HP Unveils Snapdragon-Powered OmniBook 5 Laptops: A New Era of Affordable AI PCs?

HP is shaking up the laptop market with its new OmniBook 5 Series, announced at Computex 2025. These laptops, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X and X Plus chips, promise a compelling blend of performance, battery life, and affordability, potentially democratizing access to AI-powered features.

Previously, Snapdragon-equipped HP laptops were a premium affair. However, the OmniBook 5 series changes the game, offering 14-inch models starting at $799 and 16-inch versions from $849. This price point is significant, especially considering the inclusion of Copilot+'s AI capabilities, like Recall, Click-to-Do, and an enhanced Windows Search experience.

According to HP, the OmniBook 5 boasts up to 34 hours of battery life (based on video rundown tests) and can recharge to 50% in just 30 minutes. The laptops also feature a 2K OLED display, support for external 5K or dual 4K monitors, and a 1080p IR camera with AI-powered noise removal for improved virtual meetings. Zachary Boddy from Windows Central had hands-on time with an early sample and believes it could be "the best deal on an AI laptop this summer."

Boddy notes that the OmniBook 5 strikes a balance between features, quality, and price, positioning itself in the highly competitive mid-range segment. The laptops are constructed from aluminum and are remarkably thin and light, with the 14-inch model weighing in at just 1.29kg. While USB4 support is absent to keep costs down, the OmniBook 5 includes dual USB Type-C ports and a full USB Type-A port.

Performance-wise, the Snapdragon X chips deliver a smooth and responsive experience for everyday tasks, including web browsing, media consumption, and light content creation. While benchmark results are still pending, the initial impressions are positive. Furthermore, HP is bundling a compact 65W USB Type-C GaN charger, a welcome addition for portability.

However, some compromises were made to achieve the competitive pricing. The keyboard lacks backlighting, and the speakers and webcam are described as adequate but not exceptional. The base configuration starts with 256GB of storage, which may be limiting for some users. Despite these drawbacks, the OmniBook 5 presents a compelling value proposition, particularly for budget-conscious consumers seeking AI-enabled laptops.

The 14-inch OmniBook 5 is slated for release on Amazon and Microsoft in June, followed by HP's website, Best Buy, and Costco in July. The 16-inch version arrives in July through HP and its retail partners.

Will the OmniBook 5 series be the game-changer HP hopes for? Can these affordable Snapdragon-powered laptops truly deliver on their promise of performance and battery life? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!

• HP
• OmniBook 5
• Snapdragon