediately spring to mind – it’s probably the Pavilion that is most well known amongst consumers.

Generally, the Pavilion series provides a great option for those looking at getting a laptop that’s just above low budget range. It will come with an Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processor, which is around the standard for a new laptop in the modern day.

As of 2019, it’s the HP Pavilion 15 that’s the most popular model in recent years. This Pavilion has both its pros and cons – it’s worth remembering that it’s a relatively low budget laptop, so it’s not going to compare with the best out there.

That being said, the weakest point of the Pavilion 15 is probably the display. For the price you end up paying, you could get a higher resolution laptop with a much better screen.

From a positive perspective however, there are some great things about the Pavilion 15. Probably most apparent from the short amount of time I actually got to test this model out is the design of the computer itself.

For typing, the keyboard is excellent – it has a greater depth than the majority of cheaper keyboards out there, so you’re really going to be able to feel when you type.

However, you’ll need to remember to adjust your trackpad sensitivity settings when you’re first using it, as I found mine a bit sluggish.

But overall, the Pavilion series represents one of HPs best selling models and is worth checking out if you’re in the hunt for a new laptop. They have a solid build quality, and when it comes to both Lenovo and HP laptops, they’re certainly one of the better series you can choose.

HP vs Lenovo – FAQs

Conclusion

Overall, deciding on which of these laptops is an individual choice. Both HP and Lenovo laptops have their benefits – each can have a long battery life and good storage capacity, so it really depends on the model more than just the brand itself, which is why it’s important to do some research before picking up a laptop.

After you’ve ruled out Apple for their crazy spec-to-price ratio (although they are easy to use, I’ll give them that) then Lenovo and HP and two brands that you should look at.

For people looking for a bargain, then usually brands like Lenovo and Acer provide the best bang for your buck. But just because Lenovo is known as a cost effective brand, doesn’t mean that you should rule them out completely – their Thinkpad series is one of the best options if you’re looking for a more expensive office laptop around the $1000-2000 budget.

If you want impressive graphics and strong processing power, then I’d stick with Lenovo laptops. They’re a strong Chinese brand that still deliver premium performance, and their Thinkpad delivers instant responsiveness.

For aesthetics, then HP is always going to be a better choice, because generally they put a lot more effort into their laptop design than Lenovo, who are focussed on cost efficiency.

You can opt for the HP Pavilion range or HP Envy laptops if you’re on a budget. Or, if you have a little more to spare, consider the HP Spectre range as a step up.

For those who are looking for a gaming laptop, then you’ll probably want to opt for HP, or another brand like Alienware or MSI. They all tend to come with high resolution screens, dedicated graphics cards and are built for maximum performance.

So depending on what you need, one of these brands will prove to be a much better option than the other. But, only you can determine for yourself which would be the better option for your needs.

Last update on 2023-05-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API