Tag: HP

  • HP OmniBook 5 & 6 Launched: Snapdragon X Plus and OLED Display

    HP OmniBook 5 & 6 Launched: Snapdragon X Plus and OLED Display

    Key Takeaways

    1. Budget-Friendly Windows-on-Arm Laptops: HP introduced the OmniBook 5 14 and OmniBook 5 16, focusing on affordability and extended battery life using Snapdragon X Plus SoCs.

    2. Display Features: The OmniBook 5 16 has a 16-inch 2K OLED display with a 0.2 ms response time and 95% DCI-P3 color gamut, while the 14-inch version shares similar specs.

    3. Performance Customization: Both models offer customizable processors (Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 or X1-26-100) with options for 8 cores, memory (up to 32 GB DDR5), and storage (up to 1 TB SSD).

    4. Connectivity and Security: They feature Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, multiple USB ports, a 3.5 mm audio jack, and a 1080p IR camera with a privacy shutter.

    5. Pricing and Release Date: The OmniBook 5 14 starts at $799, and the OmniBook 5 16 starts at $849, both available in July in Glacial Silver.

    HP recently revealed two budget-friendly Windows-on-Arm laptops during Computex. The OmniBook 5 14 and OmniBook 5 16 prioritize extended battery life over raw performance, utilizing energy-efficient Snapdragon X Plus SoCs. These devices are certified with Windows Copilot+ and feature a specific key for activating the virtual assistant. Additionally, HP includes a 1080p IR camera along with a privacy shutter for enhanced security.

    Display and Design

    The HP OmniBook 5 16 sports a 16-inch 2K (1920 x 1200) OLED display with an impressive 0.2 ms response time and 95% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. It also comes with Corning Gorilla Glass for the touch-enabled variant. The HP OmniBook 5 14 matches these specifications in a sleeker 14-inch design. Other than size, the laptops share the same specifications, including a 59 Wh Li-ion battery that allows for 65 Watts fast charging.

    Performance Options

    Customers can customize the OmniBook 5 16 and OmniBook 5 14 with a Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 or a Snapdragon X1-26-100. Both processors feature 8 cores, but the former can reach speeds of up to 3.4 GHz, while the latter is capped at 2.9 GHz. Options for memory and storage are available in 32/16 GB DDR5-8448 and 1 TB/512 GB/256 GB PCIe Gen4 SSDs. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, two 10 Gbps USB Type-C ports, one USB Type-A port, and a 3.5 mm combo audio jack.

    Pricing and Availability

    The HP OmniBook 5 14 will be available for purchase in July, starting at $799. The HP OmniBook 5 16 will also launch at the same time, with a base price of $849. Both models are offered in a single color option: Glacial Silver.

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    HP OmniBook 5 & 6 Launched: Snapdragon X Plus and OLED DisplayHP OmniBook 5 & 6 Launched: Snapdragon X Plus and OLED DisplayHP OmniBook 5 & 6 Launched: Snapdragon X Plus and OLED DisplayHP OmniBook 5 & 6 Launched: Snapdragon X Plus and OLED DisplayHP OmniBook 5 & 6 Launched: Snapdragon X Plus and OLED DisplayHP OmniBook 5 & 6 Launched: Snapdragon X Plus and OLED Display
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  • North America Sees Surge in Desktop and Laptop Sales Amid Tariffs

    North America Sees Surge in Desktop and Laptop Sales Amid Tariffs

    Key Takeaways

    1. High tariffs on imports from China, reaching a minimum of 145%, are causing consumers to stock up on electronic devices, potentially leading to higher prices and lower supplies.
    2. Major companies like Dell, HP, and Lenovo are postponing laptop shipments to the US due to tariff impacts, while recent data shows significant increases in sales of desktops and laptops in North America.
    3. The International Data Corporation (IDC) reported a 7.6% revenue increase in the personal computer market, with laptop sales up by 26.9% and desktop sales up by 35.3% in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024.
    4. Both businesses and consumers are motivated to upgrade IT systems ahead of the end of Microsoft’s security support for Windows 10 in October 2025, pushing upgrades for devices that cannot run Windows 11.
    5. Despite strong sales in the PC hardware market, consumer confidence is declining, and a contraction in the market is expected in the second half of 2025, with the US gaming sector experiencing revenue drops.

    With a lot of parts made in China, high tariffs are making people stock up on electronic devices. The minimum tariffs of 145% on imports from China could lower supplies and make prices go higher. Some companies, like Dell, HP, and Lenovo, have started to postpone shipping laptops to the US. Recent data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) shows big jumps in sales of desktops and laptops in North America.

    IDC’s Role in Market Monitoring

    The IDC keeps track of sales of personal computers, software, services, and network infrastructure items. In the first quarter of 2025, total revenue rose to $19.9 billion, which is a 7.6% increase from the same time in 2024. The biggest growth was seen in personal computers, which include laptops and ready-made desktops. Laptop sales surged by 26.9%, desktop sales went up by 35.3%, and workstation sales climbed by 49.3% compared to Q1 2024. The graph below seems to have a mistake, as the right column should read “2025Q1”.

    Corporate and Consumer Reactions

    Companies felt a strong need to upgrade their IT systems to lessen the impact of tariffs. However, even regular consumers have acted fast. Another reason is that Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 10 PCs in October 2025. Those whose devices can’t run Windows 11 might have hastened their plans to upgrade.

    Consumer Spending Trends

    Recent consumer spending data from March shows significant increases in retail sales. Yet, consumer confidence has taken a hit, with little progress seen in the negotiations about tariffs between China and the US. The IDC’s report mentioned that “market contraction should be expected in the second half of 2025.” It’s hard to believe that shoppers will keep buying expensive laptops and desktops at the same pace.

    On the other hand, while the PC hardware market is thriving, the US gaming sector faced downturns in March. Circana reported a 6% drop in revenue from video game software, hardware, and accessories compared to March 2024. Consoles and gaming accessories took the biggest hits, suggesting that consumers might be focusing more on work than fun. Still, strong pre-order sales for the Nintendo Switch 2 could help boost revenue significantly.

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    North America Sees Surge in Desktop and Laptop Sales Amid Tariffs

     

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  • GeForce RTX 5090 Laptops vs. Desktop RTX 4070 Ti Performance

    GeForce RTX 5090 Laptops vs. Desktop RTX 4070 Ti Performance

    Key Takeaways

    1. Major companies like Razer and HP are releasing gaming laptops with GeForce RTX 5090 graphics.
    2. The mobile RTX 5090’s performance is closer to the desktop RTX 4070 Ti Super than to the desktop RTX 5090.
    3. The mobile RTX 5090 has more unified shaders and cores than the desktop RTX 4070 Ti Super but performs lower due to a much lower TGP.
    4. In real gaming scenarios, the mobile RTX 5090 can perform similarly to the desktop RTX 4070 Ti Super in high-demand games at 4K settings.
    5. The mobile RTX 5090 offers better performance-per-watt compared to its raw performance, despite being more aligned with older desktop components.

    Major companies such as Razer and HP have started to deliver their newest gaming laptops that come with GeForce RTX 5090 graphics. Although performance has improved compared to the mobile RTX 4090, the difference between it and the desktop RTX 5090 is quite large and arguably more pronounced than the difference between the mobile RTX 4090 and the desktop version. Our benchmark tests indicate that the mobile RTX 5090 is more similar to the desktop RTX 4070 Ti Super, as evidenced by the graphs below. The 3DMark results show only a small percentage difference between these two GPUs.

    Performance Expectations

    It’s a bit disappointing to see that the mobile RTX 5090 has more unified shaders, TMUs, ROPs, RT cores, and tensor cores than the desktop RTX 4070 Ti Super, yet it doesn’t perform as well. The main issue here is the much lower TGP of the mobile chip, which means that the GPU clock rates are roughly half of those found in the desktop versions. Hence, the theoretical performance is only in the low 30 TFLOPS range, compared to around 40 TFLOPS for the desktop RTX 4070 Ti.

    Gaming Performance

    However, there is a silver lining for the mobile RTX 5090 when it comes to playing real games, rather than just relying on synthetic benchmarks like 3DMark. Titles like Final Fantasy 15, Cyberpunk 2077, Black Myth: Wukong, and Alan Wake 2 at 4K with maximum settings show performance levels that are comparable to a desktop RTX 4070 Ti Super, despite the significant differences in TGP, according to our findings. This doesn’t even factor in any benefits from DLSS4 or MFG features, which would further widen the performance gap favoring the mobile RTX 5090. Therefore, laptop users can at least rely on the better performance-per-watt of the mobile RTX 5090, even if its raw performance is more in line with a last generation desktop component.

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  • HP Open to Developing SteamOS Handheld Gaming Device

    HP Open to Developing SteamOS Handheld Gaming Device

    Key Takeaways

    1. HP is not entering the handheld gaming PC market due to limitations with the Windows operating system.
    2. Josephine Tan, HP’s Senior Vice President, expressed frustration with the current Windows experience in handheld devices.
    3. HP is open to the idea of creating a handheld device that runs on Valve’s SteamOS, which has gained popularity.
    4. The likelihood of HP launching a SteamOS handheld is low, as Lenovo is currently the only partner for SteamOS devices.
    5. Microsoft is working on improving the Windows experience for handheld PCs, leading companies to wait for better software before considering new partnerships.

    While several major PC brands like Lenovo, Asus, and MSI have jumped into the world of handheld gaming PCs, HP is still on the sidelines. In a recent chat, they shared their reasons for not unveiling their own device, and what it might take to change that.

    Windows Limitations

    In an interview with XDA, Josephine Tan, the Senior Vice President and Division President of Gaming Solutions at HP, explained that the main reason for HP’s absence in the handheld gaming PC market is due to the current limitations of Windows. During the recent HP Amplify event, she mentioned, “If you look at Windows, I struggle with the experience myself.” She noted that Windows lacks the smooth experience of just turning on a handheld and picking up where you left off, unlike the Nintendo Switch.

    Exploring SteamOS

    When asked if HP would consider creating a gaming handheld that runs on Valve’s SteamOS, Tan seemed receptive to the idea. This isn’t too surprising, given how well the Steam Deck has performed in the handheld gaming sector, largely due to its user-friendly software. Currently, the Steam Deck is the only handheld available with SteamOS, but this is set to change soon with Lenovo’s Legion Go S (SteamOS version) already up for pre-order.

    Future Possibilities

    However, the likelihood of HP launching a handheld that uses SteamOS appears low. Valve disclosed earlier this year that Lenovo was the sole partner to produce a SteamOS device. This suggests that, even with the benefits of SteamOS, not all manufacturers are keen to adopt it. Even Lenovo has indicated that its upcoming Legion Go 2 will operate on Windows instead of SteamOS.

    Additionally, Microsoft is actively working to enhance the Windows experience on handheld PCs. This means that companies might be biding their time, hoping for an improved software experience rather than pursuing a new partnership with Valve.

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  • Monitor Prices May Rise 5% as Manufacturers Stockpile Panels

    Monitor Prices May Rise 5% as Manufacturers Stockpile Panels

    Key Takeaways

    1. Leading monitor manufacturers are increasing their inventory of display panels to prepare for potential tariffs from China, possibly reaching three million units.
    2. Monitor prices may rise by around five percent due to increased system costs resulting from tariffs.
    3. Second-tier brands face significant pressure, with limited bargaining power and rapidly decreasing prices, while top brands manage tariff effects better.
    4. Demand for monitor panels is rising, with first-quarter 2025 shipments expected to exceed those of the previous quarter, despite challenges in securing enough monitor panels.
    5. Broader industry trends show companies considering relocating production to Vietnam and Taiwan, though these areas may face their own tariff challenges.

    Leading monitor manufacturers are preparing for possible retaliatory tariffs from China on U.S. products by increasing their inventory of display panels, with estimates suggesting they may reach three million units. Experts predict that monitor prices could rise by approximately five percent due to the overall rise in system costs.

    Impact on Second-Tier Brands

    The brands that are not as well-known are under the most pressure, as they have limited bargaining power in a highly competitive market and are facing rapidly decreasing prices. These companies may find themselves paying more to secure their production capacity, while top brands like Dell, HP, and Samsung Electronics can utilize their greater production capabilities to better manage the effects of the tariffs.

    Trends in Panel Demand

    Demand for monitor panels has been increasing steadily since late 2024, and shipments for the first quarter of 2025 are expected to surpass those of the previous quarter. This upward trend seems to be holding even during typically slow months, partly due to a spike in LCD TV panel prices earlier. Given that panel manufacturers often focus on producing TV panels (which yield higher profits), securing enough monitor panels is becoming increasingly difficult.

    Overall, the market demand may rise by two to three million units, but the direction this takes will depend on how each brand approaches sourcing amid the changing geopolitical landscape. Larger companies are already ramping up both their panel and system inventories to mitigate the impact of higher tariffs from the U.S.

    Broader Industry Changes

    It’s not only monitor manufacturers that are feeling the effects of these developments. Wider industry trends indicate that companies such as ASRock are considering moving their production to Vietnam and Taiwan. However, these regions come with their own set of challenges, such as potential semiconductor tariffs that could reach up to 100 percent—part of a larger effort to alter global manufacturing dynamics.

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  • HP Unveils Snapdragon X Elite-Powered EliteBook Ultra G1 AI PC

    HP Unveils Snapdragon X Elite-Powered EliteBook Ultra G1 AI PC

    HP has rolled out another AI-powered PC, the EliteBook Ultra, featuring the Snapdragon X Elite chipset. This article delves into the specs and features of the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q. For details on the OmniBook X, click here.

    HP EliteBook Ultra G1q Specifications and Features:
    The laptop sports an "atmospheric blue" hue, measuring 14.22mm in thickness and weighing 1.349kg. It includes a 14" 2.2K (2240 x 1400) IPS touchscreen with an anti-glare finish. The display reaches a brightness of 300 nits, offers 100% sRGB coverage, and has Low Blue Light certification. It also features a backlit full-size keyboard with HP Imagepad, color-coordinated with the laptop.

    Performance-wise, this model is driven by the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 chipset. It integrates 12-Qualcomm Oryon CPU cores that can achieve speeds up to 3.4GHz, an Adreno GPU (3.8 TFLOPS), and Qualcomm’s Hexagon NPU for AI functionalities. The energy-efficient chipset allows for lightweight designs with minimal heat dissipation requirements.

    AI Capabilities and Memory

    Thanks to its AI abilities, the laptop offers features like background blur and virtual backgrounds for video calls, along with temporal noise reduction. It comes with 16GB of LPDDR5X-8400MHz soldered memory and options for either 512GB or 1TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe TLC M.2 SSD storage.

    Audio and Battery

    The EliteBook Ultra G1q is equipped with four stereo speakers and dual microphones supported by Poly Studio. It also includes a 5MP webcam for video conferencing. The laptop is powered by a 59 Whr battery and includes a 65W Type-C fast charger.

    Connectivity Ports

    For wired connectivity, the laptop includes:

    • 1 x USB Type-C (40Gbps)
    • 1 x USB Type-C (10Gbps)
    • 1 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen1
    • 3.5mm audio port (headphone/mic combo)

    Pricing and Availability

    The 512GB storage variant of the EliteBook Ultra G1q is now available for pre-order on HP’s website, priced at $1699 (roughly 12,300 Yuan).

    HP Unveils Snapdragon X Elite-Powered EliteBook Ultra G1 AI PC
    HP Unveils Snapdragon X Elite-Powered EliteBook Ultra G1 AI PC
    HP Unveils Snapdragon X Elite-Powered EliteBook Ultra G1 AI PC
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  • Introducing HP ZBook Power 16 G11 Laptop: with AMD or Intel CPUs

    Introducing HP ZBook Power 16 G11 Laptop: with AMD or Intel CPUs

    HP introduced the latest ZBook Power 16 G11 (Zhan 99) mobile workstation on May 10th via its official website. This new model features a larger 16-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a step up from the prior generation's 15.6-inch screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio. When it comes to display options, users have a variety to select from, including different resolutions (1920×1200 or 2560×1600), brightness levels (ranging from 300 to 1000 nits), color gamut (45% NTSC or 100% sRGB), and touch functionality.

    Display Options and Configurations

    Users have ample choices for customization, with various options available for tailoring the device to their preferences. When delving into the specifications, users can opt for Intel Core Ultra processors (i5, i7, i9) or AMD Ryzen processors, which also include Pro variants. Both processor choices are paired with Nvidia RTX Ada graphics, spanning from RTX 500 to RTX 3000. Notable features of the ZBook Power 16 G11 include dual DDR5 SO-DIMM memory slots, dual M.2 solid-state drive slots, a 5-megapixel camera equipped with infrared face recognition technology and a privacy shield, as well as a range of connectivity options such as Thunderbolt 4 and RJ45 ethernet ports.

    Battery and Weight Specifications

    Equipped with an 83Wh battery and a 150W power adapter, the ZBook Power 16 G11 weighs at least 2.04kg for the Ryzen option and 2.122kg for the Intel variant. While there may be a consumer edition on the horizon featuring RTX 4050 graphics, it is not yet accessible for purchase. However, specific details regarding RAM capacity and storage size are not explicitly outlined in the available information.

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  • HP Star Book Pro 16 2024 Laptop: Intel Ultra 7 155H & RTX 4050

    HP Star Book Pro 16 2024 Laptop: Intel Ultra 7 155H & RTX 4050

    HP has recently introduced the impressive Star Book Pro 16 laptop in the Chinese market, showcasing powerful Intel Core Ultra processors and an optional RTX 4050 graphics card.

    Specifications of HP Star Book Pro 16:

    The Star Book Pro 16 is available in four configurations, all featuring either 16GB or 32GB of RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. Users have the choice between the Core Ultra 5 125H or Ultra 7 155H processor. Additionally, for users requiring enhanced graphics performance, there is an option for the RTX 4050, capable of reaching up to 80W performance.

    The laptop boasts a 16-inch 2.5K 120Hz IPS display with 400 nits of brightness and a 100% sRGB color gamut, providing a vivid and seamless visual experience. Security features include a 5MP camera with Windows Hello IR face recognition. Weighing 1.899kg and measuring 17.7mm thin, the laptop is designed to be reasonably portable.

    Features and Highlights:

    Despite its slim physique, it houses a 68Wh battery and includes a numeric keypad for added convenience. HP has integrated their Huixiaowei AI assistant into the device and offers 3 years of their E-Butler one-on-one online service. The Star Book Pro 16 is equipped with a variety of ports, including USB-A, USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, and a headphone jack.

    Pricing and Availability:

    Pre-orders for the HP Star Book Pro 16 will commence on April 30th at 10:00 AM, with pricing details yet to be announced.

    HP Star Book Pro 16 2024 Laptop: Intel Ultra 7 155H & RTX 4050
    HP Star Book Pro 16 2024 Laptop: Intel Ultra 7 155H & RTX 4050
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  • HP Launches Star Plus 16 Ryzen Notebooks

    HP Launches Star Plus 16 Ryzen Notebooks

    HP recently expanded their Star Book Plus 16 Ryzen laptop range by unveiling three new variants to meet different budget and need requirements. Let’s delve into these models:

    Ultra-Clear And Fast Version:

    The entry-level model comes equipped with an R5 8540U processor designed specifically to handle everyday computing needs, providing 16GB RAM with 512GB storage priced at 4,299 Yuan (around $670 USD) or 16GB RAM with 1TB storage available on JD.com upon availability confirmation.

    Ultra-Clear Play Version:

    This model enhances performance with a powerful R7 8840U processor, making it suitable for tasks such as content creation and light gaming. Available with 16GB RAM with 512GB storage for 4,699 yuan or with 16GB RAM plus 1TB for 5,099 yuan – two options suitable for demanding activities like content creation or light gaming!

    Ultra-Clear Advanced Version with Touch Screen Capability:

    This top-tier choice features the R7 8840U processor with touchscreen display for enhanced user engagement, storage options matching "Ultra-clear play version", 16GB RAM with 512GB storage for $4,899 or 1TB for $5299.

    All three models share an identical design language, featuring a 16-inch 1920×1200 IPS matte display with flicker-free dimming to reduce eye strain. Their slim metal bodies boast seamless edges and chamfered frames measuring a maximum thickness of 18.6mm while weighing in at just over 1.8 kg each.

    Connectivity-wise, the Star Book Plus 16 Ryzen offers an abundance of ports such as USB-A 10Gbps ports, HDMI2.1 support, USB-C 10Gbps support with fast charging capability reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes and WiFi6E and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless support for wireless connectivity. WiFi6E supports wireless networking while Bluetooth 5.3 supports Bluetooth communications; its claimed battery life lasts 12.5 hours with fast charging reaching 50% in just 30 minutes!

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  • HP Launches 4 New 14-inch Chromebooks from $300

    HP Launches 4 New 14-inch Chromebooks from $300

    HP recently unveiled not one, not two but four 14-inch Chromebooks running Intel’s Alder Lake-N processors, each designed for students, everyday users and those wanting a premium experience. HP showcased these Chromebooks as being offered at various price ranges with features designed to satisfy different users.

    Different Offerings to Meet Varying Preferences

    Users have the flexibility of choosing various storage capacities and CPUs from among these Chromebooks, with one of the most advanced models being HP Chromebook Plus x360 14-inch featuring an Intel Core i3-N305 processor, 8GB LPDDR5 memory, 128GB or 256GB UFS storage options and 14-inch IPS touchscreen displaying Full HD (1920×1080 resolution with multitouch capabilities. In addition, its 1080p webcam ensures smooth video calls perfect for online learning or remote work.

    Performance and Affordability in Conjunction

    HP Chromebook x360 14-Inch provides individuals seeking a balance between performance and cost efficiency with two configurations of its 14-inch laptop: Full HD touchscreen displays with integrated webcam, an Intel N100 or N200 processor option with 4GB or 8GB memory and either 64GB or 128GB storage options.

    Provide Solutions that Suit Different Needs

    HP Chromebook 14-Inch: the Final Addition in its Lineup The final addition in HP’s Chromebook lineup, this non-convertible model offers similar specifications to its 360deg hinge counterpart when it comes to display, webcam quality and battery life. However, what sets them apart are their processor options; both provide Intel N100 or N200 processor options but without 360deg hinge flexibility.

    Pricing begins at an accessible $300 for the HP Chromebook x360 14-inch base model, making it an excellent option for students or casual users. Meanwhile, HP’s flagship Chromebook Plus x360 14-inch comes equipped with more robust processor and enhanced features and can be purchased for $599.99; all models except one featuring N100 processor will be released sometime during March 2017.

    HP Launches 4 New 14-inch Chromebooks from 0
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