HP OmniBook 3 assessment: Battery life is the primary attraction

Greatest Costs Right this moment: HP OmniBook 3

Liable to courting myself, I’ll admit the phrase “omni” at all times jogs my memory of a selected nerdy reference: the OmniMech from the Mechwarrior PC video games. Versatile but all-around nice, OmniMechs dominated the sport’s digital battlefield. That units a excessive mark for HP’s 16-inch OmniBook 3 to hurdle, and whereas the laptop computer does have strengths, it additionally suffers from weaknesses that don’t appear very “omni” to me.

HP OmniBook 3: Specs

The HP OmniBook 3 16’s specs are fairly… 2025. That’s largely as a result of it has a Qualcomm Snapdragon X chip. Qualcomm has since launched the Snapdragon X2, so introducing a brand new laptop computer with a Snapdragon X isn’t precisely thrilling.

• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100
• Reminiscence: 32GB LPDDR5X-8448
• Graphics/GPU: Qualcomm Adreno X1-45
• NPU: Qualcomm Hexagon NPU as much as 45 TOPS
• Show: 16-inch 1920×1200 OLED 60Hz
• Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 strong state drive
• Webcam and microphone: 1080p webcam with IR digicam and HDR, dual-array microphone, bodily privateness shutter
• Connectivity: 1x HDMI 2.1, 2x USB-C 10Gbps with DisplayPort and Energy Supply 3.0, 2x USB-A 5Gbps, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
• Biometrics: Home windows Hey facial recognition
• Audio: Twin audio system
• Battery capability: 68 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 14.12 inches x 9.91 inches x 0.82 inches
• Weight: 3.65 kilos
• Working System: Home windows 11 House
• Worth: $1,139.99 MSRP

It’s not simply the Snapdragon X that dates the OmniBook 3, nonetheless. The laptop computer additionally lacks any type of fashionable high-speed bodily connectivity (like Thunderbolt or USB-4). It lacks Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 as effectively. And the OLED show, although good to have, solely supplies 1920×1200 decision.

There are two issues that stand out—the RAM and storage. The OmniBook 3 I reviewed had 32GB of RAM and 1TB of strong state drive. These are wholesome figures however, due to the present surge in RAM and SSD pricing, in addition they drive up the value. HP lists an MSRP of $1,139.99 for this configuration, which is quite a bit to ask for a laptop computer with an entry-level Snapdragon X chip.

I’ve one last observe. Whereas the laptop computer I reviewed had an OLED panel, HP hasn’t offered this actual mannequin on the market so far. At present, the configuration I reviewed is just accessible with a 1920×1200 IPS show (in contact and non-touch flavors) on HP.com. I anticipate the OLED panel may add just a few {dollars} to the MSRP when it turns into accessible.

HP OmniBook 3: Design and construct high quality

Foundry / Matthew Smith

The HP OmniBook 3 doesn’t make an impression out of the field. You’ve possible seen this dozens of instances earlier than. It’s a easy, silver rectangle with a metallic sheen. HP does supply the laptop computer in a complete of 5 colour choices, and a few of these may be extra outstanding, however the “Nouvelle Silver” laptop computer I acquired is undeniably uninteresting.

I additionally observed two practical points. First, the laptop computer isn’t as skinny as HP claims. HP’s on-line supplies declare as little as 0.58 inches thick; the assessment briefing I acquired claimed 17.7mm thick. By my measurements, nonetheless, the laptop computer is 21mm thick at its thickest level or roughly 0.83 inches. That’s not all that skinny and the majority is noticeable.

The hinge on the mannequin I reviewed was additionally fairly unfastened. Whereas that made the laptop computer simple to open with one finger, it additionally meant the show lid hung open when the laptop computer was tilted. It will make it simpler for objects to slide between the show and keyboard when the laptop computer is stowed.

At the least the design has just a few perks. The sides are rounded and the plastic supplies used throughout the laptop computer, although not luxurious, have a slight grip to their texture. Construct high quality is nice for the value with solely minimal flex seen throughout the show lid when it’s opened. And the 16-inch mannequin I acquired is mild for its show dimension at roughly 3.6 kilos.

HP OmniBook 3: Keyboard, touchpad

Foundry / Matthew Smith

The 16-inch model of the HP OmniBook 3 makes use of its ample inside house to supply a spacious keyboard with numpad. Most keys are massive and, whereas the numpad keys are a tad smaller than regular, they don’t really feel crammed. The keyboard is positioned far in the direction of the hinge, as effectively, which is nice. That leaves a ton of house to relaxation your palms.

Key really feel is nice. There’s vary of key journey and keys activate with a taut motion that gives an audible snap. A little bit of keyboard flex may be discovered when you press laborious on the middle of the keyboard, nevertheless it didn’t happen in regular typing. The keyboard is backlit and gives two brightness settings. On the entire, the typing expertise is nice.

The touchpad is analogous. It measures about 5.25 inches extensive and three.25 inches deep, which is a typical dimension for a touchpad on a 16-inch laptop computer and supplies quantity of house for executing multi-touch gestures. The touchpad is clean and responsive and doesn’t have issues with unintended enter. Very like the keyboard, the touchpad is in the end unremarkable however nonetheless fulfilling to make use of.

HP OmniBook 3: Show

Foundry / Matthew Smith

Many HP OmniBook 3 configurations have a 1920×1200 IPS show, however the mannequin I reviewed had an upgraded 1920×1200 OLED show with a 60Hz refresh price. 

The OLED show is a strong selection with vivid colour, nice distinction, and deep blacks in darkish content material. All of this provides as much as a sensible and interesting picture that’s superior to any IPS panel.

Brightness is the only draw back. The panel is quoted to max out at about 300 nits, and that’s what I noticed in my time with the laptop computer. That’s not vivid and it will probably make the show uncomfortable to view in a vivid room. It’s a shiny show, too, so glare is a matter.

Whereas I just like the OLED show total, it doesn’t stand out as outstanding. Many laptops supply an OLED show and, at this worth level, it’s possible you’ll discover opponents with the next decision or most brightness. Lenovo’s IdeaPad 5a 2-in-1, for instance, gives an non-compulsory 15.3-inch 2560×1600 OLED show.

HP OmniBook 3: Audio

HP’s OmniBook 3 has a easy dual-speaker sound system that fails in all of the methods Home windows laptop computer customers can be painfully accustomed to. The audio system aren’t notably loud, even at most quantity, and lack low-end punch, which ends up in a tinny, hole sound. At greater volumes this could make the audio system grating to take heed to. They work in a pinch, however you’ll typically need to use headphones or exterior audio system.

HP OmniBook 3: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

A 1080p webcam is packed within the HP OmniBook 3’s prime bezel. It supplies cheap video high quality with good colour seize and sharpness, although. However like most laptop computer webcams, the picture will grow to be grainy in darker environments. The laptop computer helps Home windows’ Studio Results to reinforce or mechanically body the picture, and a bodily privateness shutter is included.

The twin-array microphone captures loud audio and does job of rejecting background noise, although I did discover the sound may be muddy. Nonetheless, it’s wonderful for Google Meet or Zoom.

Biometric login is supported via Home windows Hey facial recognition, which is quick and usually dependable. A fingerprint reader will not be accessible.

HP OmniBook 3: Connectivity

Foundry / Matthew Smith

The HP OmniBook 3’s connectivity could seem nice or disappointing, relying in your perspective.

First, the unhealthy information. The OmniBook 3 has two USB-C ports, each of which give Energy Supply 3.0 and assist DisplayPort, however the ports have a knowledge price of 10Gbps. You received’t discover high-speed Thunderbolt 4 or USB-C 4 right here. The USB-A ports cap out at 5Gbps.

On the plus facet, the OmniBook 3 supplies two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports. That’s vary of USB choices for connecting each fashionable and legacy units. The OmniBook 3 additionally has an HDMI 2.1 port and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. The one port notably absent right here is Ethernet, nevertheless it’s uncommon amongst laptops in 2026 and usually discovered solely on thicker workstation and gaming machines.

Wi-fi connectivity contains Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. I might have most popular to see Wi-Fi 7, which is the newest wi-fi commonplace. This isn’t a sensible situation for most individuals proper now, as most individuals nonetheless don’t have a Wi-Fi 7 router. However Wi-Fi 7 additionally isn’t new (routers have been accessible for over a yr), so it’s disappointing to see a laptop computer priced over $1,000 omit it.

HP OmniBook 3: Efficiency

The HP OmniBook 3 I examined has a Qualcomm Snapdragon X chip inside. It is a bit disappointing as a result of Snapdragon X2 has launched, although the much less performant variants that may finally change the Snapdragon X and Snapdragon X Plus chips stay unusual. This configuration pairs the Snapdragon X with quite a lot of RAM and strong state storage, nonetheless, at 32GB and 1TB respectively.

Foundry / Matthew Smith

Cinebench 2024 is a closely multi-threaded benchmark with a local Arm executable, and this take a look at lets the Snapdragon X shine. It beats all comparable laptops with its multi-core rating of 659. That’s a strong end result for a mid-range laptop computer, and it goes to point out that even much less succesful variations of Snapdragon chips profit from Qualcomm’s highly effective CPU core design.

Foundry / Matthew Smith

The state of affairs is reversed in Handbrake, the place the HP OmniBook 3 falls behind. That’s as a result of we use an older model of Handbrake with out an Arm executable. An x86 program with out an Arm executable will run via the Home windows Prism emulation layer, and that does lead to a efficiency penalty.

Foundry / Matthew Smith

Transferring on to 3D efficiency, we see that whereas the Snapdragon X supplies good CPU efficiency, it lags in GPU efficiency. The built-in X1-45 GPU suffers two issues. First, it’s not notably highly effective to start with. Second, it typically has to run via emulation, which additional saps efficiency.

3DMark Evening Raid has an Arm native model; right here the HP OmniBook 3 is similar to the Lenovo IdeaPad 5a 2-in-1 with AMD Radeon 860M built-in graphics. Nonetheless, the Time Spy benchmark will not be Arm native, and that ends in a lot worse efficiency for the Snapdragon-powered HP. It’s 50 % slower than AMD Radeon 860M, which isn’t fast to start with.

In the actual world, Arm compatibility continues to be a problem for PC video games, as many should not have an Arm model. Video games with out an Arm model should still run however, as with the Time Spy benchmark, efficiency received’t be nice.

HP OmniBook 3: Battery life and portability

The HP OmniBook 3 has a 68 watt-hour battery, which is a typical dimension for a laptop computer in its worth vary. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X chips are inclined to sip energy, nonetheless, and HP does job of managing efficiency to ship strong battery life.

Foundry / Matthew Smith

I recorded virtually 22 and a half hours of battery life in PC World’s commonplace battery take a look at, which loops a 4K file of the quick movie Tears of Metal. Because the graph exhibits, it is a strong end result and competes effectively with many 16-inch laptops. Battery life like this has an actual impression on how the laptop computer is used. You may possible get away with utilizing the laptop computer for 2 or three days earlier than charging it.

Charging is straightforward, too, as a result of the laptop computer’s USB-C ports assist energy supply. HP ships the laptop computer with a really compact energy adapter that measures roughly an inch in top and width and a couple of.5 inches deep. That’s sufficiently small that you might stuff it in even the smallest purse, sling bag, or fanny pack. Most opponents ship with a bigger energy brick.

HP OmniBook 3: Conclusion

The HP OmniBook 3 16-inch has two foremost perks: multi-core CPU efficiency and battery life. Whereas you will discover a equally priced laptop computer with higher CPU efficiency when you go for a thicker, heavier machine, the OmniBook 3 performs effectively for its class. Battery life can also be strong, lasting practically 22 and a half hours in our battery take a look at.

These perks are diminished by the OmniBook 3 16-inch’s built-in GPU efficiency, which isn’t nice for the value, and a number of other different disappointments which can be individually minor however add up. These embody the shortage of Thunderbolt 4 or USB-C 4, the shortage of Wi-Fi 7, a dim OLED show, and weak audio system.

Pricing isn’t in HP’s favor, both. The configuration I examined rang up at $1,139.99, which is quite a bit for a laptop computer with an entry-level Snapdragon X chip. Extra inexpensive configurations dip as little as $519.99, although they’ve 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Whereas I didn’t get to check it, I believe the entry-level configuration would have scored higher, as disappointments like a scarcity of high-speed wired connectivity and weak audio system are simpler to miss at $520 than at $1,140.