HP OmniBook Ultra 14 Review: The Best Windows Laptop

The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 sits open on a desk, its sleek OLED display glowing softly under the ambient light of a dimly lit room. A cursor moves smoothly across the screen, and the Snapdragon X2 Plus processor hums quietly beneath the surface, handling a photo editing task with ease. This is a laptop that feels both powerful and elegant, a device that tries to carve a niche in a market dominated by the MacBook Air.

A Design That Balances Style and Substance

The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 doesn’t mimic the MacBook Air, but it’s hard not to notice the similarities. Its zero-lattice keyboard and haptic trackpad echo Apple’s minimalist design, yet HP has given the Ultra 14 its own identity. The all-aluminum chassis feels premium, and the lid, while slightly more flexible than Apple’s offering, is still sturdy. Its lightweight build makes it an appealing option for users who prioritize portability, and its thin profile ensures it slips easily into a backpack or briefcase.

The OLED screen is a standout feature, with a maximum brightness of 447 nits and color accuracy measured at Delta-E of 0.72—one of the best I’ve seen. However, the screen’s reflective glass can be a drawback in brightly lit environments, requiring frequent adjustments to the brightness.

Performance That Rivals the Best

The Snapdragon X2 Plus delivers performance that, while not matching the Apple M5 chip, is more than enough for most users. In 3DMark Steel Nomad Light, it holds its own against the MacBook Air, offering smooth performance in light gaming and multimedia tasks. For photographers and graphic designers, the combination of a powerful CPU and color-accurate display is a dream.

  • Multicore performance outpaces the MacBook Air, making it ideal for multitasking.
  • The 120-Hz display adds a level of responsiveness that benefits both creators and casual users.
  • Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 24 hours with local video playback.

However, the limited configuration options are a concern. To unlock the 2880 x 1800 display, users are forced to upgrade to the Snapdragon X2 Elite, which adds 18 cores but also increases the price significantly. This pricing structure feels restrictive, especially when HP offers similar OLED displays at half the cost in its more budget-friendly models.

A Windows Laptop That Aspires to Greatness

While the MacBook Air still holds the crown for overall value, the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 is a formidable contender. It offers a versatile feature set that positions it as a strong alternative to other high-end Windows laptops like the Dell XPS 14 and Surface Laptop 7th Edition, which are often hundreds of dollars more expensive. The Snapdragon X2 Plus ensures that this laptop is not just a design piece but a capable performer for creators and professionals.

The speakers, though not the focus of the design, are a pleasant surprise, delivering a rich, full audio experience. The 5-megapixel webcam, however, falls short in challenging lighting conditions, often overexposing faces when there’s a window or bright light nearby.

The OmniBook Ultra 14 may not be the best laptop in the world, but it’s one of the most compelling Windows alternatives to the MacBook Air. It’s not without its flaws—higher price, reflective display, and limited configuration options—but it brings a fresh perspective to the ultrabook category. As the Snapdragon X2 Plus continues to evolve, the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 could very well become the go-to choice for those who want Windows performance without sacrificing design or portability.