Overview
The HP Pavilion 15 is a no-frills budget laptop that gets the fundamentals right: 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD, and a Ryzen 5 processor for under $550. It doesn’t try to be premium. It’s a reliable daily driver for students, home users, and anyone who needs a functional computer without overspending.
Performance
The Ryzen 5 7530U handles everyday workloads without complaint — web browsing with 15+ tabs, Office documents, video streaming, Zoom calls. It’s not as fast as the Ryzen 7 in the IdeaPad Slim 5, but for the target use cases, the difference is negligible.
16 GB of RAM (DDR4, not DDR5) gives you comfortable multitasking headroom. You won’t hit the ceiling in normal use.
Display
The 15.6” 1080p IPS panel is the Pavilion’s weakest link. At 250 nits, it’s dim — usable indoors but struggles near windows or in bright rooms. Color accuracy is adequate for non-creative work. It’s a fine screen for documents and browsing, just don’t expect vibrant colors.
Storage and Ports
512 GB NVMe SSD is generous at this price. Boot times are fast and app launches are snappy. The port selection is practical: USB-C, two USB-A ports, full-size HDMI for presentations, and an SD card reader. The numeric keypad is a nice touch for spreadsheet users.
Battery Life
The 41 Wh battery is small, and it shows. Expect 5-6 hours of real productivity use. If you need a laptop for long unplugged sessions, this isn’t it. For desk-to-desk use with occasional unplugged meetings, it’s manageable.
Build
All-plastic chassis. It’s functional but not inspiring — it creaks slightly under pressure and picks up fingerprints. At 3.75 lbs, it’s on the heavier side for a 15” laptop. This is where the $50 savings versus the IdeaPad Slim 5 shows.