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This HP OmniBook X laptop computer could have Apple shaking in its boots. Why? As a result of it’s full of a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip.
“So what?” it’s possible you’ll be pondering. “What’s the big hoopla regarding the Snapdragon X Elite chips?” Nicely, I’m glad you requested.
For fairly a while now, Qualcomm has been insinuating that Snapdragon X Elite-packed laptops are going to go away M3-based MacBooks within the mud. It is a daring declare to make as a result of, let’s be trustworthy, Home windows PCs have been struggling to maintain up with Apple laptops.
As a reviewer, although uncommon, I’ve seen some Home windows laptops outpace comparable M-series processors, however each single one struggles to beat MacBooks in energy effectivity. The M3 MacBook Professional, for instance, lasted 16 hours on a cost — and also you’d be hard-pressed to discover a Home windows laptop computer that may do the identical.
The query is, does the HP OmniBook X, that includes the Snapdragon X Elite chip, dwell as much as Qualcomm’s claims? And can it earn a spot on our greatest laptops web page?
HP OmniBook X worth and specs
The HP OmniBook X I’ve examined has the next specs:
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Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 processor
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Qualcomm Dreno graphics
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16GB of RAM
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1TB of SSD storage
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Home windows 11
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14-inch, 2240 x 1400-pixel decision
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Touchscreen assist
You should purchase this configuration at Greatest Purchase for $1,199. There’s additionally a less expensive variant, sporting 512GB of storage, that may set you again $1,049.99 through HP.
HP OmniBook X design
Design-wise, the OmniBook X is a little bit of a snoozefest. If I may personify this HP laptop computer, it’s the boring, secure, cookie-cutter associate that you just take residence to your mother and father. With a buttoned-up swimsuit and 0 tattoos, it gained’t offend anybody, but it surely fails to excite.
HP OmniBook X in Ceramic White
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
No, the OmniBook X isn’t a looker, but it surely’s not designed to be. HP needs this to be the laptop computer that you just carry into the workplace – and it blends proper in with the sterile, medical vibes.
The one placing characteristic concerning the OmniBook X is the light-blue energy button on the top-right of the keyboard, which sits subsequent to a row of light-gray keys. Woo-hoo, I suppose?
The lid is equally uninspired, with a reflective HP emblem within the middle of the “Meteor Silver” chassis. The OmniBook additionally is available in “Ceramic White.”
The OmniBook X, a three-pound laptop computer, is lighter than the three.4-pound 14-inch M3 MacBook Professional (a rival of the HP laptop computer) I reviewed. It’s additionally thinner than the M3 MacBook Professional with a peak of 0.56 inches, beating the Apple laptop computer’s 0.61-inch peak.
HP OmniBook X show
The HP Omnibook X has a 14-inch, 2240 x 1400-pixel decision touchscreen show. No, this 60Hz IPS panel isn’t a visible stunner that’ll depart you wide-eyed and drooling, but it surely’s ample to fulfill my interior show snob.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
I launched YouTube and performed the Venom 3: The Final Dance trailer. What caught my eye essentially the most was the passable coloration richness. In a single scene, an actress is sporting a glittery, bright-red costume that’s so scarlet, it appeared as if it was coming out of the display screen. Fiery explosions reveal how nicely the show produces varied hues of orange, purple and grey.
One draw back to think about concerning the HP OmniBook X, nonetheless, is that it has a 300-nit show. In different phrases, the display screen will likely be troublesome to see if you happen to take it exterior, significantly throughout a shiny day. In case your desk is subsequent to a shiny window at work, it’s possible you’ll wish to rethink the OmniBook X.
The bezels that encompass the HP OmniBook X are so passé. The highest bezel and chin may stand to be slimmer, however maybe I’m being too nitpicky.
Lastly, it’s price noting that the HP OmniBook’s touchscreen capabilities work seamlessly. I personally gained’t use it as a result of I don’t like the concept of smudging the display screen, however if you wish to scroll via long-form articles with broad swipes for faster studying, this laptop computer is for you.
HP OmniBook X ports
The OmniBook X isn’t teeming with ports, however on the very least, it has a good steadiness of each legacy and fashionable I/O choices.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
On the suitable facet:
On the left facet:
I’ve to applaud HP for together with a USB Kind-A port, an I/O choice that’s on the point of extinction. Many laptop computer producers declare that they ditch USB Kind-A ports as a result of they’re too thick and hinder their thin-and-light ambitions. However because of the drop-jaw approach, a mechanism HP used for the slim OmniBook X, customers can “stretch” the port to accommodate their older cables.
See? We are able to have our cake and eat it, too. Legacy ports and thin-and-light laptops can, certainly, co-exist.
HP OmniBook X audio
Audio is an afterthought on the OmniBook X. HP is nicely conscious that OmniBook X customers aren’t melomaniacs – and it reveals.
I fired up Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” on Spotify. (Why is that this music so addicting?) The professionals? The twin downward-firing audio system get impressively loud. I cranked the quantity to the max degree, and I’m fairly positive my next-door neighbors may hear me having a mini jam session.
Nevertheless, the sound high quality is mid. The bass is weak and the pop tune sounded too skinny on the audio system. However if you happen to aren’t a music producer or an audiophile, it actually does not matter a lot.
HP OmniBook X keyboard and trackpad
Each time somebody asks me, “Which laptop should I buy if I want the best keyboard?”, I inform them that something from HP is the reply – and the OmniBook X is not any totally different.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
I can’t cease typing on the OmniBook X; it’s an habit. From the clickiness of the keys to the springiness of the switches, this keyboard is tactile and responsive.
Nevertheless, the touchpad hasn’t gained me over but. It’s a little bit too resistant for my tastes – I favor a smoother really feel. On the plus facet, it is fairly spacious.
The keyboard options dual-level white backlighting, which might be turned on with the F5 key. Lastly, I like the massive white letters and symbols on the dark-gray keycaps, which distinction properly with the light-gray chassis. You gained’t be squinting with this laptop computer – that’s for positive.
HP OmniBook X benchmarks and efficiency
I couldn’t wait to run Geekbench 6, a benchmark that assessments processor efficiency, on the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip contained in the HP OmniBook X. For context, Qualcomm has been boasting that the Snapdragon X Elite is a formidable rival of the M3 chips inside MacBooks.
In different phrases, Qualcomm has its crosshairs on essentially the most au courant, entry-level Apple laptops. On high of that, HP claims that the OmniBook X is a rival to the M3 MacBook Professional – not the M3 MacBook Air.
Check out the multi-core scores of every laptop computer to see whether or not HP and Qualcomm’s claims ring true:
Because it seems, the OmniBook X does, certainly, beat the M3 MacBooks with a efficiency soar of about 11%.
It’s additionally price mentioning that the Snapdragon X Elite boasts an NPU, which aids with AI processing. (And facilitates a few of the AI duties talked about within the subsequent part.)
HP OmniBook X Copilot+ PC expertise and AI
The HP OmniBook X isn’t simply any ol’ PC. It’s a Copilot+ PC. (Insert sparkles emoji.) Like most fashionable Home windows 11 laptops, you’ll be able to hearth up Copilot with the devoted keyboard key.
Nevertheless, Copilot+ PCs take it up a notch with some eye-catching, AI-powered options. For instance, I had a blast taking part in round with the new-and-improved Paint. It now has a “Cocreator” characteristic, which helps me draw masterpieces regardless of my rudimentary, rough-around-the-edges doodles.
The Images app has a brand new Picture Creator characteristic, permitting me to create my very own AI-powered pictures with any wild immediate that involves thoughts. Right here’s what it got here up with after I typed in, “A bunny reading a book.”
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
Truthfully? Copilot+ PCs are making Home windows enjoyable once more – and I’m right here for it.
On a extra critical notice, Microsoft was supposed to debut the controversial Recall characteristic – a Black Mirror-esque perk that’s like hitting “CTRL + H” in your whole digital life. But it surely has been delayed for Copilot+ PCs.
As soon as the Redmond-based tech large will get it as much as snuff after addressing safety considerations, Recall is anticipated to make a return, however solely in preview mode for Home windows Insiders.
Independently of Copilot lies a pre-installed app from HP known as “HP AI Companion.” It is primarily based on GPT-3.5; you’ll be able to ask it numerous questions such as you would another AI chatbot. Nevertheless, it’s a bit superfluous with Copilot already inside attain with a extra highly effective GPT-4 Turbo.
HP OmniBook X battery life
Wow. Once I ran the 1080p video rundown check on the HP OmniBook X, it refused to die. It lastly tapped out at an unbelievable 16 hours and 47 minutes.
Up till this level, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 9 had the longest battery runtime for a Home windows laptop computer: 14 hours and 21 minutes.
Now, the HP OmniBook X has overwhelmed that document. We additionally examined the M3 MacBooks’ battery runtimes, however the Professional mannequin was benchmarked with PCMark 10, making it incompatible for comparability. However for what it’s price, it lasted 16 hours and 23 minutes on a cost.
The M3 MacBook Air, however, was examined with the identical video rundown benchmark; it lasted simply 10 hours and 36 minutes on a cost.
HP OmniBook X webcam
The HP OmniBook X has a 5MP webcam (in addition to an IR digital camera for Home windows Hey facial-recognition logins).
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
There is not a lot to put in writing residence about with regards to the shooter. You will not get that crisp sharpness, however I am OK with that. All that visible noise conceals my flaws.
Plus, because of the AI-enhanced Digicam app, you’ll be able to get pleasure from some cool options through Home windows Studio Results, together with automated framing, background blur, and an eye fixed contact characteristic that makes it seem like you are staring on the display screen always.
Is the HP OmniBook X price it?
The HP OmniBook X is my first expertise with a Snapdragon X Elite-based Copilot+ PC machine – and I am impressed. Qualcomm wasn’t fallacious. Its processor does, certainly, beat the M3 MacBooks. Plus, it lasts over 16 hours on a cost, a feat that was utterly unprecedented for Home windows laptops in latest instances.
And eventually, the Copilot+ PC side makes Home windows enjoyable once more. Do you bear in mind when Home windows was a complete blast? As a child, after I’d lose curiosity in looking the web, I might fall again on pre-installed video games like Solitaire, Minesweeper, or 3D Pinball. With the brand new AI-powered options, you do not want Google Chrome, or no matter browser you utilize, to get pleasure from your laptop computer. You’ll be able to merely hearth up Paint or the Images app. It will preserve your entertained for hours.
The HP OmniBook X is the most effective Home windows laptop computer I’ve examined this yr. It is enjoyable, quick, and fierce.
