But what if I told you there is a Windows alternative that is better in almost every way? That’s the HP OmniBook 5, a laptop you’ve probably never heard of unless you look closely at the space. I’ve been recommending it since testing it last month. The price has fluctuated, but most often, the 14-inch model was selling for $500. You read that right: $500. Today, the cheapest, most consistent price you’ll find for it is over $730 at Walmart, but I’ve seen HP repeatedly drop its price from $1,050 to around $500.
And just take a look at what you get for the price, because it’s absolutely stacked. It comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which is double the price you’ll get on the $599 MacBook Neo. If you like the idea of taking up a little more screen real estate, there’s also a 16-inch version.
The HP OmniBook 5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X, a highly efficient chip that delivers great, all-day battery life that’s at least on par with the MacBook Neo. If you haven’t used a Windows laptop for a few years and still think they can’t compete with MacBooks in battery life, you’re very wrong.
It’s especially important to note the 16GB of memory on the OmniBook 5, as this is one of the big points of contention with the MacBook Neo. Being stuck at 8GB in 2026 sounds cruel in theory, and while testing it I was able to load a MacBook Neo and easily find its breaking point. The 16GB of memory on the HP OmniBook 5 is enough that you’ll never have to worry about how many tabs, applications, installations or downloads you’re running at once. Combined with the improved multicore performance of the Snapdragon X, this enables a kind of freedom that lets you forget about the hardware and focus on the task at hand. Don’t get me wrong—the MacBook Neo has its place, but calling it the undisputed king of budget laptops isn’t right.
The HP OmniBook 5 is only $500
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Specs and performance don’t tell the whole story, and Apple has never been known for offering a ton of specs on the cheap. But the OmniBook 5 14 also has an attractive design in a highly portable package. At 0.5 inches, it’s exactly the same thickness as the MacBook Neo and weighs almost the same. Does the MacBook Neo have a little more style and personality? Absolutely—especially if you prefer one of the bolder color options. But I will say that the OmniBook 5 is a very beautiful laptop in its own right. It is also made of aluminum, sturdy and feels well in your hands. The hinge is well balanced, allowing you to open the lid with one finger. It’s not like that feel Cheap.
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