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HP OmniBook 7 14-inch: Two-minute review
The HP OmniBook 7 14-inch AI Laptop, to give it its full name, is an everyday workhorse with an elegant and upmarket design, setting it apart from much of the competition.
Not only does the OmniBook 7 look good, but it also feels good. The finish of both the entire unit and the keys is super smooth, and contributes to the laptop rivalling some of the best laptops out there.
Build quality is also impressive: both the base and the lid are sturdier than those on many other laptops I’ve tested. This feat is all the more impressive given just how light and thin the OmniBook 7 is — although it’s a little thicker underneath than its slender sides might lead you to believe.
Most of the essential ports are present and correct. There are two USB-A and two USB-C ports. The latter are used for charging the OmniBook 7, and they also support external monitor connections. An HDMI port is also available for this purpose, and is an increasingly rare sight on modern laptops. However, I wasn’t thrilled with the ordering of many of the OmniBook 7’s ports, with the locations of the USB and HDMI ports being particularly inconvenient.
The general performance of the OmniBook 7 is impressive. It can handle light productivity and multi-tab browsing with ease, and can stream ultra-HD content without stuttering or buffering. I did notice a few minor slowdowns when performing certain media actions, but these were negligible.
For a laptop with no dedicated GPU, the OmniBook 7 surprised me with just how competent it is at gaming. You certainly won’t be getting high frame rates in AAA titles, even at modest settings, but Cyberpunk 2077 ran in a passable state that allowed for some casual playtime. I’ve certainly experienced my fair share laptops with similar integrated graphics that fail to reach even this low bar.
Some fan noise was apparent at times, even when moderate loads were undertaken. However, I didn’t find it loud to the point of distraction, and temperatures never exceeded lukewarm.
The display is also excellent. Its 1920 x 1200 resolution complements the 14-inch canvas very well, with the interface being clear and sharp. Colors are vibrantly rendered, too, and the deep contrast was very welcoming. I noticed some reflections on screen, but they didn’t obscure content prohibitively.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the OmniBook 7, though, is its battery life. It lasted an incredible 26 hours during our movie playback test, a time that ranks among the very best in the sector. It was also quick to fully recharge, taking just over two hours.
The starting price of the OmniBook 7 is high, in some territories more than others, but we’ve seen it on sale for significantly less (in UK markets, at least). And considering how it just about gets everything right, even exceeding expectations in some areas, the OmniBook 7 is one the best mid-range laptops around right now.
HP OmniBook 7 14-inch review: Price & Availability
- Starts from $949 / £699 / AU$2,499
- Prices vary according to region
- Expensive compared to some rivals
The HP OmniBook 7 14-inch starts from $949 / £699 / AU$2,499 and is available now. Configurability varies across regions, with the US seemingly only getting one model, which features an Intel Core Ultra 5, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage.
This certainly isn’t cheap; however, we’ve seen sizable reductions on variants in the UK and Australia which make them much better value. It’s more expensive than the HP OmniBook 5, but that model is significantly down on power compared to the 7.
It’s also cheaper, at least in some regions, than the Dell 16 Plus. This is another fine laptop, featuring a similarly lightweight yet sturdy design, as well as great performance and a high-quality display. It’s a larger device with a full-size keyboard, so it might be a better choice for those looking for more productivity pedigree. Like the OmniBook 7, though, it has integrated graphics, which means weak gaming and creative performance compared to laptops with dedicated GPUs.
HP OmniBook 7 14-inch (2025) review: Specs
|
HP OmniBook 7 14-inch (2025) |
US |
UK |
Australia |
|
Price: |
$949 |
£699 |
AU$2,499 |
|
CPU: |
Intel Core Ultra 5 225U (up to 4.8GHz, 12 cores) |
Intel Core 5 220H (up to 4.9GHz, 12 cores) |
Intel Core Ultra 5 225H (up to 4.9GHz, 14 cores) |
|
GPU: |
Intel Graphics (integrated) |
Intel Graphics (integrated) |
Intel Arc 130T (integrated) |
|
Memory: |
16GB LPDDR5 |
24GB LPDDR5 |
32GB LPDDR5 |
|
Storage: |
512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD |
1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD |
512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD |
|
Display: |
14-inch 2K (1920 x 1200), IPS, anti-glare |
14-inch 2K (1920 x 1200), IPS, anti-glare |
14-inch 3K (2880 x 1800), UWVA |
|
Ports: |
2x USB-C (1x Thunderbolt 4, 40Gbps, Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 2.1; 1x 10Gbps, USB Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4a), 2x 1 USB-A (1x 10Gbps, 1x 5Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x combo audio |
2x USB-C (1x Thunderbolt 4, 40Gbps, Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 2.1; 1x 10Gbps, USB Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4a), 2x 1 USB-A (1x 10Gbps, 1x 5Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x combo audio |
2x USB-C (1x Thunderbolt 4, 40Gbps, Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 2.1; 1x 10Gbps, USB Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4a), 2x 1 USB-A (1x 10Gbps, 1x 5Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x combo audio |
|
Battery (WHr): |
68Wh |
68Wh |
68Wh |
|
Wireless: |
Intel Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Intel Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
|
Camera: |
5MP IR with privacy shutter |
5MP IR with privacy shutter |
5MP IR with privacy shutter |
|
Weight: |
3.12lbs (1.42kg) |
3.12lbs (1.42kg) |
3.12lbs (1.42kg) |
|
Dimensions: |
12.36 x 8.92 x 0.59in (314 x 226.6 x 15mm) |
12.36 x 8.92 x 0.59in (314 x 226.6 x 15mm) |
12.36 x 8.92 x 0.59in (314 x 226.6 x 15mm) |
HP OmniBook 7 14-inch review: Design
- Premium, elegant design
- Strong build quality
- Impractical port locations
In line with many of HP’s modern laptops, the design of the OmniBook 7 is best described as minimalist. The light silver colorway is sensible but less austere than other monochromatic rivals, while the darker keyboard shade provides a pleasing contrast. And like a great deal of Windows laptops in general, the OmniBook 7 emulates the pristine appeal of the best Macbooks — and I have to say, it’s largely successful on this front.
Complimenting its light colorway are its thin dimensions. This is especially evident on the sides of the unit, which help to disguise the somewhat thicker underside. Ultimately, though, the OmniBook 7 is still thinner and lighter than many other 14-inch laptops.
Strange as it is to say, I also admired the corners of the OmniBook 7, which are rounder than most. The same is true of the keycaps, and together these elements help to soften the OmniBook 7’s appearance even further.
Build quality is commendable, too. Despite the lightweight construction, both the body and the lid are remarkably sturdy. The hinge of the latter operates smoothly, and I experienced next to no wobbling when open. However, I wish it reclined a little further; the somewhat limited angle might be a problem for those wishing to place the OmniBook 7 on a stand.
While the materials used in the OmniBook 7 aren’t as premium as those employed in high-end laptops, they don’t feel cheap; the body has a silky smooth finish, while the keycaps have a slightly grainy texture that enhances their tactility. They’re also backlit, which I pretty much consider an essential feature in a laptop keyboard.
You’ll find the usual connectivity options on the OmniBook 7. There’s a USB-A port on each side and two USB-C ports on the right. Also on the right is an HDMI port, while on the left you’ll find a 3.5mm combo audio jack as well.
The ordering of these ports is somewhat inconvenient. The USB-C ports are close to the middle of the unit — not an ideal place for the power cable to extend from. Also, the HDMI port is placed ahead of the USB-A port, which could result in crossing cables if both are occupied simultaneously.
It’s also a shame that the OmniBook 7 misses out on extra ports, such as an SD card reader, but given the compact nature of the unit, this is somewhat forgivable.
HP OmniBook 7 14-inch review: Performance
- Excellent general performance
- Surprisingly capable for light gaming
- Vivid, high-contrast display
HP OmniBook 7 14-inch (2025) benchmarks:
3DMark Night Raid: 16,266; Fire Strike: 3,692; Steel Nomad: 345; Solar Bay 6,232; Solar Bay Unlimited: 6,281; Solar Bay Extreme: 748; Solar Bay Extreme Unlimited: 753;
GeekBench 6.5 Single-core: 2,324; Multi-core: 10,247
CrossMark Overall: 1,604; Productivity: 1,536; Creativity: 1,779; Responsiveness: 1,341;
HandBrake – 4K to 1080p average FPS: 47.72
The OmniBook 7 is a very capable all-round performer. It can handle the kinds of tasks you’d typically demand from a mid-range laptop. Light productivity is dispatched with aplomb, while the 16GB of RAM helps to facilitate browsing with multiple tabs open.
It streamed video at high resolutions with little buffering, although I did experience a small amount of lag when performing common actions, such as playing and pausing content, or when toggling full screen mode. However, such instances were too minor to cause frustration.
What surprised me most of all about the OmniBook 7 was its gaming performance. Despite lacking a dedicated GPU, it managed to run demanding titles, such as Cyberpunk 2077. Granted, it was far from the smoothest experience, hitting less than 30fps on average at the High preset with Ray Tracing disabled. But it sufficed for a quick and casual session. What’s more, it remained admirably cool and quiet throughout.
More impressive was the WUXGA display. It might fall short of many other laptops with sharper resolutions, but given the 14 inches of real estate on offer, is beautifully crisp and clear. Brightness and color reproduction are also excellent, as is the deep contrast. I did notice some reflections, but these were never prominent enough to disrupt the viewing experience.
The keyboard in the OmniBook 7 is mostly competent. The spacing between the keys is generous, while the short travel and light actuation allow for quick, snappy typing. However, while I found them satisfying to hit, they lack the dampening of some of the best keyboards around. Also, the lack of extra keys, such as a navigation cluster and a number pad, might hamper those looking for serious productivity pedigree.
I found no such drawbacks with the touchpad in the OmniBook 7. It feels superb and translates inputs precisely. I also found it to be the perfect size: small enough to avoid encroaching on wrist space when typing, yet large enough to make navigation and gesturing easy.
HP OmniBook 7 14-inch review: Battery Life
- Best-in-class battery life
- Quick to charge
The battery life of the OmniBook 7 is remarkable. When I ran a movie on a continuous loop unplugged, it lasted just shy of 26 hours. This is one of the best scores we’ve seen, and eclipses other laptops known for their longevity.
The charging time is also impressive, taking just over two hours to go from empty to full.
Should I buy the HP OmniBook 7 14-inch?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|
Value |
Starting prices are high, especially in some regions. We have, however, seen some huge discounts. |
4 / 5 |
|
Design |
Super light and thin, with sleek looks and a premium feel. Port locations are a little impractical, though. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Performance |
Brilliant general and multitasking performance, and the excellent display makes content pop. It’s even capable of some light gaming. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Battery Life |
Simply unbeatable; it can playback a video for over a full day. It’s also quite quick to charge. |
5 / 5 |
|
Total |
The HP OmniBook 7 does everything you could want from a mid-range laptop, and more. If you find it on sale (as we have), it’s hard to beat for value. |
4.5 / 5 |
Buy the HP OmniBook 7 14-inch if…
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HP OmniBook 7 14-inch (2025) review: Also Consider
How I tested the HP OmniBook 7 14-inch (2025)
- Tested for several days
- Used for productivity, entertainment, browsing
- Plentiful laptop reviewing experience
I tested the HP OmniBook 7 for several days, during which time I used it for light productivity tasks, streaming content, gaming, and general browsing.
I ran our suite of benchmarks, which test every facet of a laptop’s performance. I also ran a movie on a continuous loop to test battery life.
I have reviewed countless laptops in my time, ranging from budget and mid-range efforts to top-tier machines designed for high-end gaming and other intensive workloads. I’ve also reviewed a plethora of other computing devices, including desktops and tablets.
- First reviewed: January 2026
- Read more about how we test
Read the full article here
