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| HP's new OmniBook 5 14 weighs just 1.16 kg. |
The OmniBook 5 just got a major performance boost, and Apple should be paying attention
HP has pulled off a surprise move that's got the budget laptop world buzzing. Without any fanfare, the company has released a beefed-up version of its OmniBook 5, directly targeting Apple's new budget-friendly MacBook Neo — and it's packing some serious hardware under the hood.
The timing couldn't be more interesting. Just weeks after the initial OmniBook 5 launch at $699 with Intel's Core 5 320 processor, HP has quietly made the more powerful Core 7 350 variant available for purchase in the US. If you've been waiting for a Windows alternative to Apple's $599 MacBook Neo, your patience might have just paid off.
What's New Under the Hood?
The headline here is Intel's Core 7 350 processor. According to Notebookcheck's testing, this chip delivers roughly 9% higher CPU performance compared to the Core 5 320. That's a meaningful bump for anyone who's been frustrated by budget laptops that choke on heavier workloads.
But there's a catch — and it's a big one. The Core 7 350 draws more power than its predecessor, which we saw firsthand in our Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IWC11 review earlier this year. More power typically means less battery life, but HP claims the OmniBook 5 14 can still manage an impressive 42 hours of local video playback on its 60Wh battery. That's a bold claim we're eager to verify.
The Price Question: Worth the Premium?
Here's where things get complicated. The Core 7 350 configuration — which includes 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage — will set you back $1,069 at HP's official store.
That's a $400 jump from the entry-level Core 5 320 model. However, you're getting twice the RAM and twice the storage, which softens the blow considerably. When you factor in the processor upgrade, the value proposition starts to make more sense — though it's still a significant investment.
For comparison, the [Apple MacBook Neo starts at just $599], making it the more affordable option on paper. But the Neo comes with only 8GB of soldered RAM and 256GB of storage in its base configuration. If you need more memory or storage, you're looking at the $699 model — and even then, you're still stuck with 8GB of non-upgradeable RAM.
The Display Dilemma
Both laptops make compromises in the display department, but in different ways.
The OmniBook 5 14 features a 14-inch 2K (1920 x 1200) OLED touchscreen with a 60Hz refresh rate and 300 nits of brightness. The OLED panel delivers those inky blacks and vibrant colors that LCD screens simply can't match, though the 300-nit brightness is merely adequate for indoor use.
Notably, HP won't be offering a brighter 1600p, 400-nit OLED option until March 2027, so if you're hoping for a more premium display experience, you'll be waiting a while.
The MacBook Neo, meanwhile, offers a 13-inch IPS panel with a sharper 2408 x 1506 resolution and over 500 nits of brightness — significantly brighter than the OmniBook's OLED. However, the Neo's glossy screen is more reflective, and its contrast ratio of around 1150:1 means blacks appear more dark gray than true black.
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| HP's latest Core 7 350-powered laptop comes in Smoke Silver and Starlit Blue finishes. |
The philosophical differences between these machines are fascinating.
The MacBook Neo is powered by Apple's A18 Pro chip — the same silicon found in the iPhone 16 Pro. It's a fanless design that excels at single-core performance, absolutely crushing the Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite chips found in competing Windows laptops. For everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and productivity apps, the Neo feels snappy and responsive.
But the 8GB of RAM is a serious limitation for heavy multitaskers, and the lack of a keyboard backlight on the base model is a puzzling omission that we called out in our full review. Working in dim environments becomes genuinely frustrating without that backlight.
The OmniBook 5, by contrast, offers 16GB of RAM in this configuration — double what the base MacBook Neo provides. That extra memory makes a real difference when juggling multiple applications, editing photos, or working with large spreadsheets.
Battery Life: HP's Big Claim
HP's claim of 42 hours of video playback is ambitious, to say the least. The MacBook Neo, with its incredibly efficient A18 Pro chip, manages over 12 hours of mixed usage at moderate brightness — impressive for such a compact machine.
We're skeptical of HP's 42-hour figure, as real-world battery tests rarely match manufacturer claims. However, the 60Wh battery is respectable for a 14-inch laptop, and the Core 7 350's improved efficiency should deliver all-day battery life for most users.
The Verdict: Which Budget Champion Wins?
The answer depends entirely on your priorities.
Choose the HP OmniBook 5 if:
- You need 16GB of RAM for multitasking
- You prefer Windows and its broader software compatibility
- You want an OLED display with perfect blacks
- You value having more storage (512GB vs 256GB)
- You need a keyboard backlight for working in various lighting conditions
Choose the Apple MacBook Neo if:
- Budget is your primary concern ($599 vs $1,069)
- You prioritize build quality and the premium Apple experience
- You mostly work during daytime hours (avoiding the backlight issue)
- You're already invested in the Apple ecosystem
- You value silent, fanless operation
Where to Buy
The HP OmniBook 5 with Core 7 350 is available now directly from HP, with shipping expected around November 18. The laptop comes in Starlit Blue and includes Windows 11 Home, a 65W USB-C GaN power adapter, and a 1-year limited warranty.
For those interested in the MacBook Neo, it's available through major retailers including Amazon.
Final Thoughts
HP's decision to quietly release this more powerful OmniBook 5 variant is interesting. By avoiding a big launch event, the company seems to be testing the waters — perhaps gauging whether consumers will pay a premium for better performance in the budget laptop segment.
The OmniBook 5 with Core 7 350 is a compelling package for Windows users who need more RAM and storage than the MacBook Neo offers. But at nearly double the price of Apple's budget offering, HP faces an uphill battle convincing budget-conscious buyers to stretch their wallets.
One thing is clear: the budget laptop wars are heating up, and consumers are the real winners. Competition breeds innovation, and both Apple and HP are pushing each other to deliver better value at lower price points.
For now, the MacBook Neo remains the more accessible entry point into premium laptop territory. But for those who need more power and flexibility, the OmniBook 5 Core 7 350 just became a serious contender worth considering.
Stay tuned to LaptopsCheck for our full review of the HP OmniBook 5 with Core 7 350, including real-world battery testing and performance benchmarks.
