The HP OmniBook 5 Flip is a surprising gem in the affordable laptop market, offering a 14-inch 2-in-1 convertible design for just around $400. In the sea of budget laptops that often compromise on build or performance, this model stands out by combining solid construction, a decent display, and everyday usability at a price point that rarely delivers this level of value. Whether you need a laptop for school, work, or basic home tasks, the OmniBook 5 Flip is a compelling option worth considering.
Display and Build Quality
The OmniBook 5 Flip features a 14-inch IPS touchscreen with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, providing a sharp and clear view for most general uses. Its brightness level hits about 340 nits, which is perfectly adequate for indoor environments but struggles in brightly lit rooms or outdoor settings due to its glossy finish. The color reproduction is reasonable for this price bracket, without PWM flickering or backlight bleed, making it a solid performer for everyday media consumption and productivity.
From a build perspective, the laptop impresses with its sturdy frame and lack of lid or keyboard flex, contributing to a reassuringly robust feel unusual for budget devices. The chassis edges are nicely rounded, making it comfortable to use on the lap or desk. Although it’s heavier than some ultraportables, this weight underscores its durable construction. The 2-in-1 flip design smoothly converts the device into tablet mode, and pen support is available (pen sold separately), enhancing productivity for note-taking or light drawing tasks.
Performance and User Experience
Equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor from the older Raptor Lake generation and 8GB of RAM, the OmniBook 5 Flip performs well enough for common tasks like browsing, streaming, office work, and online learning. While it isn’t the swiftest and may feel slightly laggy compared to higher-end laptops, it manages basic workflows without major hiccups. Storage comes in the form of a 512GB SSD, offering fast access to files and smooth system responsiveness.
However, its integrated Intel GPU only supports older or less demanding games at low settings, so gaming or heavy graphical work isn’t recommended. Also, the device’s cooling system causes some warmth near the USB-C charging port, which can spread to the keyboard deck, a minor annoyance during extended use.
The keyboard offers comfortable typing with quiet keys and backlighting, while the trackpad is accurate though requires firm clicks, which might be slightly noisy in quiet environments. Speakers deliver decent volume with noticeable bass for an entry-level laptop, but sound quality is muddy when placed on soft surfaces like blankets.
Battery Life and Connectivity
Battery performance is fair, with an estimated 8 to 10 hours under light usage scenarios, such as web browsing and document editing. This longevity is helped by the display’s ability to reduce its refresh rate from 60Hz to 40Hz for power saving. While not outstanding, the battery life comfortably supports a day of classes or a full workday for most users.
Port selection is generous for the price, including USB-A ports (one with 10Gbps speed), two USB-C ports (also 10Gbps capable, with charging supported on one), an HDMI 2.1 output, and a headphone/mic combo jack. The absence of Thunderbolt ports is a cost-saving measure but acceptable in this price segment.
How Does It Compare?
Compared to other budget laptops like Lenovo’s IdeaPad series or Dell’s entry-level models, the OmniBook 5 Flip offers better build quality and unique features like the 2-in-1 versatility and stylus support. Its sleek aluminum design contrasts with many plastic-bodied competitors, providing a premium feel at a fraction of the cost.
There are also higher-spec versions of this laptop with a Core i7 processor and 16GB RAM or variants featuring Qualcomm processors paired with OLED displays and 16-inch screens, though these come at higher prices and less consistent sale availability. For strict budget shoppers, the base Core i5/8GB model is a practical sweet spot.
Final Verdict
The HP OmniBook 5 Flip is arguably the best budget new laptop available today for around $400. While it is not ideal for heavy multitasking or gaming, it excels in fundamental areas important to students, remote workers, and casual users: sturdy design, decent display, solid keyboard and trackpad, and practical battery life. If you find one on sale at this price, it represents unparalleled value in the entry-level 2-in-1 convertible category.
For those prioritizing stronger performance or longer battery life and willing to spend a bit more, laptops like Lenovo Yoga 7 or Intel’s newer Luna Lake-based systems are worth exploring. Additionally, if you prefer macOS and do not need touchscreen functionality, a MacBook Air with an M1 or M2 chip offers superior speed and efficiency for a bit higher investment.
Overall, the OmniBook 5 Flip is an excellent choice for everyday computing needs on a tight budget and sets a high bar for what affordable laptops can deliver today.
