Attending HP’s Imagine AI event in New York City last Thursday gave me a real indication about the direction AI laptops are heading in. My main takeaway is that manufacturers are going to continue to push the limits on TOPS—tera operations per second, the processing speed of NPUs in AI PCs—as mobile workers dig deeper into the kinds of benefits generative AI will deliver them. Proof of that was HP’s announcement of a new laptop in its consumer portfolio: the HP OmniBook Ultra PC. The 14-inch clamshell-style laptop, designed for hybrid workers, makes a big leap in AI processing over the previously announced HP OmniBook X, offering what HP claims is an industry-leading 55 TOPS AI processing power in a laptop this thin.
The HP OmniBook Ultra looks almost identical to its stablemate the HP OmniBook X. The OmniBook Ultra features a stylish exterior with a Meteor Silver finish and a display framed in an impressive 86 percent screen-to-body ratio. When it comes to its weight and size, the OmniBook Ultra feels thicker and heavier than the OmniBook X—and that’s because it is at 12.41 x 8.96 x 0.65 inches and 3.48 pounds. The OmniBook Ultra model on display also featured 32GB DDR5 RAM running at 75 MT/s, but HP says a 16GB RAM option will also be available. The storage options available should please even the heaviest file users. The OmniBook Ultra will be available in models sporting PCIe Gen 4 SSDs up to a maximum 2TB.
As I tested out the OmniBook Ultra against the OmniBook X, I could tell the Ultra was much snappier. It loaded up programs with just split-second delays, and images and videos rendered by its 9MP webcam looked that much crisper and smoother on its 2.2K (2240x1400p) IPS-grade touchscreen display. A 16:10 aspect ratio means there’s plenty of screen space to run multiple windows or applications side-by-side. The keyboard is also a generous size, sporting large keys with good spacing between them.
The Thunderbolt 4 ports are found on the laptop’s right side; one sits on the straight edge while the other is placed on a small corner near the back hinge. Checking out the I/O options revealed a surprising twist: Ryzen CPU-based laptops don’t usually have Thunderbolt 4 ports, but the OmniBook Ultra boasts two. A 68 watt-hour battery wasn’t possible to test in the short viewing time, but HP says you can expect the laptop to last a maximum of 21 hours while playing videos.
The HP OmniBook Ultra goes on sale in August at HP.com and with a starting price of just $1,499.99. Based on that fact and the high 55 TOPS on offer, it may well just walk right off shelves. HP made great efforts to explain the benefits of this change. The OmniBook Ultra also comes with a range of HP’s productivity tools, including HP AI Companion which, among other things, optimizes the PC’s systems settings. The laptop also has a built-in Wolf Security chip that HP says allows the PC to self-heal from AI-assisted cyberattacks while simultaneously keeping data safe.
In conclusion, the HP OmniBook Ultra is a powerful, ultra-thin laptop with industry-leading 55 TOPS AI processing power. The sleek design, impressive display, and enhanced performance make it an ideal choice for hybrid workers looking for a reliable AI laptop. With advanced features like Thunderbolt 4 ports, high-speed SSD storage, and long-lasting battery life, the OmniBook Ultra offers a comprehensive solution for users who rely on AI applications for their work. Available at an affordable price point, this laptop is set to make waves in the AI laptop market.
