HP OmniBook 5 vs MacBook Neo: HP's $699 OLED Rival Explained
HP's OmniBook 5 14 takes on the MacBook Neo with a 14-inch OLED screen, Intel Wildcat Lake chips and a $699.99 starting price. How it compares, and the catches to know before buying.
HP has announced the OmniBook 5 14, its answer to Apple's MacBook Neo. It starts at $699.99, runs on Intel's new Wildcat Lake processors (up to a Core 7), and every model gets an OLED screen. HP says it reaches Best Buy later in October.
How it compares on paper
| HP OmniBook 5 14 | MacBook Neo | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 14-inch 2K OLED, 300 nits | 13-inch LCD, 500 nits |
| Chip | Intel Wildcat Lake, up to Core 7 | Apple A18 Pro |
| Weight | 2.56 lb | 2.7 lb |
| Battery (maker's claim) | Up to 42 hours, local video playback | Up to 16 hours, video streaming |
| Ports | 2x USB-C, headphone jack | 2x USB-C (one USB 2 speed), headphone jack |
The catches
The OLED panel is the headline, but the first models are rated at 300 nits, noticeably dimmer than the Neo's 500. HP's brighter 650-nit 2.5K version does not arrive until March 2027. HP has also not fully confirmed the memory and storage in the $699.99 base model; early reports list 8GB and a 256GB SSD, the same as the base Neo, so check the exact configuration before buying. The 42-hour battery claim uses local video playback, a lighter test than Apple's streaming figure.
Which to wait for
If you want macOS, an iPhone-friendly laptop and a brighter screen today, the MacBook Neo 256GB or 512GB with Touch ID is available now. If your course or work needs Windows, the OmniBook 5 is worth waiting a few weeks for reviews; the Dell 15 is a larger-screen Windows option you can buy today. Our MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air comparison covers the step up if 8GB feels limiting, and every model we track is ranked on our laptop rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can you buy the HP OmniBook 5 14?
HP says the OmniBook 5 14 reaches Best Buy later in October 2026, starting at $699.99. A brighter 2.5K OLED version is due in March 2027.
Is the HP OmniBook 5 brighter than the MacBook Neo?
Not at launch. The first OmniBook 5 14 models use a 2K OLED panel rated at 300 nits, while Apple rates the MacBook Neo's display at 500 nits. HP's 650-nit 2.5K OLED version arrives in March 2027.
Does the HP OmniBook 5 really last 42 hours?
HP's 42-hour figure is for local video playback, a light test. Apple rates the MacBook Neo at up to 16 hours of video streaming. The two figures use different tests, so they are not directly comparable.
