HP OmniBook 3: A Sub-$500 Laptop With Wi-Fi 7 and Intel Core 5 315

In the competitive sub-$500 laptop market, HP's OmniBook 3 has caught the attention of TechRadar as a potential top contender. According to the publication, the laptop is available directly from HP for as little as $449.99, a significant 50% discount off its suggested retail price of $900.

The OmniBook 3's standout feature is its Intel Core 5 315 processor. TechRadar reports that this CPU delivers surprisingly strong performance, citing CPUBenchmark scores of nearly 4,000 single-thread and over 15,300 multi-thread. For context, the article notes that this makes it faster than Apple's cheapest laptop, the $699 MacBook Neo, which costs 55% more. Additionally, the Core 5 315 includes a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of up to 15 TOPS, suitable for light AI tasks—a feature TechRadar says is absent from comparable Intel chips in the same price range, such as the Core 5 120U or Core i5-1334.

The configuration includes 8GB of soldered RAM (not upgradable), a 256GB SSD (likely PCIe 3.0), and a 16-inch IPS display with 2K resolution. Connectivity is a strong point: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 are available as a $10 upgrade, which TechRadar considers a no-brainer.

However, there are trade-offs. The battery is a modest 41Whr unit, and the laptop's size—16 inches and 3.61 pounds—may not appeal to everyone. Yet, TechRadar forgives these shortcomings due to the plethora of ports, a decent FHD webcam, and a dedicated numeric keypad, which the publication suggests would suit students.

A crucial caveat: TechRadar could not find any reviews of this exact model (16T-BU000) online. Existing reviews from outlets like Windows Central and PC World cover a different version with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor and a completely different configuration. Prospective buyers should keep this in mind.

For those considering alternatives, TechRadar mentions the Dell 15 at $489 on Amazon. It offers a larger 512GB SSD and a memory slot, but has a slower processor (about 20% less powerful), a proprietary adapter, and an HDMI port that can't output 4K. Another option is the HP 17, priced at $419.99 on Newegg, which doubles the RAM and storage (16GB/512GB) but has a larger, lower-resolution screen, a small battery, and HDMI 1.4b without 4K support.

While the OmniBook 3's value proposition is compelling, the lack of independent reviews for this specific model and the soldered RAM are notable limitations. Potential buyers should weigh these factors against their needs.