We put the longest lasting laptops to the test, and the HP OmniBook completely surprised us
At Laptops 4 Business, we’ve spent 2026 putting the latest long-lasting laptops through rigorous real-world testing—and one model genuinely caught us off guard: the HP OmniBook 5 14.
Positioned firmly in the mid-range category, this device delivers endurance that rivals—and in some cases surpasses—premium competitors.
Why battery life matters more than ever
When advising customers, one of the most common questions we hear is: “Which laptop has the best battery life?” It’s an important consideration. Strong battery performance doesn’t just mean convenience—it directly impacts mobility, productivity, and even data security. A laptop that runs out of power too quickly can interrupt workflows and increase the risk of losing unsaved work.
That’s why every device we assess undergoes a consistent battery rundown test designed to simulate real usage conditions.
The standout performer
Among all the laptops we evaluated, the 2025 HP OmniBook 5 14 powered by the Snapdragon X Plus processor delivered the most impressive results. It ran for an exceptional 32 hours and 31 minutes on a single charge—far exceeding expectations and outperforming every other model we tested.
To put that into perspective, most competing laptops in our benchmark didn’t reach beyond the 25-hour mark. This makes the OmniBook 5 14 a clear outlier—in the best possible way.
What’s behind the performance?
The key factor is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series chips. Built on ARM architecture, these processors are designed for efficiency in thin and lightweight laptops. In our experience, systems using traditional x86 chips from Intel and AMD with similar performance levels tend to fall short by several hours in battery longevity.
As more Qualcomm-powered laptops enter the market, we expect this trend to continue—though stronger competition will likely emerge.
The data behind our testing
To ensure accuracy, we compared a wide range of ultraportable laptops released across 2024 and 2025:
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Snapdragon X series devices: Median battery life of 19 hours 55 minutes, with no model dropping below 16 hours
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Intel Lunar Lake (V-class): Median of 14 hours 16 minutes, with a minimum around 10 hours
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AMD Ryzen AI 300 series: Median of 12 hours 19 minutes, with some models lasting roughly 7 hours
These results highlight a clear advantage for Snapdragon-powered Windows laptops—not only leading within the Windows ecosystem, but also competing directly with Apple’s MacBook lineup.
How do MacBooks compare?
Apple’s latest MacBooks (featuring M3, M4, M4 Pro, and M5 chips) remain highly competitive, with an average battery life of just under 20 hours and minimums exceeding 16 hours. They also continue to lead in raw performance and overall efficiency.
Our takeaway
For users prioritising battery life above all else, Snapdragon-based laptops—especially the HP OmniBook 5 14—are currently setting the standard. While Apple still dominates in performance, Windows devices powered by Qualcomm are rapidly closing the gap in endurance, making them a compelling option for all-day productivity.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the longest-lasting consumer laptops released in recent years, along with the processors that power them.
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HP OmniBook 5 14 (Snapdragon X Plus) —32 hours and 31 minutes
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Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V) —23 hours and 34 minutes
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Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X Elite) —22 hours and 50 minutes
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Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus) —21 hours and 47 minutes
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Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5) —21 hours and 17 minutes
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Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (AMD Ryzen AI 7 350) —20 hours and 52 minutes
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Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro) — 20 hours and 51 minutes
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Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4) —19 hours and 56 minutes
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Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Snapdragon X Elite) — 19 hours and 55 minutes
- Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3) — 19 hours and 4 minutes
Looking ahead, it remains to be seen whether traditional x86-based Windows laptops will fully match these figures in 2026. That said, there’s reason for optimism. Intel’s upcoming Core Ultra Series 3 processors—codenamed “Panther Lake”—are projected to reach up to 27 hours of battery life, while AMD is promoting its Ryzen AI 400 series as capable of lasting multiple days on a single charge.
From our early hands-on experience, next-generation hardware is already making progress. The MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, a business-focused hybrid powered by a Core Ultra X7 358H chip, delivered over 24 hours of battery life in testing. It also impressed in performance, achieving a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 16,257—placing it within close range of Apple’s M5 MacBook Pro. This represents a significant leap compared to previous high-performance Windows laptops, which typically struggled to exceed 14 hours.
Qualcomm is also pushing the envelope with its upcoming Snapdragon X2 series, promising both efficiency gains and faster performance. Early details suggest the X2 Plus and X2 Elite could offer performance boosts of over 30 percent while consuming significantly less power.
The most anticipated chip in that lineup is the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme. Expected to debut in devices such as the upcoming Asus Zenbook A16, it’s positioned as Qualcomm’s flagship processor. The company claims it can deliver dramatically higher CPU performance at comparable power levels, and early benchmark leaks indicate it may outperform both Intel’s top Panther Lake chips and Apple’s M5 silicon in multi-core workloads.
If real-world performance matches these claims—especially with battery life stretching across multiple working days—it could represent a major shift in the laptop market.
HP OmniBook 5 14: What We Like
Returning to the HP OmniBook 5 14, its battery life is only part of the appeal. From a value perspective, it’s a compelling option for both everyday users and business buyers.
The configuration we reviewed, available directly from HP, is priced at £1,269.99 and includes 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD—specs that provide strong future-proofing. More affordable variants have been available from major retailers at significantly lower price points, making the device accessible to a wider audience.
Performance is solid for productivity and multitasking. In our testing, it achieved a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 11,265, putting it in line with similarly priced Windows laptops powered by Intel Core Ultra 7 and AMD Ryzen AI 7 processors. In broader terms, it comes surprisingly close to higher-end devices, trailing an M3 MacBook Pro by a small margin and sitting just behind the Surface Laptop 7.
Design-wise, the Glacier Silver finish is understated, though not particularly distinctive. Build quality is reassuring, with a sturdy plastic keyboard deck paired with an aluminium outer shell. The 14-inch OLED display delivers vibrant colours, complemented by slim bezels. The keyboard is comfortable for extended typing sessions, and overall audio and webcam quality are perfectly serviceable for day-to-day use.
Portability is another strong point. Weighing just 2.84 pounds and measuring only half an inch thick, it’s easy to carry and comparable in size to smaller ultrabooks.
Where It Falls Short
No device is without compromises, and the OmniBook 5 14 does have a few drawbacks.
The touchpad is the most noticeable issue. While it feels smooth to the touch, it produces an unusual rattling sound when tapped, which detracts from the overall experience. For regular use, an external mouse is likely the better option.
Display brightness is another limitation. With a rating of 300 nits, visibility can suffer in brighter environments, often requiring the screen to be used at maximum brightness—which, in turn, impacts battery life. The 60Hz refresh rate is also fairly standard at this price point, but worth noting for users expecting smoother visuals.
Final Thoughts
Even with a few minor shortcomings, the HP OmniBook 5 14 stands out as one of the most well-rounded and long-lasting Windows laptops currently available. With the pace of innovation in processors from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm, we expect even more impressive models to arrive later this year.
For now, this is a strong choice for anyone prioritising battery life, portability, and value.
At CES earlier this year, HP revealed a refreshed version of the OmniBook 5 14, this time featuring Qualcomm’s newer Snapdragon X2 Plus chip. Details around pricing and release timing, however, have yet to be officially announced.
In the meantime, the current OmniBook 5 14 remains widely available through retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and directly from HP. For anyone seeking a reasonably priced, lightweight laptop with exceptional battery endurance, it remains a very solid option.
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