HP’s MacBook Neo competitor is $699 with an OLED display and plenty of catches

HP has entered the MacBook Neo competitor market with a new OLED-equipped laptop priced at $699, but the catch is plentiful. The HP OmniBook 5 14 imitates the MacBook Neo's low-cost, colorful chassis while incorporating Apple's more refined, understated greens and blues found in the iPad Air lineup. Weighing in at just 2.56 pounds and boasting an 11.77mm thin 14-inch display, it's a tempting option for back-to-school shoppers.

The OLED display is the star of the show, with two options: 2K OLED for immediate availability in late March 2025, or a 2.5K OLED variant slated for a March 2027 release. The laptop features two "full-function" USB-C ports, a headphone jack, and a FHD camera with Windows Hello support. Under the hood, it's rumored to support up to an Intel Core 7 processor, though that's the only option currently displayed.

Battery life is claimed to be impressive, reaching up to 42 hours of local video playback, though it's unclear if this test is a reliable reflection of real-world usage. The device is compatible with HP's 65W mini GaN charger, which may be included in the box. The HP OmniBook 5 14 also includes dual mics and "Poly Studio-tuned" audio.

However, there are significant concerns. The exact processor powering the $700 variant is unknown, making direct comparisons to Apple's A18 Pro challenging. HP also failed to provide any storage or memory configuration details, further highlighting the ongoing RAM crunch in the PC market. Despite these drawbacks, HP's OLED laptop might still capture attention, so look for more details ahead of its retail release.