HP OmniBook 5 16 assessment: An odd duck of a laptop computer
At a look
Skilled’s Ranking
Professionals
- Giant keyboard with good key really feel
- Big selection of bodily connectivity
- Incessantly bought at deep low cost at retailers
Cons
- 16-inch IPS-LCD show is sharp sufficient however lacks distinction
- Intel Core Extremely 7 255U has 12 cores, however solely two are efficiency cores
- MSRP is method too excessive—you’ll want to purchase it on sale!
Our Verdict
The HP Omnibook 5 16 is overpriced at MSRP however is commonly bought at a steep low cost. Even so, it struggles to face out because of the efficiency of Intel’s Core Extremely 7 255U, which isn’t as fast because the Core Extremely 7 branding may need you assume it’s.
Value When Reviewed
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Finest Pricing Right this moment
Finest Costs Right this moment: HP OmniBook 5 16
The HP OmniBook 5 16 is an odd duck. It’s listed on HP’s web site at $1,199.99 and, at that value, doesn’t really feel remotely aggressive. Nonetheless, this laptop computer can be accessible at far decrease costs from main retailers and, when that’s taken under consideration, it appears like an honest purchase. Even so, I can’t assist however really feel the Intel Core Extremely 7 255U—a chip with simply two efficiency cores and with out Intel Arc graphics—is holding this specific configuration again.
HP OmniBook 5 16: Specs and options as-tested
The HP OmniBook 5 16’s primary specs are slightly typical for a mid-range Home windows laptop computer. It consists of an Intel Core Extremely 7 255U processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB strong state drive.
One essential factor to notice, although, is that the Core Extremely 7 255U serves up entry-level “Intel Graphics” slightly than Intel’s Arc graphics, so unimpressive graphics efficiency may be anticipated.
- Mannequin quantity: af1037nr
- CPU: Intel Core Extremely 7 255U
- Reminiscence: 16GB LPDDR5x-7467
- Graphics/GPU: Intel Graphics
- NPU: Intel AI Increase (12 TOPS)
- Show: 16-inch 1920×1200
- Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 strong state drive
- Webcam and microphone: 1080p FHD IR digicam
- Connectivity: 1x USB-A 3 (10Gbps), 1x USB-A 3 (5Gbps), 2x USB-C 3 (10Gbps) with DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1
- Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- Biometrics: Home windows Good day facial recognition
- Battery capability: 59 watt-hours
- Dimensions: 14.08 x 10.03 x 0.73 inches
- Weight: 3.92 kilos
- Working System: Home windows 11 Dwelling
- Value: $1,199.99 MSRP, $500 to $800 typical retail
HP’s web site lists this mannequin at an MSRP of $1,199.99, which may be very excessive for the laptop computer’s specs. Nonetheless, most retailers are promoting the OmniBook 5 16 for round $500 to $800; the bottom value I may discover was $479 from Walmart over the Black Friday weekend, which has since risen to $599 (and that variant had an improve to a 1TB strong state drive).
This specific assessment covers the HP OmniBook 5 16 with Intel {hardware}. It’s essential to notice that HP sells many OmniBook 5 variants with AMD or Qualcomm inside. A few of these are considerably completely different: the Qualcomm-powered fashions, for instance, have OLED shows.
The HP OmniBook 5 16 doesn’t excel in any specific class, however doesn’t fall far behind the pack, both.
HP OmniBook 5 16: Design and construct high quality
Foundry / Matthew Smith
The design of the HP OmniBook 5 16 is kind of primary, as is typical for cheap Home windows laptops. A lot of the exterior appears to be constructed from plastic and a well-recognized gentle silver hue is the order of the day. Branding is minimal, too, with solely a chrome HP emblem on the lid and a tiny OmniBook 5 badge beneath the keyboard.
What it lacks in aptitude, although, the OmniBook 5 16 makes up for with good fundamentals. The chassis supplies really feel good (for the worth, at the least) and there’s not a lot flex throughout the show lid or inside. I did discover that the general really feel will not be as strong because the smaller HP OmniBook 5 14, which may be very inflexible.
There’s numerous competitors on this value level, and the standard of alternate options varies considerably. Lenovo’s IdeaPad Slim 5i arguably seems extra luxurious. However, I barely desire the OmniBook 5’s really feel over the Asus VivoBook 16 Flip (and most VivoBook laptops).
HP OmniBook 5 16: Keyboard, trackpad
Foundry / Matthew Smith
You’ll be happy if you have to sit down and bang out just a few thousand phrases on the HP OmniBook 5 16’s keyboard. It offers an especially spacious format. Most keys are giant, with solely the left-side Tab, Caps Lock, and Management keys feeling a bit small. A numpad is supplied and the numpad keys are slightly undersized, however not by a lot.
Key really feel is nice with loads of journey and a crisp bottoming motion. I feel it’s a very good keyboard for any laptop computer, and notably for a finances machine.
The touchpad is much less spectacular. It measures about 4 and three-quarters of an inch vast and a tad over three inches deep, which is small for a 16-inch laptop computer. The touchpad is usable, to make certain, however the restricted house could make multi-touch gestures really feel cramped.
HP OmniBook 5 16: Show, audio
Foundry / Matthew Smith
The HP OmniBook 5 16 that I reviewed had a 16-inch IPS-LCD show with a decision of 1920×1200.
It is a slightly typical show for a reasonable 16-inch laptop computer and, like most such shows, it’s fantastic. The picture seems sharp sufficient and delivers acceptable shade efficiency, however the distinction ratio is proscribed and darker scenes in films and video games can look washed out. Brightness is mediocre; it’s sufficient in lots of conditions however a sunlit window can start to overwhelm the show. Out of doors use is essentially out of the query.
Whereas the show is okay for many use, it suffers from the truth that OLED shows are actually widespread even amongst cheap laptops. And in reality some OmniBook 5 16 variants, corresponding to these with Qualcomm Snapdragon X {hardware}, have an OLED show. Asus VivoBook and Acer Swift fashions additionally have a tendency to supply OLED shows at pricing much like the OmniBook 5 that I reviewed.
The OmniBook 5 16 has user-facing audio system with affordable quantity and good readability. That’s sufficient to make the audio system above-average for a reasonable laptop computer. Nonetheless, it is best to maintain your expectations in examine, as the utmost quantity continues to be modest.
HP OmniBook 5 16: Webcam, microphone, biometrics
A 1080p webcam is stuffed within the prime bezel of the HP OmniBook 5 16. It offers a fairly sharp, vibrant picture. Although nonetheless clearly a webcam picture attributable to its grainy look in low gentle and hassle adjusting publicity, the picture high quality is nice sufficient. The identical may be stated for the dual-array microphone, which captures clear, loud audio.
There’s additionally an IR digicam that’s used to help Home windows Good day facial recognition. Although more and more widespread, it’s nonetheless not customary for finances machines. It offers a fast, simple approach to log within the on the spot you open the laptop computer’s lid.
HP OmniBook 5 16: Connectivity
Foundry / Matthew Smith
The HP OmniBook 5 16 has a good number of bodily connectivity. It consists of two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. The USB-C ports supply information charges as much as 10Gbps, DisplayPort, and Energy Supply (to cost the laptop computer).
It is a typical vary of connectivity for an inexpensive laptop computer. Some laptops in an identical value vary, such because the Acer Aspire 16 AI, will supply USB-C 4 ports with greater information charges. However others, just like the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, have much less succesful connectivity.
Wi-fi connectivity is equally mediocre, as HP sticks to the older Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 requirements. This isn’t a serious subject because the efficiency from every is greater than sufficient. Nonetheless, some rivals supply Wi-Fi 7, which will probably be extra future-proof.
HP OmniBook 5 16: Efficiency
The HP OmniBook 5 16 has the Intel Core Extremely 7 255U. That title would possibly lead you to assume it’s a slightly succesful chip, however it’s not what it appears. The Core Extremely 7 255U has 12 CPU cores, however solely two of these are efficiency cores. It additionally lacks Intel Arc branded graphics and as an alternative offers solely the extra generic Intel Graphics.
16GB of reminiscence and 512GB strong state storage spherical out the specs on the mannequin I examined, although the Intel mannequin of the HP OmniBook 5 16 accessible at retailers may be bought with a 1TB strong state drive.
Foundry / Matthew Smith
We begin off with PCMark 10, a holistic system benchmark which stories a reasonable rating of 6,214 on the HP OmniBook 5 16. This defeats the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and comes near the Acer Swift 16 AI. Nonetheless, the Core Extremely 7 255U struggles to maintain up with chips in the next efficiency and value tier such because the Intel Core Extremely 7 258V and AMD Ryzen AI 7 350.
Foundry / Matthew Smith
The Cinebench 2024 multi-threaded check stories a slightly tepid outcome for the HP OmniBook 5 16, which appears to have hassle sustaining a excessive degree of efficiency over time. On this benchmark the Core Extremely 7 255U merely can’t ship. Maybe that isn’t so shocking. Even the Intel Core 5 210H has extra efficiency cores (4 vs. the Core Extremely 7 255U’s two).
Foundry / Matthew Smith
Handbrake flips the outcomes, as right here the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i with Core 5 210H falls behind the pack. Nonetheless, the Core Extremely 7 255U within the HP OmniBook 5 16 nonetheless delivers entry-level efficiency that doesn’t compete exterior the finances class.
Foundry / Matthew Smith
As talked about earlier, the HP OmniBook 5 16 with an Intel Core Extremely 7 255U lacks Intel Arc branded graphics and as an alternative has much less succesful Intel Graphics. That interprets to 4 Xe cores, which is half the variety of Xe cores delivered by Intel Arc 140V within the Intel Core Extremely 7 258V.
That has penalties for efficiency, because the HP OmniBook 5 16 is clearly far much less succesful than the Asus VivoBook 16 Flip. It additionally falls behind the Asus ExpertBook P3, which has AMD {hardware} together with Radeon 860M built-in graphics.
It’s not all unhealthy information, although. The HP OmniBook 5 16 manages to beat each the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i with Intel Graphics and the Lenovo ThinkBook 16 with Qualcomm Adreno X1-45 graphics. Whereas undoubtedly not a graphics powerhouse, the OmniBook 5 16’s efficiency is barely above common for the worth.
Talking of value, that’s one thing buyers want to bear in mind. The HP OmniBook 5 16 I examined has a listed MSRP of $1,199.99 and truly sells at that value on HP.com, and the laptop computer’s efficiency is woefully insufficient if that’s the worth paid.
Nonetheless, it’s typically bought for half as a lot at on-line retailers, during which case the OmniBook 5 16’s efficiency is aggressive, even good.
Bear in mind, too, that AMD and Qualcomm fashions exist, and that their efficiency may differ dramatically from the Intel mannequin examined for this assessment.
HP OmniBook 5 16: Battery life and portability
A small 59 watt-hour battery is crammed within the HP OmniBook 5 16. By comparability, the Asus VivoBook 16 Flip has a 75 watt-hour battery and the Acer Swift 16 AI has a 70 watt-hour battery. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, although, is comparable with a 60 watt-hour battery. So, what does this imply for battery life?
Foundry / Matthew Smith
I noticed roughly 12 hours and half-hour of battery life in the usual PC World battery check, which loops a 4K clip of the brief movie Tears of Metal at a show brightness of roughly 200 nits.
Because the graph exhibits, that’s a below-average outcome. Some 16-inch laptops can ship 15 hours of battery life or extra. With that stated, the particulars of value matter. Laptops just like the Acer Swift 16 AI and Asus VivoBook 16 Flip carry an MSRP much like the OmniBook 5 16, however are sometimes dearer at retail.
Battery life apart, the OmniBook 5 16’s portability is okay for a 16-inch machine. It weighs barely lower than 4 kilos, measures as much as 0.73 inches thick, and ships with a mid-sized USB-C energy brick that delivers as much as 65 watts. The OmniBook 5 16 is moveable sufficient in case you have a backpack with a laptop computer compartment however, like most 16-inch machines, it doesn’t match comfortably in a median tote or messenger bag.
HP OmniBook 5 16: Conclusion
The HP OmniBook 5 16 with Intel Core Extremely 7 255U is an inexpensive alternative if you need a well-rounded 16-inch laptop computer at a low value. Although it has an MSRP properly over $1,000, it tends to retail round $600, which is kind of inexpensive for a laptop computer of this dimension. The OmniBook 5 16 doesn’t excel in any specific class, however doesn’t fall far behind the pack, both.
Nonetheless, buyers ought to take care to notice the particular OmniBook 5 16 mannequin they’re contemplating after they make a purchase order. HP sells fashions with AMD or Qualcomm inside, and their specs can range a good bit. The Qualcomm fashions, for instance, have a superior OLED show.
