HP OmniBook 5 14 targets MacBook Neo with OLED and 42-hour battery
HP has launched the OmniBook 5 14, a budget laptop priced at $699.99 that directly competes with Apple's MacBook Neo. The device features an OLED display, a 11.77mm thin chassis, and up to 42 hours of battery life. While it matches the Neo's 8GB RAM and pastel color options, it offers a larger 14-inch screen and superior battery performance, though it lacks Thunderbolt connectivity and has lower base brightness.
Key points
- The HP OmniBook 5 14 starts at $699.99 with an Intel Core 5 315 processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage.
- All configurations include an OLED display, with the base model offering 1920x1200 resolution and 300 nits of brightness.
- The laptop weighs 1.16 kg (2.5 lbs) and has a thickness of 11.77mm, making it lighter and thinner than the MacBook Neo.
- HP claims up to 42 hours of battery life based on local video playback tests, significantly outperforming the Neo's 13-hour rating.
- The device is available in silver, pink, blue, and green, mirroring the color palette of the MacBook Neo.
- A higher-tier configuration with a 2.5K OLED touchscreen, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD is available, though the top-tier 2560x1600 panel arrives in March 2027.
Background
This launch follows HP's previous OmniBook 3 release in August 2026, which also targeted the MacBook Neo market with an OLED screen at a lower price point. The current budget laptop market has shifted due to 'RAMageddon,' causing component costs to rise and pushing the MacBook Neo's price from $599 to approximately $700. This price increase has opened the door for competitors like Dell, Lenovo, and HP to introduce more feature-rich alternatives at similar price points.
How outlets are covering it
The Verge emphasizes the OmniBook 5's design similarity to the MacBook Neo, noting the identical 8GB RAM and color options, while highlighting the OLED inclusion as a major differentiator despite the base model's lower brightness. Engadget focuses on the device's portability and battery life, citing the 42-hour endurance and 11.77mm thickness as key advantages over the Neo. CNET provides a more critical view, pointing out that the base specs are underwhelming for Windows users compared to macOS, and noting the lack of USB-A ports and Thunderbolt support. CNET also highlights that the 14-inch OLED screen is larger than the Neo's 13-inch display, offering a better value for screen size at this price point.
Why it matters
The HP OmniBook 5 14 represents a significant shift in the budget laptop market, where manufacturers are now offering premium features like OLED displays and extended battery life at price points previously reserved for basic models. This competition forces Apple to justify the price of the MacBook Neo and provides consumers with more options for affordable, high-quality devices.
What to watch
The HP OmniBook 5 14 is expected to be available on HP.com and Best Buy in October 2026. A higher-resolution 2560x1600 OLED version is scheduled for release in March 2027. HP has also announced the ProBook 4 G2iS 14 AI PC for business users, which will be available in November 2026 with pricing to be announced closer to launch.
- HP’s answer to the MacBook Neo is thinner, lighter, and comes with OLED The Verge
- HP's Omnibook 5 Features An OLED Screen And Costs $699 Engadget
- HP Launches OmniBook 5 and ProBook 4 Laptops TechPowerUp
- MacBook Neo’s Next Competitor Is HP’s $700 OmniBook 5 CNET
- HP boards the MacBook Neo competitor train — OmniBook 5 comes in four colors with Wildcat Lake and starts at $699.99 Tom's Hardware
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