MacBook Neo’s Next Competitor Is HP’s $700 OmniBook 5
The OmniBook 5 14 AI PC has a larger OLED display than the Neo, and HP promises it will have better battery life, too.
Apple's budget MacBook was released in March at $599, courtesy of the iPhone's A18 Pro chip. However, due to RAMageddon and supply chain issues, the price has risen to around $700. This has prompted competitors like Dell, Lenovo, and now HP to enter the fray with budget laptops. HP has unveiled its $700 OmniBook 5, a strong contender in the affordability game.
One notable feature is a 14-inch 2K OLED display, bigger than the 13-inch MacBook Neo and even surpassing Apple's own MacBook Air. Despite the high-resolution screen, the 300-nit brightness might be an issue on sunny days. The OmniBook 5 boasts an impressive battery life of up to 42 hours on a single charge during HP's local video playback test, outperforming both the Neo and the current battery champion, OmniBook 3 16.
However, the laptop doesn't come with powerful specifications. It's equipped with an Intel Core 5 315 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB storage drive, which are standard for budget computers. Upgrades to an Intel Core 7 350, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD are available, but these are likely better spent on a midrange computer. The display can also be upgraded to a 2.5K OLED touchscreen.
Ports are basic, with dual USB-C and no USB-A, necessitating adapters for peripherals. Available in muted silver, blue, pink, and green, the aluminum chassis follows a similar aesthetic to the Neo. The HP OmniBook 5 14 AI PC will be accessible for pre-orders on HP's website and Best Buy in October at a starting price of $700. The companion HP ProBook 4 G2iS 14 AI PC, while not as flashy, is a lightweight and functional workhorse.
It also sports a 14-inch 3K OLED display rated for up to 500 nits, with Intel Core 5 or 7 Wildcat Lake processors, up to 32GB of memory, and a 1TB SSD. The ProBook 4 G2iS will be available to order on HP's website and Best Buy in October, though pricing details have yet to be disclosed.
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