2 days ago
Review: Why HP's OmniBook X marks the next-gen of business laptops
Image: Supplied
Whether you're closing a deal from a café in DIFC, fielding investor calls from the back seat of a Hala or Uber cab, or editing an article or presentation on the flight to Riyadh — work today doesn't wait for the right setting. It moves with you, taps your shoulder mid-lunch, and expects a response even at 30,000 feet in the air or in the Metro.
Enter the HP OmniBook X — a sleek, AI-powered business laptop. It's nimble, lightweight, and 'smart' enough to deliver your needs.
For entrepreneurs building businesses between meetings, consultants flying city to city, or creatives managing back-to-back Zoom calls while the kids are home — this is a device that adapts as fluidly as you do.
Ultra-portable, but ready for business
At just 1.34 kg and only 14mm thin, the
Its 14-inch 2.8K OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate offers razor-sharp visuals, rich colours, and an anti-glare coating — making it equally adept at handling high-stakes presentations or back-to-back Teams calls in tricky lighting. Bonus: the edge-to-edge panel makes the whole thing feel larger than it is.
AI-first performance for the way you work now
Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 — HP's first consumer PC to feature this 12-core processor, clocked at up to 3.4 GHz. It's paired with a neural processing unit (NPU) and GPU capable of delivering up to 70 trillion operations per second (TOPS) in combined AI performance, though HP lists 47 TOPS as the standard NPU output. That's serious on-device intelligence — and it makes a difference.
Everything from real-time transcription, smart noise filtering, AI-assisted image editing, to Copilot+ features like Recall and Live Captions runs smoothly without calling out to the cloud.
Running Windows 11 Home, the OmniBook X offers seamless access to Microsoft's latest AI experiences — enhanced by on-device performance, not just cloud processing. HP's first AI assistant is built in, offering contextual suggestions, performance tuning, and productivity tools that evolve with how you use the device.
With up to 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, the OmniBook X handles multitasking with ease — no stutter, no sweat. The integrated Qualcomm Adreno GPU supports light video editing and graphic work, and the system runs whisper-quiet thanks to its fanless design.
Battery life that actually keeps up
Forget carrying a charger everywhere 'just in case'. HP advertises up to 26‑28 hours of battery life, though real-world testing yields around 16–17 hours — still excellent, but more realistic, thanks to the power efficiency of the ARM-based Snapdragon chip and smart AI tuning.
Whether you're powering through spreadsheets on the road or running back-to-back meetings, it's built to last a full workday — and more.
And if you do need to plug in? HP Fast Charge takes you from 0 to 50 per cent in just 30 minutes, making it easy to top up between meetings or during a layover.
Calls, sound, and the WFH upgrade you deserve
Let's face it: audio and camera quality matter just as much as processing power when your office is a screen. The 5MP IR camera with auto-framing, AI noise reduction, and backlight adjustment means you'll look and sound sharp, even in low light or noisy cafes. Whether you're running a webinar, client pitch, or check-in with the team, the experience feels polished — no fiddling, no apologies.
Poly Studio audio tuning with dual speakers ensures crystal‑clear sound, making remote conversations feel present and professional — even in noisy environments.
HP Audio Boost further enhances volume and clarity, unplugged.
Built-in security and connectivity
For professionals handling sensitive data, HP's Wolf Security Suite offers enterprise-grade protection out of the box — isolating threats before they reach your system. Windows Hello via IR facial recognition and a fingerprint sensor makes logging in quick, seamless, and secure.
And if you opt for the HP SureView Reflect privacy screen, you'll have an extra shield against wandering eyes on planes or in cafés.
The Snapdragon‑powered OmniBook X is well‑equipped for connectivity, featuring two USB‑C ports (one at 40 Gbps, one at 10 Gbps), a USB‑A port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack. It supports Wi‑Fi 7 via the FastConnect 7800 chipset.
What about gamers?
While this isn't a dedicated gaming laptop, casual gamers can enjoy titles like
Fortnite
,
Minecraft
, or
Valorant
on low-to-medium settings with surprisingly good results thanks to the Adreno GPU and high refresh OLED screen. Think of it as a bonus feature, not a selling point — and one that adds more versatility to an already capable machine.
Verdict: Smart, swift, adaptable and dependable
The HP OmniBook X is what happens when sleek design, intelligent computing, and real-world mobility meet. It's not just built for business. It's built for people who move fast, think faster, and need a device that understands both.
Another bonus: The HP OmniBook X PCs are designed using recycled metals and post-consumer recycled plastics.
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