If I had a nickel for each and every time I went to an NYC press tournament and were given blown away by way of a super-light computer, I’d have two nickels during the last 4 months. The primary can be when Asus unveiled the Zenbook A14 sooner than CES 2025. The second one can be now, with HP doing one thing identical with its sub-1kg (2.2-pound) OmniBook 7 Aero. Two nickels isn’t so much, however it’s bizarre that it’s took place two times.
Skinny-and-light laptops are undoubtedly fascinating, and either one of those designs are attention-grabbing. However there’s a very powerful difference between them. The Asus design makes use of an Arm-based Snapdragon X processor for unbelievable battery lifestyles, which is probably not an excellent trade-off for many who need a large number of further oomph. The HP design is going with AMD’s newest computer processors, which makes it a powerhouse by way of comparability.
Michael Crider / Foundry
With a white (or silver) external and keyboard deck however a black bezel across the display screen (I bring to mind it as a opposite Oreo), the OmniBook Aero 7 maximum resembles the OmniBook X 14, which stocks the “AI” badge under the keyboard indicating it’s a Copilot+ computer. Unfortunately, the reasonably unique blue splash of an influence button on that design is long past, now not that the Aero 7 wishes it to show heads. The more moderen design is a brand-new magnesium alloy chassis with a 13.3-inch display screen.
Another way, the computer’s design doesn’t appear all that exceptional. As any individual who will pay particular consideration to keyboards, I respect that the Delete key’s positioned accurately by way of nudging the ability button to the aspect, despite the fact that I ponder whether that would possibly purpose frustration till you’ve tailored to these being so shut to each other. Observe the loss of a fingerprint reader, despite the fact that there’s a Home windows Hi face scanner within the digicam, which additionally has a bodily privateness shutter. The IPS-LCD display screen is beneficiant at 2560×1600, however you’ll need to splurge for that because the default display screen is best 1200p. Unfortunately, there’s no OLED choice.
The super-wide central hinge, some other level of difference from the opposite fresh OmniBook designs, would possibly in particular be for letting the lid lift with out additionally pulling up the light-weight primary frame. At the left aspect you get a unmarried USB-A port stored corporate with a headphone jack, with a a lot more crowded left aspect housing two USB-C ports, some other USB-A, and a full-sized HDMI port.
HP
The massive shocker is the burden, after all. A great-light computer isn’t remarkable, as I stated to start with. However a super-light computer that doesn’t compromise on energy is, if now not precisely legendary, then very arduous to seek out. You’re both having a look at one thing of a splurge for aspiring C-suiters just like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon collection or the aforementioned Zenbook and its decrease energy threshold. There also are laptops that move smaller than 13 inches, just like the Floor Pass Computer or more than a few Chuwi fashions (mainly higher variations of the outdated “netbook” class).
That is one thing other. The OmniBook Aero 7 makes use of full-fat AMD Ryzen AI 300-series processors—both an 8-core 350 or 6-core 340—and, in keeping with HP’s promo fabrics, can be offering as much as 32GB RAM and 1TB of garage. That places it on par with, if now not slightly on the similar stage as, one thing just like the EliteBook X G1a. No longer best will it have the ability to maintain the entire standard surfing and place of work duties with aplomb, it will have to have probably the most absolute best gaming choices of any computer available on the market the usage of built-in graphics, possibly even some mild media manufacturing tasks as neatly.
Michael Crider / Foundry
HP’s representatives gave a battery lifestyles quote of 15.75 hours, with the standard proviso that it’s a video rundown take a look at. The 12.25 hours of “blended utilization” declare raises my eyebrows a little, particularly taking into account the small-ish 43 watt-hour battery. However once more, if you need a computer that’ll ultimate for an afternoon and alter, you’ll to find them available in the market; if you need person who you’ll elevate round in a backpack for hours with out noticing and person who packs a significant processor punch, that is it.
I don’t have a free up date or pricing data for the OmniBook Aero 7 but. In accordance with earlier {hardware} within the OmniBook collection, I’d bet someplace within the $1,100 to $1,300 vary… except HP doesn’t wish to promote any. Probably, it’ll hit cabinets someday later this 12 months. I’d be stunned to peer it sooner than August, despite the fact that.
