Review HP OmniBook 5 16-af-1037nr
HP OmniBook 5 16 (af-1037nr)
Intel Core Ultra 7 255U · Intel Graphics 4-Core iGPU · 16GB LPDDR5x · 1TB SSD · 16.0″ 1200p IPS 60Hz · 1.716 kg
Budget 16‑inch multimedia laptop with good battery life, comfortable keyboard, and solid build for the price. Equipped with Intel Arrow Lake-U, weak integrated Arc 4 graphics, limited display options, and single M.2 SSD slot. Average CPU performance, underwhelming GPU, moderate backlight bleed. Priced at ~$652 – a decent budget starter, but skip if you need any gaming or GPU power.
Display – 60Hz IPS, 300 nits, limited sRGB
Panel: BOE0C46 – 16.0″ 1920×1200 IPS, matte, 60 Hz, non-touch (touch optional).
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Brightness | ~349 nits (center) |
| Contrast | 1058:1 |
| sRGB coverage | ~57.7% – limited |
| AdobeRGB | ~40.5% |
| Response times | 24.2 ms (B/W) · 32.5 ms (grey) – slow |
| PWM | Not detected |
| Finish | Matte – reduces reflections |
| Options | IPS touch / OLED (glossy, 300 nits) |
- Only ~58% sRGB coverage – not for colour-critical work
- Moderate uneven backlight bleeding
- Matte finish, decent brightness
- 60Hz, slow response times
The IPS display is basic – fine for office/student work, but poor colour coverage and slow response.
Keyboard & Touchpad – Spacious, comfortable
- Spacious keys, firm feedback – similar to OmniBook 7 Aero 13
- White backlight
- Clickpad: 12.5 x 8 cm – decent size, soft feedback
- Precision drivers – responsive
Keyboard is a highlight – comfortable for long typing sessions.
Ports & Connectivity – No Thunderbolt, Wi-Fi 6E
- Right: 2× USB-C (10 Gbps, DP+PD), HDMI 2.1, USB-A (10 Gbps)
- Left: USB-A (5 Gbps), 3.5mm combo
- USB-C ports are 10 Gbps, no Thunderbolt
- Wi-Fi 6E (Intel AX211) – ~1195 MBit/s transmit, ~1406 receive
- 2 MP webcam + IR shutter, Windows Hello
- Ports cramped on right edge
Connectivity is decent but no Thunderbolt – good for basic peripherals.
Serviceability – Very limited
Bottom cover: 4 Phillips screws – easy to remove. RAM soldered, single M.2 slot.
| Component | Replaceable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SSD | ✅ Yes | M.2 2280 PCIe4 – single slot |
| RAM | ❌ No | Soldered LPDDR5x – 16GB fixed |
| Wi-Fi | ❌ No | Soldered |
| Battery | ⚠️ Limited | 59 Wh – internal, replaceable with care |
| CPU/GPU | ❌ No | Soldered BGA |
Only SSD is user-replaceable – RAM and Wi-Fi soldered. Choose RAM at purchase.
Storage – Single M.2, periodic dips
- Drive: SK Hynix BC901 – 1 TB, PCIe4 x4
- Seq. read: ~4,637 MB/s · write: ~1,288 MB/s
- Periodic acute dips to ~1000 MB/s (DiskSpd loop)
- No secondary M.2 slot
Storage is fast but inconsistent – single slot limits expansion.
Memory – Soldered LPDDR5x
- 16 GB LPDDR5x, dual-channel, 3724 MHz
- Fully soldered – no SO-DIMM slots
- Choose 16 GB or 64 GB at purchase
RAM is soldered – no upgrades possible.
Processor – Core Ultra 7 255U (Arrow Lake-U)
- Model: Intel Core Ultra 7 255U – 12c/14t (2 P‑core, 8 E‑core, 2 LP E‑core)
- P‑core boost: 5.2 GHz · E‑core 4.2 GHz
- TDP: 58 W PL2 / 25 W PL1 (sustained)
- Cinebench R23 Multi: ~9,049 pts – average
- ~10-15% slower than average for this CPU due to limited Turbo Boost
- Essentially on par with last-gen Core Ultra 7 155U
CPU performance is average – not a standout, but fine for daily tasks.
Graphics – Arc 4‑Core iGPU (very weak)
- GPU: Intel Graphics 4‑Core iGPU (Arrow Lake) – 2100 MHz
- ~40-45% slower than Arc 8‑Core (e.g., MSI Prestige 16)
- 3DMark Time Spy: ~2,149 pts
- Cyberpunk 2077 FHD Ultra: ~13.3 fps (unplayable)
- Baldur’s Gate 3 FHD Low: ~20 fps
- No discrete GPU option – integrated only
3DMark Performance – Power Profiles
| Mode | Graphics Score | Physics Score | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5245 | 20711 | 2024 |
| Balanced | 5103 (-3%) | 15886 (-23%) | 1868 (-8%) |
| Battery | 4984 (-5%) | 16118 (-22%) | 1887 (-7%) |
Arc 4 iGPU is very weak – not suitable for gaming or GPU‑accelerated workloads.
Battery – ~9.5 hours WLAN
- Capacity: 59 Wh
- WiFi surfing (150 nits): ~9.5 hours
- Respectable for the class
- Internal battery – replaceable with moderate effort
Battery life is good – one of the stronger points.
Chassis – Rigid base, weaker lid/hinges
- Materials: Aluminium / recycled metal
- Weight: 1.716 kg – light for 16″
- Dimensions: 358 × 255 × 18.6 mm
- Strong base, minimal flex
- Lid and hinges weaker – warps/teeters
- No front notch – lid harder to open
Build is solid for the price, but hinges are a weak point.
Disassembly & Upgradeability
| Component | Replaceable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SSD | ✅ Yes | M.2 2280 PCIe4 |
| RAM | ❌ No | Soldered |
| Wi-Fi | ❌ No | Soldered |
| Battery | ⚠️ Yes | 59 Wh – replaceable |
| CPU/GPU | ❌ No | Soldered |
Very limited upgradeability – only SSD is swappable.
Procurement & Reseller Recommendations
CPU Core Ultra 7 255U – average performance, fine for office/student.
GPU Arc 4 iGPU is very weak – not for gaming or GPU tasks.
RAM Soldered – choose 16 GB or higher at purchase.
SSD Single M.2 – upgrade by replacement only.
Display 60Hz IPS, ~58% sRGB – basic, not for colour work.
Value At ~$652, it's a decent budget starter – but skip if you need performance.
Key Selling Points vs. Competitors
Strengths
- Comfortable, spacious keyboard
- Strong base construction for the price
- Good battery life (~9.5h)
- Relatively light (1.7 kg)
- Wi-Fi 6E, 2× USB-C (DP+PD)
- Matte IPS display
Weaknesses
- Very weak Arc 4 iGPU
- Limited ~58% sRGB coverage
- Single M.2 SSD slot
- Soldered RAM, no upgrades
- Weaker lid/hinges
- Moderate backlight bleed
- No Thunderbolt
Pro tip for resellers: The HP OmniBook 5 16 is a budget workhorse with a very weak GPU.
• Not for gaming or GPU‑heavy tasks – the Arc 4 iGPU is far too slow.
• Keyboard, battery life, and build are strong points – highlight these.
• RAM is soldered – upsell the 16 GB or 64 GB SKU at purchase.
• Single SSD slot – recommend upgrading storage upfront.
• Great for students, office, and basic multimedia – but not for creators or gamers.
• Price around $650 – good value for the basics.
• Not for gaming or GPU‑heavy tasks – the Arc 4 iGPU is far too slow.
• Keyboard, battery life, and build are strong points – highlight these.
• RAM is soldered – upsell the 16 GB or 64 GB SKU at purchase.
• Single SSD slot – recommend upgrading storage upfront.
• Great for students, office, and basic multimedia – but not for creators or gamers.
• Price around $650 – good value for the basics.