HP’s OmniBook Ultra 14 is an impressive ultraportable, with a powerful processor and an excellent OLED display. It is also expensive. While the high price makes it difficult to recommend without reservations, it has a lot going for it.
OmniBook Ultra is HP’s flagship premium consumer laptop brand. Ultra models are the successors to HP’s Spectre line. HP says OmniBook Ultra laptops combine a focus on on-device AI acceleration, high-end craftsmanship and elite performance for professionals and creators. That squares with the OmniBook Ultra 14 review experience.
The exact laptop tested is the HP OmniBook Ultra 14-inch Next Gen AI Laptop, model 14-kd0002TU. HP says this exact model is not currently available in New Zealand.
HP’s Australian website lists it at A$3500, discounted from A$5000. Converted to New Zealand dollars at an exchange rate of 1.24 and adjusted for GST, the sale price is about NZ$4500, compared with about NZ$6500 at the original list price.
The company’s New Zealand website lists a different model, the 14-kd0064TU, for around NZ$7000. While the two laptops have similar specifications, they differ in some respects, including their operating systems and memory specifications.
HP says the New Zealand model runs Windows 11 Pro, while the review unit runs Windows 11 Home.
| The specification of the tested model is: |
|---|
| • Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |
| • 32GB LPDDR5X |
| • 1TB SSD |
| • 14-inch 2880 × 1800 OLED |
| • 120Hz VRR |
| • 70Wh battery |
| • 5MP IR camera |
| • approximately 1.27kg |
Omnibook lineage
It’s clear the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 comes from the same stable as the OmniBook 7, reviewed here in May 2026. The basic Windows laptop formula remains. However, this time HP has opted for a considerably more powerful processor: the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H.
That’s important because while the OmniBook 7 hit most of the right notes, it was underpowered for a premium laptop. The OmniBook Ultra 14 feels more like the real deal. Mind you, that feeling comes at a hefty price. Prices for the OmniBook 7 started at NZ$2100. The OmniBook Ultra 14 costs NZ$7000.
The earlier OmniBook 7 review made comparisons with Apple’s M4 MacBook Air. In some respects that model remains a valid comparison, but in terms of price the OmniBook Ultra 14 is closer, but still more expensive than a MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip. Prices for the M5 Macbook Pro start at NZ$3900.
Apple’s MacBooks with Apple Silicon set a high standard for performance and power efficiency. However, most people buying a Windows laptop are not considering a switch to macOS. Within the Windows market, the OmniBook Ultra 14 is a powerful machine.
One disappointment is the lack of a discrete graphics processor. At this price, buyers might reasonably expect more graphics capability, particularly for demanding creative work or gaming.
Battery life
Battery life is good, although not exceptional for a 2026 laptop. The OmniBook Ultra 14 can run for well over 12 hours without needing a charge. A review work session lasted for 16 hours. That’s a respectable result.
The 14-inch OLED display has a resolution of 2880 × 1800 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. That compares favourably with the MacBook Air’s 2560 × 1664 Liquid Retina display, which has a 60Hz refresh rate. The HP’s screen is excellent, although the higher refresh rate makes little difference to most everyday work.
My ageing eyes appreciate the brightness of the HP screen. The OmniBook Ultra 14 peaks at 1,100 nits. Blacks are blacker on the OmniBook and the colour accuracy on photographs is outstanding.
The 120Hz refresh rate is most noticeable in applications involving a lot of movement or interaction. That may include games, but was not tested as the review stuck to looking at business uses. High refresh also makes high-quality video look smoother.
HP’s OmniBook Ultra keyboard is one of the best seen on any Windows laptop. That’s despite the laptop being very thin. It is a strong point for anyone who spends much of their day typing.
At about 1.27kg, the OmniBook Ultra 14 is light enough to carry easily. The pre-installed software is a disappointment, especially given the laptop’s price. A premium laptop should not make users spend time clearing away applications they don’t want. Bloatware cheapens the experience.
Verdict: HP OmniBook Ultra 14
The OmniBook Ultra 14 is fast, light and fitted with a superb display and one of the best keyboards on a Windows machine. Battery life is solid rather than class-leading. The missing discrete graphics and the bloatware are hard to forgive at this price.
At the Australian sale price it would be an easy laptop to like. At around NZ$7000, which is more than a MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip, it is a luxury. The OmniBook Ultra is worth considering if you want the best Windows ultraportable available and money isn’t a concern. Everyone else will find better value elsewhere.
