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| HP sells the OmniBook X 17 in a single colour option. |
HP has quietly expanded its OmniBook lineup with a brand-new 17.3-inch model, and it’s already turning heads—though not necessarily for the reasons you might expect. The freshly listed HP OmniBook X 17 swaps out the discrete graphics options found in last year’s version for Intel’s latest integrated Arc B390 GPU. That’s a bold move, especially when you consider that the previous-generation OmniBook X 17 could be configured with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050.
If you’re in the market for a large-screen laptop that blends AI features with a surprisingly thin chassis, HP’s latest offering deserves a closer look. But before you hit the buy button, let’s break down what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and whether waiting for the rumored GeForce RTX 5050 model later in 2026 might be the smarter play.
A Quick Recap: Two Generations, Two Very Different Approaches
Last year, HP introduced a Lunar Lake-based OmniBook X that quickly became a favorite for productivity users who appreciated its balanced performance and portability. That model (still available on Amazon for $999) gave buyers the option of stepping up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050—a legitimate discrete GPU that could handle light gaming and creative workloads.
Fast forward to 2026, and HP has taken a different path with the new OmniBook X 17. Instead of a discrete GPU, the company is betting on Intel’s Arc B390 integrated graphics. For many everyday users, that’s probably fine. But for anyone hoping to edit 4K video or play modern games at high settings, the missing RTX 4050 might sting.
💡 Heads-up: The older OmniBook X with RTX 4050 is still available if you need dedicated graphics.
👉 Check the current price on Amazon
That said, HP hasn’t completely abandoned performance seekers. According to internal roadmaps, a GeForce RTX 5050-powered version of the OmniBook X 17 is expected to launch later in 2026. No exact release date or pricing has been confirmed, but if you can wait, that model will likely offer a significant boost in graphical horsepower.
Intel Arc B390 vs. Nvidia RTX 4050: How Do They Compare?
Here’s where things get interesting. In our own benchmarking, the Arc B390 holds up surprisingly well against the older RTX 4050—considering it’s an integrated solution. Intel has clearly been putting in work on its driver stack and architecture. The B390 isn’t going to beat a dedicated GPU in raw rendering or gaming, but for tasks like photo editing, light video work, and everyday multitasking, the gap is narrower than you’d think.
There’s an important catch, though: the Arc B390 is only available if you spring for the higher-tier Core Ultra X7 358H or Core Ultra X9 388H processors. If you opt for a lower-spec CPU, you’ll be stuck with a less powerful 4 Xe3-core integrated GPU. So if graphics performance matters to you at all, don’t skimp on the processor.
Full Specs: What You Get With the New OmniBook X 17
HP is positioning this laptop as a premium large-screen productivity machine, and the spec sheet largely backs that up. Here’s what’s inside:
- Display: 17.3-inch IPS, 1080p (1920×1080), 16:9 aspect ratio, 400 nits peak brightness, 100% sRGB color coverage, touchscreen support
- Processor options: Core Ultra 5 325 (base), Core Ultra 7 355, Core Ultra X7 358H, Core Ultra X9 388H
- Graphics: Intel Arc B390 (on higher-end SKUs) or 4 Xe3-core integrated GPU
- RAM: 24GB or 32GB LPDDR5X-8533
- Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe Gen 5 SSD
- Battery: 76 Wh (same across all configurations)
- Weight: 2.39 kg (about 5.27 lbs)
- Dimensions: 396 × 258 × 15 mm
Yes, you read that right—the laptop is just 15mm thin despite packing a 17.3-inch screen. That’s genuinely impressive engineering. The trade-off? No discrete GPU (for now) and a 1080p display instead of a higher-resolution panel. For a laptop starting at $1,499, some users might expect at least a 1440p option, but HP has clearly prioritized battery life and portability over pixel count.
Pricing and Availability: US, Canada, and Eurozone
HP’s launch strategy is a little fragmented across regions, so pay close attention to which SKU you’re actually getting.
- United States: The base model starts at $1,499 with a Core Ultra 5 325 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
- 👉 See the full configurator on HP’s official site
- Canada: Limited SKUs mean your options are more restricted. The only model readily available comes with the more powerful Core Ultra 7 355 and is priced at CAD 2,199.
- Eurozone: European buyers get a higher-spec baseline—€2,099 for a configuration that includes 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and the Core Ultra X7 358H with Arc B390 graphics. In other words, HP isn’t even offering the low-end version in Europe.
Keep in mind that all SKUs share the same 76 Wh battery and 1080p IPS touchscreen. So regardless of whether you spend $1,499 or over $2,000, the display and battery experience will be identical.
Who Is This Laptop For?
Let’s be honest: the HP OmniBook X 17 is a niche device. It’s for people who want a giant screen in a relatively portable chassis, don’t need a discrete GPU for gaming or 3D work, and appreciate premium build quality and AI-enhanced features (HP is leaning hard into the “Next-Gen AI” branding).
If you’re a student, a business professional, or a creative who works primarily with documents, spreadsheets, and light media editing, this laptop could be a great fit. The 400-nit display is bright enough for most indoor environments, and the 100% sRGB coverage means colors will look accurate out of the box.
But if you’re a gamer, a video editor working with high-bitrate 4K footage, or someone who wants to future-proof for the next few years, wait for the RTX 5050 model or buy the older OmniBook X with RTX 4050 while it’s still available.
The Bottom Line
HP’s new OmniBook X 17 is a well-built, thin, and capable large-screen laptop that makes some intentional compromises. The switch from discrete graphics to Intel’s Arc B390 integrated GPU will be a dealbreaker for some and irrelevant for others. The pricing feels a bit high for a 1080p machine, especially in the Eurozone, but the inclusion of PCIe Gen 5 storage and high-speed LPDDR5X RAM helps justify the cost.
For now, the OmniBook X 17 is worth considering if you value screen real estate and portability over raw graphical muscle. Just don’t buy it expecting to game at high settings or render complex 3D scenes. And if you can hold out a few more months, that RTX 5050 version might be exactly what you’re looking for.
📌 Quick links for reference:
- Buy the older OmniBook X with RTX 4050 on Amazon ($999)
- Configure the new OmniBook X 17 directly from HP
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| The new OmniBook X 17 weighs 2.39 kg and measures 396 x 258 x 15 mm. |
