HP OmniBook 5 Targets Apple’s $700 MacBook Neo in the Budget Laptop Segment

HP announced the OmniBook 5 as a $700 entry-level laptop that will be sold through the company’s website and Best Buy beginning in October. The manufacturer highlights a 14-inch 2K (1,920 × 1,200) OLED screen, a maximum brightness of 300 nits, and a battery test in which the device lasted up to 42 hours of video playback on a single charge. HP also notes that the chassis will be offered in muted silver, blue, pink and green colors that echo Apple’s pastel-hued MacBook Neo lineup.

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The base configuration ships with an Intel Core 5 315 processor, 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD. Optional upgrades include an Intel Core 7 350 CPU, up to 16 GB of RAM, a 1 TB SSD, and a 2.5K OLED touchscreen. Port selection consists of two USB-C ports (not Thunderbolt 4) and no USB-A ports, meaning users will likely need adapters for many peripherals. HP reports that the device achieved 42 hours of video playback in its internal testing, a figure that far exceeds the 13 hours recorded for the MacBook Neo in CNET’s own battery test.

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The OmniBook 5’s starting price of $700 matches the current market price of Apple’s MacBook Neo, which rose from its original $599 launch price after supply-chain pressures increased component costs. HP plans to make the laptop available for order in October, with sales through its own website and Best Buy.

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Both laptops occupy the same $700 price tier, but they differ in several key areas. The OmniBook 5 offers a larger 14-inch OLED display compared with the Neo’s 13-inch screen, while the Neo’s maximum brightness is not specified in the source material. On the performance side, the Neo runs Apple’s A18 Pro chip, which the source suggests delivers better efficiency on macOS than the Intel-based OmniBook 5 does on Windows. Storage and memory options are comparable at the entry level, though the OmniBook 5 can be configured with up to 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD, whereas the Neo’s specifications are not detailed in the source. Battery life is a notable advantage for HP, with its 42-hour test result versus the Neo’s 13-hour figure.

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The rise in the Neo’s price due to “RAMageddon” and component shortages has opened space for competitors at the $700 level. Dell’s XPS 13 and Lenovo’s upcoming IdeaPad Vibe are also slated to enter the same segment, increasing consumer choice. HP’s emphasis on a larger OLED screen, extended battery life, and a colorful chassis positions the OmniBook 5 as a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers who value screen size and endurance over raw processing power. The upcoming release of the IdeaPad Vibe, which requires an OLED upgrade, suggests that the $700 budget market will become increasingly competitive in the coming months.

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