HP OmniBook Ultra 14: A comprehensive review of the next-gen AI PC

HP OmniBook Ultra 14: A Comprehensive Review of the Next-gen AI PC

The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 has made a significant splash in the technology market, showcasing itself as a “next-gen AI PC” predominantly attributed to the integration of the AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processors. While the label “AI PC” might set expectations for a futuristic experience, the OmniBook Ultra 14 primarily excels in offering solid performance and commendable battery life, setting benchmarks in its category.

Specifications and Design:

Released by HP in 2024, the OmniBook Ultra 14 marks the introduction of the brand’s rebranded consumer lineup. The device is powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processor, with variations including the top-tier AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, accompanied by 32GB of RAM and a 2TB solid-state drive. Retailing at $1,689, this model is positioned against Intel’s Meteor Lake competitors, boasting better real-world performance and efficiency.

Physical design remains crucial, and the OmniBook Ultra 14 impresses with its sturdy, aesthetically pleasing build, featuring a predominantly silver metal design accented by some plastic components. The laptop weighs in at 3.47 pounds and sports a 14-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2240×1400, providing a decent visual experience for users. However, users desiring more vibrancy might miss an OLED option.

Performance and Battery Life:

The standout aspect of the OmniBook Ultra 14 is its performance. The AMD Ryzen AI 300 series ensures powerful execution across productivity applications, showing superior results in benchmarks like PCMark 10 and Cinebench R20. Users experience notable advantages over Intel Meteor Lake-powered laptops in these tests.

Battery longevity is commendable, with the laptop packing a 68 Watt-hour battery capable of extending beyond 18 hours during video playback tests. This duration often translates effectively into extensive work sessions with regular productivity applications, offering quite a competitive edge for professionals who require reliability throughout the day.

AI Features and Connectivity:

HP highlights the AI capabilities of the OmniBook Ultra 14, though these are still dependent on future updates for full Copilot+ PC features by late 2024. Presently, the AI Companion app leverages the processor’s neural processing unit for slightly enhanced applications.

Connectivity remains a facet with room for growth. The laptop includes two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4/USB4 ports, a USB Type-A port, and a combo audio jack. The absence of a broader port variety might lead users to adapt to using dongles for additional connectivity needs.

Webcam, Speakers, and Miscellaneous:

The OmniBook Ultra 14 offers a 9MP 1440p webcam, equipped with a physical privacy shutter, ensuring quality video calls in varied light conditions. Meanwhile, the quad-speaker assembly far exceeds expectations for laptop audio, delivering significant volume and sound clarity.

Finally, the OmniBook Ultra 14 incorporates biometric functionality through an integrated IR camera and fingerprint reader, both compatible with Windows Hello for secure and convenient user access.

Conclusion:

The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 stands as a commendable choice for those seeking robust performance and long-lasting battery in the burgeoning AI laptop market. It effectively addresses the needs for a balance of power and portability at a relatively competitive price point of $1,349 for the base model. While it does have areas like port availability that could see improvement, its strong specifications and build quality make it an appealing option for both everyday and professional use.

Source: Noah Wire Services