HP OmniBook X review: This Snapdragon X Elite laptop puts MacBooks on notice

HP OmniBook X review: This Snapdragon X Elite laptop puts MacBooks on notice

Introduction

In 2024, the HP OmniBook X is radically different, so unlike what one expected from a Windows laptop according to the perception from Dubai. At a starting price of about AED 4,217, the OmniBook X epitomizes a union of power, efficiency, and portability in such a way that makes it tremendously commendable as competition against, for instance, Apple's M3-powered MacBooks.

Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip in its circuitry, this laptop will not only match most of the performance of its rivals but often outperform them while guaranteeing impressive all-day battery life for productivity. The OmniBook X is going to be a game-changer in the world of Windows laptops, especially for professionals and students alike in Dubai who need a reliable device for work and leisure.

Design and Portability

From such finite details, the HP OmniBook X is a very brilliantly engineered device, carefully iterated for the continually moving individual—of course, ideally aimed at the dynamic life of professionals in Dubai. It is very, very light—indeed, it weighs only 1.35 kg (2.97 pounds), so it really won't weigh you down while making your way through the crowded streets of Dubai or while jet-setting about the world. This makes it small enough to slide into a briefcase or backpack at 12.3 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches.

The language of design that the OmniBook X puts across is understated and sophisticated with Meteor Silver to prove its professionalism without necessarily being loud. It's the laptop that is truly ready to look the part in a high-powered corporate boardroom meeting or a relaxed afternoon working from a chic café. None of its slimness comes at the expense of practicality. From crucial ports, including two USB-C, one USB-A, all the way to the old-style 3.5mm head jack that has been smartly maintained to keep the device slimmer.

The addition of the USB-A port, thoughtfully hidden under its latch, is especially considerate to users who still have older peripherals—a nice touch without streaming against the laptop's clean lines. In this sense, the HP OmniBook X, because of this regard to both form and function, comes out overwhelmingly flexible and trendy, just like the urbane professional of today.

Display and User Experience

Edge-to-edge 14", 2.2K touchscreen display in HP OmniBook X makes it very particular in clarity and sharp visuals, thereby targeting an audience who wants their observance throughout the day sharp and clear. It works well for detailed spreadsheet work or for streaming high-definition-quality content with a resolution of 2240 x 1400. The display is acceptable; in fact, it lacks a touch of technology compared to the more premium options featuring OLED panels. The IPS panel allows for decent color reproduction, coming in at 113.2% for sRGB and 80.2% for the DCI-P3 coverage.

This guarantees colors are close to life; however, if someone is making high demands, those from its color accuracy will not be satisfied. One of the major drawbacks is the low maximum brightness—at 283 nits, peaking outdoor sunlight and sometimes showing weakness under Dubai's intense sun. One will find it easy to navigate the OS with his or her finger, owing to the good touch sensitivity; combined with Windows 11's touch-friendly interface, that makes for a wholly intuitive use pattern.

This machine performs well in user comfort and boasts a large, really well-laid-out keyboard that is a real breeze to type on. The keys themselves have plenty of travel, which is going to make those all-night typing sessions slightly less arduous. The touchpad is large and responds well; it really does little to detract from a fluid, comfortable navigation around the desktop. All in all, it is not an error-free display; still, HP OmniBook X supplies good user experience and is quite worth the price for people who use it basically indoors.

Performance

This HP OmniBook X is spearheaded by the X1E-78-100 chip, a milestone in mainstream use, ensuring energetic performance so that you can excel at whatever you throw at it. This chip is designed without any hustle for multitasking, and certainly this doesn't bog down professionals in Dubai, who need to lunge over a series of applications at one particular time period. Running over 30 Chrome tabs, having a few media streams open, or working on complex sheets? Performance will remain smooth and efficient on the OmniBook X.

Benchmark-wise, the OmniBook X proves to be strong on sheer ability. It attains a single-core score of 2,347 and a multi-core score of 12,861 from Geekbench 6. It places it around some of its closest and most powerful competitors, the Acer Swift Go 14, and in certain aspects, the Apple MacBook Air M3. And this spurt of performance is not just on paper; it actually pays off in real-world efficiency.

Take for example what Handbrake's video editing test: The OmniBook X converted a 4K video to 1080p in 5 minutes and 39 seconds – this is even faster than the MacBook Air M3. This level of performance makes the HP OmniBook X one superior in the league, for one who is so rooted in routine he needs a portable, yet sufficiently powerful notebook that is capable of the major increased performance demands, without forgoing the swiftness and performance needed to get work done on the fly.

Battery life

The HP OmniBook X is unique in the current laptop market because it comes equipped with a powerful battery. At 16 hours and 22 minutes on a single charge, it turns out to be one among the leaders in this aspect; certainly, it beats those of its competitors hollow.

The other closest units clocking just 15 hours and 10 minutes on one charge are not that far behind, among them being the MacBook Air M3. It is this feature that makes extended battery life a very attractive aspect of the OmniBook X for professionals in need of an uninterrupted whole day of work in the office, mobile office, or remotely.

In the fast-paced environment of Dubai, with long hours of work and extreme mobility, just being able to depend on a laptop that would last was a treasure.

Further still, the battery efficiency of the OmniBook X is vouched for by the energy-saving features built into the system, thereby ensuring intelligent power maintenance without necessarily compromising performance for energy conservation. This means that with tasks such as video editing, streaming, or multitasking, the user can rest assured that this critical task will be uninterrupted because their device has failed them.

HP's OmniBook X enables working from a coffee shop, co-working space, or during long-haul flights without having to dread suddenly running out of power and giving up productivity. It is the combination of power and endurance that currently makes the OmniBook X one of the top choices for those who need reliability and longevity from their mobile workstation.

Drawbacks

Admittedly, the HP OmniBook X has all these features, but it isn't all upside. Actually, one of the biggest debate points among many is the fact there really isn't any option offering an OLED display.

Besides, the OLED screens are also renowned for the potential to display the deepest blacks and the brightest colors. In this case, users who work on projects relating to creativity, for example in graphic design or video editing, might find this a letdown because the display is not that rich and full of color. As good as the standard display is, it still doesn't bring forth the wow wow-span that would come from an OLED panel, thus becoming somewhat a noticeable weakness in what is otherwise a high-end piece of equipment.

One more downfall that may shy away people from the device is the compatibility issues with regard to the Snapdragon X Elite processor. This Arm-based processor certainly performs well in many respects, but the story is quite different for certain applications and games.

This, for example, comprises everyday software, such as the desktop version of Google Drive and some applications with Adobe Creative Cloud, that involve Premiere Pro; these do not run on the processor infrastructure natively, meaning it could be a real downside to tackle daily professional work somehow. HP's incorporation of a few AI-based functionalities into the OmniBook X—e.g., features like MS Paint's Cocreator and Live Captions—feels at present more like an experiment or novelty than indispensable productivity tools, with worth in practical value that is really in question.

Conclusion

The HP OmniBook X is, indubitably, a step forward into the Windows laptop domain in all measures, most so by the Dubai-ian notation: very strong demand for high-performance, portable, and state-of-the-art technology. With its strong, Snapdragon processor teamed with topdog battery life, the OmniBook X puts up an impressive product for availability and durability—the perfect combination for both businesses and leisure. Its sleek design and lightweight build further enhance its appeal, making it a strong contender against other premium laptops like Apple's MacBook lineup.

This does not mean, however, that the OmniBook X does not sport a few drawbacks of its own. For starters, the unit lacks an OLED display option that might make the deal a no-brainer for users who are looking for top-shelf visual quality.

Moreover, the bypassing compatibility problems with some apps due to the Arm-based processor may limit its use for professionals mainly related to creativity. Despite these cons, OmniBook X remains an extremely attractive model for anyone appreciating extremely high productivity associated with a battery life resource and portability at level pegging.

Priced starting at AED 4,217, it represents strong value for those able to eke out its unique strengths, making it an excellent option for personal and professional use within Dubai's crowded tech market.

FAQs

1. What is the cost of the HP OmniBook X in Dubai?

Retailing from around AED 4,217 in Dubai, the HP OmniBook X comes at a premium price for a business-class notebook.

This pricing reflects its high-end features, including the Snapdragon X Elite chip and long battery life. The cost can vary slightly depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions or discounts. Despite its premium price, the OmniBook X offers value for professionals seeking a robust and portable device, especially for those who prioritize battery life and multi-core processing power in their daily work.

2. How does the performance of HP OmniBook X compare with the MacBook Air M3?

In most cases, the HP OmniBook X with the Snapdragon X Elite chip comes neck-and-neck with the MacBook Air M3 during multi-core use. While the MacBook Air M3 integrates pretty well with macOS and is going to perform better in single-core tasks, the OmniBook X clearly comes out ahead in the battery and multi-core departments.

Moreover, the OmniBook X offers a better portability way and characteristic set that is not wide typically in the lineup of rivals, so that will place definitely as one serious office for a professional seeking serious mobile workstation; it might not have some of the accompanying ecosystem advantages like MacBook.

3. What are the main disadvantages of the HP OmniBook X?

HP OmniBook X has many strong sides, but it also suffers from a few weaknesses. A potential downer for some people would be the lack of an OLED display option for the vividness of photos, videos, and other visuals. Then again, an Arm-based Snapdragon X Elite processor, while potent, might experience compatibility issues with some legacy apps, so will not be fully enabled for use in some professional environments. Plus, AI features in the OmniBook X are very promising but at a very early stage; something one might say doesn't provide seamless, impactful upgrades in everyday workflows.

4. Will the HP OmniBook X satisfy my requirements for games?

The HP OmniBook X is not designed as a gaming laptop and its performance shows it. Although it will handle casual and not-so-graphics-intensive titles up to and including Civilization VI, it may not come across as smooth when set to higher frame rates in more demanding, in-depth graphical sagas. But compatibility with some very popular games may turn out to be an issue since it goes with Arm-based processors, which means the range of games available in relation to gaming will be limited. While it can be used for light gaming, it is better suited for productivity and professional uses than for high-performance gaming.

5. How long does the battery last in the HP OmniBook X?

With an incredible battery life that lasts for up to 16 hours and 22 minutes, the professionals who are out and about put value in their HP OmniBook X, which serves with the utmost reliability and can last the day in 2024. The longtime battery life is significantly aided by the efficiency of the Snapdragon X Elite chip, supporting users to work, stream, and browse for long sessions without worrying about battery depletion. This elaborated content allowed a much clearer insight into the HP OmniBook X, while keeping the central focus on the key features and considerations for the Dubai market that is apt for the year 2024.