HP has launched the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, marking the introduction of a new laptop brand while maintaining a familiar design. The all-metal, matte-black chassis closely resembles last year's Spectre x360 14, as does the stunning 14-inch, 3K OLED display. Both the design and display quality are exceptional, which explains HP's decision to delay major updates. However, this approach raises questions about whether HP intends to clarify that the OmniBook Ultra Flip series is intended to replace the Spectre x360 models at the top of its laptop lineup.
Similar to the Spectre x360 14, the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is a premium two-in-one device powered by Intel Core Ultra processors, now one generation ahead. It features a range of Core Ultra Series 2 Lunar Lake chips, with our test unit equipped with the Core Ultra 7 258V. While the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 boasts a luxurious design and premium display, its performance does not quite match its premium price tag. In some cases, it even underperformed compared to its predecessor, the Spectre x360 14, although it did show improvements in battery life.
Despite achieving a longer battery life than its predecessor, the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 falls short when compared to laptops featuring Qualcomm Snapdragon X series processors. For instance, HP's own OmniBook X 14 delivers double the battery life. If you can accept average performance and battery longevity, the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 presents an appealing two-in-one package, especially if you're willing to invest in it.
The naming shift from Spectre to OmniBook Ultra is the most significant change, aside from minor cosmetic updates. The laptop features an incremental spec upgrade, moving from Intel's first-generation Core Ultra Meteor Lake processors to the second generation Lunar Lake chips. Pricing starts at $1,450 for a model equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, 16GB RAM, Intel Arc 140V graphics, and a 512GB SSD. Although I would prefer to see a Core Ultra 7 chip at this price point, the display remains exceptional, featuring a 14-inch OLED panel with a 3K (2,880x1,800-pixel) resolution, a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and touch support.
Equipped with Intel's Core Ultra Series 2 chips, the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 aims to balance performance and efficiency, prioritizing the latter more than previous generations. The Core Ultra 7 258V operates between 8 and 37 watts, while the Core Ultra 155H chip ranges from 20 to 155 watts. Notably, Intel has eliminated hyperthreading to enhance power efficiency. This design choice results in somewhat limited multicore performance, as evidenced by the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14’s performance in Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024 tests.
The OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 features strong single-core performance, and its graphics capabilities are competitive among laptops with integrated GPUs. It achieved impressive scores on our 3DMark Steel Nomad test, outperforming laptops equipped with integrated graphics from Qualcomm and AMD. Additionally, the NPU (neural processing unit) of the Core Ultra 7 258V can perform 48 trillion operations per second (TOPS), surpassing Microsoft's minimum requirement for the Copilot Plus PC program. This enhancement leads to a significant improvement in AI performance compared to previous generations.
During our YouTube streaming battery drain test, the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 lasted approximately 12.5 hours. While this is commendable for a laptop with a high-resolution OLED display, it still lags behind other Copilot Plus PCs. For example, the HP OmniBook X 14, the current champion of battery life, lasted twice as long.
In terms of design, the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 closely resembles the Spectre x360 14, presenting a blend of elegance and durability that rivals premium models like the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 and Apple’s MacBook Air and Pro. The aluminum chassis provides a rigid build, and the matte finish exudes a luxurious feel. HP offers two color options: Eclipse Gray and Atmospheric Blue. Our review unit is in Eclipse Gray, reminiscent of a charcoal color seen on other premium laptops.
While the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 maintains a quad speaker setup, the repositioning of the speakers to fire downward affects audio quality, resulting in a muddier sound due to the lack of upward-facing speakers. However, it still delivers fuller sound compared to standard laptop speakers. The large haptic touchpad and comfortable keyboard enhance the overall user experience, with the touchpad offering a customizable click response.
The 14-inch HDR OLED display remains a standout feature, providing sharp text and images with a resolution of 2,880x1,800 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The display excels in color accuracy, covering 100% of the sRGB and P3 color spaces and 95% of AdobeRGB, making it ideal for creative tasks. Furthermore, the included pen enhances the drawing and writing experience, featuring a USB-C port for charging and magnetic attachment.
Equipped with a 9-megapixel webcam, the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 produces clear images and video. Although the color saturation could be improved, the camera supports Windows Studio Effects and includes an IR sensor for facial recognition log-ins. The power button doubles as a fingerprint reader for added security, and users can take advantage of a physical shutter for privacy.
Connectivity options are somewhat limited, but the laptop includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-C port, and a headphone jack. All three USB-C ports can be used for charging.
In conclusion, the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 offers an elegant design and robust build quality, though its performance and battery life may not justify its premium price. It features a high-resolution OLED display and a large haptic touchpad, making it appealing for users who prioritize design over performance. If you're in the market for a premium two-in-one laptop and appreciate a stunning display, the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is certainly worth considering.
