Our verdict
The OmniBook 5 16 offers a large 16-inch workspace and 512GB of storage at a modest price, with 8GB of memory as the main brake. Memory is the working space your apps share: 8GB is fine for email, documents and browsing, but tight if you keep many tabs open. Notebookcheck, which tested a higher-spec model, measured its 16-inch matte 1920 x 1200 screen at 349.2 cd/m2 (about 349 nits) and praised the keyboard. It also weighed 1.716kg. Our price check found the 8GB / 512GB version at £379 on 1 August 2026. Our 8GB model is below our 16GB long-term standard, and Notebookcheck's performance findings come from a different configuration.
Buy it if
- You want a large 16-inch screen for documents and video at a low price
- You value a comfortable keyboard
- Your use is light and you accept 8GB of memory
Skip it if
- You want a laptop to keep for many years with room to grow
- You need strong graphics or performance for demanding work
- You want a portable laptop: Notebookcheck weighed its unit at 1.716kg, plus 310g for the charger
How it would fit your home
Working from a desk
The 16-inch screen fits a document beside a web page, and Notebookcheck liked the spacious keys for long typing sessions.
Connecting things
Notebookcheck's unit had two USB-C, two USB-A and HDMI 2.1, enough for a monitor, a mouse and a backup drive without an adapter.
Deciding whether to spend more
If you plan to keep the laptop for years, compare this with a 16GB model before buying.
The details, in plain English
Everyday performance
Notebookcheck tested a different configuration (Intel Core Ultra 7 255U, 16GB memory and 1TB storage) and called its processor performance average and its graphics underwhelming. Our 8GB / 512GB version may perform differently. What matters most is memory: 8GB is enough for browsing, email and documents, but with many tabs or programs open it runs short, which is why we consider it below our 16GB standard.
Screen and keyboard
The tested unit had a 16-inch IPS screen with 1920 x 1200 resolution, a matte finish (which cuts reflections) and a 60Hz refresh rate. Notebookcheck measured brightness of 349.2 cd/m2 against a 300-nit rating, which is fine for indoor use. It praised the comfortable, spacious keys, though it found the hinges weak.
Connections, weight and battery
Notebookcheck's unit had two USB-C ports (10Gbps, with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, so one cable can carry a display signal and charge the laptop), one HDMI 2.1 port, two USB-A ports and a headphone jack. It weighed 1.716kg, with a 310g power supply. It had a 59Wh battery and Notebookcheck called the battery life good. Check the battery capacity for your exact version.
Storage and upgrades
Notebookcheck found a single M.2 slot on its unit, so there is no room to add a second drive. We have not confirmed whether the 8GB of memory can be upgraded on this version, so treat upgrades as uncertain and buy the configuration you need at the outset rather than counting on a later upgrade.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- 16-inch screen: Notebookcheck's unit was 1920 x 1200, IPS, matte and measured about 349 nits
- Comfortable, spacious keys, according to Notebookcheck
- Ports include two USB-C (10Gbps, DisplayPort, Power Delivery), HDMI 2.1 and two USB-A on the tested unit
- Notebookcheck called the battery life good on its 59Wh unit
- 512GB storage gives useful space for files
What to watch out for
- 8GB of memory falls below our preferred 16GB long-term standard
- Notebookcheck found weak hinges
- Notebookcheck described its higher-spec unit as having average processor performance and an underwhelming GPU
- The tested unit had a single M.2 storage slot, and we cannot confirm memory upgrades on this version
- Notebookcheck's unit was 60Hz, so scrolling is not as fluid as on higher-refresh screens
The OmniBook 5 16 is compared with memory, storage, screen and operating system kept visible. A cheaper low-memory model is not treated as the same machine, so compare 16GB alternatives too.
Make the HP OmniBook 5 16 easier to live with
Add-ons that answer a drawback we named above. Check compatibility with your exact model before buying.
Solves: the tested unit had a single M.2 storage slot, and we cannot confirm memory upgrades on this version
Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB MU-PC1T0T/WW Not yet reviewed by us
Adds external file space without requiring a second internal M.2 slot. This does not upgrade RAM or graphics.
Check first: Adds external file storage, not RAM or internal upgradeability.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 HP OmniBook 5 16 (this one) | A roomy, affordable 16-inch laptop for light work, but this 8GB version falls below our preferred 16GB/512GB long-term standard. | £3798 GB memory · 512 GB storage, Price recorded 1 Aug 2026 | Check price |
 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 | An affordable, portable laptop with a good screen shape and plenty of ports, as long as you accept 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage. | £3798 GB memory · 256 GB storage, Price recorded 1 Aug 2026 | Check price |
 ASUS Vivobook Go 15 E1504FA | An affordable 15.6-inch laptop for light work, but this 8GB version falls below our preferred 16GB/512GB standard for keeping long term. | £3998 GB memory · 512 GB storage, Price recorded 1 Aug 2026 | Check price |
 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.3 | A cheap, big-screen laptop for browsing, email and documents, but its 8GB of memory is the limit to think about before you buy. | £3998 GB fast memory · 512 GB storage, Price recorded 1 Aug 2026 | Check price |
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Where our findings come from
Research-based review. Specifications and measurements come from HP UK, Microsoft, the NCSC, Notebookcheck and PCWorld. Notebookcheck's measurements are from a different configuration from the 8GB version we review; we have not tested this laptop ourselves.