The HP OmniBook 5 14 is a sleek and powerful laptop that offers students and everyday users a blend of style, durability, and exceptional battery life. Starting at $879.99, this Snapdragon X-based laptop pairs a sturdy, streamlined design with a stunning OLED display, setting it apart from midrange models. Its secret weapon is its endurance, as it outperformed conventional laptops in battery life tests. If you don't frequently encounter Arm-based PC limitations, the HP OmniBook 5 14 is a recommended choice. With premium features and exceptional longevity, it earns the Editors' Choice award for midrange ultraportables.
The HP OmniBook 5 series offers a wide range of models, available in both 14- and 16-inch configurations. These laptops feature silicon options from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm, in both clamshell and convertible designs. The 'Next Gen AI PC' models, like the one tested, are equipped with Arm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors.
The HP OmniBook 5 14 'Next Gen AI' model starts at $879 and includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon X (X1-26-100) chip, Adreno X1-45 integrated graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, a 256GB SSD, and a 14-inch 1,920-by-1,200-pixel OLED display. An upgraded model with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100) chip, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD is also available for $899.99, discounted to $699.99 at the time of review. Note that HP's '2K' display refers to 1,920 by 1,200 pixels.
The laptop's design is minimalist, featuring a sleek silver chassis with an embossed HP logo. It's ultraportable, measuring 0.6 inches thick and weighing 2.98 pounds. The keyboard deck is made of soft-touch plastic, which contributes to the premium feel. The laptop supports touch input on select models, and the test sample didn't, but an otherwise identical touch-enabled configuration is available.
The keyboard provides clear, forceful feedback with a satisfying key travel. It has a 65% layout, which means you'll encounter suboptimal half-height keys for the up and down arrows. The display is a luxurious 14-inch 1200p OLED panel with slim side bezels, perfect for casual video streaming. It supports high dynamic range (HDR) video, ensuring an immersive viewing experience.
The laptop includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 radios, a 1080p webcam with an infrared sensor, and a privacy shutter. It's well-suited for remote learning and staying connected with friends and family. The HP AI Companion, preinstalled for AI use, is a standard AI-assistant chatbot, but it's not a priority due to the availability of other AI software.
One of the biggest challenges with Arm-based Windows computers is app support. While Qualcomm and Microsoft have made progress, some apps still don't work on Arm-based PCs. However, for general use, you may not encounter this issue. Specialized tools and gaming are areas where Arm-based PCs may struggle.
The HP OmniBook 5 14 excels in battery life, lasting an impressive 34 hours and 48 minutes on a single charge, outperforming competitors. This is partly due to its relatively dim brightness and screen resolution, which contribute to its long-lasting performance. You can rely on this laptop when you forget your charger.
