The model I tested isn’t the base configuration, which only features a 1920 x 1200 display. While that’s perfectly usable, the $60 upgrade to the 2880 x 1800, 120-Hz display is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, HP forces you to also upgrade the CPU to at least the 12-core Snapdragon X2 Elite to get it. It’s a frustrating limitation, as the ideal configuration sits somewhere in the middle. This pricing structure is especially tough to swallow when HP sells budget laptops like the OmniBook 5 and OmniBook 3 with OLED displays for half the price. In fact, this configuration pushes closer in price to the base M5 MacBook Pro, which also includes twice the storage.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus easily holds its own. Graphics performance received a massive improvement over the previous generation, even matching the M5 MacBook Air in benchmarks like 3DMark Steel Nomad Light. While that doesn’t always translate to great real-world gaming, there is a lot more power here than you might expect. Multicore performance outpaces the M5, which is a huge plus for heavy multitasking. Paired with excellent color accuracy, this CPU power makes it a dream for photographers and graphic designers—even if the lack of a dedicated GPU keeps hardcore video editors at bay.
Photograph: Luke Larsen
Battery life is impressive, lasting 24 hours on a single charge with local video playback. This is comparable to both the latest Intel laptops and MacBooks.
The Snapdragon X2 Elite model adds even more multicore performance (with up to 18 cores), but it costs a lot more and doesn’t add more battery life.
Regardless of the configuration you choose, the laptop comes with four built-in speakers and a 5-megapixel webcam. The speakers are surprisingly good, delivering a full sound that makes listening to music enjoyable—putting them right on par with the 13-inch MacBook Air. The webcam, however, isn’t quite as impressive. While the 5-megapixel sensor ensures a sharp image, it struggles with harsh lighting. When I tested the camera with an open window nearby, it completely blew out the highlights and struggled to keep much detail on my face.
The MacBook Air remains tough to beat. It’s cheaper while still being incredibly well rounded. The screen is sharper than the base version of the OmniBook Ultra, too. If you’re ambivalent about choosing between macOS and Windows, I’d still recommend the MacBook Air.
However, the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 gets away with its higher price because of how it compares to comparable machines like the Dell XPS 14 and Surface Laptop 7th Edition, which are hundreds of dollars more. While I like all three options, the OmniBook Ultra 14 is more versatile, has a lower starting price, and is currently the only one to feature Qualcomm’s next-gen chips.
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