Full Breakdown
HP Unveils the OmniBook 5 14-inch Laptop, a Low-Cost OLED Rival to the MacBook Neo
By Drooid · · How we work
HP’s Core Announcement
HP introduced the OmniBook 5 14-inch laptop as a direct competitor to Apple’s MacBook Neo. The company set the starting price at $699.99 and positioned the device for consumers seeking a colorful, thin Windows notebook with an OLED panel. HP indicated that the base model will ship in October 2026, with a higher-resolution OLED touchscreen slated for March 2027.
Key Specifications and Pricing
- Processor: Intel Core 5 315 “Wildcat Lake” in the base configuration; optional Core 7 350 upgrade.
- Memory & Storage: 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM (12 GB option planned for November 2026, 16 GB available at launch) and SSD options of 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB (the 1 TB model also slated for November 2026).
- Display: 14-inch OLED panel at 1920 × 1200 resolution, 300 nits brightness on launch models; a 2560 × 1600 touchscreen version will arrive in March 2027.
- Battery: 60 Wh battery with a 65 W USB-C GaN charger; HP claims up to 42 hours of video playback, noting that more demanding tasks will reduce runtime.
- Ports & Extras: Two 10 Gbps USB-C ports, HDMI, 3.5 mm audio jack, 1080p IR webcam, dual speakers, and a 1080p webcam.
All configurations share the same thin profile—0.46 inches (11.7 mm)—and weigh 2.56 pounds, making the OmniBook slightly lighter and thinner than the MacBook Neo.
Design, Colors, and OLED Considerations
HP offers the laptop in four pastel shades: peony pink, starlit blue, smoke silver, and soft honeydew. The inclusion of an OLED screen across the entire lineup is a primary differentiator, though reviewers note that the 300-nit brightness is modest for OLED technology, potentially limiting visibility in bright environments.
Availability and Outlook
The base OmniBook 5 will be purchasable “some point this month” (October 2026) without a specific launch day disclosed. HP also announced a new ProBook 4 G2iS business notebook, claimed to be its thinnest business model at 0.47 inches (12 mm). The upcoming higher-resolution OLED touchscreen and expanded storage options are expected in the first quarter of 2027, giving the product a staged upgrade path.
Overall, HP’s OmniBook 5 aims to combine a budget price, vibrant color choices, and OLED visual quality while matching the MacBook Neo’s thin-and-light form factor.