The HP OmniBook X: A Promising Windows Laptop with Mixed Performance and Features

The HP OmniBook X is a Windows laptop that aims to offer a blend of productivity, design, and performance. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at its specifications, design, performance, and other key aspects to determine its worth as a computing device.

**Specifications and Configurations**

The OmniBook X comes in two configurations, with the base model featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 chipset, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 14.0-inch 2.2K IPS display. For an additional $100, you can upgrade to a 1TB SSD. These specifications are competitive in the laptop market, especially considering the price point.

The laptop’s build quality is solid, with an aluminum chassis and lid that give it a premium feel. However, it’s worth noting that the lid does exhibit some flex under moderate pressure, which is a minor drawback. The OmniBook X is also reasonably thin and light, making it portable for on-the-go use.

**Design**

The design of the OmniBook X is a mixed bag. While it has an aesthetically pleasing look with its two-color options (Meteor Silver and Ceramic White), it doesn’t break any new design ground. The MacBook Air M3 has a more elegant simplicity, while the Dell XPS 13 stands out for its modern design when the lid is opened. The OmniBook X’s keyboard layout is comfortable, with large keycaps and good spacing, but some users may find the keyboard a bit too firm for their liking. The touchpad is a mechanical version that is functional but could have been larger and with better haptic feedback.

**Keyboard and Touchpad**

The keyboard on the OmniBook X is comfortable to use, with snappy and precise switches. However, it may not be to everyone’s taste as it feels a bit firm. The touchpad is of a decent size and is responsive, but the clicks are a bit loud. The inclusion of a touch-enabled display is a plus, especially as the MacBook Air doesn’t offer this feature.

**Connectivity and Webcam**

Connectivity on the OmniBook X is just okay for a 14-inch laptop. It has USB4, which offers some of the advantages of Thunderbolt 4, along with a legacy port. However, there is no SD card reader, which is a disappointment for many users. The wireless connectivity can be upgraded to Wi-Fi 7 for those who want the latest connectivity options. The included 5MP webcam works well with the enhanced Microsoft Studio Effects AI feature for better video conferencing and other applications. However, the infrared camera for Windows 11 Hello facial recognition had a tendency to stop working during testing and required a system reboot to resolve, which is an early bug that needs to be addressed.

**CPU Performance**

The OmniBook X is powered by the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 chipset, which has 12 cores (8 performance and 4 efficient). While it may not be the fastest chip on the market, it performs reasonably well in day-to-day tasks. In benchmark tests, it was slightly faster than Intel Meteor Lake laptops and the MacBook Air M3 in multi-core performance, but the MacBook Air M3 was faster in single-core tasks, which can matter in certain workloads. The laptop also has a fanless design, and its fans are relatively quiet at full throttle.

**GPU Performance**

When it comes to GPU performance, the Snapdragon X Elite’s Adreno GPU is not as powerful as dedicated discrete graphics cards. It may not be suitable for demanding gaming or creative tasks that require intense graphics processing. However, for basic tasks such as web browsing and office work, it should suffice.

**AI Performance**

The Snapdragon X Elite is marketed with a neural processing unit (NPU) that is said to be faster than other chipsets. However, there are currently no good cross-platform benchmarks available to accurately measure its AI performance. It’s important to note that the true value of AI in a laptop depends on the specific applications and tasks that users will be using it for.

**Battery Life**

Battery life is a crucial factor for any laptop, and the OmniBook X doesn’t disappoint in this regard. With a 59 watt-hour battery, it offers decent battery life, especially considering the power requirements of the 2.2K IPS display. In our tests, it lasted longer than most Meteor Lake laptops but shorter than the MacBook Air M3 in web browsing and video looping tests. While it’s not in the same class as the MacBook Air’s unparalleled battery life, it’s still a respectable performance.

**Display and Audio**

The OmniBook X’s display is a 14.0-inch 16:10 2.2K IPS panel with a 60Hz refresh rate. While it provides a good viewing experience for productivity tasks, it may not be as vibrant or immersive as some OLED displays. The audio quality from the two downward-firing speakers is just loud and clear enough, but it lacks bass and depth, which may be a disappointment for those who enjoy multimedia content.

**Pros**

– Solid build quality
– Attractive price
– Good performance in day-to-day tasks
– Touch-enabled display
– Decent battery life

**Cons**

– Lid flex under moderate pressure
– Keyboard may not be to everyone’s liking
– GPU performance could be better for demanding tasks
– Lack of an SD card reader
– Early issues with the infrared camera for Windows 11 Hello facial recognition
– Display and audio could be improved

**Conclusion**

The HP OmniBook X is a Windows laptop that offers a decent combination of specifications, design, and performance. It has its strengths in areas such as build quality and price, but it also has some areas that could be improved. While it may not be able to completely outshine the MacBook Air M3 in terms of efficiency, it should be on the radar of users looking for a new Windows laptop. With further development and optimization, the OmniBook X has the potential to become a more compelling option in the market. However, until there are more data and user experiences available, it’s important to consider it alongside other laptops in its class.