At CES 2026, HP unveiled a comprehensive refresh of its OmniBook laptop lineup, signaling a significant strategic shift. The centerpiece of this announcement is the redesigned OmniBook Ultra 14, a premium ultraportable that will be offered with a choice of two next-generation processor platforms: an exclusive variant of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite and Intel's upcoming Panther Lake CPUs. This dual-platform approach highlights the intensifying competition in the AI PC space, with HP positioning the Snapdragon model as a flagship contender against Apple's MacBook Air, boasting superior AI performance and a sleek new design.
A Dual-Platform Strategy for the AI Era
HP's decision to offer the OmniBook Ultra 14 with both Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 and Intel Panther Lake processors is a clear acknowledgment of the bifurcated future of Windows on Arm and traditional x86 architectures. The Qualcomm variant is receiving particular emphasis, featuring an exclusive SKU of the Snapdragon X2 Elite with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) rated at 85 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This represents a slight but notable increase over the previously announced 80 TOPS ceiling for the X2 Elite, potentially giving HP's implementation a marginal edge in on-device AI tasks. In contrast, the Intel Panther Lake models are expected to feature NPUs with up to 50 TOPS. This performance gap underscores Qualcomm's current lead in dedicated AI silicon, a key battleground for modern "AI PC" marketing.
Key Specifications: HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (2026)
| Feature | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Model | Intel Panther Lake Model |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon X2 Elite (exclusive 85 TOPS NPU variant) & Snapdragon X2 Plus | Intel "Next Gen AI" Processor (Panther Lake, up to 50 TOPS NPU) |
| Display | 14-inch, 2880 x 1800 OLED Touch, 120Hz | 14-inch, 2880 x 1800 OLED Touch, 120Hz |
| Weight | 2.81 lbs (1.27 kg) | 2.81 lbs (1.27 kg) |
| Colors | Stone Blue | Gray, Sand |
| Ports | USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Battery | 70 WHr | 70 WHr |
| Starting Price | TBA (Spring 2026) | USD 1,549.99 (January 2026) |
| Durability | MIL-STD 810G tested (20 tests) | MIL-STD 810G tested (20 tests) |
Redesigned Chassis and Premium Display
Beyond the silicon, the 2026 OmniBook Ultra 14 sports a completely new, thinner, and lighter design. HP claims it is 14% lighter than its predecessor at just 2.81 pounds (approximately 1.27 kg) and is thinner than the 13-inch MacBook Air at a specific point on its chassis. The build quality utilizes an anodized aluminum finish, with the Qualcomm model available in a "stone blue" color and Intel models in more conservative gray and "sand" options. Both configurations share a high-resolution 14-inch 2880 x 1800 OLED touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate, promising vibrant colors and smooth motion for productivity and media consumption.
Connectivity, Battery, and Durability
Connectivity is robust, though platform-dependent. The Intel models will utilize Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the Qualcomm options will use the USB4 standard, both supporting high-speed data and display output. Wi-Fi 7 is included across the board for future-proof wireless networking. HP has equipped the laptop with a substantial 70 WHr battery, though specific battery life estimates for the Ultra 14 were not provided in the initial announcement. The company did, however, note that other models in the refreshed OmniBook lineup, like the 16-inch OmniBook 3, are claiming battery life of up to 45 hours. The Ultra 14's chassis has also passed 20 MIL-STD 810G tests, indicating a focus on durability for a premium consumer device.
Pricing, Availability, and the Broader Lineup
The new OmniBook Ultra 14 will launch in phases based on its processor. The Intel Panther Lake version is slated for release in January 2026, with a starting price of USD 1,549.99. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite model is scheduled for a "spring" launch, with pricing to be announced closer to that date. This refresh is part of a much larger overhaul for HP's consumer portfolio. The entire OmniBook stack—including the OmniBook X, 7, 5, and 3 series—is being updated with new processors from Qualcomm, Intel, and AMD's next-gen Ryzen AI chips, and importantly, OLED displays are becoming standard across many models. These other models will roll out throughout February and the spring of 2026.
OmniBook Lineup Refresh Overview (CES 2026 Announcement)
- OmniBook Ultra 14: Flagship model with dual-platform (Snapdragon X2 / Panther Lake) strategy.
- OmniBook X Series (14", 16", Flip models): High-end models receiving OLED displays and new processors.
- OmniBook 7 Series: Mid-to-high-range refresh, launch in Spring 2026.
- OmniBook 5 Series: Mid-range refresh, starting at USD 850, launch in February 2026.
- OmniBook 3 Series: Entry-level refresh, starting at USD 500, launch in February 2026. Notable claim of up to 45 hours battery life for the 16-inch model.
Conclusion: A Bold Step into Competitive Waters
HP's CES 2026 announcements represent a confident and aggressive push into the next generation of AI-powered laptops. By placing the exclusive 85 TOPS Snapdragon X2 Elite at the heart of its flagship Ultra 14 and committing to OLED displays across its range, HP is directly challenging Apple's dominance in premium, fanless laptops and the broader Windows ecosystem's move towards Arm. The success of this strategy will hinge on real-world battery life, the performance and compatibility of the Snapdragon platform with Windows software, and how Intel's Panther Lake ultimately performs. For consumers, the result is a more interesting and competitive high-end laptop market as we move further into 2026.