HP Quietly Offers OMEN Laptops As A Service

Summary

The PCPer Podcast discussed HP's new "Laptop as a Service" offering, which rents gaming laptops like the Victus and Omen models for monthly fees ranging from $50 to $130. The hosts criticize the model as a financially wasteful scam, noting that renters will pay more than the device's retail price within two years and receive no ownership equity. They highlight the superficial benefits—annual hardware upgrades, rapid replacements, 24/7 support, and warranty—while questioning the practicality of upgrades and the restrictive cancellation terms. The episode also references a prior accurate prediction about Microsoft's need for a quality‑control overhaul.