TLDR¶

• Core Features: CPUs disable built-in HEVC decoding/encoding support, affecting hardware-accelerated video tasks on affected laptops.
• Main Advantages: Potential cost savings for manufacturers and simpler licensing models; clears path for alternative codecs.
• User Experience: May rely more on software decoding or third-party accelerators; some tasks slower or less efficient.
• Considerations: Impacts on media playback, video editing, streaming, and battery life; varying by model and software stack.
• Purchase Recommendation: If you rely on hardware-accelerated HEVC features, verify current CPU/firmware capabilities or consider models that retain native HEVC support.

Product Specifications & Ratings¶

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7/5.0)

Product Overview¶

The laptop landscape has seen a notable shift as major OEMs, including HP and Dell, announced changes to how their devices handle High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC, also known as H.265). Beginning in early 2025, some systems shipped with CPUs that no longer expose built-in HEVC decode and encode capabilities. This decision aligns with broader licensing and royalty considerations around HEVC and related codecs, which have long complicated the cost structure for device makers and software developers.

In practical terms, many consumers have grown accustomed to hardware-accelerated video decoding and encoding that reduces CPU load, improves battery life during media playback, and enables smoother real-time video tasks. The move to disable HEVC support at the CPU level means that devices may rely more heavily on software decoders, GPU-based acceleration, or alternative codecs for similar performance. The changes are not universal across all HP and Dell laptops; instead, they target specific families, configurations, or firmware updates where the vendor determined that removing direct HEVC support would be beneficial from a licensing or architecture perspective.

From a user-facing standpoint, this shift can be invisible in some everyday tasks but becomes noticeable in contexts that routinely leverage HEVC: 4K streaming, editing HEVC footage, or using professional pipelines that depend on hardware-accelerated decoding and encoding. The effect on battery life, thermal performance, and responsiveness is closely tied to how well the remaining software and hardware stack compensates for the loss of CPU-based HEVC paths. In the broader ecosystem, other codecs and formats, including AV1 and VP9, may see increased emphasis as software and hardware vendors adjust to licensing realities and shifting market demand.

Readers should understand that this development sits at the intersection of licensing economics, CPU feature flags, firmware decisions, and the evolving codec landscape. As media workflows grow more diverse—embracing streaming platforms, content creation, and on-device processing—the onus falls on users to verify what their chosen devices can do by examining the exact CPU model, firmware version, and software stack. The good news is that many devices continue to offer robust video performance through alternative acceleration routes, though not all configurations guarantee the same efficiency as native CPU HEVC support.

In-Depth Review¶

HEVC has long been the de facto standard for high-efficiency video delivery, particularly for 4K content, due to its compression efficiency relative to older codecs. The practical effect of having CPU-level HEVC support is that processors can handle decoding and encoding tasks with dedicated, optimized instructions, reducing CPU cycles, and generally delivering lower power consumption during media workloads.

When OEMs disable CPU-embedded HEVC features, devices must rely on other mechanisms to sustain similar performance. Software-based decoders can achieve good results, but they typically consume more CPU resources, increase power draw, and can introduce higher latency. GPU-based hardware decoding remains a viable alternative on many systems, but the effectiveness hinges on driver support, the specific GPU architecture, and how well the software stack leverages hardware acceleration.

Firmware and BIOS policies also play a critical role. In some cases, a firmware update may alter how the platform exposes certain features to the operating system, effectively turning off HEVC decode/encode paths at the hardware interface level. In others, the change is a broader architectural decision tied to licensing terms, with CPU instruction sets that no longer advertise HEVC capabilities. Consumers should check the exact SKU, processor family, and firmware revision to determine whether HEVC is still accessible at any level.

From a performance perspective, the absence of hardware HEVC support can translate into measurable differences:

• Power efficiency: Software-based decoding tends to draw more power for the same video stream, potentially reducing battery life during long playback sessions or on-the-go editing.
• Latency and responsiveness: Real-time video tasks, such as live previews in editing software, may exhibit higher latency if the software layer cannot fully offload work to hardware accelerators.
• Thermal impact: Increased CPU utilization for decoding/encoding can yield higher thermal output, possibly prompting more aggressive cooling or thermal throttling in sustained workloads.
• Content creation pipelines: Video editors and producers who rely on HEVC timelines may need to adjust project settings, transcode footage to alternative codecs, or adopt external accelerators where available.

However, the broader ecosystem offers compensating options:

• AV1 and VP9: Newer codecs are supported by modern GPUs and some CPUs; software and hardware encoding/decoding paths exist, with hardware acceleration improving over time. This evolution may mitigate some performance gaps introduced by removing HEVC hardware paths.
• Dedicated hardware encoders: Some laptops include discrete GPUs or dedicated media accelerators that ship with their own HEVC codecs or AV1 encoders, providing a path to restore efficient workflows even when CPU paths are unavailable.
• Software optimizations: Rendering engines, media players, and editing suites continue to optimize software decoding paths, often delivering competitive performance on multi-core CPUs.

Specifically, HP and Dell’s decision to disable CPU-embedded HEVC support is a strategic move that can reduce licensing friction for the platform, simplify certain supply-chain concerns, or align devices with a broader codec strategy. It does not necessarily imply all devices will experience the same outcomes, as individual configurations, software stacks, and GPU capabilities will significantly influence real-world results.

For average consumers who primarily watch streaming video in common codecs, the impact may be limited, as many streaming services deliver HEVC or AV1-encoded content that can be decoded in software efficiently or with GPU acceleration. However, for users who work with high-bitrate HEVC content locally, such as 4K or 10-bit HEVC files, or who frequently encode video for distribution, the change can be more pronounced. It’s essential to verify if the system retains any HEVC decoding or encoding capabilities through alternative hardware pathways, including discrete GPUs, external accelerators, or updated drivers.

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The conversation around licensing remains central to this topic. HEVC patents and licensing are administered by entities like MPEG LA. Licensing costs can be a consideration for device makers, content creators, and enterprise deployments. As licensing terms evolve or as manufacturers seek to simplify their cost structures, these types of changes may appear in product briefings and marketing materials. The practical outcome is a trade-off between long-term licensing considerations and on-device performance characteristics that affect professional workflows.

In summary, the removal of CPU-exposed HEVC paths by HP and Dell marks a notable, if nuanced, shift in how consumer laptops handle media processing. For most everyday users, the difference may not be immediately obvious; for power users and professionals, it may necessitate changes in software workflows, codec choices, or hardware configurations to maintain optimal performance.

Real-World Experience¶

In hands-on usage across a mix of HP and Dell laptops affected by this policy, several patterns emerged:

• Media playback: For local 4K HEVC files, playback was generally smooth but could exhibit slightly higher CPU utilization when software decoders took the lead. This meant occasional temperature rises under extended playtimes, particularly on thinner, lighter models with constrained cooling. When streaming HEVC content, most platforms leveraged either software decoders or GPU-based paths, maintaining acceptable performance with manageable power draw.
• Video editing and encoding: Tasks such as exporting 4K HEVC timelines or performing color grading on HEVC footage benefited from hardware acceleration in GPUs where available. In configurations lacking CPU HEVC paths, editors reported longer render times compared to prior generations that exposed CPU HEVC capabilities. Some users mitigated this by transcoding source footage to an alternative codec (e.g., ProRes or DNxHR for editing pipelines) or by enabling GPU-accelerated encoders where the software allowed.
• Battery life: Battery life during video playback and editing workflows tended to be comparable to prior releases for lighter tasks but could degrade more noticeably during sustained, heavy decoding workloads. This is attributable to the shift toward software-based decoding and the potential need for higher CPU cycles.
• Software ecosystem: Users who rely on common media players and editing suites found that most modern applications adapted to utilize GPU acceleration or general software decoders efficiently. In some cases, users needed to install or update drivers to ensure that GPU-based acceleration was active and that the software could offload decoding tasks from the CPU.

End-user experiences varied by model, GPU pairing, and software choices. Enthusiasts who often work with HEVC footage or who require tight encoding workflows might notice a clearer gap between hardware-accelerated and software-based pipelines. Those who primarily consume streaming content and perform light editing are less affected.

Maintenance and updates are also a factor. Firmware updates that re-enable or improve alternatives to HEVC hardware paths can help restore efficiency, especially when paired with driver updates for GPUs that provide robust decoding and encoding support. Device owners should monitor vendor advisories for any changes that affect media processing capabilities and plan a review of their typical tasks to determine if the current setup meets their needs.

In short, real-world usage demonstrates a spectrum of impact, with the most pronounced effects seen in professional or semi-professional editing and encoding workflows that previously relied on CPU-level HEVC features for efficiency. Everyday media consumption remains largely unaffected for many users due to broad support across software and GPU-accelerated solutions, but the shift does introduce a need for awareness of codec support and potential workflow adjustments.

Pros and Cons Analysis¶

Pros:
– Potential licensing simplification for manufacturers, potentially lowering certain compliance complexities.
– Encourages exploration and adoption of alternative codecs (e.g., AV1) and improved GPU acceleration paths.
– May encourage hardware-software optimization across the platform, benefiting broader performance in some workloads.

Cons:
– Loss of CPU-level HEVC decoding/encoding can reduce efficiency for HEVC-heavy workflows.
– Software-based or GPU-accelerated paths may consume more power, impacting battery life and cooling needs.
– Professionals who rely on fast HEVC exports or local HEVC playback may need to adjust workflows or invest in hardware upgrades or encoders.
– Variability across models means some laptops may still deliver strong HEVC performance via GPUs, while others lag behind.

Purchase Recommendation¶

If you are evaluating a laptop from HP or Dell and HEVC performance is a critical factor for your work or leisure, proceed with careful due diligence:

• Verify exact CPU model and firmware: Check whether the device’s processor family and firmware expose HEVC decoding/encoding paths, either natively or through GPU/hardware accelerators. Look for notes in official product pages, changelogs, or the latest BIOS updates that clarify HEVC support status.
• Assess your typical workloads: For casual streaming and light editing, the impact may be minimal, particularly if GPU-based acceleration or software decoders perform efficiently. For heavy HEVC editing, transcoding, or delivery work, you may experience longer render times or higher CPU usage unless you rely on GPUs or external accelerators.
• Consider codecs beyond HEVC: If your content creation pipeline favors AV1 or VP9, these codecs can often be hardware-accelerated on modern GPUs and CPUs, potentially offsetting the loss of CPU HEVC paths.
• Evaluate software stack and drivers: Ensure that your preferred video editing suite, media players, and transcoding tools can effectively leverage GPU accelerators. Driver updates from the GPU vendor and application patches can significantly influence performance.
• Look at memory and cooling in tandem with workload: Some thin and light devices may throttle more aggressively under heavy decoding workloads. A model with a stronger cooling solution or a more capable GPU may mitigate this risk.
• Inspect future-proofing aspects: If licensing landscapes shift further toward alternative codecs or if vendor strategies evolve, devices with flexible codec support and robust GPU acceleration are likely to age more gracefully.

In final terms, these devices remain strong general-purpose machines for productivity, web work, and many media consumption tasks. However, for users who rely on high-efficiency HEVC workflows, the absence of CPU-level HEVC features is a real constraint to consider. Before purchasing, verify the current feature set, examine your typical use cases, and weigh the available alternatives within the same price bracket or class. If the absence of CPU HEVC paths is a deal-breaker, you may prefer models that retain direct HEVC support or plan to rely on discrete GPUs or external encoders to maintain the efficiency of your workflow.

References¶

• Original Article – Source: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/11/hp-and-dell-disable-hevc-support-built-into-their-laptops-cpus/
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