ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The HP OmniBook 7 Aero usually retails for $1,250.
- This laptop computer is dressed to impress due to its AMD Ryzen AI 7 processor, vibrant 2K show, and attention-grabbing magnesium-aluminum end.
- Its battery life falls brief in comparison with comparable fashions.
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2025 has been a powerful yr for HP. Over the previous 10 months, I’ve examined a number of of the corporate’s latest releases, from the EliteBook Ultra G1i to the Omen 32X Smart Monitor, and apart from just a few criticisms, every has impressed me.
The streak continues with certainly one of its current merchandise: the HP OmniBook 7 Aero, a well-performing work laptop computer that lives as much as its title as a skinny and light-weight machine.
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“Aero” is the right descriptor right here. Weighing simply 2.1 kilos, it is lighter than the M4 MacBook Air, which is available in at 2.7 kilos. Nevertheless, it’s thicker than Apple’s machine, measuring 0.69 inches.
That additional thickness pays off with a greater port choice. You get two USB-C ports, two USB-A inputs (one supporting 10Gbps switch speeds, the opposite 5Gbps), an HDMI 2.1 port, and a headphone jack.
Weight distribution is fascinating to say the least. The OmniBook feels noticeably denser within the middle when held from there. Nevertheless, while you choose it up from the nook, it is flimsier and even wobbles a bit. Due to this development, the laptop computer technically fails the one-finger raise check. It stayed in a single spot after I raised the display screen, though I additionally ended up lifting the entire machine on the identical time.
HP’s laptop computer is available in two colours: Glacier Silver and Ceramic White — I had the latter for my evaluation unit. The white mannequin had a barely rugged texture that is not utterly clean to the contact. In reality, the feel jogged my memory of the “ceraluminum” finishes discovered on sure 2024 laptops just like the Asus Zenbook S 16, although HP says it used recycled magnesium aluminum for the pc’s development. Regardless of the materials, it helps the laptop computer obtain that featherweight kind issue whereas enabling a sturdy, premium really feel.
The keyboard is stable general, sporting raised keycaps for snug typing. I often do not touch upon the letter font, however I discovered the daring lettering towards the sheer white keyboard to be significantly putting. My solely actual gripe with the OmniBook’s design is with the touchpad. It is too small for my liking, though that is comprehensible on condition that the laptop computer solely measures 13.3 inches.
Small but mighty
Talking of dimension, the OmniBook 7 Aero boasts a 13-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600 decision) IPS show masking the whole sRGB colour gamut. Consequently, the display screen is impressively vibrant. It helps that the glass is roofed in an anti-glare coating, which cuts down on disruptive reflections and enhances readability. I additionally admire the considerate hinge design.
The show would not open all the way in which again. As an alternative, it stops at about 45 levels. This has the impact of lifting the rear of the laptop computer barely to enhance typing ergonomics. My solely main criticism with the display screen is the 400 nits of brightness. This stage of brightness is fairly low, so it may be arduous to see the show beneath vivid environments.
As for audio, HP positioned the audio system alongside the decrease aspect edges. Usually, I’d criticize the position; nonetheless, it appears somebody at HP is clairvoyant as a result of they seemingly countered my complaints forward of time by giving the sound system assist for DTS:X Extremely, HP Audio Increase, and Poly Studio. Collectively, these options enable the audio system to ship wealthy, dynamic sound with clear vocals and instrument separation. The bass is splendidly punchy. It provides depth to tracks and film scores that may’ve in any other case sounded flat on an ultraportable like this.
Spectacular efficiency
At a look, HP’s OmniBook 7 Aero seems to be strikingly much like one other current mannequin — the OmniBook 5. Each go for a modern, MacBook-esque aesthetic. What separates the 2 is the {hardware}, nonetheless. As an alternative of a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, the Aero packs a higher-end loadout with an AMD Ryzen 7 350 processor, AMD Radeon 860M graphics card, and 32GB of RAM. It is a well-balanced configuration that offers the OmniBook 7 an edge over its opponents.
Under is a benchmark outcomes desk evaluating the OmniBook 7 Aero to different HP fashions. All 4 present an identical expertise, with the Aero comfortably in second place behind the EliteBook G1a, a top-tier mannequin. In reality, it is fascinating how large the worth distinction is between the 2, however how shut a few of these benchmarking metrics are.
I additionally wish to spotlight how the OmniBook 7 Aero compares to the OmniBook 5. The 2 excel at being on a regular basis laptops, and with my typical multitasking check (working over 50 open tabs with a number of high-res YouTube streams, a film on Netflix, and Amazon listings), neither slowed down remotely.
The place the 7 Aero pulls forward, nonetheless, is in tackling heavy workloads. Due to the AMD configuration, the newer laptop computer is best outfitted to deal with demanding duties like graphic design or photograph/video enhancing. One other main benefit of the AMD chipset is broader app compatibility. I used to be capable of run all of my standard benchmark assessments with out challenge.
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The trade-off for this improved efficiency is battery life. Throughout testing, the OmniBook 7 Aero lasted slightly below 10 hours on a single cost. That is sufficient for a full day, nevertheless it’s a far cry from the OmniBook 5’s spectacular 25-hour run time, or the OmniBook X 14 with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, which boasts as much as 26 hours of runtime on one cost.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
HP’s OmniBook 7 Aero usually retails for $1,250, however on the time of this writing, you should buy the laptop computer in Glacier Silver on sale for $840. I might advocate it to anybody in search of an ultrathin pc that delivers above-average efficiency and has a stable show. Nevertheless, if you happen to journey incessantly or need a for much longer battery life, the OmniBook 5 stays the higher choice due to its nice endurance.
