HP OmniBook 5 14 evaluate: Over 25 hours of battery energy

Finest Costs Right now: HP OmniBook 5 14

Need a Home windows laptop computer with nice battery life and portability? The HP OmniBook 5 14 needs to be in your shortlist. It reached as much as 25 hours of endurance in our battery life take a look at. And, to sweeten the deal, it has each a quick charging mode (as much as 50 p.c of a full cost in half-hour) and a tiny 65-watt GaN charger.

HP OmniBook 5 14: Specs and options

The HP OmniBook 5 14 is designed round a Snapdragon X Plus chip, on this case the X1P-42-100. It’s paired with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB strong state drive. Whereas it’s good to see the 32GB/1TB mixture at this value level, the X1P-42-100 is among the many least succesful Snapdragon X Plus chips. That’s a perk for battery life, and a detrimental for efficiency.

• CPU: Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100
• Reminiscence: 32GB LPDDR5X-8448
• Graphics/GPU: Qualcomm Adreno
• NPU: Qualcomm NPU as much as 45 TOPs
• Show: 14-inch 1920×1200 60Hz OLED touchscreen
• Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
• Webcam: 1080p 30fps
• Connectivity: 2x USB-C 10Gbps with USB Energy Supply and DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-A 10Gbps, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
• Biometrics: Facial recognition
• Battery capability: 59 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 12.29 x 8.56 x 0.61 inches
• Weight: 2.98 kilos
• Working System: Home windows 11 Dwelling
• Extra options: 65-watt GaN energy adapter
• Worth: $899.99 MSRP

HP lists an MSRP of $899.99 and has but to concern reductions on this mannequin. Nevertheless, HP additionally sells inexpensive fashions of the OmniBook 5 that begin at an MSRP of $699.99. They’re already discounted to as little as $549.99. They begin at 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, nonetheless, and have a much less highly effective Snapdragon X chip.

HP OmniBook 5 14: Design and construct high quality

IDG / Matthew Smith

The HP OmniBook 5 makes a very good first impression, although not as a result of it stands out. As a substitute, it delivers a easy however cohesive design that appears traditional and feels sturdy. It’s constructed from a mix of aluminum (on the lid) and plastic (throughout the remainder of the chassis) in a “Glacier Silver” colorway. The supplies feel and appear extra premium than the laptop computer’s price ticket would recommend.

It’s not all excellent news, nonetheless. Whereas the construct is respectable, I seen an odd thunk as I picked up the laptop computer from one nook and moved it from hand-to-hand. It appears the chassis flexes sufficient to contact the internals. It’s not instantly apparent, however as soon as I heard it, I discovered it onerous to overlook.

The OmniBook 5’s design and construct high quality is about common for the class. I’d rank the OmniBook 5 forward of an Acer Swift Go 14 AI, however the Microsoft Floor Laptop computer 13 and Asus ZenBook S 14 provide extra drama and really feel extra premium.

HP OmniBook 5 14: Keyboard, trackpad, mouse

IDG / Matthew Smith

The keyboard is among the many OmniBook 5’s finest options. It gives a easy, spacious format. Most keys are near full dimension, with solely the left-side Shift, Caps, and Tab keys a bit truncated. Key really feel is superb with good journey and a definitive, swift bottoming motion.

Most Home windows laptops offered on this value vary have a keyboard that’s no less than ok, however the OmniBook 5’s keyboard is a standout.

The touchpad is much less exceptional, however nonetheless good. It measures roughly 5 inches huge and three inches deep, which is common for a laptop computer on this class. It gives a easy, responsive floor and sufficient room to deal with Home windows multi-touch gestures (like a five-finger pinch) with ease.

Whereas the laptop computer I examined didn’t have a touchscreen, HP says that the delivery configuration will embody one. Nevertheless, this isn’t true for each OmniBook 5, as the bottom mannequin lacks a touchscreen

It doesn’t matter a lot both means, because the OmniBook 5 isn’t a 2-in-1, and the show solely tilts again 130 levels (not far sufficient to put flat). Nonetheless, a touchscreen is a comfort that may be helpful when vegging out on the sofa or in cramped quarters, like an economy-class airline seat.

HP OmniBook 5 14: Show, audio

IDG / Matthew Smith

All HP OmniBook 5 fashions with the Snapdragon Plus chip have an OLED show with 1920×1200 decision and a 60Hz refresh fee.

HP calls this a “2K” show, which is a bit cheeky. It’s principally a 1080p show with a number of extra vertical pixels. Laptop computer corporations have just lately determined to redefine quoted pixel counts by specializing in the horizontal fairly than vertical decision.

That apart, there’s nothing incorrect with 1920×1200 decision in a 14-inch laptop computer offered below $1,000. Certainly, whereas dearer rivals just like the Asus ZenBook S 14 provide a better decision (similar to 3,200 x 1,800), the added sharpness could be a bit troublesome to understand. The 1920×1200 panel has a pixel density of 161 pixels per inch, which is sort of similar to the sharpness of a 27-inch 4K monitor.

Sharpness apart, the panel seems to be nice. It’s an OLED show and gives the benefits typical of the panel sort, together with a large colour gamut and excessive distinction ratio. The one actual concern is brightness, because the panel is rated at 300 nits and barely nudged previous that in my testing. That’s not sufficient to comfortably use the laptop computer close to a sunlit window or different vivid mild supply.

The OmniBook 5 has a dual-speaker sound system that gives good quantity and a good sound stage; nonetheless, turning up the quantity can overwhelm the sound system, making a harsh and muddy expertise. This can be a traditional mistake many mid-range Home windows laptops make; they typically permit the audio system to hit quantity ranges they will’t deal with. Nonetheless, the audio system usually are not dangerous for a mid-range Home windows laptop computer at extra modest volumes.

HP OmniBook 5 14: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

Each OmniBook 5 ships with a 1080p webcam and twin array microphone. Each present good although not distinctive high quality. Video is fairly sharp and the microphones decide up crisp audio however, like most laptops, each are solely ample for Zoom or Google Meet. The laptop computer does help Home windows Studio Results options, together with background blur and automated framing.

The digicam gives a bodily privateness shutter to totally impede the digicam when it’s not in use. This characteristic, although more and more widespread, is sweet to see on an inexpensive laptop computer. It’s extra widespread on high-end fashions.

Biometric login is supported by Home windows Whats up facial recognition. As normal, it really works effectively offering quick and dependable login with out the necessity to enter a password. A fingerprint reader will not be out there.

HP OmniBook 5 14: Connectivity

IDG / Matthew Smith

The OmniBook 5 has a slim port choice. On the left flank you’ll discover two USB-C ports, whereas on the best you’ll discover USB-A and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Each USB-C ports help DisplayPort and Energy Supply, so each can be utilized to cost the laptop computer and/or connect with a USB-C show (or DisplayPort/HDMI should you purchase an adapter).

Nevertheless, the ports solely help information charges as much as 10Gbps. This marks a significant distinction between the OmniBook 5 and laptops that help Thunderbolt 4, which gives 40Gbps of knowledge. 10Gbps remains to be sufficient for many conditions. But it surely may be a limitation should you have been planning to hook up with a USB-C dock after which join a number of high-speed exterior storage gadgets.

Whereas the restricted USB-C ports are disappointing, it’s widespread for Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus laptops. Those that need Thunderbolt might want to take a look at an Apple MacBook Air or entry-level laptops with an Intel Core Extremely processor.

It’s the same story with wi-fi connectivity, because the OmniBook 5 helps Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Each are tremendous, however neither is the newest model of every wi-fi normal. As with Thunderbolt, Wi-Fi 7 help will not be that widespread in machines below $1,000, and most frequently supplied by laptops with Intel Core Extremely processors.

HP OmniBook 5 14: Efficiency

The HP OmniBook 5 presents the Qualcomm Snapdragon X chip. It’s vital to notice there are variations between fashions. Base fashions have the Snapdragon X X1-26-100 with eight cores as much as 2.97GHz, however the mannequin I examined had the Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 with eight cores as much as 3.4GHz.

Even the X1P-42-100 is a reasonably tame model of the Snapdragon X, sitting on the backside of the Snapdragon X Plus product stack. It has fewer cores than different Snapdragon X chips (which supply as much as 10 in Snapdragon X Plus and as much as 12 in Snapdragon X Elite) and a much less succesful model of the Qualcomm Adreno GPU. The Qualcomm NPU is identical throughout chips, although, with quoted efficiency as much as 45 TOPS.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Let’s begin with Cinebench 2024, a benchmark that gives native help for each Arm and x86. It experiences a multi-core rating of 495 and a single-core rating of 105. Because the graph signifies, these scores are tremendous however not spectacular for a laptop computer priced at $899.

Relying on the specifics of gross sales on the time you’re shopping for, it may be doable to discover a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, Ryzen AI 7, or Intel Core Extremely 7 laptop computer in the identical value bracket. All of those will are likely to beat the OmniBook 5 with Snapdragon X Plus.

IDG / Matthew Smith

3D efficiency is a sneaky weak spot of the entry-level Snapdragon X and Snapdragon X Plus chips. Whereas all variations of the Snapdragon X have a Qualcomm Adreno, efficiency ranges fluctuate drastically. One of the best Snapdragon X Elite quotes 4.6 TFLOPs of efficiency, however the Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 quotes simply 1.7 TFLOPs. That’s effectively lower than half the efficiency.

How a lot that issues relies upon each in your wants and your body of reference. Laptops on this value vary typically have both Intel Arc 130V or AMD Radeon 860M graphics, each of which additionally quit a good bit of efficiency when in comparison with their dearer and premium siblings. However should you evaluate the HP OmniBook 5 to a laptop computer with Intel Arc 140V, Radeon 880M, or a Snapdragon X Elite chip, it’s going to fall fairly a bit behind.

On the finish of the day, the HP OmniBook 5’s efficiency is okay however not distinctive. Like most laptops which have an entry-level Snapdragon X or Snapdragon X Plus chip, the OmniBook 5 is susceptible to cost strain from discounted Snapdragon X Elite laptops, which have a tendency to supply a lot better efficiency for a slight leap in value.

Nonetheless, the HP OmniBook 5 remains to be a lot fast for a variety of productiveness duties. And it has a significant perk that, for a lot of, may justify settling for modest efficiency.

HP OmniBook 5 14: Battery life and portability

That perk is battery life.

HP says that the OmniBook 5 14 can obtain as much as 34 hours of battery life. That unbelievable declare didn’t match our testing, however the laptop computer nonetheless managed to exceed 25 hours in a video playback take a look at.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Because the graph exhibits, that’s a very staggering determine for any laptop computer, by no means thoughts one offered under $1,000. I used to be additionally stunned to see this determine regardless of using an OLED show. In some instances OLED shows seem to scale back battery life relative to an IPS show, however that’s clearly not the scenario right here.

The laptop computer can be extraordinarily simple to maintain charged up. Each USB-C ports help Energy Supply and the laptop computer has a quick cost mode that may add as much as 50 p.c capability in half-hour (although solely when the laptop computer is totally shut down and under 50 p.c capability).

HP additionally gives a tiny 65-watt GaN energy adapter with some OmniBook 5 fashions, together with the mannequin I examined. It measures solely 2.5 inches lengthy and about an inch thick, which makes it the smallest included energy adapter I’ve ever examined. This additional contributes to the already nice battery life, because it’s simple to pack the adapter for fast top-offs every time an outlet is accessible.

All of this combines to make the HP OmniBook 5 a remarkably moveable Home windows laptop computer and, I feel, probably the most moveable mid-range laptop computer out there proper now. Some rivals are smaller, however few are near the OmniBook 5’s battery life, and HP’s inclusion of the GaN energy adapter provides it an edge.

HP OmniBook 5 14: Conclusion

The HP OmniBook 5 is a powerful contender in order for you a Home windows laptop computer with nice battery life. Although not a high performer, it does effectively sufficient for a laptop computer below $1,000. And it advantages from different perks like an pleasant keyboard and OLED show. Pricing might not all the time be to HP’s profit, as steep discounting on laptops with extra highly effective chips can dip into value territory just like the OmniBook 5. However the HP’s 25-hour endurance and tiny GaN charger present buyers a very good motive to purchase it over the options.