HP OmniBook 5 stands out as a surprisingly affordable laptop with an OLED display, a feature rarely found at this price point. It is available in 14-inch and 16-inch models, offering versatility in both traditional clamshell and 2-in-1 convertible designs. The laptop supports processors from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm, catering to a broad audience.
The 14-inch model with a Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 Arm-based processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD is priced at approximately $700. This cost is highly competitive for an OLED laptop, considering OLED screens generally appear on devices costing well over $1,000. Occasionally, discounts reduce the price to around $480, making it an even more attractive choice for budget-conscious buyers.
The OmniBook 5 features a 1920 x 1200 resolution OLED panel, which provides sharp visuals with rich blacks and vibrant colors. While it lacks the highest resolution in its class, the display quality surpasses that of IPS panels commonly found in this price range. However, its refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, it does not support HDR, and the peak brightness is about 300 nits, which may pose challenges when used outdoors on sunny days or near bright windows.
Despite this, users find the screen comfortable for daily use. Two other notable strengths of the OmniBook 5 are its keyboard and battery life. The keyboard offers a tactile typing experience with better key travel compared to some premium competitors, though it lacks backlighting. Large, clear lettering on keys improves accessibility for users with limited vision.
The battery capacity of 59Wh delivers impressive endurance. Under mixed-use conditions involving multitasking, messaging apps, and streaming media, the laptop lasts well into the evening and often through to the next day’s lunch without recharging. Intensive use of AI features such as Copilot AI and Copilot Vision, however, drains the battery more quickly, but such scenarios are infrequent.
Performance-wise, the Snapdragon octa-core processor focuses on energy efficiency over raw speed. Users may notice occasional slowdowns when juggling many open applications or virtual desktops. While the laptop never crashes, responsiveness can lag compared to similar devices, including certain ARM-based Chromebooks with comparable pricing. Intriguingly, the same processor runs smoother on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch, highlighting some optimization differences.
The mechanical trackpad behaves reliably, but some users report an intermittent “false click” sensation accompanied by a clicking sound and vibration when pressing, which can be somewhat distracting. Audio quality is a notable weak point. The downward-facing speakers rely on surface reflections for sound projection, which is ineffective when used on a lap. The speakers suffice for calls and podcasts but fall short for music enjoyment without external audio gear.
Design-wise, the OmniBook 5 shares aesthetic cues with the higher-end OmniBook X but offers a more practical experience for everyday tasks. Its OLED screen delivers a noticeably better visual experience compared to the OmniBook X’s IPS panel, despite the latter costing roughly $1,200. At $700, the OmniBook 5 represents excellent value, especially if paired with quality headphones to counterbalance its speakers’ shortcomings.
For consumers seeking an affordable laptop with an OLED screen, solid keyboard feel, and long battery life, the HP OmniBook 5 is a compelling option. Its mixed performance highlights that it is best suited for light workloads rather than demanding, processor-intensive tasks. Still, its competitive pricing and display quality differentiate it substantially in the budget laptop market.
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