TechRadar Review Calls HP OmniBook X 14 a Long-Lasting Ultraportable

The OmniBook X 14 starts at £764, about $1,000 or AU$1,400, and is available now with various configurations, TechRadar reported. Buyers can choose from AMD, Intel and Qualcomm processors, as well as between 16GB and 32GB of RAM and 512GB to 1TB of storage, according to the review. The base model uses a Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 chip with eight cores, while the review unit was equipped with a Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 with 12 cores. Both configurations listed by TechRadar include Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics, a 59Wh battery and the same 14-inch 2.2K (2240 x 1400) LED touchscreen with IPS, a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 60Hz refresh rate.

The review unit carried 16GB of LPDDR5x memory and a 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD; the base model has 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD. The laptop measures 12.32 x 8.8 x 0.56 inches, or 313 x 224 x 14 millimeters, and weighs 2.97 pounds, or 1.35 kilograms. Port selection includes two USB-C ports with Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4a, one running at 10Gbps and one at 40Gbps, plus one 10Gbps USB-A port and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

TechRadar said the Snapdragon X Elite review unit handled work, browsing, 4K streaming and light gaming well. It remained very quiet under high demand, and although some areas became warm, the review described temperatures as far from worrying. The 2240 x 1400 display was called sharp and vibrant, providing a strong viewing experience. The touchscreen was responsive and smoother to the touch than many other laptop examples, according to the review, though the display can be somewhat reflective. TechRadar said brightness levels were usually sufficient to offset the worst reflections.

The keyboard received positive marks for very light and snappy keys with forgiving spacing, making the laptop pleasant to type on. The review noted that some users may miss dedicated navigation keys and a number pad, and said the touchpad could have been larger for easier navigation. The laptop’s steely gray colorway was described as simple and minimalist, with little branding or extra ornamentation. Build quality was praised as a blend of solidity and portability, with the thin dimensions and low weight making it easy to slip into a bag.

TechRadar’s main criticism concerned the ports. The review said there were not very many and that design and placement issues hurt their practicality. Price was another caveat: the OmniBook X 14 is not exactly cheap, but the review judged it a good value compared with others in its class, especially the base model. The review compared it with the HP OmniBook Aero 7, which costs about the same and is similarly capable in many respects but has a less sharp display and no touchscreen. It also named the Asus Zenbook A14 as a strong rival, similarly priced and even lighter, but with a lower-resolution display and no touch input.

TechRadar’s verdict said the OmniBook X 14 is another stellar laptop from HP, combining a thin body, excellent all-round performance, remarkable battery life and a reasonable price relative to rivals. The publication said not many 14-inch laptops offer a more complete package for less. Its listed reasons to buy were the thin and light design, great performance and an easy-to-type keyboard. Its reasons to avoid were inconvenient ports, a display that can be a little reflective and a price that is not exactly cheap.

Editor's Summary

TechRadar’s review found the HP OmniBook X 14 excels in battery life, reaching more than 28 hours in testing, and pairs a thin design with strong Snapdragon X Elite performance. The laptop starts at £764 and offers a sharp touchscreen, but limited ports, a reflective display and a price that is not exactly cheap are cited as drawbacks. The review places it among the more complete 14-inch ultraportables in its class.