HP OmniBook 5 Targets Apple's Neo with OLED and 42-Hour Battery
HP has unveiled the OmniBook 5, a 14-inch Windows laptop priced at $699.99 that directly challenges Apple's recent MacBook Neo. The device features an OLED display, an Intel Core 5 or 7 processor with an integrated NPU, and a battery life of up to 42 hours. While it matches the Neo's 8GB RAM and pastel color options, it offers a larger screen and superior battery performance, though it lacks Thunderbolt connectivity and has lower base brightness.
Key points
- The HP OmniBook 5 starts at $699.99 with an Intel Core 5 315 'Wildcat Lake' processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
- The laptop features a 14-inch OLED display, with a 2.5K touchscreen version available later in 2027.
- HP claims up to 42 hours of battery life based on local video playback, though CPU-intensive tasks will reduce this.
- The device is 11.77mm thin and weighs just over 2.5 pounds, making it lighter than the MacBook Neo.
- The OmniBook 5 is available in four colors: Smoke Silver, Starlit Blue, Peony Pink, and Soft Honeydew.
Background
This launch follows HP's recent release of the OmniBook 3, which was priced at $599 and also targeted the MacBook Neo. The OmniBook 5 is part of a broader trend in the budget laptop market, where manufacturers are competing to offer premium features like OLED displays and long battery life at lower price points. The MacBook Neo, which was recently launched, has been a significant competitor in this space, and HP's new laptop is seen as a direct response to its success.
How outlets are covering it
Engadget emphasizes the OmniBook 5's OLED screen and long battery life, noting that it is a decent little computer for Windows fans. The Verge highlights the laptop's thin and light design, as well as its colorful options, but notes that it may not best the MacBook Neo in raw processing power or screen brightness. Tom's Hardware focuses on the laptop's price and its competition with the MacBook Neo, while TechPowerUp provides a more detailed overview of the laptop's features and its target audience.
Why it matters
The HP OmniBook 5 is significant because it offers a competitive alternative to the MacBook Neo, which has been a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers. The laptop's OLED display, long battery life, and lightweight design make it an attractive option for students, young professionals, and modern multitaskers who want a premium experience without breaking the bank. The launch also highlights the increasing competition in the budget laptop market, where manufacturers are striving to offer more features at lower price points.
What to watch
The HP OmniBook 5 is expected to be available on HP.com and Best Buy in October. A version with a 2560 x 1600 resolution OLED and 400 nits of brightness is not coming until March 2027. HP is also launching the ProBook 4, a business notebook that is expected to be available in November.
- HP's Omnibook 5 Features An OLED Screen And Costs $699 Engadget
- HP’s answer to the MacBook Neo is thinner, lighter, and comes with OLED The Verge
- HP boards the MacBook Neo competitor train — OmniBook 5 comes in four colors with Wildcat Lake and starts at $699.99 Tom's Hardware
- HP Launches OmniBook 5 and ProBook 4 Laptops TechPowerUp
- MacBook Neo’s Next Competitor Is HP’s $700 OmniBook 5 CNET
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