HP’s New Omnibook Ultra 14: A Powerful Ultra-Thin Laptop You Might Want to Consider

Early adopters report starting at $1,550, HP's latest Omnibook Ultra 14 promises a sleek design, impressive specifications, and a few surprises. But is it worth the investment?

In an increasingly crowded laptop market, the HP Omnibook Ultra 14 seeks to carve its niche with a strikingly thin profile and a robust feature set. Unveiled at CES 2026, this newest addition to HP's OmniBook series aims to balance performance with portability, appealing to both professionals and everyday users. As remote work and digital tasks become staples of daily life, the Omnibook Ultra 14's combination of cutting-edge processors, stunning displays, and long battery life raises the stakes for competing brands.

Design and Build Quality

The HP Omnibook Ultra 14 boasts a lightweight design at just 2.8 pounds and a razor-thin profile of 0.42 inches. Despite its delicate appearance, this laptop has passed 20 military standard (MIL-STD-810) tests, confirming its resilience against various conditions, including drops and extreme temperatures. Constructed from aluminum and featuring a unique forged-stamped design, it offers both strength and aesthetic appeal, comparing favorably with other premium ultraportables like the MacBook Air.

The laptop features a stunning 3K OLED display, boasting a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels, which outshines its rivals with vibrant colors and deep blacks. For power, users can choose between Intel's Core Ultra or Qualcomm's Snapdragon Elite X2 processors, the latter featuring a neural processing unit capable of 85 trillion operations per second (TOPS), making it a robust contender for AI-focused tasks. However, both options rely on integrated graphics, sufficient for general use and productivity, but limiting for gamers who may prefer a dedicated GPU.

Display and Performance

HP promises impressive battery life, claiming up to 20 hours on a full charge-and up to 30 hours on certain Qualcomm configurations-making it an attractive option for those who work on the go. The keyboard is praised for providing a comfortable typing experience, an essential feature for anyone spending long hours on their laptop. Additionally, the Omnibook Ultra 14 includes ample connectivity options with three USB-C ports supporting Thunderbolt 4, although the lack of an SD card reader may frustrate some creatives.

The HP Omnibook Ultra 14 starts at $1,550 and will be available later this month. While HP has not specified the availability of different configurations, potential buyers should anticipate additional costs for upgrades, especially if opting for the Snapdragon variant. As with most premium laptops, investing in this machine may be justified for those seeking both power and portability.

Battery Life and Usability

For those in the market for a high-performance, ultra-thin laptop, the HP Omnibook Ultra 14 is worth considering. Just be sure to weigh what’s important to you-such as that elusive SD card slot-against this sleek and sturdy competitor in the current laptop landscape.

Constraints and tradeoffs

• No SD card slot available

• Integrated graphics may limit gaming performance

• Only available in 14-inch size

Verdict

At $1,550, the Omnibook Ultra 14 is a solid option for users needing a balance of performance and portability, though those looking for specific features like built-in card readers may want to consider alternatives.

For those seeking a high-performance, ultra-thin laptop, the HP Omnibook Ultra 14 is worth considering. Just don't forget to weigh what's important for you-like that elusive SD card slot-against this sleek and sturdy competitor in the current laptop landscape.