Laptop prices in the US have shifted dramatically, with inflation and memory costs pushing even mid-range models past the $900 mark while often starting with just 8GB of RAM. The HP OmniBook 3 16, a 16-inch model that sells for around $520 at Walmart and Amazon, stands out for bucking that trend by offering 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD at a budget price point. According to a review from The Verge, this combination makes the OmniBook a more practical daily driver than pricier devices that are starved for memory.
The OmniBook 3 tested by The Verge features an 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor, a 1920 x 1200 anti-glare IPS LCD, and a plastic build that the reviewer found acceptable for the price. While the screen is not bright enough for outdoor use and covers only 62.5 percent of the sRGB color space, the webcam is sharp and handles backlighting well. The keyboard is stiff and led to typos, and the dual speakers lack bass and sound treble-heavy, but the trackpad offers a confident click.
Performance is where the OmniBook shines relative to its competition, according to the review. Although the Snapdragon X chip is slower than the one found in the $950 Surface Laptop, the OmniBook’s larger RAM and faster SSD mean it handles multitasking better in practice. The reviewer noted that running several apps and two dozen Chrome tabs, including a streaming video podcast, did not slow the machine down the way 8GB-equipped laptops like the Surface Laptop or the Chuwi UniBook did.
Battery life is a strong point, with around 12 hours of mixed web usage and some streaming possible on a charge. The laptop is also relatively portable for a 16-inch device, weighing barely more than a 14-inch MacBook Pro and measuring 0.63 inches thick. It features a range of ports and charges via USB-C with a compact 65W GaN charger, and it includes Windows Hello face unlocking.
The Verge reviewer, Antonio G. Di Benedetto, said the OmniBook 3 feels like the money went into core specs, with sensible compromises made elsewhere. He contrasted it with the $450 Chuwi UniBook, which he said felt punishing to use, whereas the OmniBook was mostly decent. He added that while a MacBook Neo might be a better all-around choice for a student, the OmniBook’s nearly $200 savings makes it a reasonable pick for tight budgets.
The review concluded with a concern that the OmniBook’s low price may not last, given that memory costs have driven up prices across the industry. The reviewer noted that more sub-$800 laptops are coming to market, but the OmniBook 3 and its predecessor, the OmniBook 5, currently feel like anomalies in a market where 8GB of RAM has become the unfortunate standard at higher price points.
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