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ZDNET Highlights
- HP is offering its OmniBook laptop with Snapdragon X2 chipset and OLED display.
- The improvements aim to emphasize stronger overall performance and longer battery life – up to 45 hours.
- HP will release the update in phases, starting with the premium OmniBook Ultra 14.
CES 2026 is nearing its conclusion, yet I can’t stop thinking about HP’s announcements from earlier this week. There was a lot shared, so to keep things focused, I’m taking a look at the most interesting computing news from the PC maker.
Chief among them is HP’s decision to upgrade its entire OmniBook portfolio with Qualcomm’s latest chip, the Snapdragon X2, and OLED displays. This is a bold move, given that the Snapdragon X2’s performance is expected to be better than Apple’s M4 chip.
Also: The best HP laptops you can buy
Qualcomm first unveiled the Snapdragon X2 in September 2025, pitting it against the M4, and proving that it has the ability to deliver all-day battery life. Based on early benchmark tests shared at the time, the X2 reportedly beats the Apple chip by a wide margin.
If these claims prove true, HP’s upcoming OmniBook could rival, or even surpass, some of Apple’s best laptops. And plus, combining that top-notch performance with the vibrant OLED screen and thin and light (2.8-pound) form factor, it makes for some serious competition.
OmniBook Lineup Levels Up
One of the first revealed laptops to feature these upgrades is the OmniBook Ultra 14, HP’s premium consumer notebook with a 3K OLED display and new Snapdragon X2 Elite or Intel Panther Lake processors.
HP says the 2026 OmniBook Ultra 14 features an all-new slim design – 5% thinner than the M4 MacBook Air 13, while weighing just 2.81 pounds. It’s also loaded with pro-level connectivity, like three Thunderbolt 4 ports, support for external monitors at 8K, and up to 64GB of RAM.
Also: How much RAM do you really need in 2026? A Windows and Mac expert explains
The OmniBook Ultra 14 may be the flashiest in the series, but the rest of the OmniBook X models are being upgraded with OLED displays across the board. That means both 14- and 16-inch versions (as well as their “flip” 2-in-1 counterparts).
If you’re confused about the lineup, there are four primary categories. You have the entry-level OmniBook 3 series, followed by the OmniBook 5 and OmniBook 7 lines, and finally the high-end OmniBook X series.
Battery life is also becoming a standout feature. HP claims that the 16-inch OmniBook 3 will last up to 45 hours on a single charge. This number may seem overly ambitious, but I believe it. I tested the 2025 OmniBook 5 in August, and it lasted an impressive 25 hours. In comparison, 45 hours doesn’t seem too far-fetched, but we’ll have to follow along to know for sure.
The OmniBook Ultra 14 is scheduled to launch later this month, with a starting price of $1,550. The OmniBook 3 and OmniBook 5 series will arrive in February, with prices starting at $500 and $850, respectively.
HP plans to release the OmniBook 7 and OmniBook X models later in the spring. Pricing for those higher-end systems will be shared closer to launch.
