HP joins the MacBook Neo fight with colorful OmniBook 5 laptops starting at $699

[Shawn Knight]

In a nutshell: It's been just over seven months since Apple introduced the MacBook Neo, the sub-$600 laptop that put the entire PC industry on notice. Several major players in the PC space have since rolled out options to counter, and the latest from HP looks rather enticing.

The new HP OmniBook 5 is described as a premium consumer Windows laptop for those who "want more" from their everyday device. The base model features a 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 OLED multi-touch display coated in Gorilla Glass 3 that covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color space. It is driven by an Intel Core 5 320 processor, 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and integrated Intel Graphics.

A 256GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD comes standard, although higher capacity options are available for those willing to open their wallets a bit wider. For example, an extra $50 will get you double the storage. This is technically an AI PC as it ships with an NPU capable of 16 TOPS, but neither Microsoft nor HP is making much of a fuss about it.

HP claims its new laptop is good for up to 42 hours of local video playback and with fast charging, you can go from empty to a 50% charge in just 30 minutes. Other noteworthy amenities include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless connectivity, one HDMI 2.1 out port, two USB Type-C jacks, and a headphone / microphone combo jack. A 1080p webcam with dual array microphone and a pair of stereo speakers also come standard.

The machine is offered in four colorways – pink, silver, blue, and green – and comes backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty. The 14-incher tips the scales at 2.6 pounds, measures 12.3 inches x 8.62 inches x 0.46 inches, and packs a full-size backlit keyboard alongside an HP Imagepad. It ships running Windows 11 Home out of the box.

The HP OmniBook 5 14 AI PC will arrive in time for the holidays. Look for the base model to hit stores like Best Buy in October starting at $699.

Permalink to story:

HP joins the MacBook Neo fight with colorful OmniBook 5 laptops starting at $699

 

[yRaz]

"if we make them pretty people will ignore that they are fundamentally flawed products that are overpriced and can never be upgraded"

 

[Dreadcthulhu]

"if we make them pretty people will ignore that they are fundamentally flawed products that are overpriced and can never be upgraded"

Sadly, that seems to be working for Apple with the Neo (SOLDERED SSDS!) so its no surprise that other companies will try to copy them.

 

[NumberNine]

I bought a laptop four years ago for half this price with way better specs. I can't help but wonder how OEMs will survive. Probably by the grace of basics with large bank accounts, as usual.

 

[Gars]

Apple dont sale products, but trademark and eco system

 

[Alpine7995]

An OLED touchscreen, 2.6-pound chassis, and actual ports for $699 is pretty compelling. But 8GB RAM and 256GB storage in 2026 feels like HP found exactly where it needed to claw back the BOM cost.

Apple releasing a sub-$600 MacBook might end up being one of the best things to happen to Windows laptops in years.

 

[BuckarooBonzaii]

Hilarious when Apple comes out with a promising product, then others start chasing when they should have been on their toes all the time. Bought my nephew an HP laptop for $799 back in the mid 2000s, never lasted 2 years as the hinge and screen broke.

 

[Win7user]

Hilarious when Apple comes out with a promising product, then others start chasing when they should have been on their toes all the time. Bought my nephew an HP laptop for $799 back in the mid 2000s, never lasted 2 years as the hinge and screen broke.

I was always afraid my Acer laptop hinge would stop working. And, I'm always amazed that that my 15yr old Acer laptop 17"3 is not only still working (Win 7 Pro) but the hinge is still stiff. I did however drop that laptop in a nice case on both corners where the hinge is, and there's a small hole there. That has always bothered me too...