HP's new laptop equipped with AMD AI chip, upgrading Copilot Plus

HP's classic OmniBook series is getting a reboot with the release of the new HP OmniBook Ultra, which brings significant performance improvements. This laptop is equipped with the AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processor, AMD Radeon 800M graphics card, supports up to 32GB of memory, and features a high-speed 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port (pair). The HP OmniBook Ultra is expected to be officially launched in August with a price of $1,449.99 and will receive free software updates in the future, making it one of the first Copilot Plus PCs that does not use ARM architecture processors.

The OmniBook brand made a comeback in May with the HP OmniBook X AI laptop, which was powered by the ARM-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor. It boasted a powerful neural processing unit (NPU) capable of performing 4.5 trillion operations per second (TOPS). However, the new OmniBook Ultra, featuring the AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processor, an x86 architecture processor, is expected to offer broader compatibility with Windows applications and claims to have an NPU performance of up to 55 TOPS, further enhancing its computing capabilities.

Both OmniBook models feature a 14-inch LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 2240 x 1400 pixels, but the Ultra model has been optimized in terms of details. In addition to the Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port and traditional USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, the Ultra model has an upgraded webcam resolution of 9 million pixels and is equipped with a four-speaker system that supports DTS:X Ultra, providing superior audio quality compared to the stereo speakers of the OmniBook X AI.

Although the OmniBook Ultra weighs 3.48 pounds, about half a pound heavier than the OmniBook X AI, this increase in weight is mainly due to its larger 68Wh battery, which provides longer battery life compared to the X AI's 59Wh battery. However, it is worth noting that despite the increase in battery capacity, the official battery life of the OmniBook Ultra is slightly shorter than that of the X AI, with a maximum usage time of 13 hours or 21 hours of local video playback.

It is important to note that the new OmniBook Ultra will not be directly launched as a Copilot Plus PC, but HP promises to add Copilot Plus features and functionality to this laptop through future free software updates. The specific release time and availability of this update will depend on Microsoft's schedule, according to HP.