HP OmniBook X 14: Two-minute review
HP’s new OmniBook X 14 sets out to be an ultraportable device that doesn’t skimp on performance, thanks to its slender dimensions and powerful spec.
Its steely gray colorway conveys a simple, minimalist aesthetic that hardly pushes the boat out. This is matched by the lack of accoutrements and branding.
In terms of build quality, though, the OmniBook X shines. It’s an admirable blend of solidity and portability, with its impressively thin dimensions and light weight making it easy to slip into a bag. Its overall construction easily matches up to those of the best laptops.
One disappointing aspect is the port selection. Not only are there not very many, but they have a few design and placement issues that hamper their practicality.
Equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, the review unit performed well across tasks ranging from multi-tab browsing to 4K streaming and light gaming. The machine remains remarkably quiet under demanding workloads, while operating temperatures stay entirely within comfortable bounds.
The 2240 x 1400 display is sharp and vibrant, offering a fantastic viewing experience. While it can occasionally be reflective, brightness levels are generally sufficient to compensate. The touchscreen is also impressively responsive and exceptionally smooth.
The keys are light, snappy, and generously spaced, making typing a pleasure. However, users may miss dedicated navigation keys and a number pad, and the touchpad could benefit from a larger surface area.
Battery life is where the OmniBook X truly excels. Benchmarks show it lasting over 28 hours on a single charge, placing it firmly at the top of its class alongside competitors like the Asus Zenbook A14.
Given its capabilities, the base configuration represents exceptional value for anyone seeking a compact, do-it-all laptop.
HP OmniBook X 14 review: Price & availability
Starts from £764 (about $1,000 / AU$1,400)
Available now with various configurations
Good price for the spec
The OmniBook X starts from £764 and is available now. A variety of processor options, RAM configurations ranging from 16GB to 32GB, and storage sizes from 512GB to 1TB are available.
This pricing is competitive considering the hardware specifications. Rival machines like the HP Aero 7 and Asus Zenbook A14 sit in a similar price bracket, though they often lack touchscreen functionality or matching display sharpness.
Another stern rival to the HP OmniBook X 14 is the Asus Zenbook A14, which is similarly priced yet weighs even less. However, it too has a lower resolution and lacks touch input.
HP OmniBook X 14 review: Design
Very thin and light
Solid build
Limited ports with some impractical placement
The OmniBook X features a smart, minimalist aesthetic. While the dark gray finish is somewhat understated, the rounded corners help soften its overall profile.
Build quality is robust. Although the base exhibits slight flex near the keyboard area, the chassis successfully balances structural sturdiness with daily portability.
Its ultra-thin lid and base make it one of the most slender laptops available, rivaling notable ultraportables like the Asus Zenbook 14.
Physical connectivity is compromised by the slim profile. The left side hosts two USB-C ports supporting power input and display output, while the right features a USB-A port and a headset jack.
The port placement presents minor inconveniences, such as USB-C ports clustered on one side and a flip-down flap mechanism required for the USB-A port.
Additionally, the rear placement of the headset jack may pose a challenge for shorter cables.
HP OmniBook X 14 review: Performance
Versatile performance
Excellent but slightly reflective display
Light and snappy keyboard
Benchmark testing confirms strong multi-core processing power and robust graphics capabilities for an integrated system.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor smoothly handles productivity apps, web browsing, and high-definition video streaming without stutter or long loading times.
The laptop can even handle light gaming; demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 are playable using low graphical presets.
Thermal management is impressive, keeping fan noise suppressed and surface temperatures within comfortable limits under heavy loads.
The 2240 x 1400 LED display delivers crisp visuals, though lack of OLED technology limits absolute contrast depth.
The touchscreen is exceptionally smooth and responsive for gesture navigation, though the hinge design does not permit 360-degree rotation into tablet mode.
The keyboard provides satisfying tactile feedback and generous spacing to minimize typos.
However, navigation keys share functions with the arrow cluster, and a dedicated number pad is absent.
The touchpad is responsive and smooth, though slightly undersized given the available palm rest area.
HP OmniBook X 14 review: Battery life
Best in class
Real all day battery life
Only a few rivals can match it
Continuous video playback testing demonstrated a staggering battery longevity of over 28 hours.
Fast-charging capabilities allow the laptop to fully replenish its battery in approximately two hours.
Buy the HP OmniBook X 14 if…
You value a portable design. The OmniBook X is incredibly thin, light, and solidly constructed.
You want great all-round performance. Whether working, streaming, or light gaming, the laptop handles daily computing effortlessly.
Don't buy it if…
You require dedicated navigation keys or a spacious touchpad for intensive productivity work.
You need a convertible form factor that folds completely backward into a tablet.
HP OmniBook X 14 review: Also consider
HP OmniBook 7 Aero offers similar portability and performance, though its battery life falls short of the X model.
Asus Zenbook A14 is even lighter and equally thin, serving as a strong alternative with great performance.
