It’s remarkable that two HP Omnibook series laptops launched just two months apart can feel so different, almost as if they’re from different generations.
Compared to the Snapdragon X Elite-powered OmniBook The HP Lunar Lake series uses the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 (258V) processors, which deliver reliable performance without compromising battery life or the AI features promised by its ARM-based sibling. The design and build quality remains top-notch, and the typing feel is almost true to size.
However, at Rs 1,79,999 for the base variant with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD, the HP Omnibook Ultra Flip 14 is an expensive machine designed for a niche customer base. Can it deliver what it promises? Let’s find out.
design
Like the Omnibook It also maintains a highly portable design, weighing only 1.3 kg. I reviewed the gray model, which boasts a minimalist appearance and is probably best suited for enterprise customers. I prefer the atmospheric blue option as it looks more youthful and a bit upbeat. This version may appeal to younger clients or creators who like to edit on a laptop on the go.
While the dimensions of the Omnibook Ultra Flip 14 and Omnibook Over the years, the chamfered design has been blended with functionality by featuring USB-C ports on both ends. The design allows for clean edges, and although it may look good on paper, the I/O options are limited. It was never well accepted by Windows loyalists.
The most notable design upgrade in the Ultra variant is the 360-degree hinge design, now branded as ‘Flip’ by HP – a term commonly associated with foldable smartphones. This design allows the display to rotate 360 degrees, turning the laptop into a table. The hinge also feels sturdy, keeping the display stable at various angles.
Although using the laptop as a tablet never felt completely natural to me, it undoubtedly adds to the overall versatility. The aluminum finish offers a premium feel when using the laptop in tablet mode. Tent mode is another great feature for watching movies, which makes the 360-degree design a little more practical.
Display
HP continues to offer a 14-inch touch-enabled display for the latest OmniBook, although the IPS panel has been replaced with OLED for an immersive and colorful viewing experience. Other upgrades include brighter output (500 nits), higher screen resolution (2,880 x 1,800), thinner bezels (90.04 percent screen-to-body ratio), and variable refresh rate (48-120Hz). It’s safer to say that the upgrades are obvious. Good for editing purposes, the panel covers 100 percent of the DCI-P3 color space.
I immediately noticed more vibrant colors and deeper blacks than traditional IPS displays. The scrolling experience, especially when using the laptop in tablet mode, was quite good. I also watched several shows on Netflix and videos on YouTube, including 91mobiles’. Reviews on YouTubeAnd the picture quality was sharp and vibrant. HP has significantly improved the audio experience with a quad-speaker system tuned by its in-house PolyStudio team.
The only potential issue for users may be viewing angles, as OLED screens on laptops are extremely bright and can display a strange green tint when viewed from the edges. However, this shouldn’t be a major concern since we’ll normally be looking at the screen from the front.
I/O, webcam, keyboard and trackpad
As mentioned, the chamfered design gives the laptop clean edges, but it comes at a significant cost. The OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 has only four I/O options: two Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, USB-C Power Delivery, and DisplayPort 2.1), one USB-C port with 10Gbps signaling rate, Power Delivery, and DisplayPort 1.4a, and a headphone jack. /Microphone combo jack.
While the limited port selection contributes to the sleek design, I wish HP had included at least one USB-A port, which would have been especially useful for Android smartphone users. An HDMI port would also have been a practical addition, especially for laptops meant for professionals who frequently require external display connectivity.
The new 9MP webcam performs much better than its predecessor in adequate lighting conditions. HP’s native Studio offers several options for adjusting picture quality and the microphone. I take a lot of work calls through Google Meet and WhatsApp and I didn’t face any issues with the camera or mic. Other connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, are designed to ensure seamless connectivity for smooth streaming and fast data transfers.
I also like the membrane keyboard that the Omnibook Ultra Flip 14 offers. The keys offer perfect travel for someone who spends a lot of time typing without having to shout loudly. The keyboard offers two-level backlighting and a dedicated CoPilot key to launch Microsoft’s General AI assistant without opening a web browser. I also like the center placement of the larger track, though I’m not the biggest about its firm clickiness response. It provides a smooth scrolling experience, although I generally prefer an external mouse for daily work.
Display and battery
As a productivity-focused machine, the HP Omnibook Ultra Flip 14 handles daily tasks, like browsing, note taking, multi-media playback, and even casual gaming without stutters and lag. The variant I reviewed has 32GB LPPDR5x RAM and 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD (Rs 1,89,999), which ensures smooth multitasking. During light workloads, such as running Chrome and Microsoft apps simultaneously, the laptop runs smoothly without any signs of overheating, with the fans barely moving, which is to be expected. Still, HP has thoughtfully designed the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14’s slim design with additional vents on the back for effective cooling even while gaming.
I like that HP offers users many options with the latest Omnibook series. As mentioned, the Omnibook Ultra Flip 14 features Intel’s latest-generation Intel Core Ultra 7 (258V) processor, as opposed to the Snapdragon X Elite SoC on the Omnibook X.
Based on benchmark scores, CPU performance is more or less on par with the Snapdragon X Elite-powered OmniBook While its single-core scores were better in many benchmarks, the multi-core scores are modest, likely due to fewer cores and threads. The scoring trend mostly remains the same as the ASUS ZenBook S 14, which is powered by the same Core Ultra 7 258V.
Compared to the GPU performance of the Snapdragon X Elite, the integrated GPU performance of the Core Ultra 7 258V shines. However, the ASUS ZenBook S 14 scored better numbers than the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 in our tests.
The Omnibook Ultra Flip 14 is not designed for gaming, and although I’m not a hardcore gamer, I did play Valorant on the machine. The OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 maintained an average fps of 247 at low settings, which is good for a productivity-focused machine. On the other hand, if you enjoy classic games like Age of Empires II as much as I do, the OLED display, quad speakers and the new iGPU make for an enjoyable experience.
Another thing you will notice on the laptop is the new AI badge. HP takes advantage of the power of Intel AI Boost NPU and offers some amazing features. In addition to CoPilot support, the laptop offers AI-powered editing tools in the native Photos app to remove objects or clear the background. AI is also leveraged to improve video and audio quality during meets and team calls. Video quality has definitely improved, although there is room for improvement.
HP also offers an HP AI Companion app for you to summarize long documents, producing surprisingly well-produced results. However, the app’s functionalities are still in their early stages, with more features likely to be added over time.
Despite having different battery sizes, the Omnibook X and Ultra Flip 14 weigh the same (1.3 kg). The latter gets a larger 64Wh battery with 65W charging support. Overall, the Ultra Flip 14 offers a solid battery backup, giving it a run for its money against the Snapdragon X Elite-powered OmniBook In the PCMark battery test, the difference in performance is not huge (image below). However, the ZenBook S14 displayed the best performance (15 hours) due to the larger battery.
During my review, I was able to complete regular office work (without gaming) on a single charge. The OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 conserves battery exceptionally well, even in standby mode.
decision
If looks, long battery, and reliable performance are your top priorities in a laptop, the HP Omnibook Ultra Flip 14 is definitely worth considering. I also thoroughly enjoyed the typing experience on this laptop. The new HP AI Companion app promises AI-powered features for summarizing and writing emails or articles. However, its current capabilities are quite limited, and it will be interesting to see how HP expands its offerings in the coming months.
Of course, the highlight of the Omnibook Ultra Flip 14 is the partnership between HP and Intel for the latest generation Core Ultra 7 (258V) processors. You can expect smooth performance, with the ability for a little casual gaming if you wish. This makes the laptop ideal for productivity-focused users who enjoy occasionally playing retro or casual titles (me included). I also tried EA Sports FC 2024 on medium settings, which the laptop managed with mild stuttering. However, for classics like Age of Empires II or III, the Omnibook Ultra Flip 14 offers more than enough power to deliver a smooth experience. Furthermore, the updated webcam supported by AI tweaks makes it perfect for those who take a lot of video calls for daily work.
However, I would have appreciated more ports on the Omnibook Ultra Flip 14, and the price could have been more competitive. That said, if you’re okay with carrying a hub for additional I/O options and paying a premium for its attractive design, the HP Omnibook Ultra Flip 14 won’t disappoint.
Editor’s Rating: 8/10
Pros
- premium design
- lightweight
- spontaneous performance
- solid battery life
Shortcoming
- Limited I/O options
- expensive
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