Pros
- Eye-catching and minimalist design
- Powerful 11th-Gen Intel Core i5 processor
- Backlit and full-sized keyboard
- Wi-Fi 6 wireless connection
Cons
- No SD card reader
- HD+ instead of Full HD resolution
Are you looking to replace your old desktop computer? If so, you might consider a 17-inch HP laptop as it features a bigger screen than the average 15-inch model, as well as all the power you need to get a new level of performance while doing your everyday tasks at home or in the office.
The highly regarded HP 17-cn0026nr is a 17-inch solution that you can't go wrong with since it packs a solid 11th-Gen Intel Core i5 processor, a fast solid-state drive (SSD), plenty of ports, and a long-lasting battery. All that for a price that's really hard to resist.
On paper, this laptop is perfect for both professional users and students needing an ample diagonal to perform tasks with more screen real estate and stream multimedia pleasantly as well. However, it's worth mentioning that this laptop is not designed with hardcore gamers in mind since it lacks the dedicated graphics card that would be needed for high-end gaming.
You also might like: The Best HP Laptops of 2022 for Every Kind Of User
Having said that, it's time to uncover everything there is to know about this notebook as we dive deep onto this review of the HP 17-cn0026nr.
Table of Contents
Tech Specs of HP 17-cn0026nr
| Tech Specs | |
| Brand/Model | HP 17-cn0026nr |
| Dimensions | 15.78 x 10.15 x 0.78 inches |
| Weight | 4.6 pounds |
| Display | Anti-glare | 17.3'' | 250 nits |
| Resolution | HD+ (1600 x 900 pixels) |
| Processor | 11th-Gen Quad-Core Intel Core i5-1135G7 |
| RAM | 8 GB (DDR4) |
| Integrated GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Storage | 512 GB (SSD) |
| Battery | 3-cell | 41 Wh (Li-Ion) | Up to 8.5 hours |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 2x USB-A 3.2 1x USB-C 3.2 1x HDMI 1.4b 1x Audio jack (3.5 mm) HD Webcam |
Design, Display, and Keyboard
Much like the recently reviewed HP 17-cn0021nr, the brand-new HP 17-cn0026nr played it pretty safe in terms of design with a sturdy silver chassis that fits in very well thanks to its low-key and elegant look. The lid is decorated with the chrome-plated HP logo that we're used to seeing in most HP laptops these days, and that adds a certain air of minimalism to the notebook.
Also, its thin and lightweight design will be very helpful, especially for those who work on the go, measuring just 0.78 inches in thickness and weighing in at 4.6 pounds. That's quite good when you consider this is a 17-inch laptop we're talking about here.
Moving onto the display, we've got a thin-bezel 17.3-inch screen which isn't the best for photo/video editing and graphic design due to its 900p resolution (HD+) but allows you to browse the web, analyze data, and stream multimedia content with a decent picture quality, brightness (up to 250 nits), and a solid color gamut (60% NTSC).
Moreover, we appreciate the fact that it comes with an anti-glare coating on the display as it helps avoid reflections that would be otherwise distracting.
Moving on, it features a full-sized backlit keyboard delivering a comfortable feeling when editing documents and spreadsheets since it has a dedicated number pad on the right side, while the multi-gesture touchpad provides enough comfort to simplify navigation through the Windows 11 user interface.
Regarding its internal hardware, this laptop is powered by an 11th-Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor with 4 cores, 8 threads, and an 8 MB SmartCache memory, reaching a burst frequency of up to 4.20 GHz in each core via Intel's Turbo Boost technology.
Furthermore, it features a decent 8 GB DDR4 RAM (upgradable), offering a smooth performance when handling not-so-demanding tasks (web surfing, web programming, spreadsheet editing, video calling, non-professional video editing, etc.), as reported by several customers who already bought it.
Competing with the entry-level NVIDIA GeForce MX230, the Intel Iris Xe Graphics card allows you not only to play light games but also to stream 4K content through an external monitor via HDMI output since the display doesn't support 4K resolution. However, if you're in the market for a 4K monitor, we can't help but recommend the remarkably well-priced Samsung LU32J590UQNXZA we reviewed last week.
Back to the review at hand, the formula for the 17-cn0026nr couldn't be complete without a 512 GB SSD storage for your personal data. And compared to older HDD units, SSD drives are way quieter and faster when booting up Windows (generally taking less than 10 seconds to load), loading programs, and transferring data.
However, if you prefer a cheaper 17-inch laptop for non-demanding tasks, the HP 17-by4025nr could be a better choice for you as it comes with a Dual-Core Intel Core i3 processor, a 4 GB DDR4 RAM, and a 256 GB SDD unit.
Connectivity and Extras
Like other models from HP's lineup, this computer comes with a variety of connectivity solutions as it features two full-sized USB-A 3.2 ports and a single USB-C 3.2 port, an HDMI 1.4b output, an audio jack, and an HD webcam. There's no Ethernet port nor SD card reader, but you can use an adaptor instead.
Unfortunately, this has become the norm as of late, with most users not actually using the ethernet port, and therefore manufacturers have decided to ditch it. The same goes for the SD card reader.
Moreover, it has Bluetooth 5.0 as well as Wi-Fi 6 (previously known as Wi-Fi 802.11ax), so you can browse the web up to 3 times faster than you used to do with the Wi-Fi 5 protocol, known as 802.11ac a few years back.
And in case you didn't know yet, the Wi-Fi Alliance updated the Wi-Fi protocol names so you can remember them more easily, opting to use a number-based system that's far easier to understand for the average consumer than comparing band frequencies.
Battery Life
Regarding the battery life of the HP 17-cn0026nr, we've got a 41 Wh lithium battery that delivers up to 8.5 hours of mixed usage as long as the screen's brightness is maxed at 150 nits.
Also, thanks to HP's Fast Charge technology, you can get up to 50% of extra battery life in just 45 minutes, so you'll be able to work on the go with no worries at all.
All in all, it's not a bad battery life, but being that this is a 17-inch notebook, battery life is hardly something we prioritize if we're being perfectly honest. Having said that, it's always a plus to have a respectable battery life instead of a device that needs to be charged every 3 hours, giving us the battery anxiety most of us know all too well.
Verdict: Is the HP 17-cn0026nr worth buying?
Overall, the HP 17-cn0026nr reviewed today is a budget 17-inch laptop made primarily for professionals, students, and those looking to buy a laptop with a smooth and quiet day-to-day performance that has nothing to envy on more expensive Core i5-based notebooks.
Last but not least, it's worth mentioning the fantastic feeling of the keyboard when typing, as well as its long-lasting battery life and the decent picture quality of its display. Again, we would have preferred to have a Full HD display instead. However, within the 17-inch mid-range market they're not all that common unless you're willing to shell out the big bucks or seriously compromise on performance.
Overall, a solid laptop without the bells and whistles a few extra hundred dollars will give you but a solid laptop nonetheless that will help you perform your day-to-day tasks quickly and efficiently thanks to its combo of high-end key components.