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How does this $600 HP laptop have better battery life than some of the newest models?

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source fits that description perfectly, with a roomy keyboard, a diverse range of configurations, and a very attractive $649 starting price.

I tested the OmniBook 5 16-inch with the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H processor, and found it to be a reliable, practical laptop with a very efficient battery, particularly for a 16-inch.

Also: HP’s EliteBook X G2i could be the ultraportable business laptop I’ve been waiting for

However, while it succeeds in its mission overall, I have some critiques about its build, both of which seem to shine best when they’re not pushed to the limits. Let’s take a look. 

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Build and hardware  

, with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. This is a competitive price for this laptop, but the cost is only apparent when looking closely at the trade-offs, namely the matte, 2K IPS display, which is serviceable, but caps out at 300 nits of brightness. Opting for OLED will deliver a more premium user experience, but it will raise the price by a few hundred bucks.  

Features and daily use 

is a solid midrange laptop that punches well above its $649 sale price. It’s geared toward everyday users with diverse workflows, and delivers excellent battery life for those use cases, as pushing it outside its comfort zone taxes battery life. 

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I’d recommend this laptop to students of all faculties, as well as professionals who need a capable work laptop and value a comfortable, full-sized keyboard. Its display isn’t particularly premium, especially compared to all the new OLED laptops that are coming out this year, but that’s one of the trade-offs for its price point. 

If you like HP laptops and want a more cutting-edge, premium option, I’d suggest the new HP EliteBook X G2i, with Intel’s latest Series 3 “Panther Lake” processor. 

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