HP OmniBook X review: a new breed of Windows laptop | Digital Trends

Specs and configurations

  • Dimensions: 12.32 inches x 8.8 inches x 0.56-0.57 inches
  • Weight: 2.97 pounds
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100
  • Graphics: Qualcomm Dreno
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Display: 14.0-inch 16:10 2.2K (2240 x 1400) IPS
  • Storage: 512GB or 1TB
  • Touch: Yes
  • Ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 1 x USB-C 3.2, 1 x USB4, 3.5mm audio jack
  • Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
  • Webcam: 5MP with infrared camera for Windows 11 Hello facial recognition
  • Operating system: Windows 11 on Arm
  • Battery: 59 watt-hour
  • Price: ,150+

The OmniBook X comes in just two configurations. For ,150, you get the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 chipset, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 14.0-inch 2.2K IPS display. For 0 more, you can upgrade to a 1TB SSD.

Those are attractive prices for a laptop with excellent performance and very good battery life. Its most direct competitors, the Apple MacBook Air M3 and Dell XPS 13, are considerably more expensive.

Design

The HP OmniBook X is a new kind of Windows laptop, featuring an aluminum chassis and lid that are mostly rigid. It is reasonably thin and light, with options in Meteor Silver and Ceramic White colors. While it may not break new ground aesthetically, it offers a solid build quality.

Keyboard and touchpad

The keyboard on the OmniBook X is comfortable with large keycaps and precise switches. The touchpad is responsive, although slightly smaller than ideal. The display is touch-enabled, offering an additional feature compared to the MacBook Air.

Connectivity and webcam

Connectivity on the OmniBook X includes USB4 and Wi-Fi options, with a 5MP webcam featuring enhanced Microsoft Studio Effects AI. However, there were some issues with the infrared camera during testing that may need addressing.

CPU performance

The Snapdragon X Elite chipset in the OmniBook X offers fast performance for productivity workflows, comparable to Intel and Apple Silicon laptops. While benchmarks show good multi-core performance, single-core tasks may be slightly slower than the MacBook Air M3.

GPU performance

The Adreno GPU in the OmniBook X performs adequately for integrated graphics, but may not excel in demanding creative tasks. It falls slightly behind the MacBook Air M3 in GPU performance benchmarks.

AI performance

The Snapdragon X Elite’s NPU offers fast on-device AI performance, but cross-platform benchmarks are limited. While it may outperform Intel and Apple chipsets in AI tasks, discrete GPUs remain faster.

Battery life

The OmniBook X offers decent battery life, lasting longer than most Intel laptops but shorter than the MacBook Air M3 in web browsing and video tests. Efficiency remains a key area where Apple Silicon excels.

Display and audio

The 14.0-inch IPS display on the OmniBook X provides good color accuracy and contrast, suitable for productivity tasks. Audio quality from the downward-firing speakers is adequate but lacks depth.

In conclusion, the HP OmniBook X presents a compelling alternative in the Windows laptop market with its solid performance, attractive price point, and decent battery life. While it may not surpass the efficiency of Apple Silicon, it stands out as a strong contender in the Windows on Arm category.

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HP OmniBook X review: a new breed of Windows laptop | Digital Trends